Smart Money Circle

This show interviews the “smart money” (large money managers & CEOs) for timeless investing advice. My goal is to provide you with timeless/actionable advice that you can use to make smarter investment decisions, and help you become intellectually wealthy. The Host: Adam Sarhan, Author, Investor, and Forbes Contributor, interviews real money managers with over $100 million in assets under management (AUM) and CEOs for timeless advice. Disclaimer: All our work is general in nature and for educational/informational purposes only. No specific investment advice is given.

All That Glitters Are Gold ETFs? Meet The $2.5B Money Manager That Invented A Few Gold ETFs

Guest Axel Merk President and Chief Investment Officer of Merk Investments With Over $2.5B AUMAUM: $2.5BCompany: Merk InvestmentsWebsite: https://www.merkinvestments.com/Tickers: OUNZ / ASABio:Axel Merk is the Founder, President, and Chief Investment Officer of Merk Investments, a leading investment advisory firm managing over $2 billion, with a focus on gold and precious metals. With a B.A. and M.Sc. from Brown University, Axel brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the financial industry.Known for his proactive approach, Axel believes in taking action, whether in markets or life. His leadership extends beyond finance, as he actively participates in community service, including serving on the Board Committee for the Dancers Repertory Theatre.Axel's commitment to using his skills and resources for the greater good makes him a dynamic and inspiring figure in both investment and community circles.

09-08
24:13

Interested In Leverage & Thematic ETFs? This $2B Firm Specializes In Both...

Guest: Oktay Kavrak, Director of Comms and Strategy at Leverage Shares & IncomeSharesCompany: Leverage Shares ETPsWebsite: www.leverageshares.com / www.incomeshares.com AUM: ~$2 Billion Bio:Oktay Kavrak is the Director of Communications & Strategy at Leverage Shares, the pioneer in single-stock ETPs, and IncomeShares, Europe’s first options-based income ETPs on single stocks, indices, and commodities. He has been instrumental in bringing some of the most popular products to the London Stock Exchange, including the most traded ETP for three consecutive years.A CFA Charterholder, Oktay has built his career across banking, fund administration, and product strategy before taking on his current leadership role in the ETF industry. He has been quoted in Bloomberg, the Financial Times, CNN, and ETF Stream, and has appeared on CNBC, Benzinga, and others.Known for making complex financial products easy to understand, Oktay has built a following of more than 30,000 investors and professionals by sharing digestible, data-driven content across social media. When he’s not deep in markets, he reminds himself - and his audience - that life is too short to overthink the petty things.Disclaimer:The views expressed in this interview are Oktay’s own and not necessarily those of Leverage Shares. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Always do your own research.

09-04
19:33

This $1B Firm Specializes In Alternative Investments - Should You?

Alan StraussSenior Partner, Director of Investor Relations at Crystal Capital Partners with $1B in assetsWebsitehttps://www.crystalfunds.com/BioAlan has been with the firm since 2009. During that time, he has helped lead the firm’s investor relations department and continues to focus on client relations, sales, and marketing initiatives. He earned both his M.S.Ed. in Sport Administration and his B.S. in Broadcast Journalism and Spanish from the University of Miami.Crystal has over $1bn of AUM on its platform

09-02
15:29

This $3B Money Management Firm Shares Timeless Lessons & Takes A Holistic Approach To Investing

This $3B Money Management Firm Shares Timeless Lessons & Takes A Holistic Approach To Investing GuestDaria Victorov – Financial Advisor and Partner atAbacus Wealth Partners with approximately $3B in AUMWebsite: https://abacuswealth.com/ BioDaria graduated from Virginia Tech's CFP undergraduate education program. Shortly after graduating she relocated to the Bay Area and worked for a small RIA in Silicon Valley. There she kick started her career working primarily with young professionals in tech. After a year the company merged with another RIA where she gained experience working with a transcontinental team and focusing on transitioning clients to the new firm.In 2016 she moved to Abacus Wealth Partners where she is now a relationship manager and partner. Abacus is a national RIA that serves ~1,600 households. She has been on FPA Silicon Valley's board of directors and the NorCal committee. Currently she is involved with NAPFA's DEI committee. In 2018 she was named one of Financial Advisor's 10 Young Advisors to Watch. Lastly, in 2024 she was named one of InvestmentNews' Rising Star recipients.Disclaimer:Abacus Wealth Partners, LLC (‘Abacus’) is an SEC registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC nor does it indicate that Abacus has attained a particular level of skill or ability. This material prepared by Abacus is for informational purposes only and is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. Abacus’ website and its associated links offer news, commentary, and generalized research. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information and should not be considered as a recommendation or solicitation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. It is not intended to serve as personalized tax, legal, and/or investment advice since the availability and effectiveness of any strategy is dependent upon your individual facts and circumstances. Abacus is not a legal or accounting firm. Please consult with your tax and/or legal professional regarding your specific tax or legal situation when determining if any of the mentioned strategies are right for you. Nothing on this website should be interpreted to state or imply that past performance is an indication of future performance. All investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.

08-29
11:59

This $850M Money Manager Does Wealth Management for Life. Meet Tom Hulick CEO Strategy Asset Managers

Name: Tom HulickTitle: CEO – Strategy Asset ManagersAUM: $850MWebsite: https://strategyassetmanagers.com/Bio: Tom Hulick is CEO, CCO and Managing Partner of Strategy Asset Managers. He is the founding partner of Hulick Capital Management, LLC ─ the parent company of both Strategy Asset Managers and Holly Street Wealth Advisors. Mr. Hulick has worked for 25 years as a senior wealth advisor and investment manager for some of the largest financial and investment firms in the world.He is an active member of the Tulane University Fund Advisory Board and serves on the board of the WildlifeNOW ─ Tony Fitzjohn / George Adamson African Wildlife Preservation Trust. Mr. Hulick previously served on the advisory board of the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center in Pasadena, California and the Neighborhood Youth Association, serving underprivileged youth in Los Angeles, CA. He has been a member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses volunteers since 2007.Mr. Hulick received a B.A. in political science from Tulane University and his MBA from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business. He is also a graduate of The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and Aresty Institute of Executive Education, Senior Consultant’s Program, through which he received the designation of Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA).

08-20
14:00

Want Better Backups? BLZE CEO on Big Data, Disruption, & Growth at Backblaze

GuestGleb Budman, Cofounder, CEO, Chairman of Backblaze [NASDAQ: BLZE]Websitehttps://www.backblaze.com/About Gleb BudmanGleb Budman is the co-founder and CEO of Backblaze (NASDAQ: BLZE), the cloud storage company trusted by over 500,000 customers in 175+ countries. From home-built servers to taking the company public, Gleb has led Backblaze with a rare mix of long-term vision, transparency, and scrappiness. Turning a bootstrapped startup into a global cloud platform. Before Backblaze, Gleb led product at two technology startups from beginning through successful acquisitions.

08-18
32:13

Inside Aurora Mobile: Chris Lo, CEO of Aurora Mobile, Talks Strategy & Innovation - $JG

Name: Chris LoTitle: Founder & CEOWebsite: https://ir.jiguang.cnCompany Name: Aurora MobileTicker: JGBio: A serial entrepreneur, founded Aurora Mobile in 2011. Secured multiple rounds of investments from Mandra, IDG, FOSUN, Fidelity, Goldman Sachs, and led Aurora to a successful IPO on NASDAQ in 2018.

08-15
10:12

A Portfolio Manager’s Journey from Wall Street to Main Street: Investing Wisely for Real People

Guest:Scott A. Goginsky, CFA ®Partner & Portfolio ManagerBiondo Investment Advisors, LLCAUM: $1.1BWebsite:www.TheBiondoGroup.comDisclosure:Neither the information nor opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation by us of the purchase or sale of any securities. Past performance does not guarantee future results.Bio:Scott was drawn to the value of a small firm culture and local emphasis when he joined Biondo Investment Advisors in 2010 as a Research Analyst & Portfolio Manager. He finds managing the money of individuals rewarding, as he can help make a significant impact to them and their families. He became a Partner in 2020 and is responsible for equity research and portfolio management.Scott has provided expert commentary on financial markets and investment strategies, appearing on platforms such as NASDAQ TradeTalks, TD Ameritrade, and Business Insider to share insights with investors.He began his career at Metropolitan Life in 1996, and later became a securities analyst at ING Investment Management. He then joined Wachovia Securities as a sell-side research analyst, covering the consumer sector, before moving to Schwartz Investment Counsel as an analystand portfolio manager.Scott graduated from University of Kansas with Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Business Administration. He has an MBA from Oakland University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®). He is also a member of the CFA Institute.Married with twin boys in college, Scott is an enthusiastic reader and sports junkie, with special interest in his favorite team, the Chicago Bears.

08-14
26:46

Draganfly's CEO on Disrupting the Drone Industry - $DPRO

GuestCameron Chell, Co-Founder CEO, Draganfly Inc.Websitehttps://draganfly.com/Ticker: DPROBioCameron ChellCEO / PRESIDENTCameron has been a technology entrepreneur for more than 30 years and has spent his career growing a diverse collection of high-potential ideas into revolutionary companies that have changed the way we experience the world.Cameron takes a hands-on leadership role in projects, infusing innovation and adoption with the operational principles of clarity, alignment, and measurement into the culture of every team he works with.

08-13
26:28

Xtract One's CEO Is Disrupting The Security Industry With AI.

GuestPeter Evans CEO & President Xtract One Technologies Ticker: TSX: XTRAWebsitehttps://xtractone.com/BioPeter Evans has over 25 years of experience leading organizations’ digital transformation and innovation activities for customers in high-growth technology businesses. At Xtract One, Peter is bolstering the physical security technology industry while working to improve the patron experience. With his understanding of the operational challenges customers face, Peter is driving the organization towards delivering tech solutions that replace outdated systems, augment current technology, and enhance existing resources. As a four-time high-tech CEO, Peter has demonstrated repeated success in driving revenue growth and accelerated profitability, by delivering innovative solutions to target markets, and triggered multiple profitable liquidity events. Peter has helped Xtract One transform into an innovative and disruptive company that acquires a broad portfolio of solutions poised for growth by addressing critical security concerns across communities and businesses.Prior to Xtract One, Peter served as a senior executive at several technology and security companies, including IBM, where he was responsible for developing, delivering, and evangelizing the long cycle technical vision and strategy for their Internet Security Systems division. This includes security implications and strategies for Cloud, Telecom, and mobility.

08-07
23:08

A Parents Roadmap For Investing - From The Author & Host Of Money Confident Girls

GuestJulina Ogilvie, CIMA®, CPWA®, CEPA®Partner | Wealth AdvisorPrinciple Wealth Author & Host Money Confident Girls Book & Podcast Firm Websitehttps://www.principlewealthpartners.com/Firm AUM $2.5BBio:Julina manages wealth for high-net-worth individuals and families in addition to guiding successful advisors through the firm's succession planning strategy. Prior to joining Principle Wealth Partners, Julina held executive roles at J.P. Morgan Asset Management and Lord Abbett & Co. In these roles, she used her extensive knowledge of the capital markets to educate the country's top advisors.Julina is an accomplished speaker and strategist who has presented wealth management concepts to thousands of financial professionals and clients. She has been recognized for her outstanding achievements and serves as a mentor for young women entering the business. With a passion for financial literacy she created a podcast, Women On Wealth, to empower women on financial concepts. Additionally, she authored Money Confident Girls: A Parents Roadmap to Raising Financially Confident Children (From Toddlers to Teens), further solidifying her commitment to fostering financial competence from an early age.Julina resides in Fairfield, CT with her husband Doug, their daughters Kaylin and Sidney, and two dogs Mudd and Sierra. She currently sits on the Ethics Board of the Investments & Wealth Institute, serves as VP of Finance at the Westport Women's Club, and sits on the Board of Directors at River House Adult Day Center. Julina is an avid skier and triathlete whom qualified for the lronman World Championship in 2024.Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. The statements and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the author. PWP cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any statements or data. For current PWP information, please visit the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov by searching with PWP’s CRD #290180.

07-18
21:42

Closing the Gender Investing Gap – Meet Dr. Sylvia Kwan CEO & CIO at Ellevest

TitleClosing the Gender Investing Gap – Meet Dr. Sylvia Kwan CEO & CIO at EllevestGuestDr. Sylvia Kwan, CFA®, CAIA®CEO & CIO EllevestWebsitewww.ellevest.comAbout Dr. KwanDr. Sylvia Kwan, CFA®, CAIA® is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer at Ellevest. Dr. Kwan is a Chartered Financial Analyst with more than 30 years of industry experience. Prior to Ellevest, she founded SimplySmart Asset Management and held senior portfolio management positions at Financial Engines and Charles Schwab. She also serves on the Board of Exit 182, the investment committee that oversees the endowment of Grinnell College.Disclosure© 2025 Ellevest, Inc. All Rights Reserved.The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations, does not constitute a solicitation to buy or sell securities and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.Investing entails risk including the possible loss of principal and there is no assurance that the investment will provide positive performance over any period of time.The information provided does not take into account the specific objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any specific person.Ellevest, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Membership fees and additional information can be found at www.ellevest.com.

06-26
27:24

This $450M Money Manager Uses Stocks & Options To Gain An Edge In The Market - Meet Paul S. Stanley

This $450M Money Manager Uses Stocks & Options To Gain An Edge In The Market -Meet Paul S. Stanley Managing Partner At Granite Bay Wealth ManagementGuest:Paul S. Stanley, CFP®, CPM® Managing Partner At Granite Bay Wealth Management $450M AUMWebsite: https://granitebaywm.com/Bio:Paul graduated from Bentley College with a Bachelor’s in Economics and Finance. He spent the first ten years of his career working at major Wall Street firms. In 2006 he opened Granite Bay Wealth Management after realizing that independence was the only way to truly offer what was best for his clients.Paul obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 1999. He has successfully completed level one of the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA®) exam. He also received his Certified Portfolio Manager (CPM®) designation through the Academy of CPM and New York University’s Stern School of Business in 2022.Paul currently serves as a Selectman for the Town of Greenland, NH. He has served as an elected member of the MSAD 35 School Board, Chairman of the South Berwick Sewer District, and a board member of Marshwood Youth Baseball. He spends his free time coaching baseball and soccer, cooking, traveling, golfing, running, and playing guitar. Paul lives in Greenland, NH with his partner Colleen and her daughter Annabelle and has two grown sons: Trevor, who works as a financial advisor for Granite Bay, and Chase, who is attending the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

06-17
23:29

Managing Tough Client Talks: Lessons from a $20 Billion AUM Firm

Description: In this episode, Johnson Investment Counsel’s managing director Chad Maggard joins Adam in a conversation about getting started in wealth management, a snapshot of the industry today and strategies for navigating tough client conversations. Chad shares his perspective on building trust, addressing client concerns and delivering value — even when the markets get messy.About Chad Maggard, Managing Director of Johnson Investment Counsel:Chad joined Johnson Investment Counsel in 2009 and is a Managing Director within Johnson Family Office Services. He is a shareholder of the firm and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation. Prior to coming to the firm, he was a Financial Consultant for AXA Advisors, LLC.Disclaimer: Johnson Investment Counsel cannot promise future results. Any expectations presented here should not be taken as any guarantee or other assurance as to future results. Our opinions are a reflection of our best judgment at the time this material was created, and we disclaim any obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

06-16
27:49

Bitcoin Depot COO $BTM Discusses Building Teams and Navigating the Crypto Boom

Guest Name:Scott Buchanan, COO, of Bitcoin Depot $BTMWebsite:https://bitcoindepot.com/Ticker:NASDAQ: BTMBio:Scott Buchanan serves as the COO of Bitcoin Depot, where he oversees the day-to-day operations of the business as well as long-term strategic planning. In his role, Scott applies his long-standing passion for solving complex problems and optimizing business processes to maximize results. He brings a strong professional background in accounting and finance, having previously worked as a manager for Acuity Brands and an assurance associate for KPMG. Scott is also a Certified Public Accountant with a master’s degree in accounting from Wake Forest University. 

06-06
11:24

This CEO Wants To Make Banking Easy – Meet Heath Fountain, CEO of Colony Bankcorp $CBAN

Guest: Heath Fountain CEO of Colony BankcorpWebsite:https://colony.bank/Ticker: CBANBio:T. Heath Fountain is the Chief Executive Officer of Colony Bankcorp, Inc., a leading community bank headquartered in Fitzgerald, Georgia. Fountain joined Colony Bank on July 30, 2018, as President and CEO, and also serves on the company’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Under his leadership, Colony Bank has achieved the number one deposit market share among community banks in Georgia. The bank has grown to more than $3.1 billion in assets and expanded its presence across the state of Georgia, as well as into Birmingham, Alabama, Tallahassee, Florida, and the Florida Panhandle.

06-02
30:06

The Power of the Patch: Serguei Melnik Shares How Nutriband Is Disrupting The Drug Delivery Business $NTRB

The Power of the Patch: Serguei Melnik Shares How Nutriband Is Disrupting The Drug Delivery BusinessGuestSerguei Melnik Founder & President Nutriband Ticker: NTRBWebsite:https://www.nutriband.com/Bio:Mr. Melnik has been involved in general business consulting for companies in the U.S. financial markets and setting up legal and financial framework for operations of foreign companies in the U.S.Mr. Melnik advised UNR Holdings, Inc. with regard to the initiation of the trading of its stock in the over-the-counter markets in the U.S., and has provided general advice with respect to the U.S. financial markets for companies located in the U.S. and abroad. From February 2003 to May 2005 he was the Chief Operations Officer and a Board member of Asconi Corporation, Winter Park, Florida, with regard to restructuring the company and listing it on the American Stock Exchange.Mr. Melnik from June 1995 to December 1996 was a lawyer in the Department of Foreign Affairs, JSC Bank “Inteprinzbanca,”, Chisinau, Moldova, and prior thereto practiced law in Moldova in various positions. Mr. Melnik is fluent in Russian, Romanian, English and Spanish.Full bio here: https://www.nutriband.com/team-1/serguei-melnik

05-26
22:17

Don’t Mistake Risk For Stress: Direxion’s CEO Douglas Yones on Risk, Reward, and Leveraged ETFs

Don’t Mistake Risk For Stress: Direxion’s CEO Douglas Yoneson Risk, Reward, and Leveraged ETFsGuest: Douglas Yones CEO of DirexionCompany: Direxion ETFWebsite: https://www.direxion.com/ AUM: $50 BillionBio:As CEO of Direxion, Douglas Yones spearheads the company's strategic growth, overseeing innovative ETF solutions for retail and institutional investors. He drives partnerships with regulators and distribution channels to solidify Direxion's leadership in Leveraged and Non-traditional ETFs. With decades of expertise in asset management, ETF structures, capital markets, and compliance, Douglas serves on Direxion's Executive Management Committee.Previously, Douglas was Head of Exchange Traded Products at the New York Stock Exchange, managing listings for ETPs, Closed-End Funds, and SPACs. His tenure included supporting over 2,000 ETF launches and consulting with more than 250 asset managers on their inaugural funds. Before that, Douglas spent 17 years at Vanguard, leading Domestic Equity Indexing/ETF Product Management and contributing to ETF development across the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia.Douglas holds a ChFC®, CETF®, an MBA from Villanova, and a bachelor’s degree from Penn State. A FINRA-registered Options and General Securities Principal, he is a prominent advocate for ETF investor education globally. His contributions include the creation of ETFcentral.com, furthering the development and adoption of the Certified ETF Advisor CETF® program, and producing educational content via podcasts and digital platforms to advance ETF adoption and understanding for investors worldwide.Note: Please Read The Full Disclaimer On The Company's Website:An investor should carefully consider a Fund’s investment objective, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. A Fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about the Direxion Shares. Click here to obtain a Fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus or call 866-476-7523. A Fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing.Leveraged and Inverse ETFs pursue daily leveraged investment objectives which means they are riskier than alternatives which do not use leverage. They seek daily goals and should not be expected to track the underlying index over periods longer than one day. They are not suitable for all investors and should be utilized only by sophisticated investors who understand leverage risk and who actively manage their investments.Direxion Funds Risks — An investment in the Funds involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The Funds are non-diversified and include risks associated with concentration risk which results from the Funds’ investments in a particular industry or sector and can increase volatility over time. Active and frequent trading associated with a regular rebalance of a fund can cause the price to fluctuate, therefore impacting its performance compared to other investment vehicles. For other risks including correlation, compounding, market volatility and risks specific to an industry or sector, please read the prospectus.Direxion Shares ETF Risks — An investment in the ETFs involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The ETFs are non-diversified and include risks associated with concentration that results from an ETF’s investments in a particular industry, sector or company, which can increase volatility... The rest of the disclaimer is on the company's website

05-22
01:00:19

Fighter Pilot to CEO: Brandon Robinson on Leading Horizon Aircraft’s eVTOL Revolution (HOVR)

Fighter Pilot to CEO: Brandon Robinson on Leading Horizon Aircraft’s eVTOL Revolution (HOVR)GuestE. Brandon Robinson, Co-Founder & CEO, Horizon Aircraft $HOVRTicker: HOVRWebsite:https://www.horizonaircraft.com/BioBrandon flew CF-18s in the Royal Canadian Air Force for two decades and managed capital projects up to $4B, including the F-35 acquisition. The co-author of several successful aerospace patents, he is at the vanguard of the Advanced Air Mobility movement and holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Royal Military College, an MBA from Royal Roads University, and has an Airline Transport Pilot’s License.

05-19
30:29

Aaron Day’s Amaze.co: Empowering Creators to Earn More Money - $AMZE

Aaron Day’s Amaze.co: Empowering Creators to Earn More Money - $AMZEGuestAaron Day Co-Founder & Chief Executive OfficerStock Ticker: AMZEWebsite: https://www.amaze.co/BioAaron Day brings over two decades of executive leadership experience to Amaze, with a track record of successfully scaling companies across multiple industries, including technology and industrial manufacturing. Previously, Aaron served as CEO of several companies, including Trend, and held key leadership roles with organizations like Canva, where he contributed to its meteoric growth within the digital design space.Aaron’s visionary leadership has been instrumental in driving Amaze’s strategic evolution into a leading player in the creator content ecosystem, empowering individuals to transform their passions into thriving businesses.

05-19
33:27

ann

This is a great program. Sean has a fascinating story and I love his perspective on investing. Here is some more from him https://wineandcountrylife.com/a-vineyard-retirement-in-virginia/ and https://wineandcountrylife.com/4-questions-you-should-ask-your-investment-manager/ that were published in a beautiful Virginia magazine.

09-24 Reply

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