Podcast Summary:

Right About Now – Legendary Business Advice
Episode: From Oil Deals to Entrepreneurship: Brad Blazar’s Masterclass on Funding & Business Growth
Host: Ryan Alford (Radcast Network)
Guest: Brad Blazar
Date: December 12, 2025

Overview

This episode features Brad Blazar, renowned capital raiser and entrepreneur who has secured over $2 billion in funding. Host Ryan Alford brings Brad on to strip away the misconceptions around raising capital, explain the mechanics of using other people’s money (OPM), and share stories and tactical advice for entrepreneurs, investors, and business builders eager for real-world, no-nonsense insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Mindset & Importance of Raising Capital

• Skill Often Overlooked:
  Brad stresses that mastering capital raising is essential for any serious entrepreneur.
  “It's one of the skills that a lot of people just overlook.” — Brad Blazar (01:37)
• Empowerment Over Limitations:
  Many give up on business dreams due to bank rejections, not realizing that investment capital is all around them in the form of people with money to invest.
  “We’re pretty much surrounded by all the money we need. We just call these other people investors. Most people just don't understand how to build the interest, how to talk to people...” — Brad Blazar (03:55)
• Using Other People’s Money (OPM):
  Brad draws on Robert Kiyosaki’s (Rich Dad, Poor Dad) principles: leverage OPM for fast wealth creation instead of relying solely on your own capital.

Brad Blazar’s Entrepreneurial Journey

• Unexpected Beginnings:
  Brad describes switching from architecture studies to the oil industry, where a CEO taught him to raise capital, prompting him to found his own oil exploration company in his 20s.
  “I went to school not to be in the oil business... just one day responded an ad and went to work in the oil field. CEO took a liking to me, showed me how to raise capital from investors, that’s what I did.” — Brad Blazar (04:41)
• Adapting to Market Collapse:
  When oil prices plunged and tax laws changed, Brad pivoted and realized his biggest skill (raising capital) applied across businesses.

Structure & Control in Raising Capital

• Maintaining Control as the Sponsor:
  Brad dispels myths: bringing in investors doesn’t mean losing control.
  “Most of these guys that are doing stuff... the investors are all passive. They have absolutely no say... they're relying on my expertise, my track record.” — Brad Blazar (06:39)
  • Sponsor company structures deals to ensure founders/operators maintain operational control, while investors remain passive.

Real Estate vs. Business Investment

• Viewing Real Estate as a Business:
  Real estate assets (like apartment buildings) are fundamentally operational businesses with customers (tenants).
  “I look at real estate assets as a business. I'm buying a business, it cash flows…” — Brad Blazar (08:12)
• Portfolio Building Through Synergy:
  Both real estate and scalable, cash-flowing businesses can be bundled under a private equity-style model.

Raising for Startups vs. Established Businesses

• Investor Avatars & Targeting:
  • Startups: Seek venture capital or angel investors willing to accept higher risk for higher return.
  • Established, Cash-Flowing Businesses: Target private equity or family offices seeking predictable returns.
  • Identifying the correct investor type for your business stage is crucial. “When you look at a true startup... you're primarily looking for venture capital firms... family offices, private equity, venture capital, each one of these different groups likes to focus on different things.” — Brad Blazar (09:49)
• Risk Profiles and Expectations:
  • Early-stage = higher risk & potentially greater reward, but may require ceding more equity or offering higher returns.
  • Later-stage/mature businesses = lower risk, smaller returns, and greater sponsor leverage. “If you're investing in something that’s a little bit more proven... the person offering the investment doesn't have to give up as much or offer as significant a return...” — Brad Blazar (11:41)

Compliance, Due Diligence & Common Mistakes

• The Regulatory Reality:
  • Taking outside investor money makes you subject to securities law, regulations, and compliance. “When you take somebody else's money... you're in the securities business. Bottom line. I don't care if it’s two investors or whether it’s 100 investors.” — Brad Blazar (12:48)
• Due Diligence:
  • Vet sponsors and teams carefully; many get in trouble due to lack of structure, compliance, or experience.
  • “Most important thing really is the regulatory and the compliance side... you don't want to get on their bad side because that can get real ugly real fast.”* — Brad Blazar (12:48)
• Biggest Misconception:
  • You don’t need gray hair or a massive track record to raise capital; credibility comes from your team and your ability to execute. “A lot of people think, oh, I gotta have gray hair or I've got to have a track record... I say bullshit to all that. Here I was, a little 23 year old cocky kid...” — Brad Blazar (15:49)

Emotional Decision-Making & Trust

• Relationships Drive Decisions:
  • Investors back people, not just ideas – trust, experience, and emotional connection seal deals. “People invest emotionally. They invest in people they know, like, and trust. If you're good at building relationships... the world becomes your oyster.” — Brad Blazar (16:55)
• Failure of Education System:
  • Blazar criticizes schooling for not teaching financial independence; instead, it teaches conformity and risk aversion.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On getting investors comfortable with risk:
  “It just takes two things to invest in oil. Big brass balls and lots of money, dude. Which of the two don’t you have?” — Brad Blazar (14:39)
• On executing and attracting investors:
  “It comes down to execution. Can you execute on what you’re trying to do? If we see doubt in that, naturally, why would we want to invest?” — Brad Blazar, citing Shark Tank conversations (16:40)
• On entrepreneurial life not taught in schools:
  “We don’t teach people how to become financially independent. What we do is we teach people how to assimilate and fit in with the rest of society... get your ass a job, work 40 to 50 years... and hopefully you’ll have a decent retirement. The option... is to work your ass off for three to five years and boom...” — Brad Blazar (17:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Raising Capital Philosophy & Skills: 03:55–06:00
• Journey from Oil to Entrepreneur: 04:41–06:29
• Control & Structure with OPM: 06:39–07:51
• Real Estate vs. Biz Investments: 07:51–09:37
• Different Types of Investors & Targeting: 09:49–11:28
• Risk Profiles & Returns: 11:41–12:46
• Compliance & Common Pitfalls: 12:48–13:36
• Brad’s Sales Story (The Doctor & “Brass Balls”): 13:41–15:41
• It’s About Execution, Not Just Age/Track Record: 15:49–17:25
• Relational Trust & Entrepreneurial Mindset: 16:55–17:55

Where to Find Brad Blazar

• Website: bradblazar.com (no "e" in Blazar)
• Instagram: Look for the blue check

Episode Tone

Direct, irreverent, and motivational—cutting through “fluff” with real stories and actionable, practical wisdom. Both host and guest bring a no-excuses, builder’s mindset that focuses on hustle, execution, and leveraging networks.

This summary provides a comprehensive guide for listeners seeking actionable entrepreneurial insight, capital-raising tactics, and a behind-the-scenes look at building and funding real businesses, straight from one of the best in the business.