Dustin and Adam are joined by Ellis Hammond, Vice President of Capital at Aspen Funds, who shares his unique journey from college ministry to managing capital for 850+ accredited investors.
Ellis reveals critical insights that most passive investors overlook when evaluating sponsors and deals, including why asking about debt structure is more important than track record alone, plus the key questions that separate trustworthy long-term sponsors from those likely to struggle in market cycles.
The conversation covers essential due diligence factors including co-investment requirements, legacy planning, sponsor liquidity, and why thinking generationally rather than transactionally leads to better investment outcomes for both active and passive investors.
Ellis also shares personal lessons about building skills as your greatest investment and how his father's retirement challenges shaped his approach to wealth multiplication.
Whether you're evaluating your first private placement or refining your sponsor selection process, this episode provides actionable frameworks for building lasting relationships with investment partners who prioritize capital preservation alongside growth.
Episode Release Notes & Resources:
- Connect with Ellis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellishammond
- Aspen Funds: https://aspenfunds.us
- Invest Like a Billionaire, by Bob Fraser & Ben Fraser: https://www.thebillionairebook.org
See all Wealth Independence episodes at https://wealthindependencepod.com
Connect with Dustin:
Connect with Adam:
This show is for informational purposes only and is not financial, investment, legal, or tax advice, and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities. All investments carry risk, and investors should always conduct thorough due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before investing.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.