Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg Herlean.
Greg, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in a lower-middle-class family and moved around a lot. Halfway through college, I met an individual, much older than I. He was working in his driveway, washing his boat on a random Wednesday at 2PM. I had never seen my dad home at that time of day in my life; it was at that moment that I knew whatever I did I wanted to do something where I could build a family that I could be around. I wanted that lifestyle.
I met that guy and never looked back. I dropped out of college and asked to work for this guy. I didn’t know what he did exactly, but knew I wanted that lifestyle. I quickly learned what he was doing, and learned a lot about real estate. I went on my own after just one year, and started flipping homes, then lending; and got bigger and bigger.
Over 20 years, I went from zero money, and no family or friend money, to flipping over 500 homes, 8 hotels, and 6 apartment complexes, and lending over 1 billion dollars. Most importantly, I was an at-home present dad of four, enjoying life just as much as I was working.
In the last 14 years, my focus has been on my self-directed IRA trust company; teaching people how to use their retirement funds to invest in real estate or businesses. It’s been a game changer for me, and the tens of thousands of clients I have taught. I love teaching people what their advisors don’t, at Horizon Trust company that is what we do. It’s where I spend most of my time now (well except with my family).
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not smooth at all. Lost all I had built by over-leveraging myself. By the time 2008 came along, I not only lost it all, but owed over 25M to banks. Being sued by banks when you have 3 kids at home and one on the way is not fun.
I would say my other hard hurdle in life was my divorce 7 years ago. On the bright side of that, my ex and I are friends, my 4 kids with her are all rock stars doing great, and my fiancé and I have a new baby girl.
Life is good, but hurdles have been plenty along the way. Those are two big ones, but have many more.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
What we do at Horizon Trust is, we are a custodian of people’s retirement funds. So, we don’t make decisions on behalf of our investors, but we hold their money allowing them to invest in alternative assets. Examples of alternative assets are businesses, real estate, crypto or precious metals. It’s so different than what people hear growing up.
There are over 91 million IRAs in the United States and only 4% invest in alternative investments. 11 trillion dollars in the stock market in IRAs and the market is just not for everyone. I teach people on how to use those funds in a way the IRS has approved. It’s so much fun.
We are different in so many ways, but the biggest difference is that we care. Our service is THE best in the industry, and I am a hands-on owner. This message of self-directing and using some or all your IRAs/ old 401Ks in assets you know and understand. This message needs to be shared with the whole country.
What matters most to you?
God – Keeps me aware of myself and others, and in tune.
My love – Being a great partner, working hard at that every day is so worth it.
Family – It’s everything. My most important job is being a dad.
My Office and Team – We change people’s lives, and I love this.
Friends – I keep my close circle small, and our experiences are magical. Truly magical.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.horizontrust.com
- Instagram: @gregherlean
- Facebook: Greg Herlean
