He Quit a $2B FinTech to Go All In with Real Estate
“At the end of the day, you have to bet on yourself. The biggest risk is looking back 20 years and realizing you never even tried.”
Welcome back to Unfollow the Herd! If you’re new here, join 5,100+ subscribers learning actionable ways to build their wealth with real estate.
Most people dream about breaking free from the corporate grind, but very few take the leap.
In the latest episode of Unfollow the Herd Podcast, I sat down with Jaden Duclos, COO of MAK Capital, to discuss what it really takes to leave a stable, high-paying job at a billion-dollar company and dive into the world of real estate.
Jaden’s story is one of calculated risk, financial discipline, and an unwavering belief in himself.
Here are the key lessons from our conversation that can help you break away from the herd and build a life of financial freedom and fulfillment.
1. The Corporate Ladder Isn’t the Only Path to Success
Jaden followed the conventional wisdom of getting good grades, landing a prestigious finance job at Goldman Sachs, and working his way up the corporate ladder. He quickly realized that despite the prestige and security, he wasn’t truly fulfilled.
“In big companies, you work hard, but you’re not involved in the major decisions that actually move the company forward.”
The turning point? Recognizing that long-term corporate success didn’t necessarily equate to long-term happiness or financial freedom.
Lack of control over major decisions.
Slow career progression despite hard work.
Desire for more meaningful impact.
2. Financial Preparation Makes Risk-Taking Easier
Many people stay stuck in a 9-5 job they dislike because they’re financially dependent on their salary. Jaden, however, spent years preparing for his transition.
“I built up my nest egg, kept my expenses low, and didn’t inflate my lifestyle with my salary. I was house hacking and living well below my means so that when the time came to take a leap, it was a calculated risk—not a reckless one.”
His mindset? Make it so that not taking the risk would be the dumbest decision.
Built a financial cushion.
Kept lifestyle expenses low.
Created multiple income streams.
3. Bet on Yourself—Because No One Else Will
Leaving behind a high-paying job to join a five-year-old company with an uncertain future is not an easy decision. But Jaden knew he had the skills, experience, and mindset to create his own opportunities.
“At the end of the day, you have to bet on yourself. The biggest risk is looking back 10 or 20 years from now and realizing you never even tried.”
Too many people stay in comfortable jobs because they fear failure. But the true failure is never trying.
4. The Real Estate Market Rewards Persistence and Creativity
Since joining MAK Capital, Jaden has been instrumental in scaling the business, raising capital, and structuring deals. One of the biggest lessons he’s learned? The best deals don’t just appear—you have to make them work.
“Most deals don’t pencil out immediately. It takes persistence, negotiation, and creative structuring to turn a ‘no’ into a ‘yes.’”
Key strategies they use to make deals work:
Negotiating terms with banks and investors.
Structuring creative financing solutions.
Persistence in finding the right opportunities.
5. Build a Brand That Attracts the Right People
One of the key drivers of MAK Capital’s success? Branding.
I’ve built a strong personal brand that attracts investors, team members, and opportunities. Jaden believes this has been a huge factor in our ability to continue raising capital and doing deals, even when many others are struggling.
“The numbers matter, but investors want to know the people behind the deal. A strong personal brand builds trust and credibility before you even get on a call.”
Having a digital presence makes hiring and raising money easier.
Social media and podcasts help communicate vision and expertise.
A strong personal brand creates credibility and trust.
Final Takeaway: Stop Waiting, Start Building
Jaden’s journey is a powerful reminder that financial success and personal fulfillment don’t have to come from climbing the corporate ladder.
If you want to build real wealth and independence, you have to be willing to take calculated risks, bet on yourself, and persist through challenges.
Most people dream of breaking free but never take action.
The real question is: Will you?