Earth sets behind the Moon's surface, photographed by the Artemis II crew on April 6, 2026. Credit: NASA

As of this writing, NASA’s Artemis II mission is hours from splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego—the first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972. Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen launched April 1 aboard the Orion spacecraft, flew around the Moon on April 6, and broke the record for the farthest any human has ever traveled from Earth at 252,760 miles. They splash down tonight.

The companies profiled here, Radian and Sierra Space, are building the next chapter of that story. NASA returns astronauts to the Moon’s neighborhood for the first time in fifty years, and the private sector is quietly developing the hardware that could eventually make the trip feel routine.

The notion of space tourism seemed like science fiction just a few years ago. Today, however, two innovative companies are leading the way into the wild (black) yonder, with ultra-fast spaceplanes that leave the world behind.

Radian Aerospace and Sierra Space have both developed revolutionary spaceplanes that can hit the 17,400 miles per hour mark, which is necessary to reach Low Earth Orbit. The Radian spaceplane is especially unique, as it is launched via a rocket-powered sled.

: Radian One is designed to launch horizontally via a rocket-powered sled, eliminating the need for a traditional booster stage. Credit: Radian Aerospace

The sled is propelled at breakneck speeds across a traditional runway. If development proceeds as planned, it would represent a significant milestone in the space industry, as a single-stage spacecraft that eliminates the need for a booster stage.

Watch the Radian One concept video on the Radian Aerospace website./

As described in an article on Futurism, the Radian spaceplane launch system would reduce many of the technical hurdles and costs associated with spaceflight. The sled launch system certainly makes for a compelling concept video on the Radian Aerospace website.

The runway for the sled is around two miles long. Since the system is reusable, it would allow for quicker return trips, making space more accessible.

In an article on the Robb Report, Radian Aerospace CEO Richard Humphrey said that in comparison to a rocket, the system will create an experience that is “more comfortable and more like flying on a regular jet.” He also said that, unlike rockets, spaceplanes can invert and generally perform more complex maneuvers.

Credit: Radian Aerospace

Though launched on a conventional rocket, Sierra spaceplanes can land on a commercial runway. The company’s Dream Chaser offering — named Tenacity — is targeting a free-flight orbital demonstration in late 2026, with NASA cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station possible following a successful test flight.

Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser® Spaceplane Successfully Completes Critical Pre-flight Milestones | Sierra Space

Sierra Space announced that its Dream Chaser® spaceplane has successfully completed…

Sierra Space • Sierra Space

Sierra Space is also working on a private space station. Currently, it is developing inflatable modular structures that can be linked together in space. These structures are around three stories tall and 27 feet in diameter, with space for four astronauts, an onboard space garden, and science experiments.

Orbital Reef | The New Space Station | Sierra Space

In partnership with Blue Origin, Sierra Space is building the first commercial space station for research, commerce & life in space.

Sierra Space

Both companies are endeavoring to transform space tourism from fantasy into reality. Along with being able to use a commercial runway, the developers think this is achievable because the glide path back from space will be smoother than a traditional system.

Along with giving passengers the chance to experience space, Radian and Sierra are hoping to leverage their technology to open up global air travel. In the Robb Report article, Humphrey explained that, to reach far-flung destinations, the company’s spaceplane would “travel out of the atmosphere briefly, at near orbital speeds [greater than Mach 10], and then re-enter and ‘fly’ down to a runway.”

Reaching Sydney from New York, for example, would only take an hour if traveling at Mach 13.

The Moon eclipses the Sun as seen from the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II lunar flyby, April 6, 2026. The crew observed nearly 54 minutes of totality — far longer than any eclipse visible from Earth. Credit: NASA

The Investor Angle

Neither Radian nor Sierra Space is publicly traded, but investors who want exposure to the commercial space sector have options. Through IBKR, you can access ARKX — the ARK Space and Defense Innovation ETF — which holds orbital and suborbital aerospace companies, reusable rocket developers, satellite operators, and defense tech firms. Top holdings currently include Rocket Lab, L3Harris, and Kratos Defense. McKinsey projects the space economy could grow from $630 billion in 2023 to $1.8 trillion by 2035.

For investors who want broader, lower-volatility exposure to the sector, ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace and Defense ETF) is worth a look alongside it. Both are available through IBKR’s platform.

Standard disclaimer: This is not financial advice. I may hold positions in securities mentioned. Always do your own research before investing.

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A Home That Defined California Modernism

The Ray Kappe House has been featured in nearly every notable architectural magazine over the years. Named a landmark of nature-friendly modernism and placed in a Top 10 list of best Southern California homes by an LA Times panel in 2008, the property represents the pinnacle of mid-century California residential design.

Kappe was recognized with the AIA-Los Angeles Gold Medal — the region's highest architectural honor. His lifelong devotion to integrating structure with the natural environment produced designs that remain visionary more than five decades later, continuing to inspire new generations of architects worldwide.

Seven Levels of Extraordinary Design

Many have called the home a marvel of engineering as much as design. Positioned across seven levels on a Pacific Palisades hillside, the residence features cantilevered wood decks, floating platforms, and redwood exterior siding that blend the structure seamlessly into its wooded setting.

The family room features 14-foot ceilings and a built-in seating area around a large fireplace. Interior wood joists extend 12 feet beyond the exterior wall, creating a pergola-like structure that reinforces the home's dialogue with the landscape.

Built during an era when building codes permitted a more extensive use of glass, the home delivers a treehouse-like atmosphere throughout its public spaces. Only the four bedrooms have doors — everywhere else, the open floor plan gives way to views and natural light. Kappe used subtle elevation changes to define living areas without walls.

An Unfolding Architectural Experience

The various levels are connected through a carefully choreographed sequence of stairs and bridges, creating what Kappe described as a continuously unfolding experience — one that positions the home as a symbiotic partner to the landscape rather than an imposition on it.

The poolside cabana, pool, and spa are privately positioned at the rear of the property. The cabana includes a rooftop deck offering expansive area views, while the lap pool is surrounded by mature greenery.

Photographed by Julius Shulman — Architectural Royalty

The property has been photographed by Julius Shulman — the most celebrated architectural photographer of the 20th century, whose work defined the visual identity of California modernism for generations. A Shulman photograph is not merely documentation; it is its own form of architectural validation.

About the Listing Agent Ian L. Brooks

The property was listed and successfully negotiated/marketed for sale by Ian L. Brooks. He is consistently ranked in the top 1 percent of agents nationwide and based in the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Santa Monica office.

An Architectural and Estates Director with 35 years of experience, Ian Brooks is recognized as an expert in the Los Angeles real estate market. He has been featured in the LA Times and The Wall Street Journal, as well as in NPR’s Architectural and Design section.

Along with an MBA in Finance, Ian is fluent in Italian, French and Spanish. With a past client list that includes Meryl Streep, Jane Wyatt, Deana Durbin and Paul Weitz, Ian has appeared on a top rated reality show in France, “Les Angeles,” NBC’s Open House LA, and The Fabulous Life Presents on MTV.

To find a similar property, call 310-428-6569, or email ibrooksestates@gmail.com. Visit his website at www.ianbrooksestates.com or www.designerestates.com. Ian also has a large following on Instagram, at https://www.instagram.com/sir.ianlbrooks/.

From the Writer's Desk

The description above is drawn from a pitch summary I prepared for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, which has hired me to write pitch summaries for unique estates and architecturally significant homes. Several of these summaries have led to features in publications like The Robb Report.

The article this pitch inspired is linked here at Robb Report — worth a read alongside the photos by Cameron Carothers.

Explore More Architectural Icons at The Pinnacle

If this property caught your eye, you might enjoy these related pieces from The Pinnacle:

→ Timeless John Lautner-Designed Home in Long Beach — Another landmark of California modernism, with pool and glass walls

→ The Greta Garbo Estate: A $10M Masterpiece of Hollywood Provenance — A 1937 hillside icon with Hollywood history

📬 Enjoy stories like this one?

The Pinnacle covers dream-worthy estates, architectural icons, and real-world investing insights — written by someone who has learned both the hard way. Subscribe free here.

Photo by Cameron Carothers

The entry / Photo by Cameron Carothers

Photo by Cameron Carothers

This is a series I've wanted to work on for years.

As a freelance writer in the real estate space for over two decades, I've been inspired by a lot of the women I've worked with. Many of them are highly successful, educated business owners leading large teams of agents. Their achievements speak for themselves.

But the more I paid attention, the more I realized that their success hits different when you factor in the context. These women built what they built while navigating a society that has treated them as less than for basically all of recorded history.

I'm not claiming to be some enlightened individual for noticing that. Honestly, if I had read something like this 20 years ago, I probably would have rolled my eyes. Experience, age, and a lot of reading have a way of changing your perspective on things.

Women Are Better Investors. Seriously.

As I've worked to become a better investor, reading as much as I can and making plenty of mistakes along the way, I kept running into the same finding: women are statistically more successful investors than men.

They trade less, research more, and are less likely to make emotionally driven decisions.

Fidelity analyzed 5.2 million accounts and found that women outperformed men by 40 basis points annually on average. A Warwick Business School study found a similar gap, with women outperforming men by 1.8 percent over a three-year period.

The reason is not complicated. Patience and discipline beat ego and overconfidence almost every time.

If you're looking to sharpen your own investing habits, a few books worth your time: One Up On Wall Street by Peter Lynch, The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel, and The Little Book That Still Beats the Market by Joel Greenblatt.

Women Are Better Communicators, Too

It's not just investing. Decades of research consistently show that women score higher on the communication traits that actually move the needle in business: empathy, active listening, and the ability to read a room.

The data backs it up: meta-analyses of thousands of leaders show that women excel in transformational leadership—specifically in coaching and attentiveness. Further studies across 26 countries confirm women consistently score higher in empathy-driven traits like tendermindedness and agreeableness.

Empathy has been shown to improve negotiation outcomes, increase team creativity, and strengthen leadership effectiveness across industries. It turns out the soft skills aren't soft at all.

To be fair, "better communicators" is context-dependent. Directness has its advantages, and a lot of the research acknowledges that some of these differences reflect socialized behavior as much as anything else. Women may communicate the way they do in part because they've had to navigate environments where authority wasn't automatically extended to them. That adaptation looks a lot like skill, because it is.

What Would the World Look Like?

I've spent time thinking about what the world would look like if women had always been given the place they deserve. Not in a dramatic way. Just honestly.

How many conflicts could have been avoided? It's naive to pretend that women haven't been running things behind the scenes throughout history, because they have. But imagine what happens when they get to do it in the open, with full credit and no asterisk.

Which brings me to chess.

Chess is one of the oldest strategy games in existence, with roots going back roughly 1,500 years to 6th-century India, where it was known as chaturanga. The game spread through Persia, then into the Islamic world, and eventually into medieval Europe, where it was transformed into something closer to what we play today.

Here's the interesting part. In the earliest versions of the game, the piece we now call the queen was actually a male advisor, the weakest piece on the board, limited to moving just one square diagonally. When the game arrived in Europe in the late 15th century, right around the time Isabella of Castile was reshaping the political map of the world, something changed. The advisor became the queen. And the queen became the most powerful piece on the board, able to move in any direction, any number of squares.

Historians still debate exactly why the change happened, but the timing is hard to ignore. Strong queens were on the throne across Europe, and the game seemed to catch up with reality. Someone knew something.

Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria are both on my list for future profiles in this series, for good reason.

Who This Series Is About

Female Power Players will profile women across industries and eras: real estate, finance, science, art, philanthropy. Some you'll know. Many you won't. All of them earned their seat at the table and then some.

The series kicks off with one of the most inspiring stories to cross my desk in years. Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree was a philanthropist who donated millions to Santa Barbara institutions, ran an aerospace company into her 90s, and still found time to work in a soup kitchen once a week. Her former Montecito estate is now on the market at $18.95 million, but her real legacy can't be listed.

Her $18.95M estate is a masterpiece, but the woman behind it was the real force of nature. Read: True Wealth — The Story of Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree. 

If this story inspired you, consider buying me a coffee so I can keep sharing stories like this one.

Don’t miss the next Power Player. Join The Pinnacle for free for comprehensive studies on the world-class women and high-end estates we feature weekly.

The pursuit of riches and possessions is inexorably tied to the American dream, but what does it mean to be truly wealthy? Creating a legacy spanning generations seems to be a motivator for philanthropists.

The idea of being wealthy is likely to elicit a different vision and/or fantasy for everyone, however. Some may dream of time spent yachting with friends, lazy afternoons at a favorite spa, or what the clouds might look like from a private jet while on the way to a spontaneously chosen, far-flung destination.

Others may imagine a shiny new ‘Lambo’ in the driveway, a wall-size TV with speakers that rattle the walls, or freedom from the never-ending drudgery of cooking and cleaning. For people like the late Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, accumulating wealth meant having more opportunities to give back.

“I don’t think of myself as a philanthropist. I think of myself as having the enormous privilege of sharing,” she said, in an interview with Michelle Drown from 2018, posted on the Santa Barbara Independent website.

“Sometimes I get very emotional about it because…I wish I had more to give,” said Ridley-Tree in the same interview.

A Legacy of Giving

Numerous organizations in the Santa Barbara, California area benefited from the generosity of Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree and her husband, who was actually the son of a lord. Though a full list of her contributions would be prohibitively long, each are worth mentioning. Ridley-Tree, who passed in 2022 at the age of 98, funded the creation of 33 nursing scholarships at Westmont College, 40 scholarships for young people with disabilities to attend the University of California Santa Barbara’s Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, and 30 scholarships for Santa Barbara Community College’s Single Parents Arriving Ready for College program.

A former violinist and torch singer, Ridley-Tree established a vocal scholarship for students in the Westmont College Choir, and the Ridley-Tree Endowed Scholarship for students of the arts, music, philosophy and history. Her collection of notable artworks included 20 original works by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, the donation of which led to the founding of the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art.

With a donation of nearly $11 million, Ridley-Tree helped Sansum Clinic of Santa Barbara establish the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center. She also donated significant funds to the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, the United Way, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinic, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

A Boss Before It Was Cool

Ridley-Tree was a boss in a time when female executives were far from commonplace. Though she inherited her role as CEO of Pacific Air Industries with the passing of her husband in 2005, she earned her seat in the boardroom with over 13 years of effective leadership.

Pacific Air Industries is an aftermarket supplier of airplane parts that was founded in 1959 by Paul Ridley-Tree in his home in the Topanga Canyon area of Los Angeles. His thinking was that airplane industry would always need nuts and bolts, however, major parts would only be a one-time purchase. The company serviced Air Force One in the past and maintains successful operations, with an inventory of over 400,000 parts. Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree led the company until she was at least 93 and commuted to the LA-based office from Santa Barbara three times per week.

She learned the ropes from listening to her husband on the phone and visiting the office with him periodically. It was difficult for her to get respect sometimes, however, and in the same interview Ridley-Tree said she would occasionally have to remind her employees that, “I’m the one who signs your check, you know.”

At one point, Ridley-Tree asked her accountant if there was a way for her to make more money so she could give more away. “My taxes are taking too much this year,” she said, “Isn’t there a way I can find more money to give to this project that I want to give to?”

She Showed Up

Ridley-Tree also volunteered her effort and time. Along with providing monetary donations, she worked in the kitchen once a week at Casa Esperanza, a homeless shelter; she also prepared meals in the Ridley-Tree Animal Kitchen at the Santa Barbara Zoo.

The Spirit of Entrepreneurship

Ridley-Tree was honored with the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Life Achievement Award in 2018. It is presented each year to a successful female entrepreneur who has made an “indel­ible impact” on the Santa Barbara community.

In an article from the Montecito Journal by James Buckley that was posted in 2022, Ridley-Tree said, “There’s a big hole in the world and there are needs to be filled—whether it’s in education or medicine or hunger—and you just have to share. It doesn’t mean you have to give it all away and walk barefoot, but it does mean that you have to share; there’s that need, and you can’t look at it and walk by.”

The Home She Left Behind

One of Ridley-Tree’s former homes in Montecito, California was recently listed for $18.95 million by Nancy Kogevinas of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. The estate was built in 1921 and has more than 8,000 square feet of interior space.

It was renovated by Xorin Balbes, a celebrity designer who is also a noted philanthropist. One can guess that Lady Leslie would approve.

Read our full feature on the estate: Lady Leslie’s Montecito Estate Now for Sale 

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If this story inspired you, consider buying me a coffee so I can keep sharing stories like this one.

Some amazing properties cross my desk and this one is no different, with an approximately 8,000 square foot interior that feels like a gallery, a tequila vault room and a huge lot that is completely secluded from the street. The profile of the former owner is what inspired me the most about this one, however. The estate, which is located at 204 Hot Springs Road in Montecito, was previously owned by Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, one of Santa Barbara’s most notable philanthropists.

Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree

Lady Leslie’s philanthropy could have easily earned her the title of nobility. Her husband Paul Ridley-Tree was actually a lord, however, so it was more than just a nickname. Paul built Pacific Air Industries in his garage in 1959 and Lady Leslie inherited the role in 2005 when he passed away. She successfully ran the company for 13 years and donated millions to local charities, galleries and educational institutions, but you can read more about her here.

A Modern-Day Heirloom

The estate is certainly worthy of the person who lived there and the renovation by Xorin Balbes clearly shows his emphasis on creating a modern day heirloom. Each room has a distinct personality, a unique color palette, hand-crafted millwork, and one-of-a-kind finishes.

Balbes has earned acclaim over the past 30 years for his restorations of architecturally significant properties, blending old-world character with modern amenities. Some of his previous projects include the Lloyd Wright Sowden House, the Norma Talmadge Estate, and the historic Fred Baldwin Memorial Home on Maui. A noted philanthropist in his own right, Balbes wrote SoulSpace to describe his philosophy of creating spaces that reflect the inner life of those who live there.

The Property

The estate was originally built in 1921 and expanded/upgraded in 2021. It features a step-entry pool/spa, a yoga room/fitness center, a wine cellar, and a private guest suite with a kitchen.

Created during the Golden Age of architecture, the home reflects the impeccable design standards and quality of the early 1900s. Arched doorways, volume ceilings, stone walls, and floor-to-ceiling windows are just a few of the highlights.

Inside the Estate

In the living room, glass doors lead to a transcendent interior atrium with glass walls and ceilings, framing the verdant landscaping outside.

The kitchen is purpose-built for serious use, seamless, European-style cabinets, two center islands, stone counters, integrated LED lighting, herringbone-patterned wood floors, and high-end appliances including a built-in refrigerator.

The dining room is one of my favorites, however, as the custom paint, well-conceived accent lighting and designer fixture create the feeling of being outside under the stars.

A casual dining area enhances the daily routine; two large office suites elevate the notion of working from home. The primary suite is a private sanctuary, as it has a large retreat with a fireplace, a pergola-covered patio, and captivating views.

The primary bathroom is a designer’s showcase, with stone tile, integrated speakers and a custom light fixture to set the mood. A large freestanding tub allows for relaxation on a grand scale; a walk-in shower and adjacent dressing room add functionality.

The Exterior

The exterior spaces are indicative of Ridley-Tree’s support for the arts, as most of it feels like a sculpture garden (see our Brookgreen Gardens feature. The seating areas, courtyards, artwork, lily pond and pathways are secluded by mature landscaping, perfect for those who need tranquility, solace and outdoor time for inspiration. For those who enjoy friends and family, there are generous secondary bedrooms, most with en suite bathrooms, and a laundry room with four machines. For those who enjoy hosting outdoor gatherings, there is an expansive patio with a built-in grill, a private motor court and room for 15+ vehicles.

The Location

The location is quintessential Montecito: down the street from the Montecito Club, a short drive to Coast Village Road, local beaches, galleries, and the kind of dining that justifies the zip code.

The Listing Agent

The feature on Lady Leslie is the first in a series I’m working on about Female Power Players and the listing agent Nancy Kogevinas of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties certainly qualifies for that category. Kogevinas is a former advertising executive for both Time Magazine and The New Yorker who has amassed more than $2 billion in career sales volume across more than 510 transactions. She has ranked as high as #3 in the global network for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

For property inquiries, contact here.

More pics!

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Building this website/newsletter has been difficult, and the prospect of creating something that resonates with people has felt murky, at best. I’ve been a pessimist for most of my life and skeptical about my chances of making it as a writer since the sixth grade, when a teacher told me I never would. 

What has kept me going is the idea that I could leverage my “talent” to make a positive impact by giving back or at least, spreading some laughter. If that happens, I must be doing something right. 

The philanthropy of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates has been a real source of inspiration for me, and it’s a big part of what I’m trying to build with The Pinnacle: generating wealth in order to give more back. So far, the investment stories I’ve shared read more like confessions of trauma but soon, these pages will be filled with tales of success that resulted from the stocks I’ve written about (hopefully). 

That’s the optimist in me showing up. 

With all of that in mind, I’m launching a Charity Spotlight series, and there was really only one place to start. Promoting Love is Bald feels like the perfect place to start, as the people running it are amazing and there is a strong personal connection. 

What is Love is Bald?

Love is Bald is a Wilmington-based nonprofit focused on supporting and uplifting individuals affected by cancer. As their mission page puts it, they work to make a tangible difference in the lives of those navigating the challenges of cancer. 

The organization was founded by Kelli Russell, Allen Williford, and a close-knit group of friends who turned personal loss into purposeful action. I was lucky enough to meet Kelli years ago because her husband RJ played volleyball at Captain Bill’s with my dear friend Amy Cromartie. 

I’ve attended many of their fundraisers over the years. The Love is Bald Fashion Show, the Lo Tide Run, and the Chili Cook-Off were always my favorites. I’ve wanted to play in their golf tournament for years, but my game is not exactly up to par. 

Honoring Amy Cromartie

I met Amy as a freshman at North Carolina State University (NC State), and she eventually married my childhood friend, who is more like a brother. She was an extremely warm, caring person who lost a long battle to cancer. 

Amy was a loyal, trusted friend who I miss every day. She always had a smile to share and was an unwavering source of support. When Love is Bald hosted a volleyball tournament in her honor in September of 2025, it was especially moving. 

The flyer they created for the event captured exactly who she was, and I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Love is Bald volleyball tournament honoring Amy Cromartie in North Carolina

The bees on that flyer are no accident. Amy was a certified beekeeper. She helped people design beehives, relocate bees, and sold incredible local honey. Her work with the bees was genuinely inspiring to me, and it became the subject of the first article I ever published under my own name, after years of working strictly as a copywriter and ghostwriter. 

Amy was never one to dwell on things and she was a lot of fun to be around. And in the spirit of this site’s commitment to honesty about my own failures and shortcomings, I have to share the story of how Amy and I traveled to see a concert with two other friends.

 The four of us drove from Raleigh, North Carolina to Boone, North Carolina to see a concert, about three hours each way. Amy volunteered to drive. She was from a small town and never locked her car when she stepped into a store. 

Amy also liked to leave her car running so it was ready to go. What tripped us up is that I was raised on the “mean streets” of Greensboro, North Carolina, where anything that isn’t bolted down tends to disappear.

I bring that up as an explainer for why, after she went into the store, I locked the keys in the car with it running two different times in three hours. What can I say? I thought I was helping.

The point in sharing is that it shows what kind of person she was—trusting, quick to laugh things off, forgive and move on. Amy’s loss will always be painful, but her spirit lives on in the relationships she built, her wonderful family, and the positive impact she made on this community. 

More from The Pinnacle

Read the article on the legendary philanthropist Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree profile. She turned wealth into purpose and made philanthropy an art form. The story of Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree is one you won't forget

Love is Bald is exactly the kind of story that inspired the Female Power Players series, women who build something meaningful. Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree donated millions, ran an aerospace company into her 90s, and still volunteered at a soup kitchen every week. She's just the beginning. Read the Female Power Players series introduction.

New here? Read about The Pinnacle to learn what this newsletter is about.

How to Help

Love is Bald runs on donations and community support. If this story resonates with you, please consider giving directly to the organization: Donate to Love is Bald. 

If you’d like to support The Pinnacle so I can keep producing content like this, you can buy me a coffee. It keeps the lights on and the stories coming.

The Pinnacle is a free newsletter covering luxury real estate, stock market insights, and the aspirational lifestyle. Subscribe here.

This is the story of a tremendous win or a colossal mistake, depending on your perspective.

It begins in the mid-2000s. Cell phones were exciting and surf cams were becoming a thing.

I was still young, but I had been through a few heavy years.

After finishing a master’s in HR and Organizational Development, I landed a job I thought would launch my career. Then a health issue sidelined me and I missed a lot of work.

When I returned, I wasn’t fully myself. Eventually, I was let go.

After a few discouraging months, Prudential California Realty took a chance on me. I was hired as an administrative assistant at a branch near my apartment. It wasn’t a dream job, but I was grateful and unexpectedly intrigued by real estate.

That role eventually evolved into copywriting with the company’s corporate marketing department. The firm is now Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, and I still work with many of the same people today. But that’s another story.

At the time, part of my job included covering the front desk for Annette, the receptionist, when she stepped out for a smoke.

I had just quit because of my health issue. I was irritable. I had gained weight and I was constantly craving nicotine.

Watching Annette head outside for a cigarette while I sat there chewing nicotine gum was truly painful.

To put it simply, I was jealous.

Meanwhile, she seemed completely unbothered by life and kept encouraging me to invest in the stock market.

“If you’re sitting here anyway,” she’d say, “you might as well learn how money works.”

Annette, if you’re somehow reading this, thank you.

I opened a brokerage account and signed up for a trial of The Motley Fool. Today I use platforms like Schwab, Interactive Brokers, and others (linked below if you’re curious).

One of The Motley Fool’s top picks at the time was Netflix.

I could never make it to Blockbuster to avoid their late fee so I was already a customer.

Having DVDs delivered to my tiny apartment felt revolutionary, and it was always a nice surprise to see the red envelope in the mailbox.

So I scraped $190 together and bought 10 shares of NFLX at $19.

It was a huge move for me. Not because $190 is small today, but at the time it felt especially significant.

I clearly remember the sense of anxiety and excitement when I was sitting at the front desk at Prudential and clicking the “Buy” button.

Incidentally, buying shares of companies you personally use and understand is an idea popularized by Peter Lynch in One Up On Wall Street.

I didn’t have a clue about that when I bought the stock, but the Motley Fool research seemed well-reasoned and I liked Netflix.

Here’s a link to the Peter Lynch book and a few others:

• One Up On Wall Street by Peter Lynch – The definitive guide on how to use what you already know (like my early love for Netflix) to find winning investments before the pros do.

• The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel – An essential read for understanding that doing well with money isn’t necessarily about what you know; it’s about how you behave.

• The Little Book That Still Beats the Market by Joel Greenblatt – A masterclass in "Magic Formula" investing that simplifies complex market dynamics into a strategy anyone can follow.

Anyway, back to the story…which is, of course, an “exciting” tale of research and waiting.

Trades cost $7 back then (at Scottrade). It wasn’t (mostly free) like it is today. I didn’t fully understand exit strategies or position sizing. I just knew I didn’t want to pay commissions unless it was absolutely necessary.

The stock hit $44 and I couldn’t believe it. I was such a genius!

I had more than doubled my money in a short period of time, so I sold. I was afraid the stock would fall and my gains would disappear.

What I didn’t understand is that volatility can feel dangerous in the short term, but it is often the price of admission for extraordinary long-term returns.

If I had just had the courage to hold those 10 shares, they would be worth a staggering amount today.

That’s the difference between being right and being patient.

It’s been 20 years, and I still think about that trade.

Not because I regret the lesson.

But because I now understand what I was missing: conviction.

This story aligns with others, like XPO Logistics, that can either be framed as incredible wins or painful missteps, depending on your time horizon.

I’m not here to pretend I’ve never made mistakes.

I’m here to show what the mistakes teach. The market can be humbling and I have often thought about what could have been.

The idea that $190 can turn into $444 remains intriguing. Losing out on $190K? Really sad, however, it’s kept me motivated to think that $190 could turn into nearly $108,000.

Anyone who has spent time in the markets understands the emotional tension:

• Selling too early

• Holding too long

• Watching a stock soar the day after you exit

It can feel personal.

It isn’t.

The market doesn’t reward comfort.
It rewards conviction and time.

I had one.

I lacked the other.

Here are platforms I’ve used over the years in case this story resonates:

• Charles Schwab - My go-to for comprehensive research and the powerful thinkorswim trading platform. Great for a "do-it-all" primary account.

• Wealthfront - Perfect for automated, hands-off investing. I love their "Path" tool for long-term planning and their high-yield cash account.

• Interactive Brokers - Great for active traders. They offer access to nearly every global market you can think of and stop-limit orders outside of regular hours!

• Robinhood - The best mobile experience for beginners. They’ve also added a great 3% match for Gold members on IRAs, which is hard to beat for retirement savings.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Some links above are referral links; I may receive a bonus if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. Always do your own research.

P.S. For those wondering about the $108,000 math: Between 2004 and 2025, Netflix had three stock splits (2-for-1, 7-for-1, and 10-for-1). Those original 10 shares would have multiplied into 1,400 shares today. It's a staggering reminder of the power of compounding.

I love movies based on a true story, and the 2008 film Bottle Shock has always been a favorite. But what is actually true and what is artistic license? Read on. 

The Judgment of Paris

The climax of the movie centers on the Judgment of Paris from 1976, a blind taste test that put Napa on the radar of serious wine drinkers worldwide. Although Napa was already fairly well known -- the Robert Mondavi Winery was established there in 1966 -- the Judgment of Paris was the catalyst for the explosive growth of the Napa Valley wine industry. 

The roots of winemaking in Napa date to the 1800s. The industry withered significantly as a result of Prohibition, however, until the blind tasting brought credibility back to American wine producers. 

The Movie

The movie starred Alan Rickman, Chris Pine, Bill Pullman, and Rachael Taylor. Rickman plays Steven Spurrier, a sommelier who owns a struggling wine store in Paris. As a marketing ploy, Spurrier decides to hold a blind taste test to introduce the French to quality wines produced outside their country. The French had a long history of disdain for the wine-producing abilities of outsiders. 

In search of quality wines to be judged alongside their French counterparts, Spurrier visits California and ends up in Napa Valley at Chateau Montelena. He meets with Jim Barrett, played by Pullman, and introduces him to the concept behind the taste test. Barrett is suspicious and believes Spurrier is setting him up to be a laughingstock for the French, so he refuses. Barrett's son Bo, played by Pine, goes behind his father's back and gives Spurrier samples of the winery's 1973 Chardonnay. 

Bo is a Jeff Spicoli-esque surfer type who consistently disappoints his father due to a lack of motivation. Taylor's character of Sam Fulton is an attractive young grad student interning at the winery, but more on those two later. 

One of the turning points of the movie is when the Chardonnay turns brown in the bottles. Out of frustration, Barrett Sr. orders an employee to dump it, not realizing the effect is only temporary, the result of limiting oxygen levels during production. After realizing the Chardonnay is unspoiled, Bo and Sam race against time to save it. In a classic Hollywood moment, Bo's truck breaks down and the circumstances look even more dire. Bo tries to get help by waving down a passing driver but fails; Sam removes her shirt and gets the necessary attention. 

Bo is then invited to Paris for the tasting competition, where he represents his fellow vintners. In a twist that upended the expectations of the global wine industry, the eight Parisian judges named the Chateau Montelena Chardonnay their favorite, with another California wine, the Stag's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 1973, winning the red category. 

What Really Happened

As a nod to the significance of the result, the Smithsonian Institution dedicated a display case to the Chateau Montelena Chardonnay and Stag's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon. A number of follow-up competitions have been held since. The Parisian judges in the first event were confident the American wines would not stand the test of time. In an anniversary contest in 2006, the California wines were placed against their French counterparts again, and California won. 

Though Spurrier asked numerous journalists to cover the first event, only one showed up: George Taber of Time magazine. His article was only four paragraphs long but is the primary reason the event earned any notoriety at all. 

That four-paragraph article has always intrigued me, for reasons that go beyond wine. It is a reminder of how the right words, placed in the right publication at the right moment, can redirect the trajectory of an entire industry, reshape consumer tastes worldwide, and create ripple effects that span generations. The Napa Valley wine economy today, the careers of the Barrett family, the global perception of American winemaking—everything traces back to a few hundred words written by a single journalist who almost did not show up. 

The Real Sam Fulton: Heidi Barrett

Jim Barrett made wine into his 80s. His son Bo Barrett is the current CEO of Chateau Montelena and the spouse of Heidi Barrett, the individual who inspired the character of Sam Fulton. 

Heidi Barrett is an icon in the American wine industry. Her father was a winemaker, and she has been the creative force behind many famous California wines. The industry is traditionally male-dominated, and her story is compelling for many reasons -- among them that she was one of only four women in her grad school class at UC Davis, where she earned a degree in Fermentation Science. She is also a helicopter pilot and the mother of Chelsea Barrett, who leads winemaking at Materra Cunat Family Vineyards. A favorite from her portfolio is La Sirena Wine. 

Fine Wine as an Alternative Asset

As with most films based on a true story, creative licenses are at play. That does not make the movie any less enjoyable. And should you decide to pair it with a Chateau Montelena Chardonnay from 1973, you can get one for around $56,000. 

For those curious about fine wine as a small alternative asset, it has historically outperformed many traditional investments over long periods, though liquidity and storage matter considerably. Wine.com is a good starting point for exploring current vintages, and Vivino is the most widely used app for wine ratings and discovery. 

Keep Reading

For more on the intersection of wealth, culture, and aspirational living, see the features on the Greta Garbo estate in Beverly Hills and the 1951 John Lautner house in Long Beach. For the financial side of owning real assets, the stocks vs. real estate breakdown is worth reading.

The Architecture

Designed by John Lautner in 1951, this inviting mid-century modern features vaulted, exposed beam ceilings, brick/concrete floors, and extensive natural hardwoods. Large windows and glass doors create a seamless connection to the secluded, resort-like backyard, which has a large saltwater pool and spa. 

Cathedral ceilings with integrated skylights and a strategic use of frosted glass bring sunlight inside without sacrificing privacy. Wide overhanging eaves shade expansive patio areas, including a walk-behind wet bar with concrete counters, allowing for the ultimate in poolside entertaining. 

Other unique features include an interior garden with river stone, a towering brick fireplace, and mullioned corner windows. Many of the rooms are oriented around the back and side yards, virtually eliminating the need for window treatments. 

About the Architect

John Lautner studied under Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin in the 1930s before launching one of the most distinctive careers in American residential architecture. Where Wright pursued organic harmony with the landscape, Lautner pushed further into structural experimentation -- designing homes that seem to defy gravity, dissolve the boundary between indoors and outdoors, and resist any single period or style. 

His most recognized works -- the flying saucer-shaped Chemosphere, the canyon-hugging Silvertop, and the Wolff House -- are concentrated in the Los Angeles area and remain some of the most photographed private residences in the world. The John Lautner Foundation continues to catalog and preserve his legacy. 

The Long Beach home featured here -- known as the Alexander House -- represents an earlier, more residential period of Lautner's work. Built in 1951, it predates his most iconic commissions but already shows the hallmarks: the seamless indoor-outdoor flow, the structural honesty of exposed materials, and the sense that the house was designed for the specific site and the specific light. 

"Many of Lautner's homes are now considered landmarks. The Alexander House is one of only a handful of his designs in Long Beach." 

About the Listing Agent: Keegan Cin

Keegan Cin is a veteran agent with Coldwell Banker Realty, recognized for his tenacious work ethic and sharp negotiating skills. He credits his elite client-service approach to his unique background as a Maître d’ for a two Michelin-star restaurant and his international experience in the fashion industry.

As the founder of Cin Coast Realty, Keegan leverages a background in business and engineering to provide a sophisticated, analytical perspective for his clients. A Colorado native, his business is built on a foundation of referrals and a deep commitment to the unique needs of every homeowner.

Connect with Keegan:

• Web: cincoastrealty.com

• Email: keegan.cin@cbrealty.com

• Phone: (310) 963-5595

How This Article Came Together

The text above originated as a pitch summary I wrote for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, which hires me to write pitch summaries for unique estates and homes with architectural significance.

 That summary caught the attention of the Robb Report, leading to a feature on one of the most architecturally significant listings to hit the Southern California market in recent years. You can read the full Robb Report feature here. 

Keep Reading

If you enjoyed this piece, you might also like my feature on the landmark Ray Kappe house, another rare piece of California architectural history, and my breakdown of stocks vs. real estate for anyone thinking about where to put their money. 

Enjoyed this? Subscribe to The Pinnacle for more on high-end real estate, stocks, and the aspirational lifestyle -- written by someone who's learned both the hard way.

Exclusive Studio / Courtesy of Keegan Cin, Coldwell Banker Realty

Entry courtyard / Exclusive Studio / Courtesy of Keegan Cin, Coldwell Banker Realty

Exclusive Studio / Courtesy of Keegan Cin, Coldwell Banker Realty

Exclusive Studio / Courtesy of Keegan Cin, Coldwell Banker Realty

Exclusive Studio / Courtesy of Keegan Cin, Coldwell Banker Realty

Exclusive Studio / Courtesy of Keegan Cin, Coldwell Banker Realty

There's a wealth or a dearth of information out there, depending on your perspective. Listening to all of the experts can easily bring analysis paralysis.

Twenty years of investing has taught me one thing about financial media: more information does not make you better. In reality, for me anyway, it’s the opposite.

Every trading day, a parade of analysts offers a parade of price targets. Some of them are right, many are not, but a common thread is that almost none of them will offer up their track record unprompted.

A few years ago, I started using TipRanks and Interactive Brokers before making a meaningful trade. It has not made me perfect. But it has made me considerably less impulsive, which for most investors is where the real money is saved. 

Step 1: Filter by Analyst Accuracy, Not Analyst Volume

The first thing I check on TipRanks is not the consensus rating. Consensus is noise by definition. What I want is the Analyst Ranking—specifically, whether a five-star analyst with a demonstrated success rate on a particular sector is making the call.

The distinction matters more than most people realize. A five-star analyst with a 90 percent success rate on tech stocks saying “Buy” is a data point. A one-star analyst with a history of missed calls saying the same thing is a coincidence at best.

In a world of opinions, data-backed accuracy is the only currency that matters.

TipRanks also assigns a Smart Score to each stock, which is a composite of technicals, fundamentals and insider activity, on a scale of 1 to 10. A higher score is generally a green light. If the Smart Score is sliding while the stock is climbing, that divergence is worth paying attention to before adding a position.

Step 2: Check the Institutional Picture Before Pulling the Trigger

Once I have a high-conviction idea from the TipRanks analysis, I move to Interactive Brokers (IBKR). Most retail platforms are built for ease of use. IBKR is built for depth, and that difference shows up in the research tools.

Three things I look at before executing:

• Short interest. Is the broader market betting against this position? A heavily shorted stock is not automatically a bad trade, but it is a fact worth knowing.

• Margin rates. IBKR offers some of the lowest margin rates available to retail investors. For anyone using tactical leverage, that spread between borrowing cost and return matters.

• Global access. IBKR makes it relatively straightforward to hedge a US position with international assets when the domestic market gets choppy. That optionality is worth having. 

Putting It Together: The NVIDIA Test

Take NVIDIA (NVDA) as an example. The retail conversation around this stock has been deafening for two years. Generational buy. Overvalued bubble. The opinions are endless and mostly useless.

What TipRanks Shows

Rather than reacting to the general Strong Buy consensus, the analyst worth watching is Hans Mosesmann — a five-star analyst with one of the strongest documented track records on this specific stock. When he maintains a price target well above the current level, that carries genuine weight. When a one-star analyst says the same, it does not.

The Smart Score on NVDA has been a useful secondary check. When it stays strong while the stock pulls back, that combination has historically been worth paying attention to as a potential entry point.

What IBKR Shows

On the execution side, the IBKR options chain gives a read on implied volatility before entering. When the market is over-hedged on a name, selling a cash-secured put can generate premium income while waiting for a better entry price. It is not the right move in every situation, but it is the kind of tactical flexibility that better tools make available.

The Bottom Line on Filtering Market Noise

Buying a stock because of a headline is roughly equivalent to buying a house because the mailbox looked nice. The information has already been priced in. The opportunity, if there ever was one, is usually gone.

Combining the analyst accuracy filter of TipRanks with the research depth of Interactive Brokers is not a perfect system. Nothing is. But it has consistently helped me slow down, check the actual data, and make fewer decisions based on noise.

For someone who spent years doing exactly the opposite, that is worth something.

Tools Referenced in This Article

• TipRanks — Analyst credibility ratings, Smart Scores, and insider activity. My primary filter for separating signal from noise.

• Interactive Brokers (IBKR) — Trade execution, options chains, margin rates, and global market access. Use my referral link to earn up to $1,000 in IBKR stock when you fund your account.

• Wealthfront — Use this link to get a +0.75% APY boost on your cash account.

What stock are you currently kicking the tires on? Drop it in the comments and I will run it through the TipRanks filter for next week's update. 

More From The Pinnacle

Also worth reading: Landmark Ray Kappe House Up for Sale — A 1967 Pacific Palisades architectural icon, on the market for the first time since it was built. 

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The Similarities Nobody Talks About

It may sound simplistic, but real estate and stock transactions both require a buyer and a seller. Both involve an opinion of value that may or may not be accurate. And in both markets, the gap between what something appears to be worth and the actual value can be shockingly, devastatingly significant.

Evaluating a house before making an offer takes effort, similar to assessing the value of a business before buying the stock. Many homeowners can describe the unknowns that can drastically alter the return on investment.

That house you fell in love with might just be a pig wearing lipstick. The financial statements of a business might be hiding the same thing.

There is paint specifically designed to cover up a ceiling leak. Similarly, there are a long tradition of creative accounting techniques that can make a terrible business look attractive (think Enron).

The question in both markets is the same: how do you know when it’s time to act, and when it’s time to wait? Exercising the wait and see approach is harder than it sounds.

The Worst House in the Best Neighborhood

This idea is repeated so often it has achieved the status of gospel: buy the worst house in the best neighborhood. The logic is sound in theory. The neighborhood sets the ceiling on value. Buy low, renovate, sell high.

I bought that house.

It looked like a value. It was priced below the comps. The neighborhood had a good reputation. Everything seemed to be in place.

What followed was two years of troubleshooting problems I could not have anticipated. There was always something…behind the wall…under the floor…and in the crawl space (OMG the crawl space! I’m having nightmares). The house was maintained the way some companies cook the books—just enough to pass inspection.

I spent two years doing nothing but working on that property. Two years of weekends, evenings, and stretches of time I cannot get back. My daughter was young. That is the part I think about most.

The worst house in the best neighborhood is still the worst house. Due diligence does not always save you, but skipping it guarantees you find out the hard way.

The research tools below would not have caught everything. Some problems are behind walls. But they would have helped me ask better questions before I committed—and asking better questions is most of what separates good decisions from expensive ones. 

How I Research Real Estate Before Buying

Taking the time to kick the tires is always worth it. Along with hiring a qualified property inspector, these are the services I rely on for real estate research:

• Zillow Research — Their Housing Data library is useful for tracking local market heat and rental demand trends over time. Good for understanding whether a market is heating up or cooling off before committing.

• Redfin Estimate — A solid free starting point for a data-driven opinion on a home's current market value. Not a substitute for an appraisal, but useful for initial screening.

• Realtor.com Data — Particularly good for neighborhood-level inventory and sold-price history. Useful for understanding what comparable properties actually traded for, not just what sellers are asking. 

How I Research Stocks Before Buying

For stock research I use three platforms, each serving a different purpose:

• Schwab — My primary platform for over two decades. The Think or Swim trading platform is one of the best free tools available, and Schwab's research library is extensive. Use my referral link to earn up to $1,000 when you open a new account.

• TipRanks — My filter for analyst credibility. Rather than relying on consensus ratings, I look at individual analyst track records and Smart Scores. More on how I use this in a separate article.

• Benzinga — Useful for real-time news flow and options activity. Good for staying current on names I am already watching. 

The Brokerages I Actually Use

There is no single best brokerage for every investor. The right platform depends on what you are trying to do. Here is an honest breakdown of what I use and why.

Charles Schwab

Schwab has been my primary brokerage for years. The platform is clean, the research tools are genuinely deep, and the Think or Swim trading interface is as good as anything in the industry for free. Use this referral link to get up to a $1,000 bonus for opening a new account. More details on the bonus are available here.

Interactive Brokers (IBKR)

I opened an Interactive Brokers account because it is the only brokerage I have found that allows stop-limit orders that execute after hours. That alone was worth the account. Beyond that, IBKR offers algorithmic trading, premium research providers, and access to nearly every investment product available. Global market access is genuinely better than anywhere else. Use my referral link to get up to $1,000 and some IBKR stock when you fund a new account. More details on what they offer are available here.

Robinhood

Robinhood is the simplest platform I use, and simplicity has real value. I opened an account primarily because Gold members get the first $1,000 in margin free, with some of the lowest margin rates available—around 5.75% at the time of writing. Beyond that, Robinhood lets you trade crypto, stocks, ETFs, and place event contracts. Benefits include a 2.5% cash bonus on eligible crypto transfers, a 3% match on IRA cash deposits, and a 1% match on securities transfers. Options contracts are among the cheapest available.

Wealthfront

Wealthfront is worth knowing about if you want a low-cost managed option. Their automated investment advisory service runs at 0.25% annually. For context, Investopedia puts the average financial advisor fee at 1.02% of assets under management—meaning a $100,000 account incurs roughly $1,020 per year in fees versus $250 with Wealthfront. Fund a new account with $500 and get a $50 bonus. Fund a cash account through my link and we both get an extra 0.75% APY on top of the standard rate for up to three months on balances up to $150,000. Fund an investment account and get up to a 0.50% bonus on deposits for three months.

More From The Pinnacle

Related reading:

 Beyond the Charts: How I Use TipRanks and IBKR to Filter Market Noise — A deeper look at how I use TipRanks analyst rankings and IBKR research before making any significant trade.

 The Story of XPO Logistics: A 10,000% Lesson in Conviction — What I learned from selling too early and watching from the sidelines.

 Landmark Ray Kappe House Up for Sale — A 1967 Pacific Palisades architectural landmark, on the market for the first time.

Enjoying The Pinnacle?

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Affiliate Disclosure

This post contains affiliate links. If you sign up for a service through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend tools I personally use to manage The Pinnacle portfolio.

I am not a financial advisor. The content on The Pinnacle is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be considered personal financial, investment, or legal advice. Investing in stocks and real estate involves significant risk, including the loss of principal. Always do your own due diligence and consult with a certified professional before making any financial decisions. I share my personal journey and the tools I use, but your financial situation is unique to your own. 

For 20 years, I’ve written about unique estates, architectural properties and virtually everything to do with real estate. I’ve also been an avid investor in the financial markets, celebrating a few (small) victories and learning some (very) expensive lessons.

Throughout it all, I’ve thought about the pursuit of wealth. What does it mean to stand at the top of the pyramid?

For some, the story behind the home is what matters: a home with a famous designer or a unique history of ownership is just cooler than a newly built estate. For me, being wealthy was always more about financial security.

Writing about these amazing properties requires me to tour them virtually and imagine what it would be like to live there. This has made the idea of being rich more alluring—I simply want to provide a better life for my family, and myself (not gonna lie).

The chance to give more is another motivator. In crafting narratives about custom estates, I’ve slipped into daydreams about relaxing poolside with a margarita, watching the sunset and planning a night out at a fundraiser.

In short, I am now more inspired by the philanthropy of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett than the margarita-and-sunset lifestyle I once romanticized. Hopefully Jimmy Buffett, who gave generously to ocean conservation and countless causes before his death in 2023, would approve of the change in attitude.

Regardless of your motivations, it’s fairly clear that investing is one of the best ways to build wealth…there’s a reason why the top 10% of American households own 90% of the stock market. So many believe they can’t invest (I sure didn’t), but money drowns under the weight of inflation every day.

There is really no choice when it comes to investing. This idea has made me persevere in spite of the many laughable, embarrassing blunders I’ve committed over the years. By sharing these stories, I’m hoping to help others avoid the same mistakes.

At The Pinnacle, my goal is to help you reach new heights by sharing in-depth explorations of:

• Dream-Worthy Estates: Deep dives into architectural icons and legacy properties with unique provenance.

• Market Alpha: Real stories from 20 years of participation in the financial markets, some wins, some misses, and the occasional stock I liked enough to buy and write about. Read an example of here: How I missed a $108k payday on Netflix.

• The Aspirational Lifestyle: Securing the financial freedom to spend more time on family, travel, philanthropy, personal growth and the finer things in life.

What does reaching The Pinnacle mean to you? I’d love to hear about it.

About the Author

Fritts Causby is is a freelance writer and ghostwriter whose work spans luxury real estate, architecture, travel, ecology, and local culture. The real estate pitches he creates for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties have informed features in Robb Report. Additional work has appeared in Wrightsville Beach Magazine and Port City Daily. Explore his professional portfolio and other projects at frittscausby.com.

If any of this resonates, join the list. The Pinnacle lands in your inbox with in-depth looks at remarkable properties, investments and the aspirational lifestyle.

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A Paper Hands Confession

This is an honest, raw admission of a mistake that’s haunted me for years.

When I was relatively new to the stock market, I bought 144 shares of XPO Logistics at $1.44 a share. A $207 investment. That was a significant amount of money for me at the time.

The shares were underwater for what felt like an interminable stretch, but I held on stubbornly, hoping to one day recover my investment. The shares doubled and I kept holding, even though I desperately needed the money.

The reason I held was Brad Jacobs. Every pundit I followed was talking about him, his track record, his investing prowess. With someone like that at the helm, how could I lose?

The Wrong Jacobs — and Why It Matters

The name Jacobs resonated with me for a specific reason. In the mid-2000s I worked on-site at Qualcomm as a copy machine repairman. Like a lot of San Diego residents, I was in genuine awe of Dr. Irwin Jacobs—the MIT grad who co-founded Qualcomm in his den and went on to donate hundreds of millions to charity, including the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego and the Salk Institute.

I parked my 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer next to his son Mark's Lotus on a regular basis. I chatted with Mark and his trainer in the company gym. His trainer was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen, and the experience certainly made an impression.

So when Brad Jacobs came along, the name carried weight for me. I assumed a family connection. I held the stock partly based on that assumption.

Turns out Brad Jacobs is not related to Irwin Jacobs. I found that out when researching this article!

Is that embarrassing? Yep. Would I have continued to hold the shares if I had known? Who knows. It is worth admitting, however, because this newsletter is built on honesty, and that particular piece of my reasoning was built on a mistake.

Research was harder to come by back then. That is not an excuse, just context.

Cashing Out at $14 — and Why I Did It

Under Jacobs' leadership, the XPO share price climbed steadily. But with significant credit card debt and a young daughter depending on me, I made the difficult decision to sell at around $14 a share.

That $207 had turned into $2,016, boy did I feel like a genius!

Survival is the ultimate goal in investing, of course, and there are times when taking money off the table is the right call. I do not regret prioritizing my family. What I do carry is the weight of watching what came next from the sidelines. 

What the Numbers Became

With XPO trading above $150 in early 2026—and factoring in the GXO Logistics spinoff in 2021 and the RXO spinoff in 2022—my original $207 investment could have grown to over $31,000. An approximately 10,000 percent return.

The power of compound growth in a single conviction hold is genuinely staggering to look at in retrospect.

XPO wasn’t the only one. I sold Netflix too early. Apple. Google. Sometimes out of fear, sometimes out of necessity. The pattern is consistent enough that it eventually forced me to honestly evaluate my behavior as an investor.

The biggest lesson isn’t about numbers. It’s about conviction, patience, and understanding your own motivations. 

Who Is Brad Jacobs?

For anyone unfamiliar with the man behind XPO's transformation: Brad Jacobs is a serial entrepreneur who built several billion-dollar companies before turning his attention to XPO in 2011. He invested $150 million into what was then a small trucking company called Express-1 Expedited Solutions, became chairman and CEO, and proceeded to execute one of the more aggressive acquisition and growth strategies in the logistics industry.

Under his leadership, XPO became a global logistics powerhouse. The company spun off GXO Logistics in 2021 and RXO in 2022, with XPO refocusing on less-than-truckload (LTL) freight. Jacobs is known for his relentless focus on technology, operational efficiency, and shareholder value.

In late 2025 he stepped down from XPO and GXO to focus on his new venture, QXO — an attempt revolutionize building products distribution, the same way he did with logistics. Worth watching? 

What I Took From It

My XPO story is not unique. Most long-term investors have a version of it—the one that got away, the stock they sold before it became something life-changing.

Life comes first. Debt, family, survival—those are real priorities and there is no shame in them. But the experience did sharpen something in me about the difference between selling because the thesis broke or selling out of fear and necessity.

Those are different decisions. Learning to tell them apart is most of the game.

Writing this article required me to finally research Brad Jacobs properly—which is how I discovered the Irwin connection was wrong, and also how I discovered QXO. I had owned a small position for a while. After going deep on Jacobs' track record while writing this, I bought a little more.

I am not telling anyone else to do that. I am just being transparent, because that is the whole point of this newsletter.

Disclosure: I own shares of QXO. This is not financial advice.

More From The Pinnacle

If this resonated, these are worth reading next:

 Beyond the Charts: How I Use TipRanks and IBKR to Filter Market Noise — The two-tool research process I use before making any significant trade.

 Landmark Ray Kappe House Up for Sale — A 1967 Pacific Palisades architectural icon, on the market for the first time.

Want more stories from the trenches of investing?

Real lessons, real mistakes, and occasionally real wins. Subscribe to The Pinnacle free here.