Episode 285

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Published on:

11th Nov 2025

4 Mistakes First-Time Investors Make

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If you think investing is just about picking the right deals, think again. The biggest losses don’t come from bad investments–they come from avoidable mistakes. In this episode, Sharran reveals the four traps that new investors often fall into and the simple decision frameworks that protect your money, confidence, and future wealth.


He breaks down why embarrassment is expensive, how peer pressure can destroy portfolios, why the wrong operator can cost you everything, and how FOMO can lead smart people into making poor decisions. A lot of people don’t fail because the market beat them–they fail because they allow emotions and ego to get in the way. 


Get ready to learn how to think like a disciplined investor and make smarter moves from day one. Listen in to upgrade your investing mindset and avoid the painful lessons most people learn the hard way.


“You don’t get rich by investing–that's a myth. You get wealthy by learning to become a good investor.”

- Sharran Srivatsaa


Timestamps:

01:41 - The real danger of your first few investments

03:06 - Mistake #1: Hiding your ignorance instead of asking questions

05:32 - How investing in groups sharpens your discipline

06:24 - Mistake #2: Peer-pressure investing & the script that saves you

09:45 - How to reject deals without burning relationships

10:50 - Mistake #3: Trusting operators blindly

11:31 - Why good operators matter more than good ideas

13:57 - Mistake #4: FOMO & chasing trends

15:12 - Evaluate every deal against your next financial goal

19:32 - The real path to becoming wealthy


Resources:

- The Next Billion by Sharran Srivatsaa - https://sharransrivatsaa.substack.com/

- Acquisition.com -  https://www.acquisition.com/

- Board Member: ARC Multifamily Real Estate Investing - https://arcmf.com/

- Board Member: The Real Brokerage - https://www.joinreal.com/


Connect with Sharran:

- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/likesharran

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sharransrivatsaa/

- X - https://x.com/sharran

- LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/in/sharran

- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzpl_gT1bVB1iNZl9yQbWuA?sub_confirmation=1

- Threads - https://www.threads.com/@sharransrivatsaa

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About the Podcast

Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa
Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa is the no-fluff, tactical podcast for founders, operators, and underdogs who want to grow with clarity, intention, and results. Hosted by entrepreneur, investor, and operator Sharran Srivatsaa—President and Managing Partner at Acquisition.com—this show cuts through the noise to deliver real-world strategies from someone who's built and exited five companies across multiple industries.

Sharran has helped scale two billion-dollar businesses, served as President of Real (NASDAQ: REAX), and led the 10x growth and sale of Teles Properties to Douglas Elliman (NYSE: DOUG). He brings lessons from Wall Street to Main Street, sharing what actually works—because he’s lived through what doesn’t.

Every episode offers simple, actionable playbooks for those who want to build extraordinary companies without the chaos. Whether you're a scrappy operator, a first-time founder, or a seasoned executive, Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa is your blueprint for building with purpose and winning on your terms.

For more free resources, visit Sharran.com

About your host

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Sharran Srivatsaa

Sharran is a serial entrepreneur, sought after keynote speaker, and a respected thought-leadership resource for publications such as the Wall Street Journal, SUCCESS magazine, Huffington Post and Forbes.

While Sharran has had 5 exits in the last 19 years, and also a several humbling failed investments and business initiatives. He talks all about them on his top rated Spotify podcast, Business School.

Most recently, Sharran led Teles Properties’ unprecedented 10x growth over 5 years and a 4-year consecutive streak on the Inc. 500 fastest growing companies list resulting in its acquisition by national real estate powerhouse Douglas Elliman.

Prior to Teles, Sharran worked at both Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse, where he collaborated with management teams of fast-growing businesses around the country on investment advisory and corporate strategy. Sharran also spent several years building recreational programs in the Caribbean, Middle East, and Hawaii for some of the finest international resorts such as the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, also has deep experience working with technology companies such as Lightera (acquired by CIENA) and Obopay, a fast-growth mobile payments company.

Sharran is a Principal at Srilo Ventures, a multi-factor private investment fund that focuses investing in and advising technology companies and operating businesses in the consumer space. Having successfully completed many acquisitions, joint-ventures, management buyouts, mergers, and capital raises, Sharran serves as a director and advisor on numerous company boards.

He is also a member of the Genius Network, the highest-level marketing mastermind in the world led by whizkid Joe Polish, and also a member of Young President’s Organization (YPO).

After competing on the professional tennis tour, Sharran received his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Luther College and his MBA with Honors from Vanderbilt University.