The Wealth Ladder

How We're All Growing Together

The Problem with Most Investment Content

You’ve seen it everywhere: financial gurus recommending $10,000 positions in mid-cap stocks. Hedge fund managers sharing plays that require $50,000+ to execute properly. Analysts discussing strategies that only work with six-figure portfolios.

If you’re starting with $5,000 or $25,000, you’re locked out.

That’s not how I’m building this. That’s not how WE’RE building this.

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The Plan: We Grow Together

Here’s the reality: I’m not starting with millions. I’m building wealth through M&A plays, and I’m documenting every step. More importantly, as my capital grows and I transition into larger positions, you’re growing right alongside me.

This isn’t about me getting rich while you watch. This is about all of us moving up the market cap ladder together.

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Phase 1: Micro & Small Cap M&A (Years 1-2)

Where We Start:

Right now, I’m focused on micro and small-cap M&A opportunities—companies with market caps between $20 million and $500 million. These are:

• Biotech companies with buyout catalysts (FDA approvals, clinical trial data, patent portfolios)

• Regional banks in consolidation plays (activist involvement, strategic reviews)

• Industrial companies with activist investors demanding sales

• Satellite and tech infrastructure plays with strategic buyer interest

Example position sizes: $200-$1,500 per play

Why this matters for you:

• If you have a $10,000 account, you can follow these plays with $150-$500 positions

• If you have a $25,000 account, you can scale proportionally

• Everyone can participate

The M&A Thesis:

• Small caps get acquired at 50-100% premiums

• Multiple shots on goal (10-15 positions active)

• 50/50 exit strategy: Half to next M&A play, half to core portfolio

Expected Growth:

• Your $10,000 account → $25,000-$35,000

• My positions scale from $200-$1,500 → $500-$2,500

• We’re building the foundation together

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Phase 2: Small & Mid Cap M&A (Years 2-5)

Where We’re Headed:

As our M&A wins compound, we naturally transition into larger opportunities—companies with $500 million to $3 billion market caps:

• Larger regional banks with institutional activist involvement

• Industrial consolidation plays (packaging, aerospace, manufacturing)

• Tech infrastructure companies with strategic buyer interest

• Activist-driven breakups and strategic reviews

Example position sizes: $1,500-$4,000 per play

Why this still works for you:

• Your account has grown from $10,000 to $25,000-$75,000 (following the same plays)

• You can now afford $800-$3,000 positions (scaled to your size)

• We’re still moving together, just at a larger scale

The Evolution:

• Lower risk (larger companies, higher M&A probability)

• Smaller percentage gains (30-60% vs 50-100%)

• Larger absolute dollar profits (your account is bigger now)

Expected Growth:

• Your $25,000-$35,000 account → $75,000-$150,000

• My positions scale from $1,500-$4,000 → $3,000-$6,000

• We’re scaling up the ladder together

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Phase 3: Mid Cap & Selective Large Cap (Years 5-10)

The Final Transition:

Eventually, we move into mid-cap and selective large-cap M&A opportunities—$1 billion to $5 billion market caps:

• Major activist campaigns (institutional-level plays)

• Industry consolidation (telecom, media, healthcare)

• Corporate breakups and sum-of-parts plays

• Strategic mega-mergers

Example position sizes: $3,000-$8,000+ per play

Why you’re still here:

• Your account has grown from $10,000 to $150,000-$300,000+

• You can afford $3,000-$7,000 positions

• We’ve climbed the ladder together over a decade

The Payoff:

• Lowest risk (large-cap M&A, institutional involvement)

• Steady 20-40% gains on high-probability plays

• You’ve built generational wealth following the same strategy

Expected Growth:

• Your $75,000-$150,000 account → $200,000-$500,000+

• My positions scale from $3,000-$8,000 → maintaining or transitioning to income

• We’ve arrived—together

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The Safety Net: Small Caps Never Go Away

Here’s the important part: I will always maintain small-cap M&A positions.

Why?

1. For New Investors:

• Someone just discovering this strategy with a $5,000 account

• They need accessible entry points ($100-$500 positions)

• Small caps provide that access

2. For Recovering Investors:

• Someone rebuilding after a loss or setback

• They need smaller positions to regain confidence

• Small caps offer that opportunity

3. For Maximum Returns:

• Small caps still offer the highest percentage gains

• Even with a larger portfolio, 10-15% in micro caps makes sense

• Keeps the edge sharp

The Core Crew:

• You’ve been here from the beginning

• You’ve grown your account 10x, 20x, 30x following these plays

• You’re ready for every transition with me

The New Crew:

• Just starting their journey

• Following the same small-cap plays you started with

• They’ll grow into the mid-caps just like you did

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The 50/50 Rule: How We Keep Growing

Every time an M&A play exits, the total proceeds get split:

50% → Next M&A Target

• Keeps the M&A engine funded

• Allows us to take larger positions as we grow

• Maintains 10-15% portfolio allocation to M&A

50% → Core Portfolio

• Builds the retirement base (growth focus now, income focus later)

• Locks in gains permanently

• Converts speculation into stability

Example:

• Biotech M&A play: $1,000 position exits at $1,800

• $900 → Next M&A target (maybe a small-cap bank or industrial play)

• $900 → Core portfolio (growth ETFs—building the foundation)

This is how we transition from small caps to mid caps naturally. Every win funds the next, larger opportunity.

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Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

The Established Analysts:

I’m incredibly fortunate to learn from and collaborate with some of the best M&A analysts in the game—people who’ve been doing this for years with proven track records and massive followings.

What they bring:

• Deep expertise in M&A pattern recognition

• Institutional-level research and connections

• Years of documented wins across market cycles

• Generous mentorship and knowledge sharing

Why this matters for you:

• I’m learning from the best and passing that knowledge directly to you

• Their insights sharpen my edge, which improves your results

• When they share my work, it brings talented new investors to our community

• We all benefit from their experience and credibility

I’m not trying to replace them—I’m building something complementary. They’ve mastered the craft at scale. I’m documenting the journey from the ground up, making it accessible for retail investors who are just starting.

Our Crew (You):

• Retail investors who trusted me early

• You came over when this was just starting

• You’re the ones who make this sustainable

• You pay for the analysis because it’s making you money

• You’re not just subscribers—you’re the community

The Synergy:

• Established analysts provide the framework and credibility

• I adapt their strategies for smaller accounts and document the journey

• You execute alongside me and grow your wealth

• Everyone wins—it’s not competition, it’s collaboration

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The Timeline

Years 1-2: Micro/Small Cap Focus

• Building capital through high-risk, high-reward M&A

• Position sizes: $200-$1,500

• Your account: $10,000 → $25,000-$35,000

Years 2-5: Small/Mid Cap Transition

• Scaling into larger, safer M&A opportunities

• Position sizes: $1,500-$4,000

• Your account: $25,000-$35,000 → $75,000-$150,000

Years 5-10: Mid Cap & Beyond

• Playing with house money, lower risk

• Position sizes: $3,000-$8,000+

• Your account: $75,000-$150,000 → $200,000-$500,000+

Throughout: Small Caps Always Available

• For new investors joining the journey

• For maximum return opportunities

• For keeping the strategy accessible

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The Vision

This isn’t just an investment newsletter.

This is a documented journey from small accounts to generational wealth through M&A investing.

I’m not selling you a dream—I’m inviting you to build it with me.

• When I win, you win (we’re in the same plays)

• When I grow, you grow (we scale up together)

• When I transition to larger caps, you’re ready (your account grew too)

The core crew who trusted me early?

You’re not getting left behind. You’re coming with me every step of the way.

New investors just discovering this?

The small-cap plays are still here. Start where we started. Grow like we grew.

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The Bottom Line

Most investment content is built for people who already have money.

This is built for people who are making money.

We start small. We compound wins. We transition up the market cap ladder together.

Your $10,000 account today becomes your $200,000-$500,000 account in 10 years—not through luck, but through documented M&A strategy executed together.

That’s the plan.

That’s the wealth ladder.

Let’s climb it together. Joe
P.S I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving enjoy the break & be ready to get it on.

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Want to follow along? This is just the beginning. Subscribe for weekly M&A analysis, transparent portfolio updates, and the full documented journey from micro caps to mid caps—and beyond.

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Disclaimer:

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. All investment strategies involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. M&A plays are speculative and may result in total loss. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always conduct your own due diligence and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. I am not a registered investment advisor.