Within the highly competitive financial sector, the Boca Raton-based Prince Financial Group has made a name for itself by adopting an unconventional business model: self-investment. Pioneered by John Engler, Bryan Lantry, and Alec Dierna, this innovative strategy has become their ticket to thriving in even the most challenging economic conditions.
Self-investment is a concept that, at its core, is about believing in and investing resources into one’s abilities, projects, and ventures. Instead of seeking outside investment opportunities, firms engaging in self-investment funnel their resources back into their initiatives, thus fostering internal growth and expansion. As Bryan Lantry says, “We don’t invest in traditional markets. We believe in investing in ourselves.”
Their strategy has led to the founding of several successful companies under the Prince Financial Group umbrella, such as Prince Venture Management, Prince Venture Media, and Prince Medical Solutions. They dub this innovative approach “self-funded venture capital,” indicating their belief in their initiatives and willingness to support them with substantial financial support.
The benefits of self-investment for Prince Financial Group are multifaceted. Financially, this approach allows them to retain full control over their capital and potential profits, thereby maximizing financial gain. This approach also ensures heightened autonomy and flexibility, allowing the Group to make strategic decisions quickly and pivot as necessary without consulting external stakeholders.
Additionally, self-investment creates a unique dynamic within the company. It fosters a culture of ownership and commitment, as every team member is working towards the success of the initiatives they are directly invested in financially and personally.
While self-investment brings myriad benefits, it has risks and challenges. The most significant risk is the potential for financial loss if the ventures fail. Also, this model requires tremendous self-confidence and self-awareness to identify and capitalize on internal strengths.
Prince Financial Group navigates these challenges by leveraging the unique strengths of each co-founder and focusing on niche markets. The founders also harness their aptitude for research and connect the dots to understand market trends, thus minimizing the risk of misguided investments.
We always assess and measure risks, including financial, time, and market risks. We prioritize numbers over passion. We need to see if the numbers make sense,” explains Bryan Lantry. “We don’t jump into business models solely based on passion. We focus on reality and numbers, and passion follows from there.
As Prince Financial Group looks to the future, the self-investment model shows significant potential for continued success. Given the Group’s track record, their ventures are likely to grow and further solidify the viability of this unique model.
It’s important to note that the success of this approach hinges on the team’s ability to continue identifying the right opportunities and implementing effective strategies, both of which have been key drivers of their growth so far.
The Group’s unique approach, which leverages its strengths and prioritizes internal growth, has fueled its success and distinguished them within the financial landscape. As we look forward, the continued success of Prince Financial Group is a testament to the power of self-investment, demonstrating that a firm belief in oneself and one’s initiatives can be a successful business strategy.
