Single Family Office Mandate: Oil, Cannabis, Film and Technology
Midwest Single Family Office Investor Mandate Interview - Technology, Film, Cannabis, Oil & Gas/M...
Family office members, next generation investors and entrepreneurs who want to see how one single family office sets its mandate across several sectors.
Worth quoting
"We've always been in a buy and hold. We've always been in a "buy the IPOs and hold them for decades" mode."
"Do not make your cousin's feature film. Do not hire your family as people to work on your movies."
"We're trying to invest in science fact that people haven't all jumped on yet."
What you will hear
Ford describes a single family office whose wealth began in 1920 when his great-grandfather discovered a major oil pool in Oklahoma. The family later divested the operating company so it could make private oil investments through the office. Ford is an active investing family member, and he explains why he thinks buying oil leases and mineral interests makes sense when prices are low.
The talk then covers how the family chooses its next sector. They look for emerging technology that is close to usable, which led from carbon nanotubes to graphite mines, hemp and cannabis retail. Ford also covers film and television, where he has produced about 40 motion pictures, and shares what he would avoid to save $100,000.
On the record
- Ford's great-grandfather discovered a major oil pool in Oklahoma in 1920 and the partners were drilling 172,000 barrels a day by 1930.
- The family invested about a million dollars in a carbon nanotube company in Oklahoma City.
- Ford says taking over existing buildouts can save about $75,000 per location.
Sources
From Richard C. Wilson's Centimillionaire Strategies YouTube channel: Midwest Single Family Office Investor Mandate Interview - Technology, Film, Cannabis, Oil & Gas/M.... Quotes come from the video captions, lightly edited for readability. Figures are the speakers' own estimates and experience.
General education only. Not legal, tax or investment advice.
Talk to a securities attorney to explore options around cannabis licensing rules, oil lease structures and family office structuring. Do not use AI to write your own legal agreements.
What stood out
- Build the mandate around what is next. The family meets to discuss which sector comes next. Ford compares it to a high school dance, where you sense the song is ending and try to guess the next one before it plays.
- Avoid technology that is too early. The family put about a million dollars into carbon nanotubes, but the technology would not be usable until around 2050. Ford says they now aim for science fact that people have not all jumped on yet.
- Buy and hold in public markets. The family has long bought IPOs and held them for decades. Ford says his family bought the Apple IPO and has never sold it.
- Cannabis retail through acquired locations. The Appco Group takes over leases of small dispensaries from operators who find day to day operations demanding. Ford says, based on his experience, reusing the existing buildouts can save about $75,000 per location.
- Do not make family projects in film. Ford advises against making a cousin's feature film or hiring family for a movie. He suggests buying a script from an Oscar nominated screenwriter, because he says it all starts with the script.
Related questions
- How do I close a funding round?I close a funding round by focusing on investors who fit the opportunity and moving each interested prospect through clear, consistent follow-up.
- What documents do investors request during due diligence?Prepare a clear, organized package covering your operations, investments, compensation, team, and track record.
- How do I raise capital for my business?I raise capital by building a repeatable system for attracting the right investors, establishing credibility, and developing relationships before asking for money.
Questions about this video
What sectors does Ford's family office invest in?
The talk covers private oil investments, technology, hemp and cannabis retail, and film and television. The family also holds public stocks on a buy and hold basis.
How does the family office choose new sectors?
The family gets together and talks about what comes next, in the coming month, year and decade. Ford says they try not to be too far ahead of the curve.
Why was cannabis hard to get approved inside the family office?
Ford says, in his experience, he could not get money from the trust or the banks for this. He started the company with his own funds and his sister, and the family office came around slowly.
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