Hosting to Investing: My Path to Financial Freedom

October 20, 2025

If you’ve been following my journey through PHH Hospitality and Vibe Investments, you know I’ve worn a lot of hats, from throwing unforgettable nights in Hollywood to building a solid real estate portfolio. But today, I want to pull back the curtain on how I transitioned from the high-energy world of event hosting and promoting to smart investing that paved my way to financial freedom. It’s a story of discipline, smart choices, and a little inspiration from the right book. Let’s dive in.

The Foundation: Saving Like My Future Depended on It

When I first jumped into the promoting scene back in the day, I wasn’t just chasing the glamour of LA nightlife. Sure, the parties were epic, but from the start, I made saving a non-negotiable priority. I lived on a tight budget, socking away every extra dollar from my gigs with PHH Hospitality. There was no magic number I was aiming for, I just saved relentlessly. While my peers were splurging on brand-new Ferraris and Lamborghinis, flashing their success on the ‘Gram, I kept my head down and my wallet full. It wasn’t about denying myself fun; it was about building a foundation that would let me level up without the pressure of living paycheck to paycheck.
That mindset paid off big time. By consistently prioritizing savings over showy spending, I built up a nest egg that gave me real options when it was time to invest.

Hitting Six Figures: Time to Make the Money Work

Once I crossed that six-figure threshold, I knew I couldn’t just let the cash sit idle. Everyone had advice, friends in the industry pushed me toward opening restaurants, saying it was the natural next step from hospitality. But I did my homework. Stats showed restaurants topping the list of high-risk startups with sky-high failure rates. No thanks, I wasn’t about to gamble my hard-earned savings on something that volatile.
Instead, I dove into studying investing options. I read books, listened to podcasts, and networked with folks who’d been there. That’s when things clicked.

The Spark: Rich Dad Poor Dad Changes Everything

The real game-changer was picking up “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. That book flipped my perspective on money, assets, and building wealth. It hammered home the idea that true financial freedom comes from owning assets that generate income, not just trading time for dollars. After finishing it, I was hooked, I knew real estate was my path forward. It aligned perfectly with my entrepreneurial spirit from running PHH Hospitality, but with the stability I craved.

Finding the Right Spot: Settling on St. Louis and My First Deal

Armed with that knowledge, I started scouting for landlord-friendly states where I could invest smartly without the headaches. I visited a few spots, crunched numbers on markets, taxes, and regulations, and ultimately landed on St. Louis, Missouri. It checked all the boxes: affordable properties, strong rental demand, and laws that supported investors.
At the end of 2018, I made my move. I snagged my first four-plex for $100,000, putting 20% down via an investment loan. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was mine, and it marked the start of my real estate journey with Vibe Investments. That property started cash-flowing right away, proving the power of strategic buying.

Scaling Up: Building the Portfolio Year by Year

Since that first deal, I’ve kept the momentum going, adding investment properties to my portfolio almost every year. From multi-family units to other smart buys in landlord-friendly markets, it’s all about consistent growth. You can check out some of my holdings on vibeinvestments.com (though I’m in the process of uploading the full portfolio, stay tuned for updates). This isn’t just about accumulating properties; it’s about creating passive income streams that let me focus on what I love, like innovating in hospitality with PHH Hospitality.

The Real Lesson: It’s Not What You Make, It’s What You Save

Looking back, my path from hosting epic nights to investing wisely boils down to one truth: It’s not about how much you make, it’s about how much you can save at the end of the year. That discipline turned my promoting hustle into a foundation for lasting wealth. If you’re grinding in entrepreneurship, hospitality, or anywhere else, start with saving, educate yourself, and take calculated risks. Your future self will thank you.

Want to chat more about real estate strategies or hospitality tips? Hit me up for consulting at hardyvibert.com/consulting, or follow along on Instagram @hardy_hollywood for daily vibes. Let’s keep building— what’s your next move?

Want to stay connected? Follow my journey as I continue to build, create, and inspire.