The Investment Exchange

Issue 91 - Kaizen all the way

Welcome to the latest edition of "The Investment Exchange," your premier source for mergers & acquisitions, investment and personal growth insights. In this issue, we bring you the latest deals and opportunities plus introduce some of the podcasters, influencers and content creators that are shaping the investment landscape.  

Contents

  1. Weekly Update - Kaizen

  2. Current Investment Opportunities - Derelict to Dream, A Boutique Wellness Hotel in the Heart of Spain

  3. Property with Paul - Is now the right time to jump back into property?

  4. Expert Corner - Adam Coffey

  5. Events, Offers, Insights and Announcements - Ascend³ Ibiza — 10 Free Guest Passes Available

Section 1 - Weekly Update: Another week has flown by — this time spent with the rest of Team Tomkins out in Ras Al Khaimah. 🌴☀️


While it's been great to enjoy some downtime with the family, business certainly doesn’t hit pause — and nor should it.

One principle I live by, no matter where I am in the world, is Kaizen — the Japanese philosophy of continuous, incremental improvement. It’s not about huge leaps. It’s about the small, consistent 1% gains that compound over time.

Here's a thought to consider:
🔁 If you improved by just 1% each day for a year, you’d be 37 times better — in life, in business, in mindset.
But if you allowed yourself to decline by 1% each day? You’d be left with just 3% of your original potential.

That’s the power of small actions done consistently — and it’s a principle we’re applying across everything I’m building right now, from our healthcare ventures to our growing global community of founders inside Ascend.

So whether you’re building, investing, scaling, or simply trying to sharpen the axe — remember: it’s the daily reps that matter most.

Let’s dive in 👇

Section 2 - Investment Opportunity: 🧘‍♀️ Derelict to Dream

A Boutique Wellness Hotel in the Heart of Spain
A Rare Investment Opportunity in the Booming Wellness Tourism Sector

✨ Our Vision

At Derelict to Dream, we transform neglected, character-rich properties into soulful sanctuaries for healing and human renewal.

Our next project: Two neighbouring Spanish buildings being reimagined as a 32-bedroom boutique wellness hotel that blends heritage with holistic health.

🌿 Boutique Hotel Meets Wellness Retreat

Features include:

  • Yoga & meditation studios

  • Spa, ice bath, and heated pool

  • Guided hiking & cycling experiences

  • Raw food café & juice bar

  • Tranquil gardens with fruit trees & edible plants

📐 1059 sqm of built space + 2000 sqm of landscaped gardens

💶 We’re Raising €3.11M for a Unique, High-Yield Asset

  • Seeking: Debt or equity investors

  • Total Raise: €3,111,000 (includes all fees + contingency)

  • Renovation Budget: €1.8M

  • Forecasted Annual Revenue: €4.84M

  • Net Profit: €1.36M+ (pre-tax)

  • Repayments or Dividends Begin: Month 18

    💡 Three Income Streams – One Seamless Experience

  1. Boutique wellness hotel rooms

  2. Retreat and event hosting

  3. Wellness café + curated tourism experiences

    📈 Exit Strategy & Investor Returns

  • ✔ Refinance in Year 3 (leveraging valuation uplift)

  • ✔ Hold for long-term yields (8–12% net annual return)

  • ✔ Exit via resale or equity buyback in 5–7 years

  • 💼 Custom investor packages available (equity, fixed income, or blended structures)

    👥 Be Part of Something Beautiful

This isn’t just another hotel. It’s a movement toward sustainable transformation, conscious travel, and real ROI.

📩 Interested? Book a 1:1 with our founding team
📧 [email protected] | 🌍 derelicttodream.com

Section 3 - Property with Paul Langshaw: Is Now the Moment to Jump Back into Property? 🏡

After months of uncertainty, there’s a growing sense of cautious optimism returning to the UK property market. Legislation feared to be a major blow to landlords has turned out less severe than expected, and interest rate cuts are now on the horizon. Meanwhile, property prices in several regions have softened, creating new pockets of value.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

  • Property prices down 10–15% in some areas — yields are becoming viable again

  • Upcoming interest rate cuts could significantly improve returns

  • New legislation may actually professionalise the sector

  • Select cities like Liverpool and Manchester offer standout opportunities

  • Investors with a 5+ year view may be looking at a rare entry point

Paul has started buying again — carefully and selectively — after two years of selling. If you're considering re-entering the market, now might be the time to start running the numbers.

📩 He’s sourced a handful of high-yielding opportunities — feel free to reach out directly if you'd like to see them.

Section 4 - Expert Corner:

This week, I’ve been diving into Empire Builder by Adam Coffey—a book that’s as practical as it is energising. Coffey, a former CEO who’s led over 100 acquisitions, lays out a clear roadmap for scaling businesses through strategic M&A, operational discipline, and smart exits.

One concept that stood out is his “30-20-10 Rule”: aim for a 30% gross margin, keep SG&A expenses under 20%, and maintain a 10% net profit. It’s a simple yet powerful framework that aligns well with our goals at Ascend and Alphagenix.

Coffey also emphasises the importance of culture and branding in maximising a company’s value. A strong, well-defined culture and brand can significantly increase a company's valuation, as buyers are willing to pay a premium for businesses that resonate with customers and attract top talent.

If you’re interested in building a business that’s both scalable and sellable, Empire Builder is a worthwhile read. For a quick overview, check out this 13-minute summary:

Let me know your thoughts and if you’d give it a read!

Section 5 - Events, Offers, Insights and Announcements: 🎟️ Ascend³ Ibiza — 10 Free Guest Passes Available

The Ascend³ Network is where personal growth meets business elevation — a curated community of founders and investors focused on ethical investing, M&A, and health optimisation as pillars of long-term success.

We host quarterly in-person gatherings, usually exclusive to members. But due to growing interest, we’re opening the doors (just a little).

🗓️ Our next event is in Ibiza on 2nd May, and we’re offering 10 free guest passes for those who want to get a real feel for the group, the energy, and the value we co-create.

Expect:
✅ Deep strategic conversations around acquisitions & scaling
✅ Powerful discussions on health, longevity, and alignment
✅ A grounded, values-led community of high performers

If you’re looking to grow — as a person and as a business — this is the room.

Only 10 spots. First come, first served.

📩 DM me or email to apply.

Thanks for checking in

Kind healthy regards

Ross

What are you waiting for?

Here are 3 ways we can work together

  1. Apply to join our small group accountability program. With a full 12 months to work together, this could just be what you need to supercharge your business growth, raise investment or get started on the business acquisition ladder.

  2. Submit a pitch deck or investment proposal to share in an upcoming newsletter

  3. Reach out about Joint Venturing, partnering or working with me

You can follow me below

Happy investing!

Ross and The Investment Exchange Team

We hope you find this edition of "The Investment Exchange" informative and valuable. Your feedback and suggestions are important to us, so please feel free to reach out to us with any comments or ideas for future editions.

Note: This content is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor before making any investment de