In addition to his ventures in the crypto space, Cole Diamond has expanded into several other industries. He is the controlling shareholder of Ghost Kitchens International, a company revolutionizing the food delivery market through its innovative online order fulfillment model. Within the hospitality sector, Cole co-founded Vela, a top-rated fine-dining restaurant in downtown Toronto, and serves as the largest shareholder. He is also an investor and board member at Stella, an upscale Italian restaurant in West Hollywood, Los Angeles.

As an investor, Cole is passionate about supporting startups and innovative new ventures. He has backed companies like Big Digital, KEEP, and RoketEV. His investment portfolio extends to real estate, where he has strategically assembled a diverse range of properties in promising markets.

Cole’s career is defined by his ability to take on big challenges and big risks, disrupting industries ranging from cryptocurrency to food service and retail. His latest project, Trade In, is a tech company set to launch in 2025.

We were fortunate enough to catch up with Cole Diamond and ask him a few questions about his career journey, his philosophy on entrepreneurship, and his plans for any exciting new projects.

Q: As an entrepreneur many times over, what lessons have you learned from co-founding successful ventures like Coinsquare and Tetra Trust that you can share with our readership?

Cole Diamond: A lot of the conventional wisdom surrounding entrepreneurship is actually quite true. You have to be tenacious and adaptable. You also need to have a vision for what you want to accomplish and an inherent need to succeed against all odds. An optimistic outlook also helps things along, without question. And it goes without saying that you need to have a product or service that the public wants to buy. I realize that these are generalities, but they happen to be true and critical. 

Q: You co-founded Coinsquare in 2016, which means you were a pretty early adopter in cryptocurrency terms. What inspired you to enter into that relatively unknown and unestablished industry at that point?

Cole Diamond: Put simply, I saw the potential for cryptocurrency to change the world. In the lead-up to launching Coinsquare, I also saw that Canada was lagging a bit behind in the crypto sphere, and consequently, there was space for me to fill a critical gap in the market. After realizing all this, I acted fast, and within a shorter amount of time than anticipated, the company was rocketing its way to success. It was very good timing. 

Q: You’re also an investor known for supporting several startups, which is a notoriously risky thing to do. Do you have any special criteria you use when deciding where to invest your capital?

Cole Diamond: Most of my criteria for investment is based around two things: one, the idea. The idea has to be sound, well-thought-out, and above all else, innovative. I don’t have a great deal of interest in backing a rehashed version of an old idea. The second criterion I use is my impression of the entrepreneur in question. Most of my decision comes down to instinct. Is this person a go-getter? Do they truly believe in themselves and their abilities? Do they inspire confidence? Can they sell their idea well? All of these are factors I consider.

Q: What advice would you give to novice or would-be entrepreneurs interested in entering the rapidly changing tech industry?

Cole Diamond: The best piece of advice I can relay is that you absolutely, positively must stay up to date on all the latest developments—there’s just no way around it. Without mincing words, the tech space is a cutthroat environment, meaning that if you don’t continuously refine and optimize your processes, procedures, and equipment, you will inevitably fall behind your competitors. It’s not an industry that rewards complacency; quite the opposite. You have to be nimble, open-minded, and always thinking about your next move. And you need to be fast to adjust your product or service once you get to market and your customers start giving you feedback. 

Q: Looking ahead, what can you share about your upcoming tech project, Trade In, and what makes it unique in the market?

Cole Diamond: At this point in Trade In’s development, there’s not too much I can share with the press. Suffice it to say, the company operates in the tech space and even now we’re looking into doing some things that will make a big splash within the auto industry. I will say this: stay tuned for the grand debut in 2025. It’s going to be big.

The post Future Forward: Cole Diamond of Coinsquare Fame on Innovation and Investment appeared first on CEO Medium.

Can you share more about your educational and professional background, and how have these experiences contributed to your success in the real estate development sector?

I grew up in an architectural and design-oriented family in Stuttgart, Germany. I began working at the age of 13 in a German architecture office for residential housing and new developments. In 2011, I was recruited as a 400m and 400m Hurdle Track athlete to a D1 school in the Nashville area. I studied finance and international management in college and have won financial awards. I quickly began to focus on real estate investments upon graduation. I have prior work experience in the European M&A group at Deloitte and in Equity Research of a $1.3bn fund at an Asset Management firm in Franklin, TN. Coming out of college and taking a real estate development and investment firm from essentially scratch to multi-millions has been a big personal accomplishment. I live for improving the lives of others and increasing safety in our neighborhoods.

How does Sapphire Development Group’s vertically integrated business model operate, and what strategies have propelled your rapid growth within the real estate industry?

I built Sapphire Development Group to be a vertically integrated real estate development and investment firm because I believe that the investor and client experience is much better when the same trusted team can assist all around with their real estate investment needs. My team delivers a one-stop-shop experience, from offering off-market deals and developing ground-up residential to helping others build and sell real estate portfolios. This means we provide our investors with a hands-on deal experience that includes access to off-market deals that can yield better returns, and also protect development investments as our Realtor Team, Your Sapphire Team, handles the sales aspect. Sapphire & Co. handles much of the real estate cycle in-house, which has helped the company grow quickly.

Based on your experiences, what key lessons would you share with aspiring entrepreneurs, especially in navigating challenges and building character?

Don’t ever quit. No matter how difficult something may seem, it’s worth the undertaking. Character is built during persevering tough times, and character is what will make all the difference in the world. I believe the saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” is what makes for successful entrepreneurship.

In what ways do you believe your vision for architecture and design, combined with an understanding of urban planning and human trends, has made Sapphire Development Group successful?

I believe it’s my vision for architecture and design that meets a deep understanding of urban planning and understanding human trends that have been inspired by having lived abroad in various cultures from Germany to China, as well as in metropolitan areas such as NYC.

What have you learned about the importance of communication and authenticity in business, and how has this understanding shaped your entrepreneurial journey?

I’ve learned that communication in business is everything. It’s vital as an entrepreneur to be able to communicate during great as well as during difficult times, whether that’s with investors, clients, or employees. I also have come to the realization that most people don’t know what they’re doing and that we all are just trying to figure things out as we go. We’re all in this human experience together looking for opportunities to grow, unfold, and be. The more authentic we are, and the more we feel connected within our community, the more successful our journey will feel as an entrepreneur.

What personal skills and attributes do you consider critical for your success, and how have they helped you adapt and thrive in various circumstances?

As a person, I’m very adaptable, open-minded, and durable. I’ve had to pivot and restart several times which has built character and perseverance. I love learning and get bored easily so I try to stay super active in whatever I do. I’m just a generally curious person; curious to learn about others and curious to figure out how to unfold my full potential in building businesses.

Why do you believe mastering online marketing and diversifying business models is crucial for entrepreneurs today and in the future?

I believe that attention is the new currency and that we, as entrepreneurs whether digital or more traditional entrepreneurs, need to learn how to market online well in order to stay relevant over the next 10+ years. I also love the diversification of business models within a business umbrella.

Can you tell us more about the Sapphire Developer Academy and how it aims to empower real estate professionals with the knowledge to succeed in development?

I recently launched “Sapphire Developer Academy” in which I coach Realtors, Wholesalers, and Investors on how to break into real estate development. In this program, I share the exact strategies that I’ve used to build a multi-million dollar company and how they can too.

To discover more about Joséphine Saffert’s journey and Sapphire Development Group’s projects, explore these links:

Company Website: https://sapphiredevelop.com

LinkedIn & Instagram Handles:

– LinkedIn: @josephinesaffert https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephinesaffert

– Instagram: @josephinesaffert https://www.instagram.com/josephinesaffert/

 & @sapphirdevelop https://www.instagram.com/sapphirdevelop/

More on Sapphire Developer Academy: 

Sapphire Developer Academy

https://academy.sapphiredevelop.com/developer-academy

Podcasts Joséphine has been featured on:

-Spotify Episode

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5vU2QrsBYqVsTlXmo0nhGW?si=BDwXOiSbQMSh6GE0YduZTA

– Spotify Show

https://open.spotify.com/show/3p1JTW0mx9auFQxns4vL7Z?si=lKEeBfBqQO6BbqPkvn1jew

The post Sapphire Development Group: Joséphine Saffert’s Blueprint for Success appeared first on CEO Medium.