I’ve had the privilege of sitting across from a lot of sharp, purpose-driven entrepreneurs on this show—but some conversations stick with you longer than others. My interview with Pat Zingarella was one of those.
Pat and I met a few years ago in a mindset-focused mastermind during the COVID era. Back then, we were just a few guys trying to live intentionally and build better lives—for our families, for ourselves, and for the people we serve.
I remember Pat being all in from the beginning. At the time, he was still in a W-2 sales role, grinding, doing consulting on the side, and trying to figure out how to grow. And I’ll never forget one early call with him and his buddy Joel. We were talking through some challenges I was facing on a big deal—something in the $500M range—and Pat told me later he got off the call wondering: Why is this guy talking to me?
That humility—that hunger—is exactly what makes Pat who he is.
Breaking the Mold Through Proximity
One of the most powerful things that came out of that mastermind for both of us was realizing how much your environment shapes your thinking. Pat said it best: “My perception of what is abundant had been limited to my environment.” He was celebrating a $15K raise at work… then started talking to people in the mastermind, making $15K a day.
And that’s the power of proximity. When you surround yourself with people living exceptional lives—whatever that looks like to you—you start realizing just how small your frame might be. Not in a shameful way. Just in a way that stretches you.
But proximity doesn’t just show you what you want. Sometimes it shows you what you don’t.
The Cost of Chasing Dollars
Pat left his job to work with a commercial real estate investor he’d met through the group. But almost immediately, things started going wrong. On the drive to his first day, he hit a deer and totaled his car. His property manager quit. His gut was screaming that something wasn’t right.
And it wasn’t.
Turns out, the investor wasn’t who he said he was. Legal issues followed. Investors got hurt. And Pat—who had trusted him—felt the weight of it.
That experience could’ve made him cynical. Instead, it lit a fire.
Creating a Platform for Transparency
Pat saw the problem firsthand: LPs (limited partners) were investing real money into deals—and when things went sideways, they were being met with silence. No updates. No explanations. No accountability.
So he built Invest Clearly—a platform where LPs can leave reviews for GPs (general partners), provided they’ve actually invested with them. It’s not about bashing. It’s about context. Transparency. Helping others make better decisions.
“This isn’t about torching people,” Pat told me. “It’s about making it easier for the good ones to be found.”
And let me tell you—he’s onto something.
One of the clearest trends they’re seeing in the reviews is the communication gap. Pre-investment, most GPs get five stars. Post-investment, they drop to one. That’s not just bad business—it’s broken trust.
I’ve seen the other side of this, too. In our oil and gas company, we hit a pretty big bump. The kind that could’ve wrecked relationships. But instead of hiding, my business partner drove down, sat face-to-face with our investors, and laid it all out. That one conversation built more trust than five years of clean reports ever could.
If you’re raising capital—whether it’s in real estate, oil and gas, or small business—you have to over-communicate. That’s leadership. And that’s what Invest Clearly is making visible.
The Mindset That Keeps You Moving
One of my favorite moments from this episode was when Pat said, “As long as we don’t stop, we can’t lose.” He said it with a kind of clarity that only comes after you’ve pushed through fear, imposter syndrome, and hard days when nothing’s going right.
I asked him what the biggest mindset shift of 2025 has been for him so far, and it came down to belief. Belief in the platform. Belief in the value. Belief that if they just keep going—if they keep listening, refining, serving—it will become something big.
That belief? That’s where most entrepreneurs lose the game.
It’s not that they can’t execute. It’s that they give up too early—usually right before things start working. Pat’s got traction now. People are talking. Reviews are coming in organically. And his team’s having bigger conversations than ever.
That’s what growth looks like.
What Matters Most
This episode wasn’t just about business, though. We got personal, too. Pat opened up about his role as a father—and how he had to shift from physical presence to attention presence.
That one hit me hard.
As a dad of three, I’ve learned that kids don’t need more stuff. They need more you. More quiet. More focused time. Not hours and hours of perfection—but intentional minutes that add up to a lifetime of connection.
Pat had to work through that. His wife would say he was doing enough. But he didn’t feel like he was. That internal dissonance? I’ve felt it too.
His solution was simple, but profound: separate from devices. Put the phone down. Be present on purpose.
A Final Word on AI (and Trust)
We also touched on AI—because you can’t have a conversation these days without it coming up. Pat’s take was refreshing. “We’ll only use AI if it helps us have more personal interaction with our clients,” he said. “Not less.”
I couldn’t agree more.
This is still a relationship business. Whether you’re raising capital or building software, people need to feel seen. Heard. Trusted. You can’t automate trust.
Tools That Help
Pat also shared that The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins has been a game-changer. It helped him shift his emotional reactivity—especially when facing criticism or internal doubt. As someone building a review platform, he’s learning not to take every word personally—and that’s a skill every entrepreneur needs.
Where to Find Pat
If you want to connect with Pat, he’s one of the most approachable guys I know. He’s active on LinkedIn and genuinely enjoys talking with other LPs, GPs, or anyone exploring the real estate space. You can also check out the platform at InvestClearly.com.
Final Takeaway
I closed the episode by asking Pat what advice he’d give his younger self. He didn’t hesitate.
“Just don’t stop.”
Sometimes, that’s all it takes.
Keep going, friends.
AND MORE TOPICS COVERED IN THE FULL INTERVIEW!!! You can check that out and subscribe to YouTube.
If you want to know more about Pat Zingarella, you may reach out to him at:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pasqualezingarella
- Email: Pa*@***********ly.com
- Website: https://investclearly.com/
Connect with Chris Seegers:
- Website: https://exceptionalcos.com/
- Email: Ch***@************OS.com
Other Resources:
- Books: Selling Main Street by Chris Seegers
