<i>Why do the wealthiest investors skip oil stocks and go straight to owning the wells?</i><br /><i></i><br />In this episode of <i>Executive Connect</i>, host <i>Melissa Aarskaug</i> sits down with <i>Mark Elliott</i>, CEO of <i>Summit Ventures</i> and general partner at <i>Gauntlet Ventures</i>, to unpack how direct ownership in oil and gas has been kept behind closed doors—until now.<br /><br />With 25+ years of experience across high-growth startups and investments in names like SpaceX and Epic Games, Mark explains how real wealth is created when you own production, not paper. He shares the difference between owning stocks and owning assets that generate monthly income—plus why this opportunity has been overlooked by most accredited investors. You’ll learn how direct oil and gas investments can outperform traditional portfolios, reduce tax burdens, and build generational wealth.<br /><br />If you're ready to think beyond Wall Street, this episode will shift how you view real investing.<br /><br /><i>What You’ll Learn</i><br /><ul><li>Why insiders don’t buy oil stocks—they own the wells</li></ul><br /><ul><li>The difference between paper assets and physical production</li></ul><br /><ul><li>How direct investing builds real, monthly cashflow</li></ul><br /><ul><li>What due diligence actually looks like in oil and gas</li></ul><br /><ul><li>Why oil demand is still rising despite green energy hype</li></ul><br /><ul><li>How to think like an owner, not a passive investor</li></ul><br /><ul><li>The overlooked “blue ocean” opportunity between $5M–$50M</li></ul><br /><ul><li>Why oil investing could be your portfolio’s strongest hedge</li></ul><br /><i>Episode Highlights:</i><br />(0:00) Intro: Mark’s 10-year journey into oil investing<br />(1:30) Why direct energy investing has been off-limits to most<br />(3:26) Stocks vs. ownership: how insiders actually invest<br />(5:43) Direct investing isn't as risky as you think<br />(6:28) How oil investing compares to multifamily real estate<br />(9:07) Why oil thrives—even during a market crash<br />(11:19) Oil at $20? Why small operators still win<br />(12:03) Mark’s tech background &amp; investing discipline<br />(14:00) The 3 things that make an oil deal solid: rock, operator, infra<br />(17:25) Why the best oil deals are hiding in plain sight<br />(19:34) ESG, green energy myths &amp; the oil reality check<br />(22:02) Demand is growing fast—but supply isn’t<br />(23:35) Why is this your “multifamily moment” in oil<br />(25:26) From investor to owner: the mindset shift<br />(27:33) Why generational wealth starts with education<br />(28:04) How to do real due diligence (without getting overwhelmed)<br />(30:44) What to look for: structure, geology, alignment<br />(32:13) Advice Mark wishes he had known before his first deal<br />(33:17) Where oil fits into your portfolio strategy<br />(34:54) Sneak peek: The tax advantages of oil &amp; gas<br />(35:48) Get the free blueprint → https://summitven.com/executiveconnect<br /><br /><i>Connect with Mark Elliott</i><br /> Website → <a href="https://summitven.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://summitven.com</a><br /> Blueprint → <a href="https://summitven.com/executiveconnect" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">summitven.com/executiveconnect</a><br /> Email → [email protected]<br /><br /><i>Connect with Melissa Aarskaug</i><br /> LinkedIn → <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/</a><br /> Podcast LinkedIn → <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-executive-connect/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-executive-connect/</a><br /> Website → <a href="https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com/</a><br /><br />