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Some stories don't just inspire—they provide the exact blueprint you need to follow. Igor Shaltonov's journey from Moscow to multimillion-dollar fund management is exactly that kind of story.

Picture this: A professional water polo player from Russia with a law degree lands in Manhattan Beach, California, on a November day. While Moscow suffers through minus 10-degree weather, Igor watches kids playing barefoot on the beach in 70-degree sunshine. That moment cracked something open inside him—a realization that he'd been missing possibilities his entire life.

What makes Igor's story so compelling isn't just the dramatic change in scenery. It's how he built his success on fundamentals rather than credentials. Without hedge fund experience or an elite MBA, Igor methodically created wealth by focusing on what he calls "the next right thing." First in youth sports (he and his wife built a successful basketball academy), then in real estate, and finally in fund management with A Vista Funds, which now manages hundreds of millions across multifamily housing, land development, and organic food companies.

The wisdom Igor shares cuts through the noise of typical investment advice. Rather than chasing flashy returns, he focuses on consistency and risk management. His philosophy—"everybody has a dollar, but nobody invests it"—highlights that success doesn't require enormous capital, just persistent action. When the 2022-2023 market downturn devastated real estate portfolios, Igor pivoted brilliantly, moving from interest rate-sensitive investments to land entitlement deals and private credit positions. This adaptability helped his investors thrive while others struggled.

Perhaps the most valuable lesson from Igor's journey is his approach to teaching investment principles. He allows his children to lose money on risky investments early so they learn valuable lessons while the stakes are low. This same careful, educational approach extends to how he manages investor capital—focusing on preservation first, then strategic growth.

If you're looking to build wealth through funds or real estate but lack traditional credentials, Igor's path offers a proven alternative: consistent action, strategic diversification, and the discipline to avoid uncontrollable risks. Want to learn from someone who raised $18 million in his first year not through connections, but through competence? This conversation is your masterclass.