News

The Company expanded its Investment Management division with a new initiative - Equity Covered Call Hedging Strategy. The Company expanded its talent base with two contracted professionals in this space, and is supported by two analysts as well.

We tested and back tested this program for two years, committing the first investments of capital in early 2023. By year-end, capital committed was equal to 26% of Company capital, and the results have significantly exceeded expectations.

We find that the hedging aspect of this initiative, on average, captures 80% of the market upside in market upswings, yet only experiences 40% of market downswings.

A bonus to the initiative, with good forward planning, we will also see significant unrealized and realized capital gains.

We also are cognizant of the risk of violating the wash sale rule, and our strategy protects us from that possibility.

EPI and its CEO successfully advised the CEO and Owner of a high end boutique design firm in the sale of certain of the firm's assets to the current senior management team. The transaction included advisory and consulting contracts, non-compete agreements, mezzanine financings, complex loan provisions, and bank financings. The deal closed within 60 days of completion of LOI documents.

The Company has assisted in the placement of international real estate assets and to redirect those assets into family trusts. The transaction was completely bridge-financed by the Company and has resulted in tax deferred gains for the acquiring family trust.

The Company has assisted in the financing and acquisition of single-family investment real estate in Washington DC. The properties went under lease on the day of closing and have been fully leased at premium rents on going.

The Company assisted in the financing and liquidation of a purpose built LLC company designed to build, renovate and sell a premium single-family home in one of the beach communities in Los Angeles. The property was completed, financed, listed, and sold within 48 hours of property completion.

The Company is assisting the founders of a leading edge cyber security firm, to develop its market, finance its activities, and to partner with established growth entities. It is expected to result in liquidity and growth as well for the firm.

The Company has formed a new approach to deferring real estate capital gains - the DST, or deferred sales trust. This will be implemented in certain circumstances where real estate transactions create realized capital gains.

The Company has invested in a start-up medical device manufacturer. Further, the Company has led efforts to acquire favorable financing for relocation and growth of manufacturing.

The Company has entered into a contract to liquidate an existing investment property in Playa Vista, California. The Company financed the renovation of the property, and the staging of the property by a premium Beverly Hills staging group. The property was listed for sale in mid 2018. The property sold quickly at record revenues.

The Company has recently acquired new investment property in the Mission Viejo, California market. The property is fully furnished and available for investment revenues and performance immediately.

The Company recently acquired an international investment property and another western mountains resort investment property. This adds further diversity for real estate holdings and increases the total investment base of real estate assets for the Company by 11% year-over-year.

At mid year, EPI established its 13th and 14th relationships with financial advisor firms. The relationships with Chase Private Bank, and J.P. Morgan Private Bank, are both managed out of the Company's Los Angeles offices. The relationships include SMA investment accounts, DDA accounts, and lines of credit to support the Company's west coast operations. These two firms join relationships with Schwab, Janney Montgomery Scott, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch Capital Markets, U.S. Trust, Lombard Securities, Southwest Securities, Edward Jones, Fidelity Investments, Vanguard, T. Rowe Price, and M&T Securities.

EPI announces new advisory relationship with U.K. packaging technology venture

In early 2016, EPI engaged with a start-up packaging technology firm in the U.K. to bring the firm's new, environmentally sensitive packaging innovations to the U.S. markets. Activities include advisory services and investment sourcing for the venture.

EPI at mid-year 2016 opened a new sales office in Los Angeles, to launch reseller initiatives for international technologies. The initial staffing includes two EPI staff, with support from the Company's east coast offices. Revenues are expected in the 2nd half of 2016.

The CEO of the Company has joined the Board of Directors of Skills Connect, Ltd., and Rizion, Ltd. Both Australian firms are entering the U.S. markets with innovative software solutions for recruitment, compensation, staffing, scheduling, and retaining casual work force participants in the U.S. See press release on our web site.

EPI has advised the Chairman and Owner of a private corporate wireless security firm, as it became a wholly owned subsidiary of an NYSE traded public entity. The transaction, valued at more than $30MM, closed within 100 days of the start of the EPI advisory work. EPI initially began the relationship raising growth capital for the firm. The firm's growth outstripped its ability to raise capital, and this growth attracted the interest of larger strategic buyers, leading to the transaction.

EPI has provided liquidity, cash, and bridge financing to a new real estate partnership in Southern California. The entity has property under contract and seeks to purchase, renovate, refinance, and market and sell single family homes in beach cities in southern California, targeting properties in the $1.5MM and up range.

EPI has made an equity investment in a first stage internet security software firm as it establishes its first presence in the U.S. Equity in the firm trades offshore in an international market, and the equity investment assisted in the closing of a multi-million dollar series of investments by international entities in the firm.

At mid year, EPI established its 12th relationship with financial advisor firms. The relationship with Schwab includes retirement and trust accounts for one of its portfolio companies. Schwab joins relationships with Janney Montgomery Scott, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch Capital Markets, U.S. Trust, Lombard Securities, Southwest Securities, Edward Jones, Fidelity Investments, Vanguard, and M&T Securities.

EPI has formed, and funded an internal hedge fund to invest in the emerging digital currency markets. The fund is invested in the digital wallet vertical, the digital currency vertical, and the emerging vertical for innovative security IP for transactions in the digital currency transaction marketplace world-wide. The hedge fund has made more than 20 investments of the firm's capital so far in 2014.

EPI has opened a new office in Washington DC in mid-2014. The office, centrally located on Embassy Row in Downtown Washington, joins offices in Los Angeles, CA and Annapolis, MD for the firm.

EPI has participated in the exchange of equity with the acquiring entity for one of our portfolio companies in the wireless security software vertical market. EPI has invested in the firm, advised the firm, and provided bridge financings to the firm and its principals during the period from formation of the entity and continuously leading up to the acquisition.

EPI funded the formation, startup, operation and ultimately the sale of its Airline Lounge business. EPI financing included cash, bridge financing to the CEO for equity infusion, equity investment, and loans. EPI further made certain guarantees for loans made by the entity. The sale of the business, to a publicly traded airline services firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, was completed within 100 days of the LOI.