“I Had to Burn the Ships”—How Brett Swarts Let Go of Old Strategies to Build Real Wealth

Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich

Unlocking Legacy Through Passive Income & Purpose | Brett Swarts

Brett Swarts, founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions, joins Thomas to share his journey from restaurant jobs and real estate side hustles to building a tax strategy firm that helps clients unlock true financial freedom. Brett opens up about his family’s legacy, faith, and the moment he cut ties with limited thinking to live a life of impact.

About Brett Swarts:

Brett is the founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions and the author of Building a Capital Gains Tax Exit Plan. He works with purpose-driven entrepreneurs and investors selling highly appreciated assets like real estate, Bitcoin, or businesses—helping them defer taxes and reinvest wealth into legacy-driven ventures.

In this episode, Thomas and Brett discuss:

• Cutting Ties with Small Thinking
  Brett talks about juggling three jobs after the 2008 crash and how letting go of the idea that there’s only one path gave him freedom to go all-in.
• When Faith Becomes Fuel
  From childhood trauma to present-day clarity, Brett explains how faith helped him reframe hardships and embrace a deeper mission.
• The Divorce that Defined the Dream
  Seeing both sides of wealth through his divorced parents—one wealthy but distant, the other loving but broke—shaped Brett’s view on legacy and values.
• Real Passive Income, Real Freedom
  Brett outlines the 3-step plan he and his wife are executing to achieve $30k/month in truly passive income—trading time for impact, not dollars.

Key Takeaways:

• Faith Creates Peace, Even in Hustle
  Brett’s foundation of faith keeps him grounded and clear, even during massive transitions.
• Work on Yourself, Not Just Your Job
  Personal growth and leadership development should come before external wins.
• True Freedom is Time Freedom
  Stop chasing multiple income streams—build one high-cash-flow asset first, then reinvest.
• Legacy Is the Real ROI
  The goal isn’t just wealth—it’s how you use it to bless others and break generational cycles.

"Truly passive income is to your freedom what compound interest is to your money." — Brett Swarts

CONNECT WITH BRETT SWARTS:

Website: https://capitalgainstaxsolutions.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-swarts/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brett_swarts/

CONNECT WITH THOMAS:

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfrich/
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