Business

How to Run a Successful Business with Family and how Zaf Baker does it

Published

5 years ago

September 13, 2020

Keep family and business separate. We’ve all heard this sort of advice about how it is deadly and dangerous to involve family and friends in our business as it is bound to lead to collisions, fights, and in some cases, permanent destruction of both the relationships in the business. However, we have seen many instances in which family and friends are able to do business together and still drive.

A good example of this is Zaf and Adam Baker, brothers who run both a property business and a car dealership. The two have been in business for years and have seen mammoth success and are able to balance being both siblings as well as business partners, proving it can be done. Obviously, the situation between the Baker Brothers is not always the norm as there are instances of people who have had relationships destroyed by bringing in family and friends into business. If you are considering this route, it can be done.

First, it is important to look into the relationship itself. A quick peek at Baker’s social media will show that he and his brother are very close and according to recent interviews, they have been very close from a young age. If your relationship between you and your family member or friend is already tumultuous, it will only be heightened due to the pressures of running a business together. If you are thinking of starting a business with someone, make sure it’s someone you already have a good relationship with.

When you do find this person you have a good relationship with and want to go to business with, make sure it is a slow transition in the beginning. The Baker brothers did not start their empire off the bat. Instead, they began their career with a wholesale car dealership and then transitioned it by expanding the business into real estate. Starting with a single project or business venture will give you and your family member the chance to get to know each other as business people as opposed to siblings or otherwise. This means that many of the clashes and teething problems and other issues will be sorted out in the beginning as opposed to popping up later and causing bigger issues.

When you begin working with a family member, make sure that all the rules and roles are defined. For example, Zaf Baker is known as the more outgoing of the two brothers and has a very prolific social media presence which also promotes their business. When you are starting your business venture with a family member, decide ahead of time who is going to do what and make sure that each person is allowed to do their work without consent interference. Especially if there is an age difference or seniority, it is easy for one party to feel slighted. Instead, if each person is given a defined role and not constantly hovered over, the business will likely thrive.

Furthermore, business and pleasure time should also be clearly defined. In the confines of your business, it should be very clear that you are partners first and foremost and ensure that each partner works professionally as though they were working for or with a stranger. Outside the office, however, try your best to keep the personal relationship alive by engaging in the activities you have done prior. One of the issues that many people often have when working with a family member or friend is that they either lose their business partner by trying to maintain the relationship or lose their friend by trying to keep things professional in the workplace.

The key is to find a balance between the two for all involved. A quick look at Baker’s Instagram to grow will show you that the two brothers play as much as they work. His Instagram has shots of them traveling around the world, meeting some of the biggest celebrities in the world, engaging in many hobbies and partying. They also often seen with other members of the family traveling which shows that their relationship has not been harmed by the business partnership.

Finally, it is important to acknowledge when this sort of relationship is not feasible. It must be acknowledged that not every relationship can work in a professional setting and this is perfectly fine. There is no benefit in trying to force it if the flexibility does not exist. If it does exist, however, make sure to apply all the above rules to ensure the best possible results not just for the business but also for the relationship that is in question.

Business

13 Reasons Investors Are Watching Phoenix Energy’s Expansion in the Williston Basin

Published

5 hours ago

April 23, 2025

Matthew Wiles

As energy security becomes a growing priority in the United States, companies focused on domestic oil production are gaining attention from investors. One such company is Phoenix Energy, an independent oil and gas company operating in the Williston Basin, a prolific oil-producing region spanning North Dakota and Montana.

Phoenix Energy has established itself as a key player in this sector, expanding its footprint while offering structured investment opportunities to accredited investors. Through Regulation D 506(c) corporate bonds, the company provides investment options with annual interest rates ranging from 9% to 13%.

Here are 13 reasons why Phoenix Energy is attracting investor interest in 2025:

1. U.S. energy production remains a strategic priority

The global energy landscape is evolving, with a renewed focus on domestic oil and gas production to enhance economic stability and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources. The Williston Basin, home to the Bakken and Three Forks formations, continues to play a critical role in meeting these demands. Phoenix Energy has established an operational footprint in the basin, where it is actively investing in development and production.

2. Investment opportunities with fixed annual interest rates

Phoenix Energy bonds offer accredited investors annual interest rates between 9% and 13% through Regulation D 506(c). These bonds help fund the company’s expansion in the Williston Basin, where it acquires and develops oil and gas assets.

3. Record-breaking drilling speeds in the Williston Basin

Phoenix Energy has made significant strides in drilling efficiency, ranking among the fastest drillers in the Bakken Formation as of late 2024. By reducing drilling times, the company aims to optimize operations and improve overall production performance.

4. Expansion of operational footprint

Since becoming an operator in September 2023, Phoenix Energy has grown rapidly. As of March 2025, the company has 53 wells drilled and 96 wells planned over the next 12 months.

5. Surpassing production expectations

Phoenix Energy’s oil production has steadily increased. By mid-2024, its cumulative production had exceeded 1.57 million barrels, outpacing its total output for 2023. The company projected an exit rate of nearly 20,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day by the end of March 2025.

6. High-net-worth investor offerings

For investors seeking alternative investments with higher-yield opportunities, Phoenix Energy offers the Adamantium bonds through Reg D 506(c), which provides corporate bonds with annual interest rates between 13% and 16%, with investment terms ranging from 5 to 11 years, and a minimum investment of $2 million.

7. Experienced team with industry-specific expertise

Phoenix Energy’s leadership and technical teams include professionals with decades of oil and gas experience, including backgrounds in drilling engineering, land acquisition, and reservoir analysis. This level of in-house expertise supports the company’s ability to evaluate acreage, manage operations, and execute its long-term development plans in the Williston Basin.

8. Focus on investor communication and understanding

Phoenix Energy prioritizes clear investor communication. The company hosts webinars and provides access to licensed professionals who walk investors through the business model and operations in the oil and gas sector. These efforts aim to help investors better understand how Phoenix Energy deploys capital across mineral acquisitions and operated wells.

9. Managing market risk through strategic planning

The energy sector is cyclical, and Phoenix Energy takes a structured approach to risk management. The company employs hedging strategies and asset-backed financing to help mitigate potential fluctuations in the oil market.

10. Commitment to compliance

Phoenix Energy conducts its bond offerings under the SEC’s Regulation D Rule 506(c) exemption. These offerings are made available exclusively to accredited investors and are facilitated through a registered broker-dealer to support adherence to federal securities laws. Investors can review applicable offering filings on the SEC’s EDGAR database.

11. Recognition for business practices

As of April 2025, Phoenix Energy maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and is a BBB-accredited business. The company has also earned strong ratings on investor review platforms such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews, where investors often highlight clear communication and transparency.

12. A family-founded business with a long-term vision

Led by CEO Adam Ferrari, Phoenix Energy operates as a family-founded business with a focus on long-term investment strategies. The company’s leadership emphasizes responsible growth and sustainable development in the Williston Basin.

13. Positioned for long-term growth in the oil sector

With U.S. energy demand projected to remain strong, Phoenix Energy is strategically positioned for continued expansion. The company’s focus on efficient drilling, financial discipline, and structured investment offerings aligns with its goal of building a resilient and growth-oriented business.

Final thoughts

For investors looking to gain exposure to the U.S. oil and gas sector, Phoenix Energy presents an opportunity to participate in a structured alternative investment backed by the company’s operational expansion in the Williston Basin.

Accredited investors interested in learning more can attend one of Phoenix Energy’s investor webinars, which are hosted daily throughout the week. These sessions provide insights into market trends, risk management strategies, and investment opportunities.

For more information, visit the Phoenix Energy website.

Phoenix Capital Group Holdings, LLC is now Phoenix Energy One, LLC, doing business as Phoenix Energy. The testimonials on review sites may not be representative of other investors not listed on the sites. The testimonials are no guarantee of future performance or success of the Company or a return on investment. Alternative investments are speculative, illiquid, and you may lose some or all of your investment. Securities are offered by Dalmore Group member FINRA/SIPC. Dalmore Group and Phoenix Energy are not affiliated. See full disclosures.

This article contains forward-looking statements based on our current expectations, assumptions, and beliefs about future events and market conditions. These statements, identifiable by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “may,” “expect,” “plan,” “should,” and similar expressions, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may impact these outcomes include changes in market conditions, regulatory developments, operational performance, and other risks described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and Phoenix Energy undertakes no obligation to update them except as required by law.