On the latest episode of the Value-Add Strategy Podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Grant Lejonvarn, a longtime investor in Crystal View Capital funds and a seasoned entrepreneur. Over the years, Grant has been involved with multiple Crystal View funds, and his perspective on investing, leadership, and impact is a perfect example of the principles that guide our team.

Grant’s journey from a 28-year career in the Marine Corps to medical sales and ultimately entrepreneurship offers valuable lessons in leadership, persistence, and the importance of aligning investments with purpose. As he describes, the Marine Corps instilled independence, critical thinking, and the ability to lead under pressure, qualities that translate directly into business and investing today. Grant’s success is built on the same principles that guide Crystal View: consistency, problem-solving, and building trust-based relationships with partners and clients.

A recurring theme in our conversation is impact investing, making investment decisions that generate both financial returns and positive social outcomes. Grant shared how he supports initiatives like the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, helping educate children of fallen or wounded service members, and micro-lending programs that empower entrepreneurs in developing countries. “Sometimes small amounts of capital can have huge ripple effects,” Grant notes. This philosophy mirrors Crystal View’s approach: investing with purpose, stewardship, and a long-term perspective, ensuring that every investment not only delivers solid returns but also contributes meaningfully to the community.

When evaluating potential investments, Grant emphasizes the importance of gut instinct, relationships, and track record. “It’s not just about the spreadsheets,” he says. “You have to meet the people, understand their vision, and see if they can execute. Numbers alone don’t tell the full story.”

Grant’s experience also underscores the power of persistence. Whether in medical sales or real estate investing, success often comes from showing up consistently, solving problems for clients or partners, and delivering solutions when others fall short. As he explains, this approach builds trust, strengthens relationships, and positions investors to achieve outsized returns.

Finally, our conversation highlights the human element in investing. Grant shared a story about a self-storage site managed by Crystal View, where even someone attempting to misappropriate funds felt compelled to come clean because of the trust and support they experienced from the team. These values, integrity, stewardship, and community engagement, define both Grant’s personal approach and Crystal View Capital’s principles.

Impact investing, gut instinct, disciplined analysis, and relationship-driven decision-making aren’t just buzzwords, they are core to how Crystal View Capital identifies opportunities, manages assets, and creates value. By aligning purpose with profit, investors like Grant and our team ensure that capital is deployed responsibly, with meaningful returns for both investors and communities alike.

Prefer to listen to the episode? Listen here.