From the Publisher
"I've been working with Fernando for over seventeen years. He is a unique person, perhaps because of his philosophy of life formed in the dojo and his deep understanding of modern technologies and alternative investments.
When he presented his ideas to the board of directors or top executives of various companies, there were usually three phases of understanding them: hearing and not listening, listening and not understanding, and understanding and making them the property of the board members or top executives.
Fernando is a visionary, and time has proven him right so many times. Several years ago, I also specialized in blockchain, tokenization, and their legal regulations. Fernando and I coincided with this too, which is fascinating and challenging.
Reading this book has confirmed my view of him, whose friendship I am proud of, despite the distance that separates us from Spain to the United States.
I will recommend the book to friends and family members because it provides a wonderful framework for introspection, identifying our priorities, and making genuine improvements to our lives. They will also extract very useful advice on developing meaningful relationships, gaining leadership skills, building wealth through ethically and fairly-minded businesses, and, of course, on new technologies and alternative investments."
—Jose Ramón Romero
Partner, Loyra Lawyers
"Smarter Alternative Investments is not only a faithful reflection of how Fernando approaches his personal and professional life, but it is also a life lesson. I can see Fernando in almost all of the situations and advice described in this 'must-read' book. It is very comprehensive and easy to apply to our daily lives. Thank you, Fernando, for sharing your "secret sauce" with us all."
—Antonio López
SVP, City National Bank
"We spend our entire lives accumulating knowledge to become better professionals. Universityies and business schools teach us the fundamentals of our disciplines: management, marketing, finance, and more. However, building a successful professional (and personal) career is impossible without some essential lessons that only someone with rich and extensive experience can share. That’s why this book is a significant event."
—Gonzalo Brujó
Global CEO, Interbrand
"Like good films based on true events, Fernando is able to transmit decades of learning—both at the personal and professional level—through this book. What’s especially interesting is the 'touch' he gives it by blending funny situations with profound business, personal, and even spiritual reflections. Undoubtedly, Fernando´s book will help many find their way. One hundred percent recommended."
—Miguel Caballero
CEO, Tutellus
"In this book, you will find hundreds of useful and insightful ideas from one of the smartest friends I am lucky to have. Pearls of wisdom and thoughts are shared from his experience and innermost being. It is a comprehensive approach that addresses both personal and financial matters. I strongly advise anyone interested in growing to read it."
—Luis Merino
Head of Balanced Funds, Santalucía Asset Management
"I am honored to recommend Fernando's book. In its pages, you will find an inspiring vision of how we can transform our relationship with life, money, and investing. His innovative approach and passion for financial sustainability are contagious. Although our professional relationship is still in its infancy, I can say with confidence that his commitment to excellence and work ethic are admirable, and his ability to simplify complex concepts and make them accessible to all is a real strength. In short, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for an alternative perspective. You will learn something new and useful about investing, new technologies, and, more importantly, about how to impact your life and the world positively."
—Francisco Mariscal
CEO, Orbyn
"This book, written with generosity and dedication by Fernando, is a powerful tool for transforming lives. Not only does he provide enlightening advice on business and investments, but he also inspires us to better our human relationships through purpose-sharing. It is a legacy of wisdom that will benefit each reader and make a difference in the world. I admire Fernando for his genuine commitment to helping as many people as possible and for his proficiency in expressing it."
—Eric Sánchez
CEO, Reental
"I have known Fernando for a long time, both personally and professionally, and I have seen how he has always chosen the path of nonconformity, the path of 'one step further.'
He always grows, shares, adds value to everything we do and strives for a positive footprint. Life and business are not incompatible; they are complementary, with common secrets and practical tools essential to master to leave a legacy. Reading his book inspires the pursuit of these objectives through the lens of a stimulating and infrequent global perspective. For this reason, I highly recommend it. It contains far more than you might think."
—Hernán San Pedro López de Uribe
Director, Investor Relations at SOCIMI LAR
"Throughout elementary school, I was Fernando's closest friend. He was a charming and charismatic boy that most kids admired. We complimented one another so well that I remember feeling blessed to be so close to him. Fernando was aware of his strengths and weaknesses and always worked hard to get the best out of both, so I always knew he would be a successful man. Now, forty years later, I loved reading his book, which offers sage advice in a humble and straightforward way, just like he always was!"
—Javier Rodríguez Soler
Global Head of Corporate & Investment Banking, BBVA
"This book will become a treasured companion on my nightstand. I will reread it again to internalize daily doses of wisdom that resonate deeply with my life's philosophy, and I will enjoy sharing it with my two young daughters. Each page encourages personal and economic growth and inspires us to extend our influence beyond our immediate circle. It's also a doorway to enter the passionate alternative investments world."
—Carla Castelló
COO, Reental
"Smarter Alternative Investments is not a typical investment book. It is written in such a way that you will actually enjoy reading it. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned professional, you will find key tips and mnemonics aids throughout the book. Chapter five, 'A Path That Leads to Growth,' is a masterpiece that you should always have printed out next to your desk."
—Nicolas Barilari
CEO, Nash21
"Fernando's book brilliantly distills his approach to life and leadership—values that deeply influenced me during our time together. His belief in my abilities pushed me beyond my limits and taught me to embrace challenges and innovate fearlessly, just as he advises in his book. This book offers actionable wisdom for anyone navigating the complexities of personal and professional growth."
—Mariana Luciano
Head of Quality and Rankings, IE
"Fernando's book offers a holistic approach to wealth, emphasizing not just financial gains but personal growth and lasting legacy. Through practical advice and personal anecdotes, Fernando guides readers through building meaningful relationships, enhancing leadership skills, and capitalizing on alternative investments to make a positive difference. This three-part journey into upgrading one's life, money, and legacy is both inspirational and practical, making sophisticated investment strategies accessible to everyone."
—Pablo Espuela
Mentor, MIT Innovation Fund
"I have known Fernando for nearly thirty years. This book embodies his essence fully. It is a perfect synthesis of technology, innovation, leadership, and humanism. In a solid, rigorous, and friendly manner, he offers us his authentic life legacy."
—Alex Mahave
CEO, Be Your Best
"Smarter Alternative Investments uses the heartwarming gift of life's teachings notes in a jar to provide readers with essential tools to enhance their social relationships and investments, adapt to the digital age, and find a purpose in their lives. Fernando candidly shares his experiences and insights as a successful entrepreneur. I’m lucky to have known him since our childhood; every interaction with him has been a learning experience for me."
—Juan Pablo Soriano
Managing Director, Top US Rating Agency
"I would like to convey my heartfelt appreciation for Fernando's generous gift to us, his daughters, and the rest of humanity. We all need this insightful book filled with experiences and advice with excellent literary quality and essential technical knowledge. It's a delight to read it in a passionate, existential tone. I am really proud of my friend Fernando.
This book enhances people's quality of life and bridges the gap between traditional methods and the greatest current technological innovations. We gain knowledge and develop into more cultivated individuals with each refined quote and experience that is shared. It enables us to evaluate our personal and professional lives in order to lead better new ones. I especially enjoyed the chapters about the potential of alternative investments, particularly when he discusses art and uses our company Fidelitas ARTe as an example of how we are optimizing and democratizing art investing by combining art, finance, and technology."
—Ruben Pugna
Founder and President, Fidelitas ARTe
"Meeting Fernando and reading his book, Smarter Alternative Investments: Upgrade Your Money and Your Life, were memorable experiences. Our conversations seem to have come to life in these pages. Fernando has always been able to make the complicated simple and put his heart into what he does. Reading his book, I felt like I was with him, picking up his usual useful tips and optimism. This book gave me pointers on how to be smarter with investments and inspired me to be a better person by reminding me of the importance of acting with values and kindness. It is a reflection of how Fernando approaches life and now encourages all of us to improve ours."
—Richard Gracia
CEO, Thrive Colivings; bestselling author
"Fernando Ors, an entrepreneur, innovator, and eternal optimist from a family of communicators, shares his life philosophy, business thoughts, and investing strategies with us, along with some of his favorite quotes and noteworthy events. I suggest reading it in small doses to both enjoy and better assimilate the author´s wise messages and noble intentions."
—Jose Antonio Martinez Sampedro
Founder, Codere
"Smarter Alternative Investments: Upgrade Your Money and Your Life helps you understand investing as a smart and purposeful way to leave a lasting legacy, a key element for your future and future generations. I love how Fernando addresses the importance of this perspective."
—Gustavo Rossi
Founder, Alquiler Seguro
"Smarter Alternative Investments: Upgrade Your Money and Your Life is a life advice compendium where Fernando Ors reveals deeply personal anecdotes and the lessons he has learned from many years of experience living and working in various organizations around the world. Fernando presents his views on maximizing investment strategies through alternative investments that have become more accessible thanks to the advent of the latest technologies, such as blockchain and tokenization. A lovely gift for his daughters, friends, and anyone who wishes to live a more abundant and meaningful life while diversifying on smarter alternative investments."
—Montse Garrido
Latin America Public Sector Head, Citi Bank
"'No one alone' is the essential principle of Fernando's life philosophy that I admire. Many people are figuring out how to build the life they want. You could be one of them. If you want financial progress and a prosperous life, don't be frightened of investing; instead, be terrified not to invest. This book outlines the fundamentals for starting your journey."
—Andrea Redondo
Founder, “El Club de Inversión”, Financially free before turning 30
"This is an essential guide for those looking to enrich their personal and financial lives. Divided into three parts—Upgrade Your Life, Your Money, and Your Legacy—this book offers a unique blend of practical advice and investment philosophy, emphasizing the accessibility of alternative investments thanks to modern technology. Fernando teaches readers how to develop meaningful relationships and leadership skills and guides them through building wealth through businesses and investments that positively impact the world, emphasizing the importance of kindness in all endeavors. Ideal for both entrepreneurs and seasoned investors, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to leave a lasting legacy."
—Patricia Pastor
GP, Next Tier Ventures
"This book is an entertaining compendium of the author's financial and emerging technologies knowledge. It also contains practical advice for personal and professional growth from the author's firsthand experiences. Everyone, especially the younger generation, needs this easy-to-consult legacy."
—María Bujidos
Director, Codere
"Fernando Ors is one of those people who, without losing humility, nourish you and add value from the first moment. Smarter Alternative Investments: Upgrade Your Money and Your Life invites you to think outside the box and definitely expands your vision and capacity for action. It gives you the key tools to achieve your best version."
—Florencia Minadeo
Cofounder, LinkUp
"Smarter Alternative Investments: Upgrade Your Money and Your Life speaks to current and future generations, offering sage advice on life, business, and how everyone can access alternative investments thanks to today's technology. Throughout the three-part book, Ors shows readers how to develop meaningful relationships, gain leadership skills, and build wealth through businesses and investments that make a positive impact by being, first and foremost, kind."
—Eduardo Morales
Business Adviso, Ficom Leisure
"This is a great legacy."
—Sebastien Dupoy
Head of the Caribbean Region, FreeBalance
"I read it, and it is marvelous."
—Nick Papadoglou
Board Member, Nexi
"In this exciting new era of groundbreaking technology, Fernando provides guidance on how to approach it and diversify our portfolios to boost our returns through alternative investments."
—Carlos Blanco
Chairman, Encomenda Capital
