Welcome to the Desk of Michael Gortenburg.
Hi, I’m Michael Gortenburg and welcome to my blog.
I’m a founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG), a unique private equity firm that focuses on real estate and multi-family homes in the Kansas City area.
This will be a personal space to share my thoughts on topics that matter to me most, such as: investment and business, real estate, technology, cars and lessons I’ve learned over the course of my career.
Enjoy!
Insights into Entrepreneurship: A Conversation with Michael Gortenburg
Hello, it’s Michael Gortenburg! Starting on the entrepreneurial journey demands a unique level of determination and resilience to persevere despite challenging odds. Drawing from my experience in the competitive realm of Kansas City real estate market, I’d like to share some key lessons. Launching your own business is akin to planting a seed. Nurturing it…
Kitchen Gadgets That Make Cooking Easier
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. A home-cooked meal is one way to ensure you’re eating healthier, but it can be pretty time-consuming for those with busy schedules. For those who spent years relying on takeout, starting your cooking journey and deciding which tools you need to buy first can be overwhelming. So, I wanted…
Tips for Staying Organized
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. Staying organized increases my productivity and, more importantly, reduces my stress. Unsurprisingly, a messy room can be a significant stressor, with some medical professionals saying a clean room can benefit your mental health. Here are some tips on how to stay organized so you can be the best version of…
How to Prepare for a Long-Haul Flight
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. Traveling to faraway destinations expands our perspective, but sometimes getting there can be rough. Some of the flights to these destinations can reach up to 24 hours, making for an unpleasant experience no matter how well seasoned of a traveler you are. Here are some of my tips on…
How to Exercise More Often
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. Exercise is undoubtedly vital to staying healthy, but it’s easy for busy people to let it fall by the wayside. According to the CDC, only 28 percent of Americans exercise as often as they should. I know it’s not just a matter of telling you to make time for…
The Best Gifts for Any Sports Fan
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. Any sports fan is likely to already own merchandise from their favorite team so finding a new sports-themed gift they’ll like can be difficult. Here are some suggestions for those looking to get something for the sports lovers in their lives. Cooler Whether someone’s tailgating or hosting a watch…
How to Save Money When Traveling
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. As an avid traveler myself, I know that traveling is one of the most gratifying experiences one can have. You get to see new places, meet new people and learn new things. However, I’m also aware it can be a pretty expensive undertaking. Here are some ways you can…
Travel Notes: Canada
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. I’ve been fortunate to travel well outside the bounds of Kansas City. Traveling is an incredible opportunity to broaden your experiences and gain a greater perspective of the world. I always enjoy soaking up the culture and noteworthy attractions wherever I end up. One of my favorite trips has…
The Most Beautiful Destinations to Visit This Time of Year
Hello, it’s Michael Gortenburg! Whenever you’re planning a trip, you should always know what it is you’re looking for. As a seasoned traveler myself, I want to share some of my favorite places in the U.S. to visit this time of year. Burlington, VT This charming New England town is nothing short of picturesque in…
My Favorite Museums I’ve Visited
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. Museums capture different aspects of our culture and provide a perfect option for those who are looking to learn as they travel. As a frequent traveler, I love taking the opportunity to visit museums that cover different aspects of history. Whenever I get the chance to visit a museum…
Best Bookstores in Kansas City
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. As a reader myself, I always appreciate browsing through bookstores to find my next read. Kansas City is full of wonderful options that any book lover will enjoy. Here are some of the best bookstores Kansas City has to offer: Prospero’s Books At Prospero’s Books, three floors are filled…
Things I Never Travel Without
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. No one wants to forget something important when they travel. Forgetting a small item can cause a slight annoyance or cause big problems. Either way, you want to fully enjoy your hard-earned trip without worrying about something small. Here are some of the things I make sure never to…
2023 Mystery and Thriller Novels I’m Looking Forward To Reading
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. Anyone who knows me knows I love an excellent edge-of-your-seat read. Needing to know what happens next is a great motivator that gets me reading more. Here are some mystery and thriller books debuting in 2023 that I can’t wait to dive into. “Just the Nicest Couple” by Mary…
Best Places to Eat in Kansas City
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. As a native of Kansas City, I’ve spent my life looking for great places to eat. It can be daunting figuring out where you want to eat. Nobody wants to spend a bunch of money only to end up hating the meal they’re eating. Whether you’re just visiting or…
How to Read More Often
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. Reading as a hobby can be difficult. For many such as myself, the main problem you face is simply finding the time. When we have other commitments to attend to, it can be easy to let reading fall to the wayside. I wanted to share some ways for you…
Best Places to See Live Music in Kansas City
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. There’s nothing better than listening to music live and in person. Getting to listen along with a crowd creates an experience like no other. Here are some recommendations on where to listen to live music in Kansas City from a lifelong native. Green Lady Lounge The Green Lady Lounge…
Tips on Being More Efficient in the New Year
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. Many of us may have already dropped our New Year’s Resolutions by now, but I personally believe there’s no wrong time to make a positive change in your life. Here are some tips for those looking to be more efficient in 2023. Break Tasks Down Into Smaller Pieces The…
5 Reasons to Invest In Real Estate
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. As many face financial difficulty in the wake of the pandemic, you may look for ways to boost your income. Real estate provides great benefits for those looking to diversify their portfolio and avoid riskier investments. Here are five reasons why you should invest in real estate: Tax Benefits …
Travel Tips and Tricks for 2023
Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. Traveling can be stressful. As a seasoned traveler myself, I know how much effort goes into trip preparation. Today, I wanted to share some tips about aspects of your vacation you may put on the back burner. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you plan your…
Top-Rated National Charities You Should Donate Toward
We all want to make the world a better place but when it comes down to donating, it can be difficult to nail down who you want to help and how. Today, I want to share with you some reputable charities you might want to consider.
Increase the Resale Value of Your Home with These Top Home Renovations
Hi everyone, it’s Michael Gortenburg. Selling your home can be stressful. You want to make sure you’re fully capitalizing on the space you have but might not know where to start. Here are some ways to increase the resale value of your home and take full advantage of what your home has to offer: Improve…
Scott Asner and Michael Gortenburg Honor Workers on Labor Day
Scott Asner and Michael Gortenburg, founding Principals of 18 Capital Group (18CP), a Kansas City-based private equity firm with a focus on real estate, celebrate Labor Day this year by honoring the hard work of their employees. First proposed by Matthew Maguire, a secretary for the Central Labor Union, Labor Day is a national holiday…
Best Mystery and Thriller Novels in the 2010s
Hello, everyone, Michael Gortenburg here! Finding the right book can be a tricky process. No one wants to spend hours of their time reading something only to end up hating the final chapter. As an avid reader and fan of the mystery genre, I wanted to share with you all some of my personal favorites…
Best Sights to See in Kansas City
Hello everyone! Michael Gortenburg here. As a lifelong Kansas City native, I’m always eager to show off the sights that make this city special. Though the Midwest can sometimes be overlooked for its vacation appeal, there’s plenty of hidden treasure to explore, especially here in Missouri. Here are some of the best sights Kansas City…
Best Energy-Saving Tech For Your Home
Hi everyone! Michael Gortenburg here! Over the course of my career, I have always put focus on how to make housing more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. In 2022, it is easier to make environmentally-friendly changes to your home that will save energy and money. If you dread getting your electric or gas invoice every month,…
Travel Notes: Greece
Hello! Michael Gortenburg here and greetings from Kansas City! Throughout my life, I have been fortunate enough to travel around the world to visit some of the most spectacular countries and their noteworthy attractions. From the bustling streets of Tel Aviv to the beaches of Cuba, I’ve seen a lot beyond the borders of Kansas…
Embracing Tikkun Olam
Hello! It’s Michael Gortenburg! As many of you know, I take pride in my Jewish heritage. The values of Judaism have always guided me in my personal and work life and today I wanted to talk about one of the most important values: Tikkun Olam. Tikkun is most often translated to “repair,” but it can…
Is McLaren Diluting its Hypercar Brand?
Hello everyone! Michael Gortenburg here. I have always had a passion for cars. As I mentioned in my previous blog, I love iconic cars from the 1950s and the feel of a vehicle that time has made a recognizable classic. I’ve always been fascinated by the freedom and excitement you can only get from an…
Are resto-mods a cardinal sin?
Hello there – Michael Gortenburg here. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a soft spot for automobiles (you can check out my previous blog on this subject here). I love that each one provides an entirely unique experience. A car doesn’t need to be fast to give me a thrill. All it needs…
Top 5 Books for Business Success
Hi everyone, Today I wanted to talk about a key element of success — reading. It’s no surprise that reading is a common denominator amongst many of the biggest names in business, and almost all entrepreneurs have a book or two they accredit to changing their lives and shaping their careers. Warren Buffet credits his…
Support Local Kansas City Restaurants
Hello folks – Michael Gortenburg here, checking in from Kansas City. As we slowly make our way out of quarantine conditions and our city businesses have reopened to more capacity, I thought we could chat about something that everyone’s been missing: our beloved restaurants. It has been a tough time for restaurant owners and workers…
How to be Productive Working from Home
Hi Everyone, I hope you all are continuing to stay safe and healthy. Here in Kansas City, businesses and retailers are starting to reopen as the city eases its coronavirus restrictions, but like many of you I am not rushing to return to a shared office space just yet. Working from home is great for…
Coronavirus Vaccine Before 2021?
Hi Everyone, As many of you are aware, there’s a race going on worldwide to develop a coronavirus vaccine. Before I share my thoughts with you, I want to make clear that I am not a scientist nor a medical professional. I am just a concerned citizen like all of you, hoping to return safely…
Maintaining Health and Avoiding the “Quarantine 15”
Hi gang – Michael Gortenburg here, checking in from Kansas City. I recently shared my list of favorite tech items to have on hand during this time when many of us are stuck at home. And while they certainly help to keep you occupied at home, it is important to also spend time maintaining your…
Best Tech Devices to Have During a Quarantine
Hello everyone, I hope you are all doing well as we ride out this coronavirus pandemic. I know that this has been a difficult time for many of you, and large parts of the country are sheltering in place to practice social distancing. Here in Kansas City, we have been under our mayor’s shelter in…
Travel Notes: Croatia
Hello fellow travelers! Today, I wanted to share my take on one of the many places that I’ve been fortunate to visit within the last couple of years: Croatia. It is a place that many people in the United States might not know much about – as it doesn’t get a lot of attention in…
Interesting Features at CES 2020
Hey everybody, Michael Gortenburg here. I just got back to Kansas City after attending the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). For those who might not know, CES is an annual tradeshow that features the latest consumer technologies making their introduction into the consumer market, from wearable technologies to smart house devices. The show attracts some…
The Value of Teamwork in Business
One thing I’ve learned over the course of my life and as a Founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) is that the business world can be highly competitive. Things move at a rapid pace, there can be a lot of pressure and you often have to rely on solid team members to accomplish your…
Tips for Hiring Employees
Hey there – Michael Gortenburg here! The year is winding down here at Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) in Kansas City, and we have already started to look toward next year. We’re factoring in new opportunities for growth, strategies to improve our business and plotting out a plan for how we would like to take things…
Travel Notes: Israel
Hello friends! Michael Gortenburg here and greetings from Kansas City! As you may have guessed from some of my earlier posts, I am an avid traveler. I always take advantage of any chance that I can to get away and experience another place or culture. I think it is good for the soul, and it…
Why It is Important to Give to Charity
Hello readers and greetings from Kansas City! My wife was recently volunteering at one of the city’s great charities – Wayside Waifs. The organization is filled with amazing individuals who work tirelessly to rescue animals within the community and provide them with loving families. It is a charity that is very dear to her and…
Gifts for the Hard-to-Gift People
Hello readers, and greetings from Kansas City! The other day as I was thinking about some of the coolest tech gadgets that I have seen recently, I naturally thought of people that might enjoy some of the items on the list. It led me to think of those people in our lives who are hard…
Living in a Plastic World
Whether you love spending time in nature or rarely see the light of day, one thing that we can all agree on is that it’s important to preserve the environment. It’s a hot button issue these days that weighs on almost everyone’s mind, and for good reason. As the world advances industrially, we’ve began to…
Cool Tech Gadgets Worth Checking Out in 2019
As someone who grew up working in auto shops and as an investor – I’ve always been fascinated by all types of technology. And since the internet’s big takeoff in the 90’s, we’ve seen an explosion in the tech sector, changing everything from how we listen to our favorite music to navigating traffic. Today, I…
3 Strategies to Help You Acquire Premium Real Estate Investments
Before my partner and I built the foundation for Eighteen Capital Group (18CG), I started buying and flipping residential properties around the age of 36. Flipping residential homes in the Kansas City area soon became a passion of mine, and a few years later with a couple of flips under my belt, I was ready…
Make Moving Day Easy
They say that moving into a new home can be one of the most stressful things that a person can deal with. Maybe that’s because there are a lot of things to consider: the commute to work, the kids’ new schools, learning how to get around the general area and more…there’s a lot. In fact,…
Advice for Landing a Nice Room with Airbnb
It never ceases to amaze me just how dramatically technology can change the way we live our lives. When the personal computer was introduced, it took a couple of years for use to become mainstream – but now you would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t use a computer throughout the day. Now…
Mexico: Land of Enchantment
Mexico: Land of Enchantment I have always enjoyed traveling, and I’ve been fortunate enough to visit some of the most beautiful places in the world. One such place would undoubtedly be Mexico. As you may have read in my previous post about traveling, there are some benefits to doing the touristy things when you travel;…
Michael Gortenburg’s Top Three Cars of 2018 – 2019
2019 is just barely over the halfway mark, but the results are in. By now, almost every car manufacturer has given us their latest creations – the good, the bad and the embarrassing. As an unabashed car enthusiast and having basically grown up inside of Kansas City repair shops, I know a little about cars.…
Kansas City Knows BBQ!!
There are many areas of the country where you can find great barbecue, but there’s something special about Kansas City. One of the reasons Kansas City stands out is the high concentration of amazing barbecue restaurants we have in a relatively small area. Today, there are over 100 area barbecue establishments, each boasting its personal…
Life is Better in Kansas City
I’ve lived in Kansas City, Missouri for my entire life. While I’ve spent extensive amounts of time traveling abroad, I always find myself happy to come back to this beautiful city with its rich culture and history. Here are few reasons why I think Kansas City is such a special place: City of Fountains Kansas…
Travel: Notes on Italia
Over the past two years, I have been fortunate enough to travel to many different extraordinary destinations. From the lesser known coastal towns of the Balkans to the ancient cities of the Middle East – I’ve seen a lot outside of Kansas City. One of the most distinct places that immediately comes to mind has…
Welcome!
by Michael Gortenburg, Founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) My name is Michael Gortenburg and I’d like to welcome you to my new blog. This is the first post in what will be a collection of insights from a lifetime spent as an entrepreneur, businessman, investor and real estate enthusiast. I also hope to…
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Michael Gortenburg 