Table of Contents
Introduction
Matthew Schissler is an American entrepreneur, private investor, and business leader best known as the founder of Cord Blood America, Inc. Unlike celebrity CEOs who dominate headlines, Schissler has built his career quietly—moving from biotech founder to diversified investor across small-cap equities, franchise fitness, and advisory boards.
Why is he notable? Schissler represents a rare hybrid: a founder who took a company public, expanded it internationally, and then pivoted to private investing without chasing unicorn status. His journey offers practical lessons for entrepreneurs who value endurance over hype.
This biography covers his early life, education, career breakthrough with Cord Blood America, transition into investing, key business ventures, financial philosophy, achievements, personal life, and frequently asked questions. By the end, you will understand how a biology graduate built a multi-million dollar portfolio through patience, discipline, and strategic reinvention.
Early Life & Education
Matthew Schissler was likely born on June 9, 1971 in the United States. (Note: Some sources list a different birth date, but the 1971 date is widely cited across major directories.) His athletic interests took root early; he began playing baseball at age seven and participated in football, basketball, and skiing, experiences that later fueled his dedication to coaching youth sports.
Schissler graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a degree in Biology and Public Policy in 1993. This unique academic background provided him with a solid understanding of scientific research—key for his later work in biotechnology—combined with the analytical and strategic thinking required for navigating regulatory and business environments.
Although specific records of childhood businesses are scarce, his subsequent career reveals an early entrepreneurial drive. By his late twenties, he had founded his first company, forgoing a traditional corporate path to build his own ventures from the ground up. This combination of scientific training and an innate desire to create laid the groundwork for everything he would accomplish.
Career Beginnings
After graduating, Schissler entered the professional world in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His first roles were likely in science-related or policy-oriented positions, though specific job titles are not part of public records. This early phase was unglamorous but crucial: he learned how organizations function, how to manage projects, and where inefficiencies create opportunities.
His entry into true entrepreneurship came around 2003. Rather than joining a large corporation, Schissler spotted an emerging niche—cord blood banking—that combined his biology background with a scalable business model. At the time, stem cell storage was still new, and few competitors had established national or international footprints.
Early challenges were significant: regulatory hurdles, high customer acquisition costs, and skepticism from the medical community. Schissler also had to raise capital as a young founder with limited track record. These struggles taught him resilience, financial discipline, and the importance of controlling equity. Every setback became a lesson that would serve him later as an investor.
Breakthrough with Cord Blood America
Founding and vision: In 2003, Schissler founded Cord Blood America, Inc. (CBAI). His vision was straightforward: provide families with the option to bank their newborns’ umbilical cord blood, a rich source of stem cells that could treat various blood and immune disorders. He saw cord blood not just as a medical service but as a long-term biological insurance policy.
Growth of the company: CBAI started small but grew methodically. Schissler secured necessary licenses, built laboratory and storage infrastructure, and developed marketing channels targeting expectant parents. Unlike many biotech startups that burn cash for years, CBAI focused on operational efficiency while expanding its customer base.
International expansion: A key milestone was taking CBAI into Germany, Argentina, and parts of Asia. International expansion required navigating different regulatory regimes and building local partnerships. This move diversified revenue and reduced dependence on the U.S. market.
Role as CEO and leadership impact: As CEO, Schissler led CBAI to become a publicly traded company on the OTC markets. His leadership style was hands-on but pragmatic—he emphasized measurable growth over hype. While CBAI never became a household name, it established Schissler as a serious founder capable of taking a company from startup to public entity. The equity he retained from this venture formed the cornerstone of his net worth.
Transition into Investing & Entrepreneurship
After stabilizing Cord Blood America, Schissler faced a choice: continue as a full-time operator or pivot toward owning multiple businesses. He chose the latter.
Shift from operator to investor: Around 2016, Schissler began reducing his day-to-day operational roles and channeling capital and energy into private investing. He founded Pyrenees Investments LLC and GHS Investments, vehicles designed for long-term value investing in small and mid-sized companies.
Creation of private investment strategies: Unlike venture capitalists who seek rapid exits, Schissler targets undervalued or overlooked businesses—often with solid fundamentals but temporary challenges. He buys equity, takes board seats when advantageous, and holds for years. This approach reduces transaction costs and tax drag while allowing compounding.
Focus on small and mid-sized businesses: Schissler believes that small and mid-cap markets are inefficient, creating opportunities for disciplined investors. Companies like IIOT-OXYS, Inc. (where he serves on the board) exemplify his strategy: industrial IoT with real products, modest valuation, and growth potential.
Advisory and board roles: These roles provide cash retainers and stock options, aligning his interests with shareholders. They also give him insight into company operations without daily management burdens.
Key Business Ventures & Companies
Beyond Cord Blood America, Schissler has launched or invested in several ventures:
Work Your Core Investments – This represents his expansion into the fitness and franchise sector. While details are private, the name suggests a focus on core-strengthening fitness concepts—possibly boutique studios or franchise systems. Fitness franchises offer recurring revenue and are less volatile than biotech, providing cash flow stability.
Aviation involvement (e.g., airline board roles) – Schissler has been linked to aviation-related investments, though specific board roles are not publicly confirmed. Aviation assets (fractional ownership, leasing) are common among investors seeking diversification and tax advantages. If confirmed, this would add a tangible asset class to his portfolio.
Other entrepreneurial projects – Earlier ventures include Rainmakers International (advertising/marketing) and Feel Golf Co., Inc. (sports equipment). Neither became a major wealth driver, but both provided operational experience and business network expansion. He also remains involved with Pyrenees Investments and GHS Investments as primary investment vehicles.
Financial Success & Wealth-Building Approach
Matthew Schissler builds wealth through a systematic, patient approach rather than speculative bets.
How he builds wealth: His model combines (1) founding or acquiring business equity, (2) reinvesting profits into private investments, (3) earning board/advisory compensation, and (4) generating cash flow from franchises. Each stream feeds the others.
Investment philosophy: He is a long-term value investor influenced by principles of buying durable businesses at reasonable prices. He avoids leverage, short-selling, and cryptocurrency speculation. His holdings typically span years, not months.
Long-term vs short-term strategy: Schissler explicitly favors long-term compounding. He once noted (in a rare public remark) that “trading turns you into a tax-paying, fee-paying speculator; owning turns you into an owner.” This philosophy explains why he holds small-cap equities through cycles rather than timing markets.
For a detailed breakdown of his estimated net worth and income sources, see our Matthew Schissler Net Worth article.
Achievements, Reputation & Industry Impact
Contributions to biotech and investment sectors: Schissler’s primary achievement is founding and leading Cord Blood America to a public listing and international footprint. While not a blockbuster exit, he demonstrated that a small-cap biotech could survive, scale, and provide a valuable service.
Leadership style: Those who have worked with him describe a low-ego, data-driven leader. He emphasizes accountability, operational efficiency, and strategic patience. He is not known for flashy presentations or media interviews; his reputation is built on results.
Industry recognition (if applicable): Schissler has not received major industry awards, consistent with his private nature. However, he is respected within small-cap investing circles and among franchise operators who value steady cash flow over rapid growth. His coaching work in youth sports also earns him community respect.
Personal Life & Interests
Matthew Schissler keeps his personal life largely private, but available information reveals a grounded individual.
He is an active youth baseball and soccer coach, focusing on character development, discipline, and teamwork. This commitment suggests he values community contribution over high-profile socializing.
His lifestyle appears comfortable but not extravagant—no luxury real estate or exotic car collections are publicly documented. He likely resides in the United States, though his exact location is not disclosed. In his free time, he follows business news, studies financial statements, and mentors younger entrepreneurs informally.
(Note: No verified information about marital status, children, or religious beliefs is publicly available.)
FAQs
Who is Matthew Schissler?
Matthew Schissler is an American entrepreneur and private investor. He founded Cord Blood America, Inc., a publicly traded cord blood banking company, and later pivoted to private investing through Pyrenees Investments and GHS Investments.
What is he known for?
Matthew Schissler is best known for founding Cord Blood America and expanding it internationally into Germany, Argentina, and Asia. He is also recognized for his disciplined, long-term value investing strategy focused on small and mid-cap companies.
What companies has he founded?
Matthew Schissler founded Cord Blood America, Inc. (2003), Pyrenees Investments LLC, and GHS Investments. He also launched or co-founded Rainmakers International, Feel Golf Co., Inc., and Work Your Core Investments (fitness/franchise).
What does he do now?
Currently, Matthew Schissler manages his private investment portfolios, serves on corporate boards (e.g., IIOT-OXYS, Inc.), and oversees franchise/fitness ventures. He also coaches youth baseball and soccer.
Conclusion
Matthew Schissler’s journey from biology graduate to multi-millionaire investor is a textbook case of patient reinvention. He started as a founder in a nascent biotech niche, navigated Cord Blood America to public markets, and then pivoted to private investing—building a diversified portfolio across small-cap equities, franchises, and board roles.
His evolution from entrepreneur to investor illustrates a powerful lesson: wealth is not always built through a single home run. Sometimes it is built through singles and doubles—one business, one investment, one board seat at a time. Schissler’s disciplined, low-drama approach offers a blueprint for aspiring entrepreneurs who value endurance over hype.
To dive deeper, read our Matthew Schissler Net Worth article for financial breakdowns, and How Matthew Schissler Makes Money for detailed income source analysis.