Advertise on podcast: Strength in Numbers with Marcus Crigler

Providing value is a requirement for making money. If you can't provide value, the rest of it doesn't matter. But you also have to understand that the concept of timing is money. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler explains why time isn’t what creates wealth but timing. He walks through his own journey from financial stress and six figures of debt to building a business that runs without him, and lays out the four-phase framework that helps real estate entrepreneurs build wealth faster and with less burnout. Listen and enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Stop confusing effort with progressFocus on timing instead of chasing more hoursMove through the four phases of wealth in the right orderBuild toward a clear exit instead of endless growthWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:15) Why “time is money” is the wrong mindset for entrepreneurs (02:09) Providing value is required, but not enough (03:09) Focusing on your economy instead of the economy (03:49) Marcus’ early career and financial struggles (06:32) Why getting closer to revenue is the first real shift (08:48) The moment finances finally came under control (10:16) The pattern every entrepreneur goes through (11:51) The straight-line wealth framework explained (14:01) Phase 1: Hustle and finding one repeatable profit model (16:37) Personal financial stability comes first (17:31) Phase 2: Secure. Why does skipping it create chaos? (20:35) Phase 3: Expanding based on reserves, not revenue (23:23) Phase 4: The exit phase (23:54) Why $5M in equity is the real finish line for most investors Who This Episode Is For: Real estate entrepreneurs who are feeling stuck in a constant hustleInvestors who want financial peaceBusiness owners who are ready to scale without burning outAnyone who wants a clear path to long-term wealthWhy You Should Listen: If you are working harder every year but feel like you are running in circles, this episode will show you how the right timing and the right order can help you reach real financial freedom. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

Many real estate investors blame the market or timing when the numbers don't hit. More often than not, the real issue is a lack of accountability. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler breaks down why a lack of accountability keeps investors stuck living deal to deal. He explains the difference between being accountable to actions versus being accountable to results, and why that distinction determines whether your business creates stability or constant stress. You’ll Learn How To: Stop blaming uncontrollable factors for missed numbersShift from action-based accountability to results-based accountabilityIdentify where accountability breaks down in your businessHold yourself and your team to higher standardsWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:01) A real-world example of failed leadership under pressure (02:41) Why being the “better team” doesn’t guarantee winning (03:36) Blaming uncontrollables destroys accountability (04:28) The hidden cost of ignoring execution failures (05:08) Why uncontrollable factors are never an acceptable reason (06:27) Accountability to results vs accountability to actions (07:31) The long-term cost of ignoring repeated performance issues (08:39) Why CEOs lose businesses despite being “good at their job.” (10:15) The importance of accountability Who This Episode Is For: Business owners who are tired of missing financial targetsLeaders who want better execution and better resultsEntrepreneurs who are ready to take full ownership of outcomesWhy You Should Listen: If you feel like your income keeps rising and falling no matter how hard you work, this episode will show you how true accountability creates stability, clarity, and long-term wealth. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

Property management is one of the most misunderstood and most demanding businesses in real estate. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler breaks down what it really takes to manage your own properties or run a property management company profitably. He explains why most property management companies struggle and the hidden costs that investors often overlook. You’ll Learn How To: Decide whether managing your own properties makes senseUnderstand the real skill sets required to run property managementAvoid the common financial mistakes property managers makeKnow when a property management business becomes profitableWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:30) The most common question investors ask about property management (02:40) The key questions to ask before starting a management company (03:01) The two very different skill sets in property management (04:24) Why owners rarely rave about outsourced property managers (04:47) Where the property management industry falls short (06:07) Property managers don’t operate as fiduciaries (06:44) The truth about profitability in the first 300 units (08:44) Why property management is not a get-rich-quick play (09:12) Buying vs starting a property management company Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who are considering self-managing their portfolioOperators who are planning to start a property management companyBusiness owners who want more control over their assetsWhy You Should Listen: If you have ever wondered whether running your own property management is worth the effort, this episode gives you the unfiltered truth. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

Why do real estate entrepreneurs always feel broke even if they are making money? In this solo episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler breaks down why that feeling is so common among high-earning investors and how a simple cash management system can fix it. Marcus shares the mindset traps that keep investors stressed about money, even at $500K+ in income, and explains the exact structure he’s seen successful investors use to build wealth and peace of mind. Listen and enjoy! You’ll Learn How To: Build a cash system that removes financial stressStop feeling broke even as your income growsSeparate lifestyle, business, and investment moneyUse reserves to stabilize your business long-termWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:26) Why do real estate entrepreneurs always feel broke? (03:00) How "feeling broke" affects your decision-making capabilities (04:25) Why draining bank accounts keeps stress high (04:51) Why a cash system removes decision fatigue (05:33) A real client story: high net worth, constant cash stress (06:30) “Stay broke, stay hungry.” (07:41) The three financial entities every investor must separate (08:15) Why cross-pollinating cash causes long-term problems (09:08) Why investment money should never go back to the business (10:18) Why lifestyle money should never fund the business (12:08) How active and passive income work together correctly (12:25) Discipline makes the system work Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who are earning high income but still feel brokeEntrepreneurs who are tired of living from deal to dealBusiness owners who want clearer rules around moneyWhy You Should Listen: If you are making more money than ever but still feel broke, this episode lays out a simple cash system that helps you overcome this feeling, make better decisions, and build real wealth with confidence. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

Most real estate investors try to solve growth problems by hiring more people. Joining us in today's episode of Strength in Numbers is Matt Viebrock, real estate operator, founder of Let’s Grow COO, and owner of AcquisitionReps.com. Matt shares why profitability has to come first before you add headcount, and how reverse-engineering your financial goals creates clarity around hiring, operations, and growth. They also break down when to hire an assistant, why marketing should be protected early, how to structure your team in the right order, and what it takes to build a scalable acquisition team. This episode will bring a clear framework to follow. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Start with profitability instead of hiring reactivelyReverse-engineer your financial goals into clear KPIsDecide the right order of hires as you growWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (03:06) Matt’s background and experience across 2,000+ real estate transactions (06:38) Why most investors don’t actually need a true COO (07:53) The real role of an executive assistant in a growing business (09:24) When to hire overseas VAs vs U.S.-based EAs (11:48) Reverse-engineering net profit into KPIs and strategy (14:14) What business tune-up is all about (14:49) The ideal hiring order: EA, marketing, sales (16:22) Why TC is a sales-protection role (18:16) The real job of a title company vs a transaction coordinator (20:08) Why marketing needs an internal owner and not just agencies (23:49) Matt's advice when hiring an acquisitions manager (26:17) The structured hiring process Matt uses to filter A-players (28:56) Why onboarding and sales management matter as much as hiring (32:07) The true cost of a bad hire in acquisitions (37:12) The CEO only does three things: People, numbers, culture (38:34) “Two is one, one is none.” (40:43) Connect with Matt Viebrock Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who are struggling with profitabilityBusiness owners who are unsure when or who to hire nextOperators building or rebuilding their sales teamWhy You Should Listen: If you are hiring out of pressure instead of clarity, this episode will help you slow down, start with the numbers, and build your team the right way. Connect with Matt Viebrock: Website: https://acquisitionreps.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattviebrock/ Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler Additional Resources: Matt's recommendation for TC: Atlas TC Services

Most investors are doing exactly what their CPA told them to do, and still paying far more in taxes than they should. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler joins the show to break down how self-directed IRAs and 401(k)s work, why most traditional CPAs never bring them up, and how real estate investors can use them to build long-term, tax-advantaged wealth. The conversation delves into real-world use cases, including private lending, real estate investing, Roth conversions, and the rules you absolutely cannot ignore. Listen and enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Understand what a self-directed IRA really isUse retirement funds to invest in real estate and private lendingAvoid prohibited transactions that trigger penaltiesDecide when a Roth conversion actually makes senseWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:41) Introducing Marcus Crigler and his approaches to accounting (05:14) Why tax strategy must happen before the year ends (08:28) What “self-directed” actually means for retirement accounts (09:25) Why real estate fits so well inside self-directed IRAs (11:53) When and how 401(k) money can be used for private lending (12:39) Why most W-2 employees can’t self-direct their 401(k) yet (17:03) When a Roth conversion is worth paying taxes upfront (22:02) The real friction points with self-directed accounts (26:51) Common IRS rules and prohibited transactions to avoid (29:27) What Financial Liberation University is and who it’s for (33:35) Connect with Marcus Crigler Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who are tired of reactive tax planningInvestors who are curious about self-directed IRAs and Roth strategiesAnyone who wants more control over their retirement moneyWhy You Should Listen: If you’ve ever felt like your CPA only looks backward instead of helping you plan ahead, this episode will change how you think about taxes, retirement accounts, and long-term wealth strategy. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

If you have a position that is salary only, you are going to get salary-only effort. You have to provide an upside for each position; it is mission-critical. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler breaks down one of the most important rules in business: your people costs must generate at least a 3X return, or the business eventually breaks. Listen as he explains how to measure return on people, why sales roles must outperform that benchmark, and how bad compensation structures kill good companies. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Measure return on people cost the right wayStructure compensation plans that drive performanceUnderstand why sales roles must outperform support rolesAvoid overpaying while still rewarding great employeesWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:57) Most businesses can’t survive without a 3X return on the people they spend (03:34) What counts as “people cost.” (04:29) Owners must include their own salary in the math (05:52) Revenue-generating roles vs support roles (06:38) Why sales teams often need a 5X return (07:53) Why total payroll should stay under one-third of revenue (10:09) How compensation plans create accountability (11:05) Every role in your company should be able to win when the business wins (12:32) Real examples of bonus structures for non-sales roles (13:30) How to structure comp plans for managers and executives (15:49) Why you can’t overpay a great employee Who This Episode Is For: Real estate entrepreneurs with growing teamsBusiness owners who are questioning their payroll and marginsOperators who are struggling to stay profitableLeaders who are redesigning compensation plansWhy You Should Listen: If payroll feels heavy, margins feel tight, or your team isn’t producing what you expected, this episode gives you a clear framework to fix it. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

What if your tax savings could cover the down payment on your next investment? In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler breaks down a real client example where smart tax strategy, specifically cost segregation and bonus depreciation, generated over $300,000 in tax savings. Those savings didn’t just lower a tax bill; they paid for the entire down payment on a $1.5 million car wash. Listen as he explains why these assets work, how depreciation plays a role, and what real estate entrepreneurs should consider when looking beyond traditional property deals. You’ll Learn How To: Use depreciation to reduce your tax billTurn tax savings into investment capitalEvaluate alternative investments beyond traditional real estateCombine cash flow and tax strategy for faster wealth buildingWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:06) Why alternative investments deserve a closer look (03:18) Investing in vending machines for cash flow and tax write-offs (05:32) How bonus depreciation boosts first-year returns (07:05) Why car washes can be powerful income-producing assets (08:09) How cost segregation works in simple terms (08:44) Breaking down the $1.5M car wash example (09:10) How tax savings covered the entire down payment (11:09) Why car washes hold up in any economy (12:09) Laundromats: Business with assets that can depreciate heavily in the first year (12:52) Using SBA loans and depreciation in laundromat deals Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who are looking to lower taxesEntrepreneurs with high tax bills and high incomeInvestors who are curious about alternative asset classesBusiness owners wanting cash flow and tax leverageWhy You Should Listen: If you are paying big taxes every year and wondering how to turn that money into assets instead, this episode shows what’s possible when tax strategy and investing work together the right way. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

Get better before you get bigger. Many real estate businesses are entering 2026 with numbers that don’t look promising, and are hoping things will improve magically a few months later. In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler explains why that mindset is dangerous and what the data is already telling us. Listen as he walks you through a pattern he is seeing across pro formas from real estate businesses nationwide, how expanding too fast puts businesses back into survival mode, and why profitability in the slow months is the real test of a healthy operation. You’ll Learn How To: Spot warning signs in your pro formas before it’s too lateKnow when to slow down instead of scalingFocus on profitability before expansionBuild a business that survives low monthsWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:37) The trend consultants are seeing across real estate businesses (03:32) Why relying on “month three” is a problem (04:26) What a pro forma tells you about your future (05:09) When it’s time to change strategy (06:46) The danger of expanding without securing profitability (07:50) How to profit in low months, not just good ones (09:25) The hustle, secure, expand, exit still matters Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who are worried about the 2026 cash flowBusiness owners who are seeing consecutive losing monthsOperators who scaled too fastEntrepreneurs who are trying to stabilize before growing againWhy You Should Listen: If your numbers are shaky and you are relying on hope instead of profit, this episode delivers a clear wake-up call.  Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

Most real estate businesses don't fail because of bad deals; they fail because the owner isn't watching the right numbers.  In this episode of the Strength in Numbers Podcast, Marcus Crigler is joined by Caden for a real, unscripted KPI draft built specifically for real estate entrepreneurs heading into 2026. Instead of rattling off a generic metrics list, they walk through a fantasy-football–style draft, each selecting the KPIs they believe matter most when it comes to control, liquidity, and long-term decision-making. You’ll Learn How To: Track KPIs that drive decisions and not just reportsUnderstand why multifamily is an operating business, not a passive investmentUse liquidity metrics to reduce risk as you scaleTrack KPI trends instead of comparing yourself to othersWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:21) The 10 KPIs you need to be tracking in 2026 (03:26) CFO vs tax perspectives on business performance (05:13) 10X thinking vs Atomic Habits (07:35) Are rentals actually accelerating your wealth? (09:23) When buying rentals for tax savings can slow you down (12:48) Why large assets demand weekly execution and strategy (15:26) Average gross profit margin per deal (18:24) Months of working capital (21:47) Cash conversion cycle (23:23) Why KPI trends matter more than benchmarks (26:15) Net profit vs cash flow (28:27) Sale-to-ARV ratio and underwriting accountability (29:31) Why broken KPIs usually point to broken processes (31:08) 60-day pipeline by month (32:38) Break-even point and why every owner must know it (33:27) The full 10-KPI framework for 2026 (34:52) Bonus KPI: Return on ad spend (ROAS) Who This Episode Is For: Real estate entrepreneurs who are running active businessesInvestors who are scaling into larger assets or multifamilyOperators who feel profitable but cash-stressedBusiness owners who want predictabilityWhy You Should Listen: If you have ever made money but still felt uneasy about your business, this episode explains why. Marcus and Caden walk through the KPIs that create control so you can plan confidently instead of reacting under pressure. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

Most business owners think turnover is just part of the game. Most people don't know, this mindset is quietly destroying profitability. For this episode, Marcus Crigler shares a real, behind-the-scenes look at how core values drive hiring, firing, culture, and long-term retention inside his own company. He explains why peer-driven accountability is one of the most overlooked tools for reducing turnover, strengthening culture, and building a team that actually wants to stay. Listen and enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Reduce employee turnover without overpayingBuild a culture your team buys intoUse core values as a real decision-making toolIdentify long-term team members earlyWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:27) How the BEC CFO uses just three core values to run the entire company (02:44) The TOP framework: Truth Teller, Others First, Pursuit of Excellence (04:49) How peer-voted core value awards reinforce culture (07:00) Why core values act like a “cheat code” for retention (08:32) How your team can help you identify bad fits faster (09:23) What it means when someone never gets a core value vote Who This Episode Is For: Business owners who are dealing with constant employee turnoverLeaders who are trying to build a strong remote or distributed teamEntrepreneurs who want a better culture without more complexityWhy You Should Listen: If you are tired of cycling through employees and watching profits leak through the cracks, this episode gives you a simple, practical way to fix the root problem. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

Most real estate investors don’t lose money on the deal; they lose it in the rehab. For today's episode of the Strength in Numbers Podcast, Marcus Crigler sits down with Ryan “Rotty” Garcilazo to break down the simple rehab system he uses to save time, protect profits, and keep projects moving without constant supervision. Listen as he breaks down how to evaluate rehabs quickly, how to avoid getting crushed by contractors, and why understanding construction numbers is the real skill that protects your profits. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Understand rehab costs using simple, repeatable mathAvoid contractor mistakes that destroy timelines and profitsChoose the lowest-risk, highest-return rehabs in today’s marketMake better decisions by understanding how construction worksWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:25) Getting to know more about "Rotty." (05:36) Why construction knowledge is non-negotiable for investors (06:32) How to evaluate a rehab using cost per square foot (08:16) The “50% below retail” rule for profitable rehabs (08:44) Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 rehabs (11:06) The $1,000-a-day rule and why timelines always get underestimated (12:10) How permits, inspections, and city delays kill profits (14:29) Why you must think like a general contractor even if you hire one (18:20) Variables that will affect rehab budget and timeline: Location, demographic, and material ordering (19:18) Construction skills are a permanent leverage in real estate (21:02) How Ryan built a rehab-focused AI to manage budgets, scopes, and timelines (26:25) The lowest-risk rehab strategy in today’s market (27:49) Why staying between Level 1 and Level 2 rehabs protects your capital (28:34) “Aim small, miss small.” (30:35) Why showing problems instead of pretty finishes matters (31:59) The hidden 20% cost most investors never plan for (33:37) Hard money often creates more problems than it solves (35:54) Why contractors aren’t “stealing.” (36:53) The difference between 20% markup vs. 20% margin (37:22) Leadership vs. management on a job site (39:27) Why understanding people matters more than understanding construction (42:02) What real leadership and accountability look like in rehab projects Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who are rehabbing their first few propertiesOperators who are tired of blown budgets and missed timelinesInvestors who want predictable profits without full gut stressAnyone who wants to stop guessing and start controlling rehab numbersConnect with Ryan “Rotty” Garcilazo: Website: https://www.therehabdepot.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanrottygarcilazo/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rotty-garcilazo-335ab758/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@therealrottyg Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

Most business owners don’t fail because they don’t work hard. They fail because they grow in the wrong order. In this exclusive training, Marcus Crigler breaks down the exact 4-phase framework he uses to help real estate entrepreneurs and small business owners build real wealth. Listen as he shares why most investors get stuck grinding for decades, why revenue alone doesn’t create wealth, and how focusing on the right phases at the right time can compress a 30-year journey into 10. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Structure your business differently at each phase of growthShift from active income to asset-driven wealthCreate a clear path from hustle to financial peaceAvoid the most common mistakes that slow investors down for years What You’ll Learn in This Episode: (03:10) The real reason this community was created (05:52) What Marcus has learned from seeing millions in transactions (08:12) Most investors don’t have a money problem; they have a profit problem (09:26) “Making money is a skill. Keeping it is a discipline.” (11:16) The harsh truth: most real estate businesses are not sellable (13:33) Why cash flow keeps you alive (14:56) Why “time is money” is the wrong mindset (16:03) The difference between time, timing, and value (17:09) Your economy matters more than the economy (17:52) Marcus’ personal story: debt, stress, and the turning point (21:03) Getting closer to revenue (24:24) The pattern every successful entrepreneur goes through (25:25) Why 10 focused years can beat 30 years of grinding (26:15) The Straight Line Wealth Formula (28:11) Phase One: Hustle (31:11) Goal of the hustle phase: Never come back to it (31:41) Phase Two: Secure (32:13) Phase Three: Expand (35:11) Why expansion should be measured by reserves, not revenue (37:27) Phase Four: Growth (38:43) The straight-line path most people miss Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who feel stuck grinding despite growing revenueBusiness owners who are scaling too fast without financial securityEntrepreneurs who want to reach an exit faster Why You Should Listen: If you are tired of hustling harder every year without feeling more secure, this episode gives you a clear framework to build wealth the right way, in the right order, and cut decades off your timeline. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

Most people wait until they “know enough” before they start. But that hesitation is exactly what keeps them stuck. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler sits down with real estate investor and builder Brandon Rickman to unpack what drives long-term success in real estate. From flipping Brandon’s first house nights and weekends to scaling a high-volume operation and developing a 115,000 sq ft Class A self-storage facility, this conversation breaks down how experienced investors think differently about profit, risk, and growth. Listen and enjoy! You’ll Learn How To: Take action without waiting to “know everything.”Scale a real estate business through systemsUse wholesaling, flipping, and rentals togetherBuild long-term wealth while still generating cash todayLeverage relationships to shortcut costly mistakesWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (03:38) Brandon’s background from a single-family house to building a 115,000-unit storage facility (04:55) Flipping the first house nights and weekends (05:45) How volume grew from a few deals to 100 houses a year (08:23) Imperfect action beats trying to plan everything up front (09:05) CRMs, marketing channels, and SOPs (09:59) The importance of relationships before scaling fast (11:35) How Brandon prepared financially and mentally for large developments (13:12) Spotting opportunity in land and pivoting to self-storage (14:34) The “cheat code.” (17:41) The 3-1-1 strategy: wholesale three, flip one, hold one (22:46) Adjusting strategy as market conditions change (24:07) Private money vs hard money (27:31) Transitioning from borrower to lender as wealth grows (28:22) Why lending can be one of the strongest positions in real estate (30:30) Why relationships determine your cost of capital more than market conditions (31:41) Why arbitrage is how large funds make money (32:20) Who Flip Genius is built for (34:35) Why coaching and relationships shortcut years of costly mistakes (36:04) Lending across multiple states and how geography impacts private lending (40:27) Why investing in a lending fund reduces risk versus lending on a single deal (41:42) Brandon’s core takeaway: five trusted voices beat one emotional decision Who This Episode Is For: New investors who are stuck waiting to feel readyInvestors who are looking to balance cash flow with long-term wealthAnyone curious about self-storage, lending, or higher-level strategyBusiness owners who want a better structureWhy You Should Listen: If you’ve been trying to figure out what to do next, this episode shows how experienced investors think about profit, structure, and leverage, so growth doesn’t break the business. Connect with Brandon Rickman: Website: https://www.theflipgenius.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandon.rickman.431258/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theflipgenius Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

You save the money, you find the money, and then you invest it because we all owe it. But it's the opportunity to invest those savings that will ultimately generate long-term wealth through a tax strategy. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler sits down with BEC CFO tax partner Kaden Hackney to explain why the mindset of paying zero taxes can actually slow down wealth creation. Listen as they break down the real purpose of tax strategy. From depreciation and real estate investing to understanding when not to eliminate taxes, this conversation brings clarity to one of the most misunderstood parts of running a successful real estate business. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Why paying zero taxes is often a bad financial decisionUnderstand the difference between tax preparation and tax strategyUse real estate and depreciation to legally reduce taxesBuild a tax strategy that supports long-term financial freedomWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (03:25) Kaden’s path into tax strategy and real estate (05:17) What makes strong business partnerships work (07:30) Why company culture and accountability matter in growth (09:33) Tax preparation vs. tax strategy (13:04) Tax savings only matter if you invest them (16:21) Compliance risk and why documentation matters (18:07) Key takeaways from the new tax law changes (18:42) Hiring your kids as a legitimate tax strategy (22:55) Tax rates as an important part of tax strategy (24:06) Why 15–18% is the sweet spot for most entrepreneurs (25:30) The danger of chasing zero taxes (27:09) Bonus depreciation and real estate strategies explained (29:12) Choosing between selling deals or holding rentals (31:45) What a cost segregation study actually does (32:27) How tax benefits influence which assets to buy (35:35) Alternative tax-efficient investments beyond direct ownership (37:30) Understanding tax-efficient investments at higher income levels Who This Episode Is For: Real estate entrepreneurs who are earning high incomesBusiness owners who are tired of surprise tax billsAnyone trying to turn tax savings into real wealthWhy You Should Listen: Paying zero taxes might sound good, but it’s rarely the smartest move. This episode explains why intentional tax planning, paired with the right investments, creates far better outcomes over time. Connect with Kaden Hackney: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaden-h/ Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler