In this episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I sit down with Al Perez, an investor who's quietly built a highly profitable real estate business generating $2.5 million a year—without building a massive team. Al breaks down how he runs a lean operation that focuses on margins, not vanity metrics. With only four core team members, his business closes 10–15 deals a month with consistent profitability.

We dive into how he structures roles, maintains culture, and builds long-term relationships with title companies, contractors, and partners that make growth possible without stress. Al also shares how being selective with marketing channels and sticking to what works has been key to his stability. If you're scaling and starting to feel the bloat, this episode is a playbook for staying lean and thriving.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[2:15] - Al's background and how his business evolved

[5:30] - $2.5M a year with a 4-person team—how he keeps it lean

[8:40] - Building a culture of ownership and high accountability

[11:00] - Why he's selective with marketing and keeps it simple

[14:20] - His relationship-driven approach to title, lending, and JVs

[17:10] - Why he focuses on profitability over growth

[20:45] - The structure that allows him to close 10–15 deals/month

[24:30] - How to avoid complexity and stay true to your model

[28:00] - Advice for investors drowning in scale and overhead

[31:40] - What's next: staying consistent, disciplined, and clear

5 Key Takeaways

1. Small Teams Can Drive Big Revenue – Al proves you don't need a big org chart to run a high-margin business.
2. Relationships > Reach – Long-term trust with partners often outperforms flashy marketing.
3. Lean Ops Win – Fewer people, clear roles, and high trust equal smoother execution.
4. Clarity Over Complexity – Focus on what works, repeat it, and don't chase shiny objects.
5. Consistency Creates Momentum – Disciplined execution over time beats sporadic growth spurts.

Links & Resources

• http://explorecg.com/ – Learn more about the Collective Genius community
• Suggested book: The One Thing by Gary Keller
• Al's preferred tools: KPI dashboards, relationship-based lead gen, EOS framework

If Al's approach inspired you to simplify your operation or refocus on margins, be sure to follow, rate, and review the Collective Genius Podcast. And share this episode with a fellow investor who's ready to build smarter, not just bigger.