In this CG Live episode from our Select and Elevate event in Dallas, I sit down with Marcus Crigler—accountant, educator, and host of the Strength in Numbers podcast. Marcus works with some of the top-performing real estate entrepreneurs in the industry, giving him a unique lens on what truly drives long-term profitability in any market.

In this conversation, we break down his "Straight Line Wealth Formula," the pitfalls of skipping financial fundamentals, and why real estate investors must stop overcomplicating simple business truths. Whether you're early in your journey or hitting a ceiling, Marcus delivers clarity on how to create real financial peace—and why managing your economy matters more than trying to time the economy.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] – Marcus Crigler returns to CG Live to present again, this time in Dallas

[1:24] – The presentation that started it all—Marcus's "Ten Financial Principles"

[2:04] – Why the basics still matter in a changing market

[2:41] – What separates profit-makers from deal-chasers in real estate

[3:58] – The problem isn't business—it's people overcomplicating it

[5:03] – Respecting your dollar: how financial peace starts with discipline

[6:24] – Why stability should come before scaling

[7:20] – The dangers of expanding too soon, too fast

[8:34] – Introducing the "Straight Line Wealth Formula": Hustle, Secure, Expand, Exit

[9:55] – Why skipping the "secure" phase leads to chaos and burnout

[10:45] – How CG member Dustin Singer broke the hustle-expansion-hustle cycle

[11:44] – Marcus's new podcast: Strength in Numbers—focused on real investor data

[12:34] – Final thoughts: how focusing on net—not just gross—transforms your business

Key Takeaways

1. Net Beats Gross: Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity. Sustainable wealth comes from tracking and protecting what you keep.
2. Don't Skip the Secure Phase: Scaling before stabilizing leads to rework, stress, and regress. Get your financial foundation right first.
3. The Fastest Path Is a Straight Line: Hustle → Secure → Expand → Exit. Shortcutting the process delays your success.

Links & Resources

• Podcast: Strength in Numbers

• Explore CG Membership: https://www.explorecg.com

Closing Remark

If you're done chasing deals and ready to start building lasting wealth, this episode is your blueprint. Subscribe, rate, and review the Collective Genius Podcast—and if you want to learn from leaders like Marcus in person, apply at explorecg.com and join us at our next CG event.