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 late
• Know when to slow down instead of scaling
• Focus on profitability before expansion
• Build a business that survives low months

What 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 flow
• Business owners who are seeing consecutive losing months
• Operators who scaled too fast
• Entrepreneurs who are trying to stabilize before growing again

Why 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 reports
• Understand why multifamily is an operating business, not a passive investment
• Use liquidity metrics to reduce risk as you scale
• Track KPI trends instead of comparing yourself to others

What 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 businesses
• Investors who are scaling into larger assets or multifamily
• Operators who feel profitable but cash-stressed
• Business owners who want predictability

Why 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 overpaying
• Build a culture your team buys into
• Use core values as a real decision-making tool
• Identify long-term team members early

What 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 turnover
• Leaders who are trying to build a strong remote or distributed team
• Entrepreneurs who want a better culture without more complexity

Why 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 math
• Avoid contractor mistakes that destroy timelines and profits
• Choose the lowest-risk, highest-return rehabs in today’s market
• Make better decisions by understanding how construction works

What 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 properties
• Operators who are tired of blown budgets and missed timelines
• Investors who want predictable profits without full gut stress
• Anyone who wants to stop guessing and start controlling rehab numbers

Connect 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 growth
• Shift from active income to asset-driven wealth
• Create a clear path from hustle to financial peace
• Avoid 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 revenue
• Business owners who are scaling too fast without financial security
• Entrepreneurs 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 systems
• Use wholesaling, flipping, and rentals together
• Build long-term wealth while still generating cash today
• Leverage relationships to shortcut costly mistakes

What 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 ready
• Investors who are looking to balance cash flow with long-term wealth
• Anyone curious about self-storage, lending, or higher-level strategy
• Business owners who want a better structure

Why 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 decision
• Understand the difference between tax preparation and tax strategy
• Use real estate and depreciation to legally reduce taxes
• Build a tax strategy that supports long-term financial freedom

What 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 incomes
• Business owners who are tired of surprise tax bills
• Anyone trying to turn tax savings into real wealth

Why 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 

It is the boring part of the business that has to be done, and has to be done successfully, as it could destroy every other part of the business: bookkeeping.

In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler explains why ignoring the “boring” side of your business can quietly destroy everything you’re building. He also walks us through a real client story where bad bookkeeping caused over seven figures of income to be reported incorrectly, leading to hundreds of thousands of dollars in unnecessary taxes and years of cleanup, amendments, and potential IRS scrutiny. This is a wake-up call for any business owner who thinks bookkeeping is easy or not worth investing in. Listen and enjoy!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Understand why bookkeeping is the foundation of a long-lasting business
• Spot the hidden risks of inaccurate financials
• Avoid bad books that lead directly to bad tax returns
• Avoid paying taxes on income you never made

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(02:26) What defines a “sophisticated” business with longevity

(03:04) Why bookkeeping should be consistent

(03:53) A real client story: millions in revenue, messy books

(04:41) Discovering inaccurate financials going back 18 months

(05:54) Cleanup work is expensive but avoidable

(06:35) Reporting over $1M in income that never existed and paying taxes on income the business never earned

(08:14) Why incorrect books always lead to incorrect tax returns

(09:53) Bookkeepers are the heartbeat of the business

(11:08) When to bring in higher-level accounting oversight

(12:00) The importance of multiple review points in accounting

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate entrepreneurs who want their business to last
• Owners relying on one bookkeeper or a low-cost solution
• Investors who feel like they are overpaying in taxes but don’t know why

Why You Should Listen:

If you think bookkeeping is something you can ignore or deal with later, this episode will change how you see your entire business. 

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

Sometimes the clearest lessons come from right inside your own home.

In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler shares a story about his 12-year-old son, Carter, a tough, hard-working seventh grader who decided to try wrestling for the first time. What started as a new sport turned into a reminder about consistency, discipline, and doing the hard things even when they don’t feel good.

Marcus breaks down how watching Carter grind through practices, get beat, show up again, and finally start winning mirrors what real estate entrepreneurs struggle with in their financials.

Enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Stay consistent even when the work feels uncomfortable
• Build confidence by showing up daily
• Strengthen your financial “muscles” so you can scale
• Apply real-life lessons to how you manage profits, cash flow, and metrics

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:39) Introducing Carter and how his story ties back to business

(02:23) Daily practices, training, and the jump to school sports

(03:52) First matches, early setbacks, and getting beat

(06:33) Building confidence through repetition

(07:38) The bridge between Carter’s consistency and business success

(08:29) Skills you never lose once you learn them

(09:21) Financial understanding is non-negotiable for business owners

(09:53) Lessons aren’t always from gurus; they are in your everyday life

Who This Episode Is For:

• Entrepreneurs who struggle to stay consistent with their numbers
• Real estate investors who want more confidence around financials
• Operators who feel stuck in the painful part of learning
• Anyone who needs a simple reminder that success comes from showing up

Why You Should Listen:

If you know your financials are weak or you are avoiding them because they feel uncomfortable, this episode will give you a practical, relatable push to strengthen the skills that make you money.

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 entrepreneurs chase cash flow, flip for quick money, and think a high bank balance means they are rich.

In this episode, Marcus Crigler sits down with Jimmy Vreeland to unpack how he built his rental portfolio backward and why that wrong path taught him the most valuable lessons.

Jimmy shares how he went from buying rentals while deployed in Iraq, to building 100 poorly structured lease-option rentals, to nearly wiping out his business during COVID, and finally transforming everything once he understood liquidity, balance sheets, tax planning, and smart rental acquisition.

This is one of the most honest conversations about wealth, risk, tax pain, and building rentals the right way. Enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Understand the difference between being rich and being liquid
• Build a rental portfolio without creating dangerous debt and tax exposure
• Use bonus depreciation and cost segregation the right way
• Choose rental properties that appreciate, attract good tenants, and build long-term wealth

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(04:00) Doing everything backwards and why it both helped and hurt him

(06:50) COVID hits: liquidity panic, market uncertainty, and the turning point

(09:07) The CG talk that pushed Jimmy to build $1M+ in liquidity

(10:48) Marcus explains switch-tasking vs multitasking

(12:10) The painful $250k tax bill

(13:00) Most investors didn't understand bonus depreciation

(17:32) The four ways real estate pays you

(18:46) What Jimmy buys today

(19:25) Why C-class rentals fail to appreciate and drag down long-term returns

(21:47) The truth about cash flow

(22:13) High-income earners don’t need cash flow

(23:24) Bad debt is any debt that doesn't pay for itself

(24:44) Why buying only for tax savings is a terrible idea

(27:19) The BRRRR but smarter approach

(28:08) The difference between turnkey and what Jimmy offers

(30:02) Every stage must work: buying right, scoping right, contractors, management, tenants

(34:46) Why every real estate entrepreneur should buy rentals no matter what

(35:55) Two greatest threats to anyone's wealth

(37:28) History lesson: how America beat the British with a hyperinflated currency

(38:08) Why hyperinflation has always rewarded people who own hard assets

(39:05) Buying real estate is a wealth savings account

(42:19) Why syndications frustrate many operators

(44:25) Jimmy’s final advice: plan your taxes 15–18 months ahead

Why You Should Listen:

Jimmy lays out the lessons most investors only learn after losing money. If you want a rental portfolio that appreciates, reduces taxes, builds wealth, and doesn’t drain your time, this episode gives you the blueprint.

Connect with Jimmy Vreeland:

• Website: https://jimmyvreeland.com/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmyvreeland/ 

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler