If your business feels tighter than usual with less cash, slower deals, and more pressure, this episode is a must-listen!

For today's episode of Strength in Numbers Podcast, Marcus Crigler sits down with real estate investor Bentley Pugh to unpack what’s going on behind the scenes when a business starts to feel squeezed.

Listen as he discusses taking full accountability, resolving cash flow issues, and returning to the fundamentals that built his business in the first place. He also breaks down how he’s restructuring deals, improving financial visibility, and why strong operators win by adjusting when the market changes.

Enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Manage cash flow during a business slowdown
• Adjust deal structures to bring in faster cash
• Build multiple income streams within real estate
• Stay disciplined with proper cash management

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:48) Introducing Bentley Pugh and his background

(04:34) How infill lot development works in Seattle

(05:59) Why rising interest rates slowed the market

(07:31) Adapting your business instead of blaming the market

(09:44) Land deals are more complex than traditional flips

(11:57) Competition and challenges in land acquisition

(13:29) Avoiding shiny object syndrome in business

(15:09) Vertical integration and deal optimization

(16:33) How Bentley got into private lending

(19:24) Bentley's "One Big Deal"

(20:28) Choosing cash flow over quick profits

(25:07) The importance of detailed budgeting per property

(26:55) Creating a forward-looking cash flow tracking system

(30:08) Bentley's advice for better results in business

Who This Episode is For:

• Real estate entrepreneurs who are tired of being broke
• Investors dealing with slower deals or tighter margins
• Entrepreneurs who feel plateaued in their business
• Anyone struggling with inconsistent cash flow

Why You Should Listen:

This episode serves as a real-world reminder that small decisions can add up. Taking your foot off the gas, ignoring your numbers, or bending your own rules can slowly create pressure in your business.

Connect with Bentley Pugh:

• Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bentley-pugh-b180504/ 

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 investors think real estate is all about cash flow. But the ones who actually build wealth? They understand the tax game.

This episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in real estate: depreciation, and how it can legally reduce your tax bill in a big way.

You will learn why buying and holding real estate is key, how an appreciating asset can still generate paper losses, and how to utilize these strategies effectively. If you’ve ever heard terms like “cost segregation” or “bonus depreciation” and felt confused, this conversation finally clarifies them.

Listen and enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Understand why passive investing isn’t a disadvantage
• Use depreciation to reduce your taxable income
• Avoid common mistakes that kill your tax strategy
• Think long-term with strategies like 1031 exchanges

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(00:56) How exactly does bonus appreciation or depreciation work to shelter income?

(02:22) What qualifies you as a real estate professional

(04:24) Cost segregation explained in simple terms

(06:55) Bonus depreciation and how it’s changing over time

(09:28) Why cost seg can still work

(12:20) The “tipping point” depends on your income level

(13:39) Why zero taxes isn’t always the smartest goal

(16:30) Other strategies beyond depreciation

(17:34) The 1031 exchange that builds long-term wealth

(21:47) Cheap properties don’t give real tax advantages

(23:26) Powerful strategy: spouse as a real estate professional

(27:28) The short-term rental loophole explained

Who This Episode is For:

• High-income earners who are tired of seeing huge tax bills
• Real estate investors who want a better strategy
• W-2 professionals looking to transition into investing
• Couples exploring ways to optimize income and tax structure

Why You Should Listen:

If you are serious about building wealth through real estate and keeping more of what you earn, this episode is one you don’t want to skip.

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 money is coming in, why does it still feel like something’s off?

In this episode, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney break down one of the most misunderstood parts of a real estate business: your marketing and sales numbers.

Listen as they discuss marketing, one of the hidden secrets in the field, and why marketing is more than just graphics.

This episode is all about knowing your numbers, fixing what's broken, and making smarter decisions backed by data. Enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Track your real return on ad spend
• Break down your sales funnel from lead to close
• Use data to fix your marketing
• Improve conversions without overspending

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(03:00) Marketing is a numbers game

(05:27) What does a sales funnel look like?

(06:01) Why ROAS matters

(08:14) The real estate funnel

(11:02) How bad data leads to bad decisions

(13:29) Maximizing your return on ad spend

(13:52) Tracking performance by marketing channel

(15:27) Treating marketing like a science experiment

(21:32) What “good” conversion rates actually look like

(24:03) How to identify what’s really broken

(27:03) Real example: fixing a drop in appointment rates using data

(32:10) Closing deals, not just contracts, is what really matters

(34:40) The role of integrity and reputation in long-term success

Who This Episode is For:

• Real estate investors who feel stuck or inconsistent
• Business owners who don’t fully understand their numbers
• Anyone spending on marketing but unsure what’s working

Why You Should Listen:

This episode helps you zoom out, and if you understand where the breakdown is: marketing, sales, or operations, you can fix it fast and stop guessing.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

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

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler sits down with Haim Palman, a seasoned real estate investor who manages his U.S.-based business from Israel. Haim shares his incredible story of running operations even while navigating the daily realities of war and seeking safety in bomb shelters.

The two discuss Haim’s professional evolution from a kinesiologist and security director to a full-time real estate entrepreneur. Haim breaks down his transition through various strategies—rentals, wholesaling, and high-end flipping—before finding his "sweet spot" in private money lending. He provides a masterclass on how to transition from an operator to the "bank," prioritizing return on time and emotion to build a predictable, drama-free lifestyle.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Pivot between real estate strategies by identifying when a model (like rentals or wholesaling) no longer serves your desired lifestyle or financial goals.
• Transition into private money lending with limited capital by utilizing "co-lending" strategies to fund larger deals and increase your ROI.
• Evaluate deals through three specific lenses: return on money, return on time, and "return on emotion" to reduce business-related stress.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• (03:03) Haim's journey from moving to the U.S. for education to starting a real estate career in San Francisco.
• (07:07) Why Haim decided to leave a stable career in security to pursue time freedom through real estate.
• (08:11) The evolution of a portfolio: Moving from California rentals to out-of-state investing and virtual wholesaling.
• (09:36) The "Independence Day" moment: Firing the boss and the challenges of scaling a high-volume wholesaling operation.
• (11:10) Shifting to the "Money Side": Why private money lending became the ultimate predictable cash flow model.
• (20:51) The mechanics of lending: Using co-lenders and points to double your money without needing millions in the bank.
• (26:00) Risk management in lending: Focusing on single-family homes, specific LTV ratios, and lender-friendly "red" markets.
• (29:08) The power of repeat borrowers: How to build a system where 95% of your business comes from established relationships.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate investors who feel like they have "created another job" for themselves and are looking for more passive, predictable income streams.
• Entrepreneurs interested in the mechanics of private money lending and how to act as the bank in real estate transactions.

Why You Should Listen:

If you are tired of the "headaches" of physical real estate—like the $1,700 water heater that kills four months of cash flow—this episode offers a roadmap to a more streamlined business. Haim Palman proves that with the right systems and network, you can run a highly profitable real estate engine from anywhere in the world, even under the most extreme circumstances.

Connect with Haim Palman:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haimmpalman?igsh=N2RxbzR5OGxsZXAw 
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@hmamane59?si=MZIuiBLSG4Kyg_sN 

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: Marcus Crigler on LinkedIn
• Facebook: Marcus Crigler on Facebook

There are only four things that really drive profit in a business. These four spots drive real profitability in your business.

In this episode, Marcus Crigler breaks down the four core drivers of profit in any real estate business. Listen as he walks through how small improvements across cost, people, capital, and advertising can quickly double your profit, the practical ways to reduce expenses, avoid costly mistakes, and build a more efficient, scalable operation.

Enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Identify the four core levers that drive profit
• Reduce the cost of goods sold without sacrificing quality
• Increase margins by improving systems
• Avoid common mistakes that kill your profitability

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:26) Advertising as a core for-profit driver

(03:34) Symptoms that don't tell you the root problem

(05:11) What does the cost of goods sold really mean in real estate

(06:13) The four main components of COGS

(07:38) Overly detailed financials can hurt decision-making

(09:28) How to improve margins starting with the purchase price

(10:38) Buy box explained

(12:39) Why staying in your “buy box” matters

(14:10) Maximizing the cost of goods sold

(16:48) Why having a standardized materials list saves money

(20:15) In-house vs outsourced teams

(22:15) Reducing the cost of materials and labor

(23:18) Cheap labor often costs more in the long run

(27:09) Getting an accounting firm to diagnose your business decisions

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate investors looking to increase profit
• Business owners who feel stuck despite strong revenue
• Flippers who want better control over their costs
• Entrepreneurs who want efficient and scalable operations

Why You Should Listen:

This episode simplifies what drives profit. Instead of chasing more deals or bigger numbers, Marcus shows how to fine-tune what you already have and turn small improvements into major financial wins.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

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

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Krigler sits down with Jason Macht, founder of Whitespace Solutions and an expert in direct mail automation and AI integration. Jason shares his journey from working as an engineer to building multiple streams of income through real estate and tech consulting.

They dive deep into how real estate entrepreneurs can leverage AI to streamline operations, reduce overhead costs, and turn unstructured data into actionable insights. Jason breaks down the practical applications of AI agents, the critical importance of secure data management, and why fixing your core business foundation must happen before adding technology. Listen and enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Implement AI to solve actual bottlenecks instead of just chasing the latest tech trends
• Use AI agents as a "chief of staff" to monitor systems, score sales calls, and generate daily reports
• Navigate the security risks of AI and protect your company's data infrastructure

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(02:51) Jason's transition from an engineering W-2 to real estate entrepreneurship

(07:00) Building Whitespace Solutions and addressing the tech gap in real estate

(10:37) The three main buckets where AI adds immediate value to operations

(16:27) Why AI won't fix a broken sales process or bad business foundation

(20:08) Using AI to replace redundant tasks and combat rising labor costs

(27:33) The evolution of AI agents and how to train them like real employees

(32:47) Navigating the security risks of AI, self-hosted models, and prompt injection

(37:59) The first step to making better decisions: centralizing your data

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate business owners looking to reduce overhead and scale through technology
• Entrepreneurs wanting to move past Google Sheets and build a secure, data-driven operation

Why You Should Listen:

If you feel like your team's costs are skyrocketing while efficiency is dropping, this episode reveals how the right AI tools can act as your ultimate operational lever, helping you make better decisions and build a highly scalable real estate machine.

Connect with Marcus Krigler:

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

Connect with Jason Macht:

• Website:https://www.jasonmacht.com/
• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmacht/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmshoe/

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler sits down with Amanda Holbrook to break down one of the most underutilized wealth-building strategies available today: self-directed, tax-advantaged accounts.
Amanda shares how investors can take control of their retirement funds and use them to invest in what they already know, whether that’s real estate, lending, or other opportunities, all while growing wealth tax-free or tax-deferred.
They also dive into practical strategies like HSAs, Roth IRAs, and Solo 401(k)s, and how these “buckets” can be used not just for retirement, but as powerful tools for building long-term, generational wealth.
If you’ve ever wondered how to keep more of what you earn and make your money work harder for you, this episode is a must-listen.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Build wealth using self-directed retirement accounts
• Invest in real estate and other assets using tax-advantaged “buckets”
• Leverage HSAs, Roth IRAs, and Solo 401(k)s for long-term growth

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(03:27) Amanda’s background and how she got into self-directed investing

(06:07) What self-directed accounts actually are and how they work

(09:44) Why HSAs are one of the most overlooked wealth-building tools

(11:34) How Roth IRAs can be used for flexibility and tax-free growth

(17:26) Using Roth IRAs for kids and building generational wealth

(22:48) Paying your children and turning income into tax-free investments

(28:11) The power of Solo 401(k)s for business owners

(30:31) How to invest retirement funds into real estate and lending deals

(34:48) Rules to follow when using self-directed accounts

(37:16) Amanda’s biggest advice: start now and take action

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate investors looking to reduce taxes and build long-term wealth
• Business owners who want more control over their investments
• Anyone who wants to grow wealth faster using tax-advantaged strategies

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

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

Connect with Amanda Holbrook:

• Website: https://specializedtrustcompany.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 505-514-0587
• Amanda Holbrook

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney break down the final stage of the wealth-building journey: the invest phase. This is where your business stops being your only income source and starts fueling real, compounding wealth.

They walk through the differences between expanding and inflating your business, and how to properly separate your income, reserves, and investments, as well as more about this phase. Listen and enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Build a business that consistently generates investable cash
• Avoid investing too early
• Separate business income, personal income, and wealth-building capital

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:42) Recap of the hustle, secure, and expand stages

(03:00) Investing early is bad advice for entrepreneurs

(04:00) Treating real estate like inventory, not trophies

(05:56) The importance of diversification beyond real estate

(07:25) A real example of overleveraging and getting stuck

(09:54) The difference between true investing and survival mode

(11:34) Expand vs inflate

(13:15) Step 1: Getting money from the business to you individually

(13:30) Step 2: Making money from that money

(14:14) Turning $100K/month into $80K investable capital

(15:27) How assets start creating more assets

(17:08) Building an asset engine

(19:15) The 4 key business levers that drive growth

(22:16) The power of saying “no” to the wrong opportunities

Who This Episode Is For:

• Investors who feel overleveraged or financially stretched
• Business owners who are trying to transition from active income to wealth-building
• Anyone who wants a clear path from income to long-term financial freedom

Why You Should Listen:

If you want to build real wealth and not just stay busy, this episode is the shift you need to hear.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

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

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Rich Rice shares how a $60,000 wholesale deal ended up being a wake-up call that completely changed how he approached real estate.

Listen as he breaks down the difference between making money and building wealth, why so many investors get stuck chasing income, and how shifting to a buy-and-hold strategy can change your financial future.

In addition, he also talks about the moment a mentor showed him he may have traded away a million-dollar opportunity.

Enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Shift from flipping and wholesaling into long-term wealth building
• Decide when to sell and hold properties
• Build a rental portfolio even while needing active income
• Leverage community and partnerships to grow faster

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(03:10) Rich Rice’s background and transition from corporate to real estate

(06:02) The $60,000 wholesale deal that changed everything

(07:30) Finding financial allies and funding deals creatively

(09:31) Starting with just one rental property

(10:49) How rental portfolios create compounding wealth over time

(11:39) The snowball effect of holding properties

(14:42) Lifestyle inflation and the trap of fast money

(18:42) The reality behind “looking rich” vs being wealthy

(19:38) What most people actually want: simplicity and freedom

(21:12) Inside the FIRE Center

(23:57) Collaboration beats competition

(25:54) The abundance mindset in real estate

(30:11) Common traits of investors who succeed long-term

(32:11) The importance of asking for help

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate investors who are stuck in the deal-to-deal cycle
• Wholesalers and flippers who are thinking about long-term wealth
• Beginners who want to build a strong foundation
• Entrepreneurs who want financial freedom

Why You Should Listen:

This episode breaks down the mindset shift from chasing income to building real and lasting wealth. You will also learn that holding assets, not just flipping them, is what creates true financial freedom.

Connect with Rich Rice:

• Website: https://firecenterhq.com/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firerichrice/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firerichrice/ 

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

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

How much money do you actually need to make in life?

In this episode, Kris Kohlstedt breaks down a question most entrepreneurs avoid but desperately need to answer. Instead of chasing bigger deals, more flips, or endless income goals, Kris shares a different approach. It is to define your number, build toward it, and design a life that makes sense.

Listen and enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Define your personal “enough” number
• Shift from chasing deals to creating real long-term wealth
• Use better financial systems to make smarter decisions
• Stay profitable even when the market shifts

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(03:11) What Kris Kohlstedt does in the real estate space

(04:17) The mindset shift from chasing profit to helping sellers

(05:45) The “commission breath” trap

(08:20) Inside their current operation: ~9 deals/month with a lean team

(09:34) The “Core Six” concept

(11:28) How to stay lean

(13:01) Measuring value in non-sales roles

(15:49) Practices to improve the financial situation

(20:15) What to do when flips stop selling

(21:24) Small upgrades that make properties sell faster

(23:23) Introduction to the “Aji” philosophy

(25:45) How much money do you need to live your life?

(30:18) The real goal in the real estate business

(31:45) The value you give determines the value you receive

(34:04) Better decisions = better results

(34:49) The uncommon knowledge defined

(35:51) Connect with Kris Kohlstedt

Who This Episode is For:

• Entrepreneurs who are trying to figure out their end goal
• Anyone who are tired of chasing more
• Business owners looking to run lean without sacrificing growth

Why You Should Listen:

This episode offers a different perspective. One where you build intentionally, make smarter decisions, and create a business that supports your life, not the other way around.

Connect with Kris Kohlstedt:

• Website: https://krisandcody.com/ 
• Website: https://propertybuyersar.com/ 

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

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