Strength in Numbers with Marcus Crigler

Most entrepreneurs fear taking a loss. But for Clint Cooper, losing $600,000 became the turning point that helped him build Padly Real Estate, one of Atlanta’s top homebuying companies.

In this episode, Marcus Crigler talks with Clint about how a massive setback forced him to rethink his business, strengthen his financial systems, and double down on what really works. They dig into why chasing shiny objects can destroy momentum, the power of cash reserves, and how the right partnership can accelerate growth.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Turn failure into the foundation for long-term success
• Build cash reserves that protect your business through market shifts
• Avoid the “luxury flip trap”
• Structure partnerships that actually last

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(02:58) How Clint got into real estate after leaving the sports betting world

(04:40) Why he chose entrepreneurship over a 9–5

(06:24) Turning early success into a real business

(06:56) The power of mentorship and modeling successful people

(09:24) What being a real estate CEO really means

(11:31) Managing unpredictable cash flow and setting up 4 months of reserves

(16:01) Why cash creates confidence in decision-making

(19:27) The $600K loss that changed everything

(21:31) Building back the company the right way

(24:20) The willingness to fail, make mistakes, learn, and grow

(26:36) Avoiding shiny object syndrome and sticking to your niche

(28:15) Building brand power through Padly Realty

(30:31) How bookkeeping and forecasting create control

(34:40) Why opposite skill sets make partnerships work

(39:40) Lessons for founders thinking about business partnerships

(43:09) Clint’s final advice: “Keep cash. Cash gives you strength.”

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate entrepreneurs rebuilding after losses
• Investors looking to scale without losing focus
• Business owners who are trying to fix messy finances and partnerships
• Operators who want to grow smarter, not just bigger

Why You Should Listen:

Clint’s story proves that with the right mindset, discipline, and financial clarity, even a $600K setback can become the start of something great.

Connect with Clint Cooper:

• Website: https://www.padlybuys.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clint-cooper-92256371/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clintbuysatl 

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 Tyler Evans, COO of Padly, to share how they went from a 60-person team making half a million a month but netting zero, to a 15-person operation consistently profiting six figures.

Tyler walks through the turning points that forced him and his team to rebuild their business model. He also reveals how they cut overhead, shifted from cold outreach to inbound marketing, built a “finance bible” to guide every decision, and established the discipline that keeps them profitable month after month. Listen and enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Turn a large, unprofitable operation into a high-margin business
• Use data and forecasting tools to make smarter decisions
• Build a finance system that keeps you profitable long-term
• Focus on net profit, not just revenue

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(03:46) Tyler Evans’ journey from corporate America to real estate

(08:20) Starting Padly from a bedroom and scaling fast

(12:01) How they shifted from wholesale deals to direct-to-seller marketing

(18:16) The hidden costs of chasing bad leads

(22:31) Cutting 45 people and rebuilding the company

(24:48) Raising close rates and reducing wasted marketing spend

(28:05) The power of forecasting with the “Finance Bible”

(30:34) The Finance Bible defined

(33:03) Making micro decisions that bring success to the business

(42:42) Why “boring business” is actually a good thing

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate entrepreneurs who feel busy but broke
• Operators managing large teams with thin margins
• Business owners who are struggling to turn revenue into real profit

Why You Should Listen:

Tyler shares the hard decisions, financial discipline, and mindset shifts that helped Padly go from chaos to clarity, proving that a smaller, smarter business can win every time.

Connect with Tyler Evans:

• Website: https://www.padlybuys.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylersevans/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flipwithtyler/ 

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

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

When the market’s booming, it is easy to believe the good times will never end. But what happens when the music stops and your holding costs start eating you alive?

In this episode, Marcus Crigler shares a hard lesson many real estate entrepreneurs are learning right now: the danger of ignoring the 10% Reserve Rule. He walks through the true story of a once-successful builder who went from making millions to losing it all, and the simple financial discipline that could have saved his business.

Listen as he breaks down how to protect your company when the market shifts, why this is a balance sheet problem, and how to survive downturns by managing cash instead of chasing profits.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Avoid the mistake that wipes out even successful investors
• Build and maintain proper reserves to survive market cycles
• Shift from a profit-first to a cash-first mindset
• Turn stagnant inventory into liquidity
• Use your balance sheet as a decision-making tool for long-term growth

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:17) How real estate made millions during the boom

(02:30) Make money while you can

(02:49) The 10% reserve rule every builder and flipper should follow

(04:02) What happens when you ignore liquidity during a slowdown

(05:32) The warning signs: rising days on market and shrinking margins

(08:37) Real estate as a longevity game

(09:00) The difference between a P&L exercise and a balance sheet exercise

(10:24) Why focusing on cash flow, not profit, keeps your business alive

(11:59) How to prioritize which properties to sell first

Who This Episode Is For:

• Fix-and-flip investors and builders who are struggling with rising inventory
• Real estate entrepreneurs who are learning to manage cash flow in tighter markets
• Business owners who want to build resilience and not just revenue
• Anyone ready to run a smarter, more sustainable real estate business

Why You Should Listen:

If your holding costs are stacking up and your margins are shrinking, this episode could save your business. Marcus reveals how small financial habits, like keeping 10% reserves and making balance-sheet-driven decisions, separate those who stay in the game from those who get wiped out when the market shifts.

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 real estate business could thrive even when you’re not there?

In this episode, Marcus Crigler interviews someone who has transitioned from being a true hustler, buying houses on the Courthouse Steps and flipping them, to now serving as the CEO of a major organization in Kansas City.

Marck de Lautour, CEO of SBD Housing and Best Offer Kansas City, unpacks what it really takes to build a business that runs from the owner’s box and why culture, not just strategy, is the secret weapon behind his success. Listen and enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Transition from owning a job to owning a business that runs without you
• Build a culture that drives alignment, trust, and performance
• Strengthen banking relationships and structure your debt wisely
• Use a balance sheet strategy to survive downturns and free up cash

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(03:24) How Marck went from courthouse-step deals to running a major real estate company

(07:35) The power of private money, equity partnerships, and investor education

(09:25) How to communicate numbers clearly to high-net-worth investors

(13:03) Living below your means and building long-term wealth over income

(17:00) Why building strong banking relationships is a critical piece for scaling

(18:47) Never use hard money on a deal

(22:34) The mindset shift from P&L management to balance sheet strategy

(23:24) How Marck survived 2022’s interest rate shock by selling fast and staying liquid

(25:34) Why transparency with banks builds lasting trust and financing strength

(27:52) Hiring a COO and shifting from operator to visionary

(32:32) Building a company culture that attracts top talent and builds trust

(34:57) Selling vs wholesaling

(35:45) How daily huddles, accountability, and shared wins fuel culture

(39:03) Measuring team success with ENPS and rewarding contributions

(40:39) The power of diversification in funding, deal flow, and exit strategy

Who This Episode is For:

• Real estate entrepreneurs who are ready to step out of day-to-day operations
• Business owners who want to lead from vision
• Investors who are building teams and a culture that can scale
• CEOs looking to strengthen cash flow, leadership, and long-term stability

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever felt trapped by your own success, working harder instead of smarter, this episode gives you the exact playbook for scaling your business and your life.

Connect with Marck de Lautour:

• Website: https://sbdhousing.com/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marckdelautour 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marck-de-lautour/ 

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 can have the best marketing, a steady flow of deals, and big revenue months, but if you don’t manage your cash, your business won’t last.

For today's episode, Marcus Crigler breaks down the real key to staying in business: mastering cash flow. Drawing from years of experience, Marcus shares his five most practical and proven strategies for managing cash so you won't live from deal to deal and finally take control of your finances.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Manage your cash like a pro, no matter your revenue size
• Set a consistent bill-pay schedule that keeps you in control
• Build cash reserves that protect your business through slow months
• Forecast your cash flow weekly to make smarter decisions

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:46) One thing that keeps you up at night

(02:15) How to keep you in business as a real estate entrepreneur

(03:43) The daily cash report: a simple millionaire habit that keeps you grounded

(05:22) Why you should only pay bills once a week

(07:32) Why every investor must build reserves

(09:19) The right way to forecast your cash flow weekly

(11:50) What is a balance sheet?

(12:18) What to watch for on your balance sheet

(14:12) Maximize speed and cash

(15:08) The top 5 habits that keep your business healthy and growing

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate entrepreneurs who are tired of living deal by deal
• Business owners who struggle with unpredictable cash flow
• Investors who want to understand and control their numbers

Why You Should Listen:

This episode gives you a practical, no-fluff blueprint for keeping your business stable, growing, and profitable no matter what the market looks like.

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 entrepreneurs start a business to generate income. But what if your business could do more, serve your family better, strengthen your marriage, and create real impact in the world?

In this episode, Marcus Crigler sits down with Mika Self, founder of American Home Buyer in Houston, Texas, to talk about how purpose, faith, and financial clarity come together to build lasting wealth.

Mika shares how he stayed in business for over 25 years, the crucial role his wife played in that journey, and how his company uses profits to support causes. You’ll also hear practical lessons on managing money as an entrepreneur, leading your home well, and creating a purpose-driven business.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Build a financially stable business that supports your family and your mission
• Lead with faith and purpose without losing focus on profit
• Use consistent income to strengthen your marriage and reduce stress
• Create a giving culture in your company that inspires your team

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(04:07) The early struggles, lessons, and first $100 profit that started it all

(06:55) The deal that gave him the courage to continue with his journey

(08:00) How surviving 2008 shaped his business for long-term success

(11:51) The key to business longevity: a supportive spouse

(14:47) Why emotional and spiritual support matter more than tactical advice

(17:20) The “4 Ps” every man should live by: Priest, Prophet, Protector, Provider

(17:31) Be a protector: Protect your home and your wife's heart

(18:10) Be a provider: Women need security

(20:32) How consistent income creates peace in marriage

(21:54) Debt destroys marriages

(23:12) The mindset shift from buying “dream cars” to funding lasting impact.

(24:58) How Mika’s son is now carrying forward the same giving mindset

(26:15) The creation of AHB Cares and how his team joins the mission

(27:00) Real stories of giving back

(32:17) Mika's advice: Reflect and find your sustaining passion

Who This Episode Is For:

• Entrepreneurs who want their business to serve a bigger purpose
• Real estate investors who want to connect profits with passion
• Business owners who are seeking a balance between success and family
• Leaders who want to create a lasting impact through their work

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever wondered what wealth really means beyond money, this episode will make you rethink your definition of success. Mika shows how to build a business that not only supports your life but also changes lives.

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 Mika Self:

• Website: https://www.americanhomebuyer.us/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikabself/ 

Most real estate entrepreneurs stay stuck working in their business instead of leading from it.

For today's episode of Strength in Numbers Podcast, Marcus Crigler talks with Corey Reyment, investor, business owner, and host of The Wisconsin Investor Podcast.

Listen as Corey shares how he built a 200-door portfolio, how he structured his team, manages cash flow across good and bad months, and balances business growth with personal finances. He also shares the system he and his wife use to keep their business and household money separate. Enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Build a real estate business that runs without you
• Hire and structure a team that multiplies your time and profits
• Manage cash flow across slow and busy months
• Separate business and personal finances for peace at home

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(02:48) How Corey scaled from start-up to 200+ doors

(03:33) The CEO seat vs the owner's box seat

(04:51) Why strong financials allow you to hire top-tier talent

(05:39) Building a stable team and reducing turnover

(08:01) How to evaluate employee ROI beyond sales roles

(09:55) Finding your “queen bee role”

(11:50) When to invest in admin, HR, and finance support

(13:26) Using data to forecast and manage seasonal cash flow

(14:44) Setting aside reserves for slow months

(18:30) Balancing deal income with steady cash flow even in bad months

(19:53) Lifestyle creep is the silent profit killer

(24:56) How Corey and his wife use the “Profit First” method for peace at home

(28:51) Turning active income into long-term wealth through rentals

(31:42) Being a real estate entrepreneur vs a real estate investor

(34:55) Corey's advice: Get clear on your goals and why you want to do it

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate entrepreneurs who are ready to move from operator to true owner
• Investors who want to build wealth through rentals
• Business owners who are balancing financial growth with family priorities
• Couples running a business together who want less stress around money

Why You Should Listen:

If you’re growing fast but still feel stuck in the weeds, this episode will show you how to step into the owner’s box with clarity and control.

Connect with Corey Reyment:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corey.reyment/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreyreyment/  
• Website: https://www.wisconsindiscountproperties.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

Most real estate investors dream of doing 200 deals a year. In this episode, Marcus Crigler interviews Chad Young, founder and CEO of The Easy Home Buyer, on building a business through clarity, discipline, and smart strategy.

Chad describes his journey from janitorial work to running a top real estate company. He covers the importance of knowing your numbers, reinvesting profits wisely, and adopting a mindset that turns stress into confidence.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Scale your real estate business without losing control of your cash flow
• Reinvest profits to create long-term growth
• Build a rental portfolio that adds real wealth over time
• Avoid financial mistakes that keep investors stuck

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:22) Chad Young’s journey from janitorial work to 200+ deals a year

(04:13) If you are going to flip one, it's the same process to flip a hundred

(05:57) Taking the route of entrepreneurship

(07:31) How his finances evolved from $100K a year to $300K a month in overhead

(08:12) Scaling teams without losing profitability

(10:23) Managing risk and sleeping well with $300K monthly overhead

(12:20) Why multiple coaches and mentors are his secret weapon

(15:48) How action and accountability turn education into results

(16:30) Paying yourself vs. reinvesting in the business

(21:57) The importance of large cash reserves

(23:54) How financial control impacts marriage and peace of mind

(25:58) Why avoidance destroys financial health

(26:52) The power of clarity and knowing your starting point

(28:52) Building long-term wealth through real estate ownership

(32:12) When to hold, sell, or redeploy capital

(36:40) How to measure the return on equity in your portfolio

(38:48) Turning your real estate business into a true wealth engine

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate entrepreneurs who want to scale without burning out
• Operators managing high deal volume but unclear on profit margins
• Investors ready to turn active income into lasting wealth
• Business owners who want to make financial decisions based on facts, not feelings

Why You Should Listen:

If your business keeps growing but your profits don’t, this episode is a must-listen. Chad breaks down how to grow smart, use your money wisely, and build a business that actually pays you, not just one that looks busy.

Most investors want to make a million dollars, but few know how actually to keep it. In this episode, Marcus Crigler talks with Benmont Locker, founder of Ramp REI, about what it really takes to build a lean, profitable real estate business that nets seven figures.

Benmont walks through the real numbers behind a million-dollar business, from how much to spend on marketing and people, to how to build profit into your operations from day one. If you’ve ever wondered what a healthy, scalable real estate business should look like, this episode breaks it down step by step.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Build profit into your business from the start
• Shift from low-quality leads to high-intent marketing
• Create a data-driven, predictable sales process
• Understand the real costs behind a million-dollar net

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:03) Meet Benmont Locker and how he scaled from retail to real estate coaching

(06:50) How do I make a million dollars?

(08:35) Three keys to building a profitable operation: High-intent marketing

(09:16) Three keys to building a profitable operation: Being great at sales

(09:41) Three keys to building a profitable operation: Building from a net margin perspective

(10:48) Why inbound leads outperform cold calls every time

(13:43) How poor marketing culture kills your margins

(16:07) Avoidance 101

(16:53) “Required results” vs. KPIs

(18:16) The “three-legged stool” model

(22:42) Understanding your market’s receptiveness to cash offers

(24:25) The truth about scaling marketing budgets and diminishing returns

(25:47) Building a good sales culture in every single role

(26:03) “Total store awareness”

(28:46) How many people do you really need to run a million-dollar business

(31:48) The “decade rule”

(34:35) The 30-30-10 formula: 30% marketing, 30% people, 10% G&A = 30% net

(37:12) Why it’s nearly impossible to fix bad margins after scaling too big

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate entrepreneurs ready to move beyond deal-to-deal income
• Operators doing 10–50 deals a year who want to scale the right way
• Leaders who want real clarity around their numbers and margins
• Investors building a lean, profitable seven-figure business

Why You Should Listen:

If you’re tired of working hard without seeing real profit, this episode is for you. Marcus and Benmont show exactly how to build a business that’s simple, scalable, and actually pays you, not just one that looks good on paper.

Connect with Benmont Locker:

• Website: https://ramprei.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 

Most real estate entrepreneurs love quoting Warren Buffett’s rule: “Don’t lose money.” It sounds smart until it keeps you stuck.

In this episode, Marcus Crigler breaks down why this advice, while great for investors, can hurt entrepreneurs who make their living trading assets. He shares a real story about “Jim,” a client who held onto a property for too long in the name of “not losing money” and ended up losing way more by locking up his capital.

Listen as he reveals the mindset shift every real estate entrepreneur needs to grow faster, move smarter, and finally make their money work for them.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Understand the real difference between an investor and an entrepreneur
• Identify when holding onto a deal is actually costing you money
• Redeploy your capital faster to boost profits
• Recognize that some “losses” are actually strategic wins
• Speed up your cash flow cycle to scale your business sustainably

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:28) Why Warren Buffett’s “don’t lose money” advice doesn’t apply to entrepreneurs

(02:27) The difference between being a real estate entrepreneur and a real estate investor

(02:55) The story of Jim and how one property quietly drained his profits

(05:10) Why holding onto inventory too long kills your momentum

(06:59) There is a speed of capital that has to be deployed in real estate

(07:18) Losing a battle to win the war: when selling at a loss makes sense

Who This Episode is For:

• Real estate entrepreneurs who feel stuck holding on to unprofitable deals too long
• Flippers and investors who confuse business strategy with long-term investing
• Entrepreneurs who want to improve their cash flow cycle and speed of capital
• Business owners who want to stop losing money through slow or trapped capital

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever held onto a deal too long because you were afraid to “lose money,” this episode will change how you think about risk and return. 

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

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