Strength in Numbers with Marcus Crigler
Strength in Numbers with Marcus Crigler is the #1 podcast for real estate entrepreneurs who make good money but struggle with cash flow, tax planning, and building real wealth. If you're tired of living deal to deal, wondering where your money goes, and paying too much in taxes, this show will transform how you manage your real estate business finances.Host Marcus Crigler, CEO of BEC CFO Services, helps real estate investors escape financial stress by implementing proven wealth-building systems, advanced tax strategies, and cash flow management techniques that turn chaotic finances into predictable profit machines.Real estate wholesalers, fix and...
Episode 62: Why Landlords Stay Broke (Even With 20+ Properties) with Eddie Speed
In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Eddie Speed breaks down a hard truth most real estate investors don’t want to hear. Many landlords with 20, 50, or even 100 properties are still stuck, underpaid, and overwhelmed.
Listen as he shares how he built his career by focusing on note investing instead of traditional landlording. He also explains the real math behind rentals, the hidden problem of trapped equity, and why many investors are working harder for smaller returns.
Enjoy the show!
You’ll Learn How To:
Get...Episode 61: Why Your Business Feels Tight Right Now (And What to Fix) with Bentley Pugh
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 a...
Episode 60: Why High-Income Investors Overpay in Taxes (And How to Stop)
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 confu...
Episode 59: You’re Making Money…So Why Does It Still Feel Like You’re Losing
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...Episode 58: He Runs His Real Estate Business…While Hiding in a Bomb Shelter with Haim Palman
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...
Episode 57: The 4 Levers That Instantly Increase Your Profit (Most Ignore #1)
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 th...Episode 56: Most Real Estate Businesses Are Already Falling Behind (Here’s Why) with Jason Macht
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...
Episode 55: How Smart Investors Legally Build Wealth Tax-Free with Amanda Holbook
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 bu...
Episode 54: Invest Phase - Why You’re Not at $100K Per Month (And How to Fix That) - Part 4
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 cashAvoid investing too earlySeparate bu...Episode 53: The $60,000 Wholesale Fee that Felt Like a Win...And Why It Wasn't with Rich Rice
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...
Episode 52: The Exact Number You Need to Never Have to Work Again...and Why It's Probably Less Than You Think with Kris Kohlstedt
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” numberShift from chasing deals to creating real long-term wealthUse better financial systems to make smarter decisionsStay profit...Episode 51: Expansion Phase - Why You’re Not at $100K Per Month (And How to Fix That) - Part 3
In Part 3 of this series, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney break down what it really takes to achieve consistent $ 100,000 months and why most business owners get stuck before they ever reach that goal.
For today's episode, they focus on the expansion phase, where growth becomes intentional, not just with more deals, but with smarter decisions, better systems, and the right people in place.
They also call out one of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make and the misconceptions about expansion.
Listen and enjoy the show!
You’ll Learn Ho...
Episode 50: You're Working Too Hard to Have Nothing to Show For It - Here's What's Missing with Kirby Nie
Connections are one of the biggest things in the real estate business. Some conversations will be with people that are tire kickers and then some will be actually useful and helpful to you.
In this episode, Marcus Crigler sits down with Kirby Nie, a young realtor and note investor who’s early in the game but already thinking long-term. From building connections to shifting into passive income through notes, Kirby shares what he’s learning as he builds his business from the ground up.
You’ll Learn How To:
Build real connections that l...Episode 49: Why You’re Not at $100K Per Month (And How to Fix That) - Part 2
In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney continue their conversation about what it really takes to build a real estate business that produces $100,000 per month in profit.
They started off last week discussing how to build a business to a hundred thousand profit a month through the hustle phase. Now, they are diving into the secure phase.
This is the phase most entrepreneurs skip. Instead of strengthening their financial foundation, many businesses jump straight into expansion. This is a must-listen episode. Enjoy the show!
You’ll...
Episode 48: The Feast or Famine Cycle Isn't Bad Luck - Here's Exactly What's Causing It with Gary Harper
The feast-or-famine cycle is one of the most common frustrations for real estate entrepreneurs, but the reality is that these are the opportunities to get better.
In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler sits down with business coach Gary Harper from Sharper Business Solutions to talk about the feast-or-famine cycle.
Listen as Gary explains why the cycle isn’t random or caused by bad luck but a result of missing metrics, poor pipeline management, and a lack of operational discipline. He also shares how strong operators track the right numbers to gr...
Episode 47: The IRS Has Been Stealing From You - Here's How to Make Them Pay It Back
The tax code isn’t designed to punish investors; it is designed to reward those who understand how to use it effectively.
In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney break down a concept most entrepreneurs completely miss when it comes to taxes and wealth building.
Listen as Marcus gives a preview of a presentation he’s preparing for a national real estate conference, and the four financial stages every entrepreneur goes through. He also explains why poor bookkeeping creates the “chaos tax,” why reserves matter more than revenue when it...
Episode 46: Why Some Real Estate Investors Will Pay MORE Taxes Under the “Big Beautiful Bill” with Leon Barnes
In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Leon Barnes sits down with CPA and fractional CFO Marcus Crigler to break down what the new “Big Beautiful Bill” means for real estate entrepreneurs.
While many investors are celebrating the return of 100% bonus depreciation, Marcus explains why the real story is more nuanced.
Listen as Marcus walks through the biggest financial mistakes real estate entrepreneurs make while scaling, why cash generation should come before wealth multiplication, how the new tax rules could create major opportunities for investors in higher tax brackets, and how applying these stra...
Episode 45: Why You’re Not at $100K Per Month (And How to Fix That)
A lot of entrepreneurs say they want to hit $100K per month, but when you look at it, most aren’t building a business that can support it.
In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney have an honest conversation about what keeps people stuck. They break down what they call the “Hustle Phase,” where you are making money but still feel chaotic.
If you want a clear system for managing cash, visibility into numbers, and an intentional tax strategy, this episode is for you.
You’ll Learn...
Episode 44: EXCLUSIVE TRAINING - The $14,000 Per Deal Tax Playbook - What Your CPA Should Be Doing On Every Closing
In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney break down what it takes to build real wealth and why tax strategy has to be part of the equation from the beginning.
The conversation starts with having a clear financial target, and from there, they connect the dots between income, reserves, investing, and using tax strategies to accelerate the path.
They also introduce the new Tax Strategy Showroom, real case studies that show how real estate, equipment leasing, and other structured investments can create both wealth and significant tax savings...
Episode 43: The Real Reason You Need a Mastermind (It's Not What You Think) with Leon Barnes
If you are a full-time real estate investor doing 10 deals a month and you want to get to 20, you need to get in a room with someone doing 20.
In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler sits down with Leon Barnes, VP of Membership at The Collective Genius, to break down what a mastermind really does.
Listen as he shares how Collective Genius grew from a single-tier group of 100+ operators to over 500 members across four tiers, and why most entrepreneurs think they need more strategies when what they actually need is better systems, stronger...
Episode 42: Debt Ă— Time Ă— Scale Wealth - The Real Estate Freedom Formula Nobody Teaches You With David Shaw
In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, David Shaw shares how he went from international real estate development to scaling a high-volume fix-and-flip business and eventually transitioning into private lending. But the real takeaway isn’t just the evolution of his business but the philosophy behind it.
Listen as he breaks down the simple wealth formula that every real estate investor needs to understand. He also explains why lifestyle matters more than ego, the investor avatar that should shape your business decisions, and the Deferred Sales Trust to simplify your portfolio while compounding returns in th...
Episode 41: The Balance Sheet Mistake that Bankrupts Entrepreneurs (Even When Revenue Looks Great)
When things are great, everybody likes to stare at the P&L because it looks pretty. Revenue is up, profit looks solid, and things feel good. But according to Marcus Crigler, that’s exactly when entrepreneurs get into trouble.
In this episode, he breaks down why the real danger isn’t on your profit and loss statement, but it’s on your balance sheet. Specifically, it’s your cash position and liquidity that determine whether you stay secure or slide backward into survival mode.
You’ll Learn How To:
Improve your liquidity and curren...Episode 40: The Income Trap - Why Making More Money Won't Solve Your Cash Flow Problem with Tom Krol
The people who win in the business think and live in net, they don't talk about gross. They live in simplicity, not complexity, and they treat hustle as a season, not a lifestyle.
In this episode, Marcus sits down with Tom Krol to unpack a hard truth most entrepreneurs don’t want to hear: if you don’t know how to keep money, earning more of it will only amplify the problem.
This conversation goes deep into money habits, pressure, scaling myths, stewardship, diversification, and why most entrepreneurs are chasing the wrong metrics.
Yo...
Episode 39: The 3X Rule - Why You Need Triple Your Fixed Expenses in Cash Before You Expand
Most real estate entrepreneurs expand too fast and pay for it later. They add expenses, hire people, and scale operations before their cash position can support it.
In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler breaks down the 3X Rule: why you should have at least three times your fixed monthly expenses in cash before you expand.
He explains how skipping this step can lead to stress, poor decisions, and fragile businesses, and why cash is essential for growth.
You’ll Learn How To:
Build a cash buffer that pr...Episode 38: Why Time Isn't Money (But Timing Is) - The 4-Phase Formula to Go From Broke to $5M in Equity
Providing value is a requirement for making money. If you can't provide value, the rest of it doesn't matter. But you also have to understand that the concept of timing is money.
In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler explains why time isn’t what creates wealth but timing.
He walks through his own journey from financial stress and six figures of debt to building a business that runs without him, and lays out the four-phase framework that helps real estate entrepreneurs build wealth faster and with less burnout.
Listen and en...
Episode 37: No Accountability No Wealth - Why Most Real Estate Investors Stay on the Income Roller Coaster
Many real estate investors blame the market or timing when the numbers don't hit. More often than not, the real issue is a lack of accountability.
In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler breaks down why a lack of accountability keeps investors stuck living deal to deal. He explains the difference between being accountable to actions versus being accountable to results, and why that distinction determines whether your business creates stability or constant stress.
You’ll Learn How To:
Stop blaming uncontrollable factors for missed numbersShift from action-based accountability to re...Episode 36: The Real Cost of Running Your Own Property Management (It's Not What You Think)
Property management is one of the most misunderstood and most demanding businesses in real estate.
In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler breaks down what it really takes to manage your own properties or run a property management company profitably. He explains why most property management companies struggle and the hidden costs that investors often overlook.
You’ll Learn How To:
Decide whether managing your own properties makes senseUnderstand the real skill sets required to run property managementAvoid the common financial mistakes property managers makeKnow when a property management business be...Episode 35: Why Real Estate Investors Making $500K+ Always Feel Broke (The Cash System That Fixes It)
Why do real estate entrepreneurs always feel broke even if they are making money?
In this solo episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler breaks down why that feeling is so common among high-earning investors and how a simple cash management system can fix it.
Marcus shares the mindset traps that keep investors stressed about money, even at $500K+ in income, and explains the exact structure he’s seen successful investors use to build wealth and peace of mind.
Listen and enjoy!
You’ll Learn How To:
Build a ca...Episode 34: Start With Profitability, Not People - The Reverse-Engineering Framework - Matt Viebrock
Most real estate investors try to solve growth problems by hiring more people.
Joining us in today's episode of Strength in Numbers is Matt Viebrock, real estate operator, founder of Let’s Grow COO, and owner of AcquisitionReps.com.
Matt shares why profitability has to come first before you add headcount, and how reverse-engineering your financial goals creates clarity around hiring, operations, and growth. They also break down when to hire an assistant, why marketing should be protected early, how to structure your team in the right order, and what it takes to build a sc...
Episode 33: Why Most CPAs Won't Tell You About Self-Directed IRAs (And How They Work)
Most investors are doing exactly what their CPA told them to do, and still paying far more in taxes than they should.
In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler joins the show to break down how self-directed IRAs and 401(k)s work, why most traditional CPAs never bring them up, and how real estate investors can use them to build long-term, tax-advantaged wealth.
The conversation delves into real-world use cases, including private lending, real estate investing, Roth conversions, and the rules you absolutely cannot ignore.
Listen and enjoy the show!
<...Episode 32: If You're Not Getting 3X Return on People Cost, Your Business Won't Survive
If you have a position that is salary only, you are going to get salary-only effort. You have to provide an upside for each position; it is mission-critical.
In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler breaks down one of the most important rules in business: your people costs must generate at least a 3X return, or the business eventually breaks.
Listen as he explains how to measure return on people, why sales roles must outperform that benchmark, and how bad compensation structures kill good companies.
Enjoy the show!
...
Episode 31: How My Client's Tax Savings Paid for Their Entire $1.5M Car Wash Down Payment
What if your tax savings could cover the down payment on your next investment?
In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler breaks down a real client example where smart tax strategy, specifically cost segregation and bonus depreciation, generated over $300,000 in tax savings. Those savings didn’t just lower a tax bill; they paid for the entire down payment on a $1.5 million car wash.
Listen as he explains why these assets work, how depreciation plays a role, and what real estate entrepreneurs should consider when looking beyond traditional property deals.
You’ll L...
Episode 30: The Urgent 2026 Warning Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Hear Right Now
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...
Episode 29: The 10 KPIs That Will Make or Break Your Real Estate Business in 2026
Most real estate businesses don't fail because of bad deals; they fail because the owner isn't watching the right numbers.Â
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 decis...Episode 28: Your Turnover is Killing Your Profit (And Here's How to Fix It)
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 overpayingBuild a culture your te...Episode 27: The Simple Rehab System That Frees Up Your Time (And Makes More Money) with Ryan (Rotty) Garcilazo
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:<...
Episode 26: Exclusive Training - The 4-Phase Formula That Gets You to $5M in 10 Years (Not 30)
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:<...
Episode 25: How Successful Investors Think Different About Profit and Structure with Brandon Rickman
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:
Ta...Episode 24: Why Paying Zero Taxes is the Dumbest Thing You Can Do with Kaden Hackney
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...
Episode 23: His Bookkeeper Cost Him $300K in Taxes on Money He Never Made
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 w...
