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If your business is profitable on paper but your bank account tells a completely different story, this episode is for you. I hear this all the time—business owners doing great revenue, being told by their CPA that they’re profitable, yet still feeling broke, stressed, and unsure where the money is actually going.

In this episode, I break down why this disconnect happens and why it’s almost never a revenue problem—it’s a system problem. I share real conversations with business owners, lessons from my own entrepreneurial journey, and how implementing a simple framework like Profit First can completely change how you experience money in your business—without spreadsheets, accounting jargon, or overwhelm.

Timeline Highlights:

[0:00] Why so many profitable businesses still feel broke and financially stressed
[1:04] The frustration of doing all the work but not getting to keep the money
[2:30] My personal experience running high-revenue businesses with no financial clarity
[3:17] How discovering Profit First changed the way I looked at money forever
[4:18] A real client story of digging out of the hole by fixing cash flow first
[6:07] Why entrepreneurs struggle with numbers—and why that doesn’t have to stop you
[7:08] The “Golden Trio” of bank accounts that helps you finally keep what you make

Key Takeaways:

1. Profit doesn’t matter if you never actually see it in your bank account.
2. Most entrepreneurs don’t have a money problem—they have a money system problem.
3. Revenue alone won’t create financial freedom without intentional allocation.
4. You don’t need to love spreadsheets to understand and control your numbers.
5. Separating money into purpose-driven bank accounts creates clarity and control.
6. Keeping profit, paying yourself, and planning for taxes must happen first, not last.

Links & Resources:

• Schedule a free discovery call and get guidance on implementing Profit First: profitre.com

Closing

Thanks for spending time with me today. If this episode gave you clarity or a new perspective, make sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who’s working hard but still feels broke. And if you’re ready to apply what we talked about with real guidance and accountability, head over to profitre.com and book a free discovery call to start building your path to financial clarity and freedom.

In this episode, I sit down with Martine Richardson—real estate investor, educator, and freedom advocate—to break down the real numbers behind getting out of the rat race. Martine’s story isn’t just inspiring, it’s filled with tactical advice for anyone who’s trying to create true financial freedom through real estate. From getting her car repossessed to building a portfolio that bought back her time, Martine shares how she leveraged creative financing, community, and consistency to scale her business.

We talk about the real math behind financial freedom, how different rental strategies stack up (short, mid, and long-term), and why she’d go straight to buy-and-hold if she were starting over today. If you’ve ever asked yourself “how many doors is enough?”, Martine gives you a simple framework to find your freedom number.

Timeline Summary:

[0:00] - Martine shares how getting fired and losing her car kickstarted her real estate journey

[5:40] - Her first creative deal: a lease option that changed her mindset

[8:09] - How that $35K house turned into a $240K asset—and how she structured the deal

[9:17] - Why meetups and podcasts were essential to her early success

[11:12] - The shift from wholesaling to buy-and-hold—and using other people’s money

[14:18] - What is a “freedom number” and how to calculate yours

[18:24] - Comparing cash flow between long-term vs. mid-term rentals

[22:25] - How fewer mid-term properties can replace your job income

[25:48] - Would she still wholesale if starting over today? Her answer might surprise you

[29:00] - Action over analysis: her advice for anyone stuck in “learning mode”

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Creative financing is key – Martine’s first deal came from asking sellers if they’d take payments. One finally said yes, and it changed everything.
2. Community is a shortcut – Meetups, podcasts, and mentors gave her the knowledge and confidence to keep going, even when deals were slow.
3. Buy-and-hold builds real wealth – Her accidental landlord story turned into a multi-property portfolio that now funds her life.
4. Know your “freedom number” – She walks you through how to calculate exactly how many properties you need to quit your job, depending on cash flow type.
5. Short, mid, or long-term? – Each rental strategy has trade-offs in risk and reward. Martine shares how she balances all three.

Links & Resources:

• Text Martine for coaching or questions: 804-495-1333
• Learn more about Profit First for REI: https://www.simplecfo.com

If this episode gave you clarity, confidence, or a new way to think about financial freedom, please rate, follow, and review the show. And share it with another investor who needs to hear Martine’s story.

In this episode, I sit down with Frank Iglesias—a real estate investor, coach, and host of the What Worked for You podcast—to unpack the journey from chaos to clarity. Frank opens up about how burnout from his IT job led him to real estate, but also how the entrepreneurial learning curve nearly burned him out all over again.

We dive into the pitfalls of trying to do too many things at once, why real estate investing is only one part of the business equation, and how Profit First helped him regain control of his finances. Frank shares the hard lessons of jumping into new construction too early, the value of having a business coach, and why mastering the fundamentals is the only way to scale sustainably.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] – Introduction

[2:32] – From IT burnout to a Rich Dad seminar and the first taste of real estate

[5:10] – How trying too many strategies at once slowed his growth

[6:14] – The difference between learning real estate and learning business

[6:33] – The pivotal role a business coach played in aligning his operations

[9:18] – Why bookkeeping is the most underrated skill in real estate investing

[14:06] – Lessons learned from jumping into new construction without the right model

[22:57] – The risk of cheap lots and the hidden costs of building ground-up

[25:19] – The reality of delayed income and managing cash flow in big projects

[27:03] – Avoiding shiny object syndrome and returning to core business principles

[30:54] – How to connect with Frank and learn more about his podcast and mentorship

5 Key Takeaways

1. Focus is your fastest path to success. Early on, avoid chasing multiple strategies—go deep, not wide.
2. Business fundamentals matter more than tactics. Learn how to manage money, lead people, and build systems.
3. A coach can connect the dots. Frank’s biggest business breakthroughs came after investing in the right mentor.
4. New construction is not a beginner strategy. It has different timelines, risks, and financial realities.
5. You don’t need more books—you need to implement. Information is everywhere, but application is what creates results.

Links & Resources

• Visit Frank online: https://www.frankiglesias.com
• Call or text Frank directly: (678) 408-2228
• Listen to Frank’s podcast: What Worked for You
• Learn more about Profit First for real estate investors: https://www.simplecfo.com

If this episode helped bring clarity to your investing journey, please rate, follow, and review the show. And share it with someone else who’s ready to stop guessing and start building a real business.