Reject Average & Make Millions
Reject Average & Make Millions
How can a business owner shift from survival mode to a purpose-driven approach?
I started in real estate not because I wanted to be a "real estate guy" but because it was the path that kept me from being broke. Initially, my focus was just on financial freedom, but my mindset was primarily about not being broke. That was my mantra for the first few years. We had a good run and did well, but then I started thinking more deeply—where am I really headed with this? What’s my true purpose? I still feel like I’m in the early stages in many ways, like I’m just getting started. My goal now is to keep growing the company and improving it while also using it as a launchpad for future ventures, whatever those may be.
What steps help business owners build a solid foundation?
I was “boots on the ground” on October 1, and it took a month to unpack the income, understand the situation, and get the lay of the land. By November, I began marketing and pulling together ideas from various "guru" courses I had taken. I was trying to mix and match strategies and spread my efforts widely.
By the end of January, though, I realized I didn’t have a solid foundation. It felt like I was just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. I didn’t know exactly where I was heading, and I could see my money draining each month. At that point, I was listening to a podcast where people were talking about the results they’d achieved with a certain coach, and I knew some of them were seeing real success.
That’s when I decided to either keep trying to figure it out on my own or hire the best coach I could find—someone I maybe couldn’t even fully afford. But I wanted to go forward with the best tools possible. So, I took the leap and hired him. Credit goes to Wholesaling Inc. and Tom, who has since sold the company, but that decision changed everything for me.
Why is consistency crucial for business owners trying to scale?
What I realized was actually the opposite of what I initially thought. I felt I needed to spend more money—often putting it on a credit card—because I was trying to do everything. I’d taken courses on wholesaling, lease options, and creative financing, like buying houses “subject to,” where I’d take over the existing financing in the seller's name. There are countless ways to approach real estate, and I was attempting to do them all.
One major lesson I didn’t learn early on was the importance of consistency. I tried a bit of everything: direct mail, cold calling, bandit signs, and even standing outside grocery stores to talk to people. However, none of my marketing strategies were consistent or fully developed. Inconsistent coaching, marketing, and exit strategies created the perfect storm. Fortunately, I caught it before things went too far off track.
What financial systems help business owners make better decisions?
I still feel like a “baby” entrepreneur in many ways, learning hard lessons as I go. Recently, I’ve shifted to using KPIs and metrics rather than relying on gut feelings. My big mistake was operating from a single bank account, seeing a large balance, and thinking I could freely spend on a new endeavor or take a big distribution for personal expenses.
What I learned over the past year is the importance of consistency. The "Profit First" method resonated with me, so I implemented it. Now, specific amounts consistently go into designated accounts. This approach lets me make decisions based on what’s in my operating expense account rather than just a gut feeling. As your business grows, gut instincts can mislead you, especially when there are so many moving parts.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
