Too Good At Making Money
Too Good At Making Money
How does a business owner's "why" drive financial stability and personal freedom?
My drive comes down to my “why,” my vision, and ultimately, freedom. I want the freedom to make choices—to do what I want, with whom I want, when and where I want. While there are stigmas around money, for me, money enables choice and allows me to live more intentionally, especially with a family. Wealth gives me the option to spend time with them or pursue work and other passions. That’s why I’m pushing so hard to create financial stability.
What strategies can business owners implement to build a scalable business?
From the start, I focused on a few key things that have been very beneficial. First, I prioritized creating systems so my business could operate without me. I wanted the freedom to take vacations or do other things without feeling tied to a “job.” Second, I focused heavily on service quality and getting Google reviews, which have significantly boosted the business. Lastly, I sought mentors. I know I’m often not the smartest person in the room, so I’ve leveraged the time, talents, and resources of others to help me scale.
How can business owners leverage their existing businesses to fund new ventures?
The pest control business has been a big help in funding my real estate ventures, especially early on. Initially, I didn’t fully understand how to leverage other people’s money, so for my first three real estate deals, I put down the typical 20% out of my own pocket. Now, with better knowledge and systems in place, I can leverage other people’s money to acquire cash-flowing properties that pay for themselves and significantly grow my net worth.
Real estate has been a major growth factor, but I couldn’t have focused on it without the systems I established in my pest control business, which gave me the time to pursue these opportunities.
Why is it essential to vet contractors and oversee projects?
Let me tell you about a recent mistake that cost me over $20,000. I bought an off-market property for $85,000. I estimated it would need about $40,000–$45,000 in repairs and expected its value to reach $170,000 once completed. My plan was to refinance, pull out cash, and move on to the next deal.
To save money, I hired a cheap contractor, skipped proper vetting, and didn’t have a system in place to oversee the project. I let him work independently without much oversight. When I finally checked in, I found a mess—the job site was chaotic, new fixtures were installed before texturizing was done, and he was juggling multiple projects. Worse, I’d already paid him in full, even though the work was incomplete.
I ended up calling a more reliable (but initially “too expensive”) contractor to fix the project. He’s done fantastic work, and I’m hopeful the final appraisal will exceed my expectations so I can still profit from this deal. Lesson learned: don’t cut corners on quality.
What key metrics should business owners track to measure success?
Three main metrics come to mind when evaluating success. First is the bottom line—net income. Second is our ratings, which reflect customer satisfaction. But the top metric for me is whether my team members are making improvements, not just within the company but also in their personal lives. When I see them growing personally, I know our development program is working.
How can business owners shift their mindset about money to unlock greater potential?
Go after it again. My mindset around money has changed a lot. I used to have a scarcity mindset, always fearing that if I lost it all, I'd never recover. That fear held me back from reaching my full potential. Now, I see money as a game—you win some, you lose some. But here’s the thing: you can always go make money again. Once I understood the power of leverage and networking, I realized it’s possible to generate income more easily than I once thought.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
