Episode 81: The Missing Step Between Hustling and Financial Freedom with Leon Barnes

Episode 81: The Missing Step Between Hustling and Financial Freedom with Leon Barnes

In this episode, Marcus Crigler joins the Collective Genius podcast live from Dallas, Texas, to share the financial principles that separate successful real estate entrepreneurs from those who stay stuck in the hustle cycle. Drawing from years of working with top investors across the country, Marcus explains why building wealth isn't just about doing more deals but about managing your money the right way. He introduces the "Straight Line Wealth Formula" and shares why securing your financial foundation is the step many entrepreneurs skip before trying to scale. You'll Learn How To: * Build financial stability before scaling * Stop confusing revenue with real profit * Understand the difference between hustling and building wealth * Focus on net profit instead of just growing revenue What You'll Learn in This Episode: (02:04) Translating deals into profit (02:24) Financial peace vs. financial freedom (03:47) Why so many people struggle with the basics as an entrepreneur (04:15) Why entrepreneurs overcomplicate business (05:37) Money creates financial peace (06:43) The importance of staying lean (08:13) The Straight Line Wealth Formula (09:02) The missing step between hustling and scaling Who This Episode Is For: * Real estate business owners who are looking to scale * Entrepreneurs who are struggling with cash flow * Business owners who are focused on long-term wealth * Anyone who wants to build a financially healthy business Why You Should Listen: If you are ready to move beyond the hustle and build a business that truly supports your life, this conversation is worth listening to. Connect with Marcus Crigler: * Website: https://beccfo.com/ [https://beccfo.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7]  * Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler [https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler]

Episode 80: Tax Strategy Series - How Investors are Writing Off Massive 2025 Tax Bills...in 2026! - Part 8

In this final episode of this tax strategy series, Marcus Crigler and tax partner Kaden Hackney wrap things up by sharing the process they use to help real estate entrepreneurs reduce taxes and build long-term wealth. Listen as they explain why every tax strategy is different, why the right business structure matters, and how smart planning can create better financial decisions. Enjoy the show! You'll Learn How To: * Build a tax strategy that fits your business * Maximize tax-saving opportunities * Focus on wealth-building instead of simply paying less in taxes * Make informed financial decisions What You'll Learn in This Episode: (02:15) 2026 is where real tax planning begins (05:30) The three-step tax planning process (06:02) Entrepreneur tax strategies explained (07:19) Paying zero taxes isn't always the goal (11:37) Entity structure comes first in the process of tax-saving strategies (13:31) How technology is improving tax planning (14:16) 70 major tax-saving categories and strategies (16:32) Communication effectiveness tool (18:03) Every tax strategy is unique (20:43) The biggest takeaway from the series Who This Episode Is For: * Entrepreneurs who are looking for overlooked tax-saving opportunities * Real estate owners who are facing high tax bills * Business owners who want a proactive approach to tax planning Why You Should Listen: Marcus and Kaden explain how a solid business structure, proactive planning, and informed decision-making can help real estate entrepreneurs keep more of what they earn and build wealth over time. Connect with Marcus Crigler: * Website: https://beccfo.com/ [https://beccfo.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7]  * Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler [https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler]

Episode 79: Tax Strategy Series - How Investors are Writing Off Massive 2025 Tax Bills...in 2026! - Part 7

You can unlock valuable tax savings even if you are building something inside your real estate business, like your own software, AI tools, or internal systems. In the final episode of this tax strategy series, Marcus Crigler is joined by tax partner Kaden Hackney to break down one of the most overlooked opportunities available to real estate entrepreneurs. Listen as they explain what the Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit is all about,  how it can apply to innovative real estate businesses, and what kinds of projects may qualify. Enjoy the show! You'll Learn How To: * Understand what the R&D Tax Credit is * Identify projects inside your business that may qualify * Track development time and expenses correctly * Take advantage of recent tax law changes What You'll Learn in This Episode: (03:49) What the R&D Tax Credit is (05:31) What type of expense is an R&D type expense (07:34) AI tools, software, and custom systems can create tax opportunities (09:46) How business owners can document their own development time (11:05) Applying this tax strategy in 2026 (12:35) Recent tax law changes that make R&D deductions more valuable (14:00) Final thoughts from the seven-part tax strategy series Who This Episode is For: * Real estate investors building custom business systems * House flippers using AI or automation * Business owners creating internal tools * Entrepreneurs looking for overlooked tax-saving opportunities Why You Should Listen: If you are developing software, AI workflows, or proprietary systems inside your business, you may qualify for deductions and tax credits that could significantly reduce your tax bill. This episode explains the basics, highlights recent tax law updates, and helps you understand whether it's worth exploring with your CPA or tax advisor. Connect with Marcus Crigler: * Website: https://beccfo.com/ [https://beccfo.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7]  * Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler [https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler]

Episode 78: Tax Strategy Series - How Investors are Writing Off Massive 2025 Tax Bills...in 2026! - Part 6

In Part 6 of the Tax Strategy Series, Marcus Crigler explains how the choice between cash-basis and accrual-basis accounting can affect when income is recognized and taxed. Listen as Marcus breaks down the differences between cash and accrual accounting in simple terms, explains how coaching revenue is treated under each method, and shares why some business owners may be paying taxes on income before they've fully delivered their services. You'll Learn How To: * Understand the difference between cash-basis and accrual-basis accounting * Recognize how coaching revenue is taxed under each method * Identify situations where accrual accounting may lower current-year taxable income * Evaluate whether changing accounting methods could benefit your business What You'll Learn in This Episode: (03:40) The growing connection between real estate and coaching businesses (05:01) Cash basis vs. accrual basis accounting explained (06:16) How accrual basis accounting works for coaching businesses (07:37) Evaluating what strategy could work for you (08:51) Important limitations before making the switch Who This Episode is For: * Real estate investors who offer coaching services * Entrepreneurs who receive large upfront payments for services * Coaches interested in improving tax efficiency Why You Should Listen: Even if this approach doesn't apply to your business today, understanding the difference between cash and accrual accounting can help you make smarter financial decisions in the future. Connect with Marcus Crigler: * Website: https://beccfo.com/ [https://beccfo.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7]  * Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler [https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler]

Episode 77: Tax Strategy Series - How Investors are Writing Off Massive 2025 Tax Bills...in 2026! - Part 5

Most investors assume that once the tax year is over, there’s nothing left they can do to reduce their tax bill. In this episode of Marcus Crigler's Tax Strategy Series, he shares another powerful tax strategy that can help real estate investors uncover deductions they may have missed. Marcus breaks down the often-overlooked "263A adjustment" and explains how certain holding costs may be deducted now rather than waiting until a property is sold. Listen and enjoy the show! You'll Learn How To: * Understand what a 263A adjustment is * Identify holding costs that may qualify for immediate deductions * Reduce taxable income even after the tax year has ended * Find overlooked deductions hiding on your balance sheet What You'll Learn in This Episode: (02:00) How to reduce your taxable income (03:42) What a 263A adjustment actually means (05:44) The holding costs many investors miss (06:47) Who qualifies for this tax strategy (07:50) A real-life example that saved $20,000 in taxes (09:41) Tax savings can fuel future growth (10:45) The investors who should pay attention to this strategy Who This Episode Is For: * Rehabber and developer holding inventory properties * Investors who are looking to reduce tax liabilities * Entrepreneurs who want better cash flow and tax planning Why You Should Listen: This episode highlights a strategy that could uncover thousands of dollars in missed deductions and help reduce your tax burden. Connect with Marcus Crigler: * Website: https://beccfo.com/ [https://beccfo.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7]  * Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler [https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler]