The Real Cost of Marketing in 2025 and How We're Cutting It | EP50

The End of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories: Why I'm Choosing Focus over Everything | EP52

This is the most important message I've ever recorded. In this final episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I share a decision I've been wrestling with and the powerful lesson behind it: Exponential growth is only possible through ruthless focus and deliberate elimination. This isn't about quitting—it’s about pruning. Just like in business, when you cut back, you create the space for deeper roots and stronger growth. I walk you through my personal journey, explaining why I'm winding down this beloved podcast to concentrate fully on scaling my businesses, Forward Factor and Made in America. This choice wasn't easy, but it's a necessary step in practicing what I preach. If this show has meant anything to you, let it remind you: Diehard Entrepreneurs aren't the ones who do everything. They're the ones who stay relentless about what matters most. Listen now for the challenge that will help you identify the one thing you need to prune to unlock your next level of growth. I’m on a MISSION to help entrepreneurs build strong, successful businesses. Get on board at: 🤝 https://www.devinramos.com [https://www.devinramos.com]   TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – The Most Important Episode I’ve Recorded 00:12 – Exponential Growth Comes from Focus and Elimination 01:04 – The Mission of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories 01:46 – Why My Focus Became Diluted 02:11 – Focus Comes From Within 02:31 – The Tough Choice: Winding Down the Podcast 02:43 – This Isn't Quitting: It's Pruning 02:54 – Where My Content and Impact are Moving Next 03:17 – The Simple Challenge to Unlock Your Growth 03:40 – Recap: Relentless on What Matters Most 03:59 – Thank You for This Chapter   🎬Watch this on Youtube: https://youtu.be/bPPhJ-GTKB8 ⚡ Let's stay in touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devinramos/ [https://www.instagram.com/devinramos/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devinjramos035/ [https://www.facebook.com/devinjramos035/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-ramos-602a811ab [https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-ramos-602a811ab] 🎬 Produced by: https://daretopodcast.com/ [https://daretopodcast.com/]   #FocusAndClarity #PruningForGrowth #Entrepreneurship #BusinessFocus #RuthlessElimination #ExponentialGrowth #BusinessStrategy #MakingToughDecisions #FinalEpisode #DiehardEntrepreneurStories #ScaleUp #ProductivityHacks #BusinessPodcast #DevinRamos #EntrepreneurStories #Motivation #MindsetMatters #Leadership #BusinessTips #forwardfactor ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Flips Out, Funds In: Mike Simmons’ Pivot to Lending Millions | Ep 51

What does it take to build a thriving 7-figure real estate business and successfully pivot into hard money lending? In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, Devin Ramos talks with Mike Simmons, who grew a successful house flipping and wholesaling business over a decade before co-founding Express Hard Money. Mike shares his journey from corporate jobs to real estate entrepreneurship, the challenges of building scalable systems, and winning a 7-figure flipping contest in 10 months. We discuss the shift from hands-on flipping to wholesaling for faster growth, managing sales teams, and navigating the ups and downs of marketing strategies—including overcoming the COVID-19 direct mail collapse. Mike also dives deep into starting his lending company, how real estate experience shapes his approach, and the nuances of raising capital from family offices versus high net worth individuals. He reveals the importance of smooth customer experience over low interest rates, and lessons learned about fund administration and institutional investor expectations. Entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and leaders will gain insights on resilience, scaling businesses, and pivoting to new growth opportunities. Connect with Mike Simmons: Website: mikesimmons.com [http://mikesimmons.com] Express Hard Money: expresshardmoney.com [http://expresshardmoney.com]   TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 06:00 From UPS and corporate to real estate entrepreneurship 14:00 Early flipping struggles and pivot to wholesaling 25:20 Losing contractor and realtor, discovering wholesaling potential 30:00 Marketing scale-up and hiring sales team 32:50 Joining Seven Figure Flipping and rapid growth to $1M 36:00 Challenges managing sales team and business systems 38:30 COVID-19 impact on direct mail marketing and recovery with PPC 42:00 Maintaining $1M revenue as a lifestyle business, scaling again in 2023-24 44:00 Managing partner dynamics and eventual amicable buyout 56:30 Launching Express Hard Money lending company 58:30 Lending niche insights: real estate experience benefits 1:01:00 Raising capital from family offices vs. high net worth individuals 1:14:30 Building proper fund administration and data room setup 1:18:00 Importance of professionalism and patience with institutional investors 1:22:00 Closing thoughts and where to find Mike Simmons online   🎬Watch this on Youtube: https://youtu.be/I-2RIR5WRQ4   ⚡ Let's stay in touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devinramos/ [https://www.instagram.com/devinramos/]   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devinjramos035/ [https://www.facebook.com/devinjramos035/]   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-ramos-602a811ab [https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-ramos-602a811ab]     🎬 Produced by: https://daretopodcast.com/ [https://daretopodcast.com/]   #RealEstate #HardMoneyLending #Entrepreneurship #RealEstateInvesting #HouseFlipping #Wholesaling #BusinessGrowth #InvestorTips #PassiveIncome #StartupLife #SmallBusiness #Leadership #DevInRamos #ForwardFactor #DiehardEntrepreneur ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Real Cost of Marketing in 2025 and How We're Cutting It | EP50

Feeling like your marketing costs are rising but sales are dropping in 2025? In this video, I share real stories from my real estate and cleaning businesses about how we handle higher marketing expenses, fewer quality leads, and lower sales conversions. Learn simple ways to save money on marketing like using cheaper direct mail options, improving online ads, and focusing only on what works best. I also explain how to find better customers faster and why cutting your marketing budget can actually hurt your business. If you want easy-to-follow marketing tips to grow your small business, get more leads, and improve profits, this video is for you. Subscribe and join me on the journey to smarter marketing and business success! Website: 🤝 https://www.devinramos.com [https://www.devinramos.com]   TIMESTAMPS:   00:00 - Introduction 00:45 - Host Introduction and Topic Setup 01:09 - Overview of Business Models (Real Estate & Cleaning) 02:12 - Marketing Cost Increase and Impact 03:54 - Lead Quality and Conversion Decline Effects 06:41 - Strategies to Reduce Marketing Costs 10:03 - Exploring Alternative Direct Mail Methods 11:56 - Agency Outsourcing and SEO Efforts for Cost Efficiency 13:28 - Focusing on Effective Marketing Channels and Cutting Ineffective Ones 16:40 - Addressing Lower Conversion Rates and Lead Screening Improvements 20:03 - Targeting the Right Audience and Refining Messaging   🎬Watch this on Youtube: https://youtu.be/ponpFA6UPUQ   ⚡ Let's stay in touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devinramos/ [https://www.instagram.com/devinramos/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devinjramos035/ [https://www.facebook.com/devinjramos035/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-ramos-602a811ab [https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-ramos-602a811ab]   🎬Produced by: https://daretopodcast.com/ [https://daretopodcast.com/]   #marketingtips #smallbusinessmarketing #digitalmarketing #directmailmarketing #realestatemarketing #cleaningbusiness #leadgeneration #marketingstrategy #smallbusinessgrowth #businesssuccess #marketingcosts #businessowner #entrepreneurtips #marketingroi #onlineadvertising #ppl #seo #salesconversion #businessgrowth #marketinghelp #leadquality #marketingbudget #marketingideas #marketinghacks #businesstips #marketing2025 #entrepreneurship #marketingchallenges #smallbusinessowner #localbusiness #devinramos #forwardfactor ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Navid Attayan Escaped Iran, Slept in a Camp, and Now Dominates Real Estate | Ep 49

What can a refugee teach you about resiliency? In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I sit down with Navid Attayan, a professional real estate investor and founder of multiple businesses. Navid's incredible journey from being a refugee from Iran to a US Army Special Operations veteran and now a successful entrepreneur is a masterclass in resilience and purpose-driven living. Navid shares the powerful story of his family's escape from Iran to the United States, enduring hardship, persecution, and the uncertainty of life as a refugee. We discuss the mindset shifts required to navigate these challenges, the importance of faith and a strong purpose, and how these experiences laid the foundation for his success in business and life. We dig into his decision to join the US Army Special Operations, driven by a deep sense of gratitude and a calling to serve the country that offered his family a new life. Navid explains the role of Civil Affairs and how his military experience honed his discipline, leadership, and problem-solving skills, which he now applies to his real estate ventures. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a resilient mindset, embrace calculated risks, and find the purpose that fuels true success. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:03 The journey of Navid Attayan 02:30 Growing up in Iran and facing religious persecution 04:40 The courageous decision to leave Iran 07:20 Taking big risks as an entrepreneur 08:25 Arriving in America as a refugee 11:25 The immigrant experience and assimilation 12:54 Why Navid joined the US Army 15:53 The cycling journey that built mental and physical rigor 18:13 Finding a purpose in Civil Affairs 19:24 What Civil Affairs is and why it matters 21:30 The mindset of Special Operations soldiers 23:44 Transitioning from military to entrepreneurship 🎬Watch this on Youtube: https://youtu.be/PZMWEyni1ss ⚡Let's stay in touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devinramos/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devinjramos035/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-ramos-602a811ab Produced by: https://daretopodcast.com/ #NavidAttayan #DiehardEntrepreneur #ResilientEntrepreneur #RealEstateInvestor #MilitaryVeteran #SpecialOperations #CivilAffairs #EntrepreneurMindset #PurposeDrivenLife #LeadershipLessons #RefugeeStory #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #RiskTaking #Motivation #Inspiration #EntrepreneurLife #VeteranOwnedBusiness #PodcastLife #SmallBusiness ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

From Wholesaling to Private Money: Cory Lawson's Journey to Long-Term Wealth | EP48

🤔What can real estate investing teach us about adaptability, strategic thinking, and the power of putting capital to work for long-term wealth?   ⚡️In this episode of Die Hard Entrepreneur Stories, I sit down with Cory Lawson, a seasoned sales and marketing professional who made a bold move during COVID to launch a wholesaling business in Tampa, Florida. Cory shares the journey from his first "wildly easy" deal to the systemic challenges that forced him to build a true business.   We dig into his career pivot from wholesaling to private money lending, a shift prompted by a family move and a strategic decision to leverage a self-directed IRA. Cory's story is a masterclass in adapting to life's changes while continuing to pursue entrepreneurial success.   If you're an entrepreneur, investor, or simply someone looking to put your capital to work, Cory's journey is an incredible lesson in resilience, strategic thinking, and building long-term wealth.   Connect with Cory Lawson: Email: Cory@clearskypropertysolutions.com [Corey@clearskypropertysolutions.com] Website: expresshardmoney.com [http://expresshardmoney.com] TIMESTAMPS   00:38 Introduction: A Journey into Private Money Lending 02:24 The Study Period: Why Cory Waited to Start 04:53 The First Step: Betting on Himself in 2021 05:39 Corey's Wholesaling Strategy and First Deal 07:01 The Reality Check: First Deal Success vs. Long-Term Business Building 09:04 Marketing and Building a Team in Year One 13:55 Wholesaling vs. Flipping: Finding Your Strength 19:12 The Strategic Pivot: Why Cory Left Wholesaling in Tampa 22:53 A New Opportunity: Transitioning to Private Money Lending with a Self-Directed IRA 23:28 Understanding Self-Directed IRAs 26:44 Funding a Deal: Combining Different Money Sources 28:11 The Power of Partnership: Co-Funding Deals with Other Investors   🎬Watch this on Youtube: https://youtu.be/HOHFmrbaew8   ⚡ Let's stay in touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devinramos/ [https://www.instagram.com/devinramos/]   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devinjramos035/ [https://www.facebook.com/devinjramos035/]   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-ramos-602a811ab [https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-ramos-602a811ab]     🎬 Produced by: https://daretopodcast.com/ [https://daretopodcast.com/]   #DieHardEntrepreneurStories #Entrepreneurship #RealEstateInvesting #PrivateMoneyLending #devinramos #forwardfactor #RealEstateEducation #Wholesaling #SelfDirectedIRA #FinancialLiteracy #StrategicThinking #BusinessPivot #LongTermWealth #MoneyManagement ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.