Episode 68: The IRS May Owe Real Estate Investors Thousands of Dollars

Episode 70: The Hidden Financial Trap Destroying Successful Entrepreneurs with David Phelps

There's a lot of white noise in your financials that doesn't matter for anything. A lot of the time, it is what many CEOs are going after. In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler talks with an entrepreneur and financial expert to talk about the hidden financial traps that many business owners fall into while trying to scale. Listen as David Phelps shares why understanding your numbers goes far beyond reading financial statements, and why tracking the right KPIs and recognizing the warning signs are important in your business. These and more in this episode, enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: * Identify the financial “white noise” distracting you * Use KPIs and dashboards to catch financial problems * Separate ego-driven decisions from long-term financial freedom * Understand why scaling can become a dangerous trap What You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:47) Real estate investors are struggling with hidden financial problems (04:36) CEOs are being forced back into operations (08:00) What happens when businesses hit a growth ceiling in their market (09:56) Maximize existing opportunities in your area (11:49) The financial reality behind scaling into multiple locations or markets (13:13) The scaling trap many entrepreneurs fall into (14:28) Understanding your numbers as the biggest advantage in business (16:27) Translating financial statements into key numbers as an alert (18:16) Comparison pushes entrepreneurs into unhealthy growth decisions (19:52) Ego as the real reason most people start a business (21:20) Financial freedom and ego are often confused in entrepreneurship (23:11) The role advisors play in helping business owners Who This Episode is For: * Entrepreneurs who are feeling pressure to grow * Business owners who are struggling with profitability * Real estate investors who are dealing with financial uncertainty Why You Should Listen: This conversation is a reminder that success is not just about scaling but about building a business that supports the life you want. This episode offers a practical and honest perspective that many entrepreneurs need to hear. 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 69: Why So Many High-Income Entrepreneurs Still End Up Broke (and How to Fix That)

Why do so many business owners still struggle financially even while making good money? For today's episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler answers this question while he shares practical advice on bookkeeping, cash flow, hiring, forecasting, and building long-term wealth the right way. He also explains why financial systems matter and how small mistakes in money management can quietly destroy a growing business. Listen and enjoy! You’ll Learn How To: * Build a financial system that supports business growth * Use bookkeeping to make smarter decisions * Forecast cash flow and plan financially * Avoid common money mistakes high-income entrepreneurs make What You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:19) The real foundation of a successful business is your books and records (03:07) The biggest mistake bunch of coaches make in their books (04:43) The “three-box” wealth-building system (05:27) Magic in building wealth (06:50) The importance of forecasting (09:29) The “3X Rule” to hire safely (11:25) Reserves matter more than most entrepreneurs realize (13:31) The importance of accountability even when the business is doing well (14:17) How to attract clients on a day-to-day basis? (17:15) The financial systems entrepreneurs need before scaling (18:19) Marcus’ biggest takeaway from the Coaching Inc event (20:26) Entrepreneurship can feel lonely without the right community (22:06) Connect with Marcus Crigler Who This Episode is For: * Real estate entrepreneurs who want to scale * Entrepreneurs scaling past inconsistent income * Business owners who are struggling with financial systems Why You Should Listen: This episode is a strong reminder that making more money doesn’t automatically solve financial problems. Marcus explains why systems, reserves, forecasting, and discipline matter just as much as revenue growth. 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 68: The IRS May Owe Real Estate Investors Thousands of Dollars

In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney break down the growing buzz around the “Kwong refund” and why it could mean significant money back for taxpayers, especially real estate investors. The discussion centers around a major court ruling involving penalties and interest that the IRS may have been charged illegally during the federally declared COVID-19 disaster period. Listen as they explain what the ruling means, who could qualify for refunds, and why investors shouldn't wait to take action. If you've ever paid late filing penalties, late payment penalties, or IRS interest between 2020 and 2023, this episode is for you. You'll Learn How To: * Understand what the Kwong court ruling means * Find out if you may qualify for an IRS refund * Avoid mistakes when filing refund claims What You'll Learn in This Episode: (03:43) Marcus introduces the Kwong court ruling (04:28) Over $500,000 in potential refunds for clients (05:34) Tens of millions of taxpayers may qualify for Kwong refunds (07:38) How one taxpayer challenged the IRS (10:03) What does IRS Code Section 7508A mean (12:38) The important timeline for Kwong refunds: January 2020 through July 2023 (14:57) Why real estate investors are more likely to be affected than traditional employees (16:52) The IRS is not automatically sending refund checks (17:29) The IRS appeal process and why timing still matters (18:39) Filing a protective claim for refund helps secure your refund rights (19:32) Proper filing procedures are critical when dealing with the IRS (20:24) The July 10, 2026, deadline (21:45) Your CPA should already be discussing this opportunity with you (22:55) How their team helps real estate investors review potential claims Who This Episode is For: * Real estate investors who may have paid IRS penalties/interest during the COVID period * Entrepreneurs who want to know their rights regarding the Kwong refund * Anyone curious if they qualify for refunds Why You Should Listen: Marcus and Kaden simplify a complicated tax topic into a practical conversation that helps investors understand the opportunity, the risks, and the next steps for the Kwong refund. If you have ever wondered whether you have overpaid the IRS, this episode gives you a good reason to check. 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]  Know more about the Kwong Court Ruling: https://reikwongrefunds.com/ [https://reikwongrefunds.com/]

Episode 67: Why Thach Nguyen Thinks Most Investors Buy Rentals the Wrong Way with Thach Nguyen

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler sits down with real estate investor and entrepreneur Thach Nguyen to talk about what most investors get wrong when building rental portfolios. Thach shares how he went from selling real estate in Seattle in the early '90s to building a long-term portfolio through BRRRRs, multifamily projects, and ADUs. He also explains why focusing too much on passive income too early can slow people down financially. If you are trying to build wealth through rentals without getting overleveraged or stuck chasing bad deals, this episode is filled with practical advice and real-world perspective. Listen and enjoy! You'll Learn How To: * Build long-term wealth through rentals * Use active income to buy and hold real estate * Use ADUs and development strategies to maximize property value * Manage and evaluate a growing rental portfolio strategically What You'll Learn in This Episode: (02:29) How Thach built his Seattle real estate business (05:27) Choosing real estate investing over other industries (06:50) From being an agent to becoming a realtor (08:37) The “make money, save money, invest money” mindset (09:24) The real difference between earned income and passive income (11:06) Why Thach believes investors should maximize active income first (14:07) Relying heavily on syndications can become risky (17:15) Generational wealth isn't about giving but teaching (21:58) The biggest challenge investors face today is finding good deals (25:20) ADUs are becoming one of the biggest opportunities in real estate (30:00) Adapting and reinventing strategies as market changes (33:13) How Thach and his wife actively manage and review their portfolio (36:41) How Springboard to Wealth grew into a nationwide investing community (40:48) Obsession and deep market knowledge matter in real estate investing Who This Episode is For: * Real estate investors building rental portfolios * Entrepreneurs focused on long-term wealth creation * Anyone trying to balance active income with passive income goals * Investors looking for a smarter approach to scaling real estate Why You Should Listen: Thach Nguyen keeps the conversation simple, direct, and experience-driven. He discusses what has worked for him over the past 30 years in real estate. Connect with Thach Nguyen: * Website: https://springboardtowealth.com/ [https://springboardtowealth.com/]  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 66: How to Build Monthly Cash Flow With Self Storage Units - Bree Hartman

Self-storage is both a business and a commercial real estate investment. You can double down on both and make it more passive with the right systems in place. Joining us in this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast is a self-storage investor and educator, Bree Hartman, to talk about how she built an $8 million self-storage portfolio starting with one deal she found while pregnant with her daughter. Bree shares how she went from working a W-2 job and running a gym to buying self-storage facilities using SBA loans, partnerships, and simple operational systems. She also breaks down why self-storage can become a strong monthly cash flow business when you focus on finding underperforming facilities and adding value over time. This episode gives a practical look into how self-storage investing works. Listen and enjoy! You'll Learn How To: * Use SBA loans and partnerships to buy larger assets * Create recurring monthly cash flow with self-storage units * Build systems that make self-storage more passive * Find good storage deals through Google Maps What You'll Learn in This Episode: (02:43) If you want to go fast, find a community, and insert yourself (04:30) Building an $8 million self-storage portfolio in under six years (05:57) From W-2 job to entrepreneurship (07:49) Buying a $3.1 million facility while becoming a new mom (10:06) How to make a self-storage facility a successful model? (10:40) Utilizing SBA loans to acquire your first storage facility (12:18) Turning self-storage into a scalable business with systems (14:06) The truth about “passive income” in self-storage investing (15:24) The three-part framework and operations for storage facilities (17:34) Myths surrounding self-storage investing (19:45) Self-storage works as a subscription-based business (21:15) The “7-11” strategy for increasing rental income (24:05) How Bree finds storage deals using Google Maps (30:20) The importance of learning underwriting and market analysis (31:11) “A storage owner can’t say yes to an offer they don’t have in their hands.” (33:23) Deal finding cheat sheet and storage offer calculator Who This Episode is For: * Real estate investors who want to move from traditional real estate investing * Business owners who want to explore self-storage investing * Anyone who wants to build long-term cash flow Why You Should Listen: Bree keeps the conversation practical and straightforward. She explains how self-storage investing really works without making it sound overly complicated. Connect with Bree Hartman: * Website: https://www.selfstorageschool.com/ [https://www.selfstorageschool.com/]  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bree.theinvestor/ [https://www.instagram.com/bree.theinvestor/]  * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bree.TheInvestor [https://www.youtube.com/@Bree.TheInvestor]  * Get your storage offer calculator by calling 916-579-7209. 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]