Strength in Numbers with Marcus Crigler

Marcus Crigler
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Strength in Numbers with Marcus Crigler is the #1 podcast for real estate entrepreneurs who make good money but struggle with cash flow, tax planning, and building real wealth. If you're tired of living deal to deal, wondering where your money goes, and paying too much in taxes, this show will transform how you manage your real estate business finances.Host Marcus Crigler, CEO of BEC CFO Services, helps real estate investors escape financial stress by implementing proven wealth-building systems, advanced tax strategies, and cash flow management techniques that turn chaotic finances into predictable profit machines.Real estate wholesalers, fix and flip investors, and rental property owners making six or seven figures but still living paycheck to paycheck will discover how to stop constantly chasing the next deal. If you're overwhelmed by bookkeeping, financial management, and paying massive tax bills without knowing how to reduce them legally, you're ready to stop surviving and start building generational wealth.Every episode delivers actionable strategies on real estate tax planning, business cash flow optimization, wealth building for entrepreneurs, and financial systems that create freedom. Learn real estate tax deductions, legal tax avoidance strategies, cash flow forecasting, business budgeting for real estate investors, profit and loss analysis, entity structuring for tax benefits, and wealth building strategies beyond closing deals.Most real estate entrepreneurs focus on deal flow but ignore money flow. They hire accountants who only file taxes instead of providing proactive tax planning. Marcus shows you how to keep more of what you make, reduce your tax burden legally, and create financial systems that work whether you close one deal or ten deals per month.Listen to case studies of real estate investors who've saved $50K+ in taxes annually, built seven-figure net worth, and achieved financial freedom. Learn from entrepreneurs who've transformed their businesses from cash-hungry operations into wealth-generating machines.This isn't just spreadsheets and tax codes. It's about creating a real estate business that supports your lifestyle, reduces financial stress, and builds lasting wealth. Marcus addresses the mindset shifts, business systems, and financial habits that separate successful real estate entrepreneurs from those stuck in survival mode.If you like The BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Money Rahab with Nicole Lapin, The Dave Ramsey Show, or The Rich Dad Radio Show, you'll love Strength in Numbers.Subscribe now and join thousands of real estate professionals who've discovered that true wealth doesn’t come from closing more deals, but from keeping more of what you make. Stop living deal to deal. Start building wealth that lasts.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 48: The Feast or Famine Cycle Isn't Bad Luck - Here's Exactly What's Causing It - Gary Harper

    The feast-or-famine cycle is one of the most common frustrations for real estate entrepreneurs, but the reality is that these are the opportunities to get better. In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler sits down with business coach Gary Harper from Sharper Business Solutions to talk about the feast-or-famine cycle. Listen as Gary explains why the cycle isn’t random or caused by bad luck but a result of missing metrics, poor pipeline management, and a lack of operational discipline. He also shares how strong operators track the right numbers to grow during good markets and stay stable when the market shifts. You’ll Learn How To: Break out of the feast-or-famine cycleIdentify where deals are being lost in your sales processMeasure the ROI of your team members and marketing channelsAdapt your business when the market starts to shift What You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:58) Introducing Gary Harper and Sharper Business Solutions (03:22) The good days and bad days of entrepreneurs (05:54) Early mistakes in real estate and the impact of the 2008 crash (08:44) Returning to real estate through wholesaling and scaling quickly (11:17) The Rise Business Framework and building companies responsibly (13:11) The feast-or-famine reality many operators are facing (14:23) Downturns are the best time to prune a business (15:40) The lesson behind the book Who Moved My Cheese (18:24) Why the businesses embracing change are the ones winning (19:38) The problem with hiring too many executives instead of producers (22:01) Compensation should be tied to business performance (23:12) The importance of hiring the right people and placing them in the right seats (24:21) Most important metrics in a real estate company (26:39) People problems vs process problems (27:45) The “heart, head, hands, feet” framework (30:07) Purpose and profit indicators (32:21) The conversion benchmarks Gary recommends for healthy businesses (35:28) Tracking daily process indicators vs performance indicators (36:43) Understanding the cash conversion cycle (38:45) The role of the “innovator” inside a business (41:16) Fixing people and processes first before the marketing channel (43:11) Getting better, not bigger (44:30) The “become the box” concept for analyzing how deals move through a system (45:36) Connect with Gary Harper. Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who deal with inconsistent deal flowWholesalers who try to stabilize their businessEntrepreneurs who want visibility over their numbersBusiness owners who want to improve systems before scaling Why You Should Listen: If you want more predictable growth and fewer surprises in your business, this episode breaks down the operational mindset that makes it possible. Connect with Gary Harper: Website: https://sharperbusiness.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-harper-37148967  Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    49 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Episode 47: The IRS Has Been Stealing From You - Here's How to Make Them Pay It Back

    The tax code isn’t designed to punish investors; it is designed to reward those who understand how to use it effectively. In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney break down a concept most entrepreneurs completely miss when it comes to taxes and wealth building. Listen as Marcus gives a preview of a presentation he’s preparing for a national real estate conference, and the four financial stages every entrepreneur goes through. He also explains why poor bookkeeping creates the “chaos tax,” why reserves matter more than revenue when it comes to expenses, and how the right entity structure can completely change your tax strategy. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Play the long-term tax gameAvoid the “chaos tax” that costs entrepreneurs thousandsBuild proper personal and business reservesStructure your business so tax strategy worksWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:35) The real purpose behind tax deferral strategies (03:38) Preview of Marcus’s upcoming presentation (05:01) The common problem entrepreneurs face when trying to grow wealth (07:07) The seven rules of the tax game (08:16) Why the tax game only matters if you’re playing the wealth game (08:55) Different stages of the wealth game and different rules of the game (11:16) The danger of comparing your journey to other investors (12:02) Rule #1: Entrepreneurs win the tax game (13:20) Rule #2: Avoid the “chaos tax.” (14:53) Why don’t many investors realize how much money they actually made (16:03) You can't do strategy without clarity (19:05) The secure stage and why most entrepreneurs try to skip it (19:26) Building business reserves before expanding (20:38) Bad debt must eventually be eliminated (22:21) Rule #3: Structure is strategy (26:27) Rule #4: Taking advantage of the entrepreneur’s tax gifts (27:06) Examples of simple tax strategies most people overlook (29:06) Partial dispositions explained (30:05) Moving from the secure stage into the expansion stage (30:48) Expenses should grow with reserves, not just revenue (31:24) The rule of three months of reserves before making new hires (34:30) Introducing the concept of the “tax ladder.” (38:32) Marginal tax brackets matter more than most people realize (39:39) Rule #6: Understanding and using Real Estate Professional (REP) status (40:32) What is a tax shelter? (41:38) Rule #7: Tax savings should fund wealth, not lifestyle Who This Episode Is For: Real estate entrepreneurs who want a better tax strategyBusiness owners who are trying to scaleInvestors who want to build long-term wealthEntrepreneurs who want to understand how the tax system worksWhy You Should Listen: In this episode, Marcus and Kaden explain the framework behind that strategy and the financial stages every serious entrepreneur has to move through to win the long game. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    45 min

  3. MAR 6

    Episode 46: Why Some Real Estate Investors Will Pay MORE Taxes Under the “Big Beautiful Bill” - Leon Barnes

    In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Leon Barnes sits down with CPA and fractional CFO Marcus Crigler to break down what the new “Big Beautiful Bill” means for real estate entrepreneurs. While many investors are celebrating the return of 100% bonus depreciation, Marcus explains why the real story is more nuanced. Listen as Marcus walks through the biggest financial mistakes real estate entrepreneurs make while scaling, why cash generation should come before wealth multiplication, how the new tax rules could create major opportunities for investors in higher tax brackets, and how applying these strategies incorrectly could cause others to pay more taxes. You’ll Learn How To: Use cash generation as the foundation for real estate investingAvoid the common scaling mistakesUse bonus depreciation strategically to accelerate wealth What You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:06) What Marcus’s firm does for real estate entrepreneurs (03:51) Why working with a real estate tax specialist matters (07:36) Things people miss the most as they are scaling (08:10) About cash multiplication (09:04) The scarcity that makes you miss out on an opportunity (10:49) The four phases every entrepreneur goes through: Hustle, Secure, Expand, Exit (11:27) Most investors skip the “secure” phase and create long-term problems (14:58) The importance of having a strategy (16:32) Clean books alone are not enough; you must understand the numbers (17:35) Using cash flow forecasting to make better business decisions (18:30) The 52-week cash flow forecast (20:18) Challenges from real estate investors on the financial side (22:01) It is easier and faster to scale up than to scale down (25:54) Breaking down the “Big Beautiful Bill.” (27:41) Why a $100K property can create around a $25K tax deduction (35:49) How the new tax brackets reduce overall tax liability (36:49) The larger standard deduction benefits most taxpayers (38:15) The importance of the Qualified Business Income deduction (39:07) How entrepreneurs can claim a 20% deduction on business income (45:50) The least successful people (49:48) The issues concerning the new bill Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who are scaling their businessesEntrepreneurs who want to reduce taxes legally while building assetsInvestors who are trying to understand the new tax law Why You Should Listen: This conversation breaks down the real implications of the new tax rules and shows how smart investors use them to accelerate wealth. Connect with Leon Barnes: Website: https://thecollectivegenius.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-barnes-79a71652/  Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    54 min

  4. MAR 3

    Episode 45: Why You’re Not at $100K Per Month (And How to Fix That)

    A lot of entrepreneurs say they want to hit $100K per month, but when you look at it, most aren’t building a business that can support it. In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney have an honest conversation about what keeps people stuck. They break down what they call the “Hustle Phase,” where you are making money but still feel chaotic. If you want a clear system for managing cash, visibility into numbers, and an intentional tax strategy, this episode is for you. You’ll Learn How To: Move from hustle to structure in your businessSet up a clean financial foundationCreate profitabilityBuild systems that support long-term wealthWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (01:09) Common goal for a lot of real estate entrepreneurs (03:36) The different paths for entrepreneurs (04:39) Not seeing the business from a financial standpoint (07:35) Why most real estate businesses aren’t truly sellable assets (09:06) What the Hustle Phase looks like (09:31) Entity mistakes that quietly cost investors money (12:45) The tax problems most people don’t see coming (16:43) Cash flow is everything in the early stages (17:18) The three core bank accounts every investor should have (18:34) Banking system vs cash management vs accounting system (21:28) Using financial statements to make decisions (25:10) Structure is a discipline, not a one-time setup (27:10) Tax compliance as a growth strategy (29:41) The trap of chasing “sexy” tax strategies too soon (34:30) Weekly scorecards and tracking the right numbers (35:03) How to know you’re moving out of the Hustle Phase (36:39) Insecurity, comparison, and why entrepreneurs sabotage growth (41:06) The process to make revenue matters more Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who are tired of inconsistent incomeEntrepreneurs who are making money but feeling financial pressureOperators who want to scaleAnyone serious about building real wealthWhy You Should Listen: If you’re working hard but still not at consistent $100K months, this episode explains why. Connect with Kaden Hackney: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaden-h/ Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    42 min

  5. FEB 27

    Episode 44: EXCLUSIVE TRAINING - The $14,000 Per Deal Tax Playbook - What Your CPA Should Be Doing On Every Closing

    In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney break down what it takes to build real wealth and why tax strategy has to be part of the equation from the beginning. The conversation starts with having a clear financial target, and from there, they connect the dots between income, reserves, investing, and using tax strategies to accelerate the path. They also introduce the new Tax Strategy Showroom, real case studies that show how real estate, equipment leasing, and other structured investments can create both wealth and significant tax savings when used strategically. You’ll Learn How To: Set a realistic wealth target that produces financial freedomUse tax strategy to accelerate your pathBuild liquidity and reserves before scaling aggressivelyLeverage structured investments to reduce taxes What You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:34) The $5 million wealth target (04:35) How $5M at 7% produces $20,000 per month after taxes (09:36) The connection between $20K/month and long-term freedom (10:53) The hustle, secure, expand, and invest phases tie together (12:18) Introducing the Tax Strategy Showroom (14:41) Showing case studies about certain key tax strategies (15:33) Case study #1: Turnkey BRRR strategy (20:16) Case study #2: Mobile home park (23:18) Equipment leasing strategy: Leveraged deductions and 6% returns (26:10) Oil & gas investments: When tax benefits enhance long-term upside (30:00) Charitable strategies and conservation easements done the right way (32:32) Software investments: 6% cash flow plus outsized deductions (34:40) Film investments: speculative returns with major deductions (36:39) Crypto tax loss harvesting and capturing paper losses Who This Episode Is For: Real estate entrepreneurs who are working toward financial freedomHigh-income earners looking to reduce tax exposureInvestors exploring structured tax-advantaged opportunities Why You Should Listen: If you understand how the tax code works, you can use it to compound wealth. This episode gives you a broad look at what’s possible and why having options and structure makes a difference. Connect with Kaden Hackney: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaden-h/  Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    39 min

  6. FEB 24

    Episode 43: The Real Reason You Need a Mastermind (It's Not What You Think) with Leon Barnes

    If you are a full-time real estate investor doing 10 deals a month and you want to get to 20, you need to get in a room with someone doing 20. In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler sits down with Leon Barnes, VP of Membership at The Collective Genius, to break down what a mastermind really does. Listen as he shares how Collective Genius grew from a single-tier group of 100+ operators to over 500 members across four tiers, and why most entrepreneurs think they need more strategies when what they actually need is better systems, stronger leadership, and the right room. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Choose the right room for your current level of businessFocus on revenue-producing activitiesUse peer groups as protection against regulatory and market shiftsBuild leadership systems that support long-term growthWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:32) How Leon went from corporate sales to real estate operator to CG leadership (09:27) Joining Collective Genius and were humbled fast (11:38) Growing from 100+ members to 500+ (14:24) Attracting the individual you wanted to attract (17:05) What a mastermind actually is and why most investors misunderstand it (19:14) Why you should be in a room slightly ahead of you (22:28) How CG monitors the “pulse” of the industry in real time (24:03) The growing regulatory pressure on wholesalers and investors (28:05) Real examples of laws that could shut businesses down overnight (31:27) The real “secret sauce” members want right now (34:25) Entrepreneur vs. business owner (36:37) The "gunslinger" trap (39:11) The “Valley of Death” most operators hit in years 3–5 (41:52) Get around like-minded individuals (43:13) The simple acquisition metrics that drive predictable growth (45:15) Why CEOs are back to running appointments (47:11) How to make better decisions using your own board of advisors (49:17) Connect with Leon Barnes Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who want to level upOperators who are stuck in the hustle phaseEntrepreneurs navigating market shiftsInvestors considering joining a mastermindWhy You Should Listen: If you want better decisions, better systems, and better long-term results, this episode will show you why you shouldn’t try to build alone. Connect with Leon Barnes: Website: https://go.thecollectivegenius.com/explorecgmembership/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leon-barnes-79a71652 Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    52 min

  7. FEB 20

    Episode 42: Debt × Time × Scale Wealth - The Real Estate Freedom Formula Nobody Teaches You With David Shaw

    In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, David Shaw shares how he went from international real estate development to scaling a high-volume fix-and-flip business and eventually transitioning into private lending. But the real takeaway isn’t just the evolution of his business but the philosophy behind it. Listen as he breaks down the simple wealth formula that every real estate investor needs to understand. He also explains why lifestyle matters more than ego, the investor avatar that should shape your business decisions, and the Deferred Sales Trust to simplify your portfolio while compounding returns in the long term. Enjoy the show! You’ll Learn How To: Use debt strategically to accelerate wealthBuild scale the right way in a buy-and-hold portfolioTurn active income into long-term passive incomeSimplify your portfolio without triggering massive taxesWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (02:38) Introducing David Shaw and his background (04:54) How David made more money passively than his corporate job and decided to go all in (06:57) Scaling a fix-and-flip business (07:42) Why lifestyle has always been the priority (10:36) How investors naturally evolve through different financial phases (12:24) Why owning too many small rentals eventually creates fatigue (13:27) Lending produced higher returns than rentals (16:29) Making money vs managing money (18:30) Why most investors eventually transition into lending (21:00) Designing your life first, then building the business around it (23:01) The real monthly income number most families need (26:21) The rule of 5 million bucks (30:53) The wealth formula: Debt × Time × Scale (31:35) Debt is the real asset (35:14) How a Deferred Sales Trust works and why he’s using it (41:29) Pivoting quickly when interest rates killed the flip model (42:46) Listening to your investor base instead of forcing a product (46:23) Success is a marathon, not a sprint (49:16) The key to better decisions: educate yourself Who This Episode Is For: Real estate investors who are focused on buy-and-hold wealthFix-and-flippers who are thinking about their long-term exitEntrepreneurs who want freedomAnyone building toward financial independence through real estateWhy You Should Listen: David’s story is a full-cycle example of what a real estate career can look like, from hustle to expansion, to passive income to strategic investing. Connect with David Shaw: Website: https://fullcyclefunding.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidshaw_rei/ Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    52 min

  8. FEB 17

    Episode 41: The Balance Sheet Mistake that Bankrupts Entrepreneurs (Even When Revenue Looks Great)

    When things are great, everybody likes to stare at the P&L because it looks pretty. Revenue is up, profit looks solid, and things feel good. But according to Marcus Crigler, that’s exactly when entrepreneurs get into trouble. In this episode, he breaks down why the real danger isn’t on your profit and loss statement, but it’s on your balance sheet. Specifically, it’s your cash position and liquidity that determine whether you stay secure or slide backward into survival mode. You’ll Learn How To: Improve your liquidity and current ratioAvoid skipping the “secure” phase before expandingKnow when to slow down and strengthen your foundationUse a CFO to make forward-looking decisionsWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: (03:18) What Marcus is seeing in today’s capital markets (05:28) Buy-and-hold looks different with today’s interest rates (06:44) Shorter hold times and lower risk strategies in uncertain markets (08:05) More equity is required in today’s deals (11:22) Marcus on financing real estate properties (14:06) The market’s shift toward strengthening balance sheets (14:43) What the current ratio is and why it matters (16:16) The four phases: Hustle → Secure → Expand → Exit (16:56) The secure phase is the most overlooked step (19:02) The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make before expanding (20:02) How bad debt keeps you stuck in a cycle (23:32) Important role of a good CFO (25:06) Why you need a KPI dashboard with green, yellow, red indicators (28:51) Why you can’t delegate wealth building to a financial advisor (30:20) Understanding the tax consequences of investments matters (30:53) The fear entrepreneurs face during exit (33:21) The expand phase is the right time to prepare for exit (55:39) The power of masterminds and surrounding yourself with strong operators Who This Episode Is For: Real estate entrepreneurs who are focused on revenue but tight on cashBusiness owners who are preparing to scaleOperators who have grown quickly but lack financial structureEntrepreneurs thinking about long-term wealth and exitWhy You Should Listen: This episode is a reminder that real wealth is built on a strong foundation. If you skip the secure phase, ignore liquidity, or expand without structure, you risk undoing years of progress. Connect with Marcus Crigler: Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

    38 min
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Strength in Numbers with Marcus Crigler is the #1 podcast for real estate entrepreneurs who make good money but struggle with cash flow, tax planning, and building real wealth. If you're tired of living deal to deal, wondering where your money goes, and paying too much in taxes, this show will transform how you manage your real estate business finances.Host Marcus Crigler, CEO of BEC CFO Services, helps real estate investors escape financial stress by implementing proven wealth-building systems, advanced tax strategies, and cash flow management techniques that turn chaotic finances into predictable profit machines.Real estate wholesalers, fix and flip investors, and rental property owners making six or seven figures but still living paycheck to paycheck will discover how to stop constantly chasing the next deal. If you're overwhelmed by bookkeeping, financial management, and paying massive tax bills without knowing how to reduce them legally, you're ready to stop surviving and start building generational wealth.Every episode delivers actionable strategies on real estate tax planning, business cash flow optimization, wealth building for entrepreneurs, and financial systems that create freedom. Learn real estate tax deductions, legal tax avoidance strategies, cash flow forecasting, business budgeting for real estate investors, profit and loss analysis, entity structuring for tax benefits, and wealth building strategies beyond closing deals.Most real estate entrepreneurs focus on deal flow but ignore money flow. They hire accountants who only file taxes instead of providing proactive tax planning. Marcus shows you how to keep more of what you make, reduce your tax burden legally, and create financial systems that work whether you close one deal or ten deals per month.Listen to case studies of real estate investors who've saved $50K+ in taxes annually, built seven-figure net worth, and achieved financial freedom. Learn from entrepreneurs who've transformed their businesses from cash-hungry operations into wealth-generating machines.This isn't just spreadsheets and tax codes. It's about creating a real estate business that supports your lifestyle, reduces financial stress, and builds lasting wealth. Marcus addresses the mindset shifts, business systems, and financial habits that separate successful real estate entrepreneurs from those stuck in survival mode.If you like The BiggerPockets Money Podcast, Money Rahab with Nicole Lapin, The Dave Ramsey Show, or The Rich Dad Radio Show, you'll love Strength in Numbers.Subscribe now and join thousands of real estate professionals who've discovered that true wealth doesn’t come from closing more deals, but from keeping more of what you make. Stop living deal to deal. Start building wealth that lasts.

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