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If it takes you an hour or more to make one reel, I can tell you right now how that reel is going to do: badly.

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin sit down with Juan O'Campo, founder and owner of Family Auto in the Dallas-Fort Worth area — six locations, 3,000 accounts, 78 employees, 160 units a month, and a $57 million portfolio built entirely in-house, entirely within the Hispanic community, and entirely without paying a single dollar in advertising. Juan started as a cop, spent a decade as the first manager at Tricolor, moved to California to turn around their worst market, came home to Fort Worth in 2017 with nothing but what he had learned — and built one of the most quietly elite buy here pay here operations in the country.What You'll Learn:How Juan went from Acapulco, Mexico to Fort Worth cop to Tricolor's first manager to running a $57 million BHPH portfolio — and why leaving a VP track to start his own store was the only move that made senseHow Family Auto carries 2024 and 2025 model year trucks and SUVs in-house at $40,000 average loan values — getting $10,000 to $12,000 down and collecting $400,000 to $450,000 every two weeks — from a customer base that cannot get approved anywhere elseWhy Juan pays zero dollars in advertising — no radio, no TV, no Facebook, no Google — and how 18 cars given away to people in need last year generated more referrals and goodwill than any marketing spend ever couldThe customer grading system Juan uses to underwrite without credit scores or Social Security numbers — using utility bills, insurance history, and a manager-to-customer interview on every single delivery as the real underwriting engineHow Juan bootstrapped from 20 cash sales a month to a $1 million line of credit from Primaland in his tenth month — and how that line grew to $25 million and is now transitioning to a $30 million facility as the portfolio crosses 3,000 accountsWhy Juan runs his own recon shops, does his own collections in-house, never outsources, and reinvests every dollar back into the business — and what he learned from watching Tricolor price themselves out of the customer's reachHow Family Luz y Esperanza — Juan's nonprofit for domestic violence and child abuse survivors — is not just a community mission but the single biggest competitive advantage his dealership has, five years ahead of anyone trying to do what he doesIf you are an independent or buy here pay here dealer trying to understand what it looks like to build something truly elite — from nothing, for a customer nobody else will serve, with no advertising budget and no shortcuts — this is the most inspiring conversation we have had on this podcast in a long time.Support the businesses that support the podcast:Buckeye Risk Services - Reinsurance and wealth strategies for independent dealers. https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeyeBlytz - BHPH payment processing with fast funding and text-to-pay. https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpayIturan GPS - Asset protection and customer management for BHPH and retail dealers. https://theindependentdealer.com/ituranFollow & Connect: Website: www.theindependentdealer.com Facebook Group: @independentautogroup Luke Godwin: @lukegodwin Jeff Watson: /sendtojeffwLike, subscribe, and share this with a dealer who needs to hear it.

There's no shortage of information about short-term rentals.Podcasts. YouTube videos. Facebook groups. AI. Courses. Conferences. Tools. Software.In fact, sometimes there's so much information that figuring out what you actually need to do next becomes the hard part.And if you're a newer host, it can leave you wondering whether you're really ready to do this at all.In this episode, I'm sitting down with my friend Jodie Odlin, short-term rental host, hospitality professional, and creator of the Hospitable Hosts book series, to talk about what actually makes someone a great host — and spoiler alert: it isn't having every piece of technology, every fancy amenity, or every system perfectly dialed in.Sometimes, you need to get back to basics.We talk about the difference between simply owning a short-term rental and truly understanding hospitality, why more information doesn't necessarily create better hosts, and how to turn what you're learning into action instead of allowing it to become another source of overwhelm.Jodie also shares one of the biggest mistakes she made in her own STR business — waiting years to collect guest email addresses — and why building relationships with your guests beyond the OTAs matters.And because this is a conversation between Jodie and me, we somehow take a rather unexpected detour into… beekeeping.

Getting started as a photographer can feel a little magical. Your friends and family book you, word starts to spread, and clients come in without you having to think too hard about marketing or positioning. But as your business grows, your prices increase, and you want to attract a more specific type of client, those early referrals may not fuel your business the way they once did.That doesn't mean your work suddenly isn't good enough or other photographers are better than you. It usually means your business needs what every growing business needs: clear positioning, consistent marketing, and a referral strategy you're actively steering. In this episode, I'm sharing why I will never fully rely on referrals, what happened when I took my own foot off the marketing gas, and how visibility helps you stay in the driver's seat of your business.We're talking:Why friends, family, and word of mouth can only take your business so farThe six-week lag I experienced after stepping away from marketingWhy good work alone is not a differentiatorReferrals as a byproduct versus a real strategyHow well-positioned marketing makes sales calls feel easierThe one lever you can pull when inquiries slow downLinks & Resources✨ Join Rebrand: My 12 month transformative brand program for photographers who want to attract and book more brand photography clients. Learn more here!

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin check back in with Nick Markosian of Markosian Auto — a multi-location buy here pay here operator, NIADA board member, and one of the most candid voices in the independent dealer space — for a wide-ranging conversation about what the last 18 months have actually looked like. Nick doesn't sugarcoat it. Lost his mojo. A three-year lawsuit draining resources. Closing a remote location. A portfolio that's been shrinking on purpose. And an honest take on what survival looks like in one of the toughest business cycles the industry has seen in years.What You'll Learn:-Why Nick is closing his Logan, Utah location — and the honest answer to what makes remote locations so hard to run when resources are already stretched thin-How a three-year lawsuit funded by private equity nearly derailed his business — and what every dealer needs to know about litigation being used as a weapon against small operators-Why Nick paid down seven million dollars in debt over the last two years instead of chasing growth — and why he thinks that discipline is exactly what will position him to win when the cycle turns-How Nick's collections manager built a door-knocking campaign and a late fee waiver text that pulled in thousands of dollars from 30-plus-day accounts — and what scrappy collections actually looks like at a portfolio under pressure-Why subprime lenders are buying as deep as ever despite rising delinquencies — and how that is pulling customers away from buy here pay here at a rate most dealers are not ready to admit-Why Nick believes AI is finally a legitimate lead management tool — and what he learned from a Copart AI phone call that changed the way he thinks about using it in collections and BDC-Why every independent dealer who plans to be in the industry five years from now needs to show up to the NIADA DC Policy Conference — and what it actually looks like when dealers walk into a senator's office and tell their storyIf you are a buy here pay here dealer going through a hard season right now — watching your portfolio shrink, questioning your decisions, wondering when the cycle turns — Nick's conversation is the most honest one you are going to find about what it looks like to weather it with your business and your sanity intact.Support the businesses that support the podcast:Buckeye Risk Services - Reinsurance and wealth strategies for independent dealers. https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeyeBlytz - BHPH payment processing with fast funding and text-to-pay. https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpayIturan GPS - Asset protection and customer management for BHPH and retail dealers. https://theindependentdealer.com/ituranFollow & Connect: Website: www.theindependentdealer.com Facebook Group: @independentautogroup Luke Godwin: @lukegodwin Jeff Watson: /sendtojeffwLike, subscribe, and share this with a dealer who needs to hear it.

You have invested in your craft. You've done the work. Your portfolio is strong. And somehow, it still feels like you're the best-kept secret that nobody knows about.This is one of the most demoralizing places to be in business because the thing you can point to, your work, isn't actually the thing that's broken. At a certain point, the gap isn't skill. It's everything happening around the skill. Because as much as we'd all love for great work to simply speak for itself, the market doesn't automatically reward talent. It rewards the photographers who can clearly communicate their value, build trust, and make the right client think, “That's exactly what I need.”In this episode, we're looking at what actually keeps talented brand photographers stuck and the four gaps that could be standing between you and better clients, stronger inquiries, and more bookings. And yes, I'm going to tell you to put down the Lightroom catalog for a minute.

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin check in with Garrett Jones of Ella Boulevard Motors in Houston, Texas — a second-generation dealer who took over a 1940s gas station doing 8 to 10 cars a month and has quietly grown it to 300-plus accounts while navigating a DMS switch, a new payment processor, a building remodel, a reinsurance upgrade, and an RFC — all in roughly the same 18-month window. This is what growing pains actually look like when a dealer is doing it right.What You'll Learn:Why Garrett switched from a Texas-based DMS he'd used for years to Automasters — and what finally pushed him over the edge after fighting the decision for monthsHow a $15,000 exterior remodel on a 1940s inner-city Houston gas station changed the way customers showed up — and why BHPH buyers care more about a clean, welcoming lot than most dealers thinkWhy Garrett launched an RFC despite Luke telling him not to — and the honest conversation about when kicking the tax can down the road makes sense and when it doesn'tHow Garrett manages a 15 to 18 percent leverage ratio on a real estate-backed line of credit — and why the type of line you have completely changes how aggressively you should use itWhy Garrett keeps his ACV under $6,500, targets Toyotas, Hondas, and Fords at 130,000 miles, and averages $1,900 to $2,000 in down payments — and why discipline on those numbers is what funds the reinsurance accountThe threshold Luke says every buy here pay here dealer needs to hit before they stop owning a job and start owning a business — and why 40 to 50 sales a month or 500 accounts is the number that changes everythingWhy Garrett went from a 3-and-3 warranty to a 6-and-6 — and the honest debate about whether a 12-and-12 or 24-and-24 makes sense when your ACV is under $6,000If you are a buy here pay here dealer in the thick of modernizing your operation — new systems, new vendors, new growth targets, and not enough cash flow to do all of it at once — Garrett's story is the most honest version of what that actually looks like from the inside.Support the businesses that support the podcast:Buckeye Risk Services - Reinsurance and wealth strategies for independent dealers.https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeyeBlytz - BHPH payment processing with fast funding and text-to-pay.https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpayIturan GPS - Asset protection and customer management for BHPH and retail dealers.https://theindependentdealer.com/ituranFollow & Connect:Website: www.theindependentdealer.comFacebook Group: @independentautogroupLuke Godwin: @lukegodwinJeff Watson: /sendtojeffwLike, subscribe, and share this with a dealer who needs to hear it.

Get your FREE copy of "The Ultimate Anti-Cancer Food Guide" here: https://cancerfreedomprogram.com/ultimateanticancer There are two everyday ingredients linked to lower cancer recurrence — and most doctors will never mention them. Not because they don't work, but because food was never part of the conversation. If you've finished treatment and you're doing everything you can to keep cancer from coming back, what's on your plate matters more than most people realize. The same goes if you're newly diagnosed or high-risk and trying to stack the odds in your favor. These two ingredients turn up again and again in the research on recurrence, yet they rarely make it into a single appointment. So let me show you how it's done. Join the Cancer Freedom Program Apply HERE: https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_content=cancer_freedom_podcast #cancerfighter #cancersurvivor #breastcancer #breastcancersurvivors #cancerrecovery #cancernutrition #mastectomy #tamoxifen #anastrozole #letrozole #exemestane PS - Whenever you're ready, here are the 2 best ways I can help you… Get your FREE copy of "The Ultimate Anti-Cancer Food Guide" here: https://cancerfreedomprogram.com/ultimateanticancer Join the Cancer Freedom Program Apply HERE: https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_content=cancer_freedom_podcast Let's Connect: Website: https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_content=cancer_freedom_podcast  

How do you turn one of the hardest seasons of your life into the catalyst for a hospitality business that changes not just your family's future, but your guests' experience too? In this episode, I sit down with Joanna Woods, a British short-term rental host and co-host who manages properties in Grapevine, Texas, all the way from her home an hour north of Liverpool.We talk about:Navigating a life-altering family shift when her son became a wheelchair user, discovering wheelchair motocross (WCMX), and purchasing a home in Grapevine, Texas, to support his international athletic competitions.Reinvesting property cash flow into high-impact experiential amenities—like transforming an acre of land to include a game barn, outdoor cinema, pool table, and cowboy pool.Managing transatlantic operations by building an elite local team and creating a family "shift pattern" to ensure 24/7 guest support despite a six-hour time difference.Leveraging the Airbnb co-host network to scale, optimizing listings by restricting calendars to three-month windows, and actively analyzing daily search and pricing data.Using AI to mine guest reviews for exact phrasing, updating property copy to speak directly to both human guests and search algorithms, and making data-driven pricing adjustments during seven-day booking windows.Joanna pulls back the curtain on how she transitioned from seeing a property as a way to cover family travel bills to operating a high-performing hospitality brand. You'll hear how she balances market metrics with heart-led hospitality, constantly refining her listings to address missing guest needs while building a business that gives her family total flexibility.If you are a high-achieving professional wondering how to turn personal adversity into a thriving hospitality enterprise and manage operations remotely without losing quality, this conversation is your blueprint. Get ready to learn how to drop perfectionism and start leading your life and business with intention.HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[00:56] A short introduction about our guest Joanna Woods, shares how an unexpected family journey led her from long-term rentals in the UK to discovering short-term rentals in Texas[05:40] Joanna recounts the whirlwind journey of launching her first U.S. short-term rental while supporting her son's wheelchair motocross world championship competition[08:28] Joanna reveals what made her fall in love with hospitality after launching her first short-term rental[10:44] How Joanna's family manages overseas short-term rental operations across time zones with strong systems and a trusted local team [13:10] Joanna explains how co-hosting created a path to grow her short-term rental business without traditional financing options[15:16] Why co-hosting became the ideal path for growing her short-term rental business without the financial pressure of property management [17:44] Joanna shares how saying yes to an unexpected opportunity helped her land her first co-hosting clients from across the world[20:24] How Joanna maintained Airbnb visibility and optimized a part-time vacation rental impacted by owner stays[23:06] Joanna and I discuss how small listing updates, guest feedback, and AI analysis can transform Airbnb performance[27:44] Why AI requires human oversight, clear instructions, and careful review when used in short-term rentals[29:31] Joanna shares how tracking revenue, conversion metrics, and Airbnb insights helped her make smarter pricing decisions and maximize property performance[33:05] Joanna shares how she balances pricing data, market experience, and intuition when making revenue management decisions[36:03] Joanna shares the mindset shift that transformed her from someone who simply listed properties on Airbnb into a true hospitality business owner[39:55] The lightning round Golden Nuggets:“Co-hosting is a wonderful way for folks who want to grow their portfolio and grow their experience and expand their team.”“If I had to start over again, I would absolutely move into co-hosting first because as a property manager, I didn't realize early on how cash intensive the property management business is.”“Whether you tell yourself you can or you can't, you're right. So let's tell ourselves we can.”“We can all benefit by hearing someone else's story.”Let's Connect: Website : https://www.pathfindervacations.co/Facebook : www.facebook.com/p/Pathfinder-Vacations-LLC-100095005793929/Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/pathfindervacationsllc/Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

This is the very last residential retreat of 2026 — and it begins tomorrow. If part of you has been circling it, this is the moment.  After tomorrow, there won't be another chance to gather like this — overnight, in one house, at the wild edge of the continent. Fear to Freedom Retreat · Olympic Peninsula · begins tomorrow, Saturday 7pm. One bed remains, in a shared room. $1,760 covers everything, meals and all. Take the last bed → workwithgrace.com (The next retreat after this is women-only, October 29–November 1 in Seattle — a four-day Day of the Dead/Samhain gathering on loss, grief, and anger, where you'll stay nearby or commute daily. So this one tomorrow is the last residential one of the year.) Here's what came up this morning. It was First Friday — our open inquiry session, you can watch it below — and we looked at a concept that lives at the center of the human condition:  I need life to go a certain way. And I need it not to go a painful way. One inquirer had found two job listings. Both look great. She sees herself as an ideal candidate for each. Interviews are coming. Will she get one? What will it be like? Wouldn't that be amazing, says the mind. And everyone found their own version: A 43rd anniversary that needs to be romantic. A kid being delivered to college — packing, finances, logistics, all of it in order first. An event to attend, with no clear way to get there. A spouse who leaves things out instead of putting them away. Agreement, please, on the internet. It's incredible how fast the mind offers up the ideal version and the terrible version.  Avoid the terrible. Pray for the fabulous. Why question this at all? Because it's stressful to grip what we hope will happen, and stressful to meet what we don't want.  And underneath it all sits what I want — is that really where I want to live?  Referenced entirely from Me, Myself, and I and this personal life navigating through the world? Who am I without the story of needing it to go "my" favorable way? Willing. Open. Curious.  Genuinely interested in finding out however it goes. We've all watched something "terrible" turn out to open a door, right?  A new direction, a change we'd never have chosen that turned out to be deeply good.  So how can we ever be sure the threatening thing is bad? We don't even know that about death itself! Who are we without our stories? That's the whole invitation of this retreat. Come find out — in a small circle, with a lake and an ocean and a week of unhurried time to actually look. It starts tomorrow. There's one bed left. Join us by taking the very last bed at the retreat →workwithgrace.com And even if you never attend retreat....isn't it profound to consider your mind is not the conductor of the universe, that it may not have all the answers, that it doesn't NEED to know?  Wow. How fun. How amazing. 

We have an epidemic on our hands… and it's not that photographers aren't posting enough. It's that we're so focused on creating the perfect Instagram aesthetic that we've accidentally made ourselves disappear. If you've ever waited to post until your hair looked better, your grid felt cohesive, or your caption was just right, this episode is for you.Today we're talking about why your dream clients aren't hiring you because your feed is pretty. They're hiring you because they feel like they know you. If your content looks polished but lacks personality or perspective, you could be blending in instead of standing out. I'm sharing why connection will always outperform perfection, how to stop hiding behind your aesthetic, and the mindset shift that can completely change the way you show up online.We're talking:Why a perfect Instagram grid can actually hurt your brandThe difference between looking polished and building real connectionA simple question to test whether your content is truly recognizableWhy your perspective matters more than your aestheticHow over-explaining and caveating your content can hold you backThe role personality plays in attracting dream clientsLinks & Resources✨ Join the Rebrand Waitlist: Be the first to know when doors open this September for my 12-month marketing program for brand photographers who are ready to build a brand with a clear point of view.

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin sit down fresh off TIADA 2026 in Texas to break down one of the most debated topics in the independent dealer world right now — the hybrid model. Should a buy here pay here dealer add retail? Should a retail dealer start carrying in-house notes? Jeff and Luke have both tried it, both lived the consequences, and both have very different takes on which direction is harder, which direction makes more sense, and what it actually takes to do either one without blowing up your operation.What You'll Learn:Why retail dealers are missing 10 to 20 percent of their leads by not offering in-house financing — and the right way to step into buy here pay here without turning it into an afterthoughtHow Luke prices his lot so salespeople instantly know which cars are in-house deals and which are outside finance — without ever having to askThe first question every salesperson should ask every customer who walks on the lot or calls in — and why leading with the car instead of the credit is the single biggest mistake in a hybrid operationWhy buy here pay here recon runs $1,600 to $1,800 per car and retail recon runs $600 to $800 — and what that difference tells you about how each model actually worksWhy Luke went all-in on 100 percent buy here pay here after a year of trying both — and how his portfolio grew immediately once he stopped splitting his focusThe subprime lender strategy that lets buy here pay here dealers dip their toes into outside financing without changing their pricing or their inventory mixWhy buy here pay here is a collections business disguised as a car business — and what happens to dealers who treat it like sales insteadIf you are a buy here pay here dealer thinking about adding retail, or a retail dealer thinking about carrying notes — this is the most honest conversation you are going to find about what it actually looks like when you try to do both.Support the businesses that support the podcast:Buckeye Risk Services - Reinsurance and wealth strategies for independent dealers. https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeyeBlytz - BHPH payment processing with fast funding and text-to-pay. https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpayIturan GPS - Asset protection and customer management for BHPH and retail dealers. https://theindependentdealer.com/ituranFollow & Connect:Website: www.theindependentdealer.comFacebook Group: @independentautogroupLuke Godwin: @lukegodwinJeff Watson: /sendtojeffwLike, subscribe, and share this with a dealer who needs to hear it.

In this episode of Neue Thing Podcast, we dig into Ephesians 4:13, picking up mid-thought from Paul's teaching on the gifts God has given the church. These gifts aren't for show — they're meant to build up the body of Christ and move us toward maturity.We talk about what it looks like to lead in a way that builds the church up instead of tearing it down, and why staying rooted in God's Word (rather than our own opinions about it) is what protects us from false teaching. When we disconnect from community and stop using the gifts we've been given, we become easy targets for every wind of false doctrine that comes our way.The heart of this passage points us toward two things: unity and maturity — so that we're no longer tossed around, easily deceived. And we close with a reminder that Jesus isn't just our Savior who forgives sin — He's Lord, which means our lives, our will, our everything is surrendered to Him.In this episode:What Ephesians 4:13 teaches us about spiritual gifts and purposeWhy detachment from the church leaves us vulnerable to false teachingThe difference between reading God's Word rightly vs. reading our opinions into itAiming toward unity and maturity in ChristJesus as Savior and LordEPISODE LINKSAwake O Sleeper in-person study - Cornerstone Church, Chandler, AZAwake O Sleeper in-person study - Scottsdale Bible Church, Scottsdale, AZWHAT IS NEUE THING?Neue Thing is a non-profit ministry, founded by Cherie Wagner, that exists to equip women with the Word of God. Cherie's life-long passion is two-fold: knowing Jesus Christ and making Him known. Author of Found On My Knees, Awake O Sleeper, Rest, Hope, Psalms for Life, and Knowing Your Name, Cherie writes Bible studies for women that will encourage them to know and believe God's Word, equip them to live it, and empower them to take it and transform this generation for Jesus Christ.CONNECT Website: https://neuething.org/Email Subscription link:https://neuething.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neuethinginc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neuethingGive to Neue Thing: https://neuething.org/give/RESOURCESProverbs: The Wise, The Fool, The WickedKnowing Your NameFound On My Knees: The Journey from Brokenness to BlessingAwake O Sleeper: EphesiansRest: 30 Days of Exploring God's Invitation to RestHope: Tethered to an Unwavering GodPsalms for Life

How do you know when it's time to stop pushing through and finally pivot—even when everything you've built looks successful from the outside? Most professionals assume scaling is a one-way street and that stepping back means giving up. In this episode, I sit down with Leah Yuhasz, a former nurse, mom, real estate agent, and short-term rental operator from Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. We're unpacking what it really looks like to scale a management business, hit a personal breaking point, and intentionally choose a new season that puts family and sanity first.We talk about:Transitioning from a high-stakes nursing career into real estate, leveraging cost segregation and bonus depreciation tax strategies to scale a portfolio across Destin, Panama City Beach, and Asheville.The operational shift from managing personal assets to handling client properties using management software like Hospitable and OwnerRez to streamline guest communication and owner relations.Facing the invisible emotional load of property management—nonstop guest messages, constant maintenance logistics, and the silent strain it puts on a marriage and family life.Unwinding a business with intention by transitioning clients to trusted boutique managers, selling a primary investment asset, and utilizing house hacking along Florida's Emerald Coast to maintain wealth creation with far less friction.Navigating the psychological aftermath of a business pivot, including overcoming the impulse to constantly produce and learning how to reclaim personal energy without feeling guilty.Leah pulls back the curtain on the moment she realized her growing business was pulling her away from being present with her kids. You'll hear how she and her husband shifted their entire strategy away from high-volume operations and toward a sustainable, family-first model that honors their long-term wealth goals without sacrificing their daily peace.If you are a high-achiever wondering how to step off the hamster wheel of endless growth, realign your business with your true priorities, and make a courageous pivot, this conversation is your blueprint. Get ready to learn how to drop perfectionism and start leading your life and business with intention.HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[00:59] A short introduction about our guest Leah Yuhasz, and shares how early motherhood, financial curiosity, and exposure to investing conversations go her into short-term rentals[05:49] Leah explains how one investment property became the foundation for a short-term rental management business[10:09] Leah walks through how her portfolio expanded from managing her own arbitrage property and one additional owner relationship into a 10-property management portfolio[13:22] The hidden pressure that comes with managing multiple properties and the challenge of balancing high standards, business growth, and personal relationships[20:41] Leah shares the moment she realized she needed to slow down and rethink how she wanted to grow[23:43] Leah opens up about the difficult decision to step away from her management company after years of growth[28:08] Leah reflects on the emotional adjustment of life after stepping away from her management business[30:11] Leah shares how her pivot created space to be more present for her family while continuing to serve others in a new way[31:28] How stepping away from daily property management helped Leah transform years of short-term rental experience into a new opportunity to serve investors[35:00] Leah shares her advice for anyone who is questioning whether it is time to make a change in their business or personal life[35:31] The lightning round Golden Nuggets:“Working with your spouse is very different from raising a family with your spouse, or being married to your spouse.”“To grow carefully is to do yourself and your property owners a favor.”“When we're giving other people our energy and we're not able to recharge ourselves, we're draining our own battery, and eventually it's going to give out.”“You're having to pivot, that's not failing at all, that's simply making a change. So many people look at pivoting as failure.”“I look at pivoting as a beautiful thing. It's an opportunity for us to, to change and also to grow and stretch in different ways, and oftentimes to recharge as well.”Let's Connect: Website : https://www.savvy.realty/meet-the-teamInstagram : https://www.instagram.com/leah.yuhasz/Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

Have you ever looked at your life and asked, "God, where are you in this?" Maybe you feel surrounded by chaos with no sign of His hand moving. In this episode, I take you deep into the book of Esther, adding history I researched myself that most people have never heard, so you can see the full picture of what was really happening behind the scenes with Vashti, Esther, Mordecai, and Haman. My hope is that by the end, you'll walk away understanding that wherever God has placed you, whatever influence you carry, you are there for a reason, and He wants to know what you'll do with it. Three reasons to listen: 1 - Understand the influence you carry, at home, at work, anywhere. 2 - Get the real history behind Esther that reframes the whole story. 3 - Take a hard look at your own heart posture. Where to dive in: 00:00 Why Esther's story is for you, right now 13:59 Who was King Ahasuerus, really? 18:25 Vashti's downfall: the cost of doing your own thing 38:23 Esther rises: beauty, humility, and obedience 47:16 Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman 1:05:10 "If I perish, I perish": Esther's courage 1:08:35 Haman's plot backfires 1:13:58 What's your heart posture today? About your host: Jaime Luce' testimony has daunting personal mountains and treacherous financial valleys. She was trapped in day-to-day stress and couldn't see a way forward. But how she started is not how she finished! And she wants you to know God has a plan for your life too, no matter how tough it seems. Today, Jaime has been married to the love of her life for almost three decades, owns two companies, and has become an author and podcaster. God's way is always the blessed way! Free chapter of Jaime's new book: You Don't Need Money, You Just Need God: https://jaimeluce.com/book/ Connect: - Website: https://jaimeluce.com - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaime.luces.page - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaime_luce/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-luce-00395691/

How to prepare your body for labor is not about doing every single thing the internet tells you to do. It is about knowing what actually helps.In this episode, we're talking with Dr. ShaRhae Matousek, a prenatal and perinatal chiropractor, about what it really looks like to get your body, mind, and home ready for labor and postpartum. We get into why so much birth prep information can leave you feeling more overwhelmed instead of less, and what to focus on instead. We also talk about the nervous system's role in labor, and why feeling safe matters just as much as any physical prep.What you'll hear:Why your nervous system runs the whole show during labor, and how calming it down can actually help labor progressWhat the Webster technique is and how prenatal chiropractic care supports pelvic balanceWhy common tension patterns (think: that right hip that always aches) show up during pregnancy, and simple ways to notice and shift themHow to build a birth team that covers your bases, from your doula to your chiropractor to your pelvic floor therapistWhy letting go of a rigid birth plan, and using tools like affirmation cards, can help you feel steadier when things shiftDr. ShaRhae Matousek is a chiropractor and owner of Real Health Chiropractic in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. She holds a fellowship in pediatrics and obstetrics through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and is Webster certified.Links for this episode:Real Health Chiropractic: https://www.realhealthclinic.com/Childbirth Education Videos: https://www.how2mom.com/product/childbirth-class-on-demand/Motherhood Affirmation Cards: https://www.how2mom.com/product/motherhood-affirmation-cards/Thank you so much for listening to the Mom2Mom Podcast! This podcast is meant to empower women and bring the community together through storytelling and education. Here, you will find encouragement, support and community. We are your community. And we're so happy to have you!Join the email list to be notified when episodes go live HERE! Please also make sure  to comment, share and subscribe! xoxo, StephanieLet's Connect:Website (how2mom.com) Instagram (@how2mom)Facebook (@how2mom)TikTok (@how.2.mom)Twitter (@how_2_mom)Linkedin (@how2mom)Pinterest (@how2mom)YouTube (@how2mom)

Get your FREE copy of "AZ Guide to Staying Cancer Free" here: https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/azcancerfree Most breast cancer survivors finish treatment feeling relieved — but the silent signs of breast cancer recurrence can appear long before your next scan, and most women have no idea what to look for. Your oncologist checks the obvious things. But recurrence doesn't always announce itself with a lump or obvious symptom. Whether you are newly diagnosed, a long-term survivor, or high risk for developing cancer — knowing what your body is trying to tell you between appointments could change everything. So let me show you how it's done. Join the Cancer Freedom Program Apply HERE:https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_content=cancer_freedom_podcast #cancerfighter #cancersurvivor #breastcancer #breastcancersurvivors #cancerrecovery #cancernutrition #mastectomy #tamoxifen #anastrozole #letrozole #exemestane PS - Whenever you're ready, here are the 2 best ways I can help you… Get your FREE copy of "AZ Guide to Staying Cancer Free" here: https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/azcancerfree   Join the Cancer Freedom Program Apply HERE: https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_content=cancer_freedom_podcast Let's Connect: Website: https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_content=cancer_freedom_podcast  

Most photographers wait until they feel ready to raise their prices, but unfortunately, ready is just not something that shows up. Readiness is not the signal that it's time for a price increase. But there are real signals you can watch for that clue you in to when that price hike you've been putting off is actually overdue.This is the conversation nobody really wants to have, and I'll be honest, 2026 is a tough year to raise prices. But that doesn't mean you don't deserve to get paid what you're worth. In this episode, I'm walking through the obvious and not-so-obvious signs it's time to raise your prices, so you can stop guessing and start charging what actually makes sense for the business you're running.We're talking:The 3 obvious signs you're overdue for a price increaseWhy resentment toward your sessions is almost always a pricing problem in disguiseWhat your inquiry-to-booking rate is actually telling you about your pricesWhy your price is a brand signal, whether you want it to be or notThe truth about asking friends and family what you should charge Why confidence comes after you raise your prices, not beforeLinks & Resources✨ Join Rebrand: My 12 month transformative brand and marketing program for photographers to build the visibility that gets them booked out. Learn more here!

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin hit the expo floor at the NIADA 2026 National Convention in Denver, Colorado to introduce independent dealers to vendors they may not know yet – and a couple of product categories the industry has been waiting on longer than it realizes. Four stops, four conversations, zero fluff. Just tools that could actually move the needle on how you appraise, acquire, list, recon, and sell cars in 2026.What You'll Learn:How PAVE uses AI and a smartphone to produce a consistent condition report, damage assessment, and retail listing photos in under two minutes – no photo booth, no manual process, and full integration with your CRM or DMSHow CarVid automates your entire Facebook Marketplace operation – posting, reposting, deleting, and responding to buyer inquiries with an AI that dealers say nobody has ever identified as a bot – and how the buying side tool scans new listings every ten minutes so you never miss a street buyWhy Accurate OEM remanufactured catalytic converters are a third of the price of new OEM, come with a 12-month 12,000-mile warranty, guaranteed fitment via VIN lookup, and ship two-day to 47 states – and why that solves one of the most expensive and frustrating recon headaches in the independent spaceHow Aviloo's three-minute OBD battery health test is already the standard at auctions across Europe and why it is coming to Mannheim and every major U.S. auction – and why dealers buying EVs today without one are flying blind on a $15,000 to $18,000 risk per unitWhy Jeff is scared to test his EV inventory and what Brett at Aviloo said that changed the way he thinks about battery health as a buying and marketing tool – not just a liabilityHow a free battery check event can pull EV owners into your lot, get their car on a hoist, and turn a service visit into a street buy opportunity in one conversationIf you are an independent dealer who walked the hall in Denver and missed these booths – or did not make it to NIADA this year – this episode is your shortcut to what was worth stopping for.Support the businesses that support the podcast:Buckeye Risk Services - Reinsurance and wealth strategies for independent dealers.https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeyeBlytz - BHPH payment processing with fast funding and text-to-pay.https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpayIturan GPS - Asset protection and customer management for BHPH and retail dealers.https://theindependentdealer.com/ituranFollow & Connect:Website: www.theindependentdealer.comFacebook Group: @independentautogroupLuke Godwin: @lukegodwinJeff Watson: /sendtojeffwLike, subscribe, and share this with a dealer who needs to hear it.

 EPISODE DESCRIPTION I sat down with John O'Connor from RealFi to dig into one of the most overlooked problems in crypto , the fact that the $350 billion sitting in stablecoins is doing almost nothing for the people who hold it. Tether and Circle pocket the yield while you hold a digital dollar that just sits there. John walks me through exactly how RealFi flips that model, channeling your stable coins directly into real world credit markets and passing the returns back to you. We talk about USDR and sUSDR, how they manage liquidity risk and redemptions, why DeFi security is an existential threat right now, and why John actually wants RealFi to be called boring. We also get into the future of decentralised neo-banking in emerging markets, what lessons he carried over from his time as the first hire at Cardano, and why product market fit today matters more than a promised roadmap. DISCLAIMERNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. It would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend. Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/ CONNECT Website: https://realfi.coRealFi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/real-fi/Twitter/X: https://x.com/realfi_coRealFi Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Real_FiJohn O'Connor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjtoconnor/John O'Connor Twitter/X: https://x.com/jjtoconnor?lang=enWeb3 with Sam Kamani: https://www.web3pod.xyz/ KEY POINTS WITH TIMESTAMPS • [00:00] Sam introduces John O'Connor from RealFi and the topic of productive stablecoins• [01:02] John shares his origin story , from Eve Online in-game currencies to Bitcoin to Cardano as its first hire• [02:54] The core problem: $350 billion in stablecoins sitting idle while Tether and Circle keep all the yield• [04:21] Who the primary users are , institutional allocators, trading collateral, and protocol treasuries• [07:05] Explaining USDR and sUSDR , the base stablecoin versus the staked, yield-accruing version• [08:28] How RealFi manages liquidity risk and redemption mismatches across two separate books• [11:27] Why RealFi is not competing with Tether and USDC but playing in a different and faster-growing lane• [13:24] The hardest challenge , bridging TradFi asset management with the crypto world and navigating global regulation• [15:32] Why DeFi security is an existential question right now and how AI is changing the exploit landscape• [17:40] Exploring smart contract insurance and the challenge of underwriting in a fast-moving risk environment• [21:59] North Star metrics , TVL growth, stickiness of capital, and being proud to be called boring• [25:54] Lessons from Cardano applied to RealFi , focus on product market fit today, not five years from now• [28:05] Companies John admires , Athena for tokenising the funding rate trade and neo-banking startups going after idle corporate balances• [31:37] What needs to happen for productive stablecoins to go mainstream , regulation, decentralised account recovery, and a full neo-banking stack• [35:59] The ask , RealFi is launching on Cardano and EVM Mainnet imminently and wants partners, users, and testers

Get your FREE copy of the "Ultimate Anti-Cancer Food Guide" here: https://cancerfreedomprogram.com/ultimateanticancer Some of the foods most women eat every single day are quietly feeding cancer cells — and they're the last ones you'd ever suspect. There are specific foods that create the exact internal environment cancer needs to grow — and others that cut off that fuel supply entirely. Most women have no idea which is which. So let me show you how it's done. Join the Cancer Freedom Program Apply HERE: https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_content=cancer_freedom_podcast #cancerfighter #cancersurvivor #breastcancer #breastcancersurvivors #cancerrecovery #cancernutrition #mastectomy #tamoxifen #anastrozole #letrozole #exemestane PS - Whenever you're ready, here are the 2 best ways I can help you…  Get your FREE copy of the "Ultimate Anti-Cancer Food Guide" here: https://cancerfreedomprogram.com/ultimateanticancer Join the Cancer Freedom Program Apply HERE: https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_content=cancer_freedom_podcast Let's Connect: Website: https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_content=cancer_freedom_podcast  

"Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life." I call BS on that. Business is work! Business is hard, and if it were easy, everyone would have one. I need you to hold some nuance with me today, because two things can be true: you can love your business AND you shouldn't rely on it to fill you up all the time. Chasing fun in your business is sabotaging your growth. That's what we're getting into.This week I'm talking about the lie we've been sold in the age of social media — that everything in our business needs to feel aligned and fun, or something's broken. It's not. Some of it is sticky, unglamorous, and gritty, and that's not a red flag, that's just business. For brand photographers especially, this one matters, because I see so many of you chasing that first-launch dopamine hit instead of building something sustainable — and burning yourself out switching things up instead of sitting with the discomfort of making what you have actually work.We're talking:Why "just outsource it" isn't always realistic (or smart) adviceThe sequencing mistake I made with my own outsourcingWhy I'll never fully hand off my Instagram, even with a social media managerChasing the dopamine hit vs. building something sustainableWhy "boring" and repetitive might be the most underrated business strategyThe truth about what your business is actually for (hint: not entertaining you)Links & Resources✨ Join Rebrand: My 12 month transformative brand and marketing program for photographers to build the visibility that gets them booked out. Learn more here!

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin sit down with Thomas Rainey of Rainey Used Cars – an 11-location, 10,600-account buy here pay here operation out of rural south Georgia built from a handful of cars in a small town to one of the largest independent BHPH portfolios in the country – alongside Ariad Sommer of Ituran GPS, for a deep dive into how GPS technology actually runs a dealership at scale. This is not a vendor pitch. It is two operators and a GPS partner talking about starter interrupts, tamper reports, impound alerts, DMS integration, and what it actually looks like to manage 15 collectors across 10,000-plus accounts without losing your mind.What You'll Learn:* How Rainey's grew from a small-town operation where they knew every customer's grandparents to 11 locations – and why GPS starter interrupt technology made that growth possible without sophisticated underwriting* Why Rainey's cuts cars off at day three, not day seven or ten – and the counterintuitive logic behind why stricter rules actually produce better customer behavior* How full DMS integration with Ituran means collectors almost never manually enable or disable a vehicle – the system executes the business rules automatically and treats every customer the same* The tamper report, crash report, and landmark report that Rainey's has a dedicated person reviewing every single morning – and why knowing a car hit an impound lot the same day it happens can save you thousands in fees* Why more dealers are now running two GPS devices per vehicle – one wired, one wireless – and what each one does that the other cannot* What the future of GPS integration looks like when a customer's start attempt can trigger an automatic payment text before they even back out of the driveway* Why Jeff never knew his GPS provider could automatically escalate beeping tones on day one, day two, and day three – and what that changes about how collections actually worksIf you are a buy here pay here dealer trying to figure out how to scale your portfolio, tighten your collections process, or finally get your GPS working as a collection tool instead of just a repossession tool – this conversation is the one to listen to.Support the businesses that support the podcast:Buckeye Risk Services - Reinsurance and wealth strategies for independent dealers.https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeyeBlytz - BHPH payment processing with fast funding and text-to-pay.https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpayIturan GPS - Asset protection and customer management for BHPH and retail dealers.https://theindependentdealer.com/ituranFollow & Connect:Website: www.theindependentdealer.comFacebook Group: @independentautogroupLuke Godwin: @lukegodwinJeff Watson: /sendtojeffwLike, subscribe, and share this with a dealer who needs to hear it.

Get your FREE copy of "The Ultimate AntiCancer Food Guide" here: https://cancerfreedomprogram.com/ultimateanticancer Most women fighting cancer have never been told that certain mushrooms have been shown to directly target and kill cancer cells. Newly diagnosed, long term survivor, or high risk — what you add to your plate every day matters more than you think. These 4 mushrooms are backed by research for their ability to prevent and fight cancer, and most people aren't eating any of them. So let me show you how it's done. Join the Cancer Freedom Program Apply HERE:https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_content=cancer_freedom_podcast #cancerfighter #cancersurvivor #breastcancer #breastcancersurvivors #cancerrecovery #cancernutrition #mastectomy #tamoxifen #anastrozole #letrozole #exemestane PS - Whenever you're ready, here are the 2 best ways I can help you… Get your FREE copy of "The Ultimate AntiCancer Food Guide" here: https://cancerfreedomprogram.com/ultimateanticancer Join the Cancer Freedom Program Apply HERE: https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_content=cancer_freedom_podcast  Let's Connect: Website: https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_content=cancer_freedom_podcast  

We're in Ephesians 4:7-12 to explore God's design for spiritual gifts and the grace that fuels them. Paul reminds us that our spiritual gifts aren't given just for our own benefit. We are graced so that we can reflect that grace to others and build up the body of Christ. Walking through verses 8-10, we examine Christ's triumph on the cross over darkness, His incarnation, and His ascension, which paved the way for Him to equip His church. When we step into our God-given gifts, the church is strengthened, and God is glorified. But when we hold back, the entire body suffers. Join us as we challenge ourselves to identify, pray over, and actively operate in the gifts God has given us.WHAT IS NEUE THING?Neue Thing is a non-profit ministry, founded by Cherie Wagner, that exists to equip women with the Word of God. Cherie's life-long passion is two-fold: knowing Jesus Christ and making Him known. Author of Found On My Knees, Awake O Sleeper, Rest, Hope, Psalms for Life, and Knowing Your Name, Cherie writes Bible studies for women that will encourage them to know and believe God's Word, equip them to live it, and empower them to take it and transform this generation for Jesus Christ.CONNECT Website: https://neuething.org/Email Subscription link:https://neuething.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neuethinginc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neuethingGive to Neue Thing: https://neuething.org/give/RESOURCESProverbs: The Wise, The Fool, The WickedKnowing Your NameFound On My Knees: The Journey from Brokenness to BlessingAwake O Sleeper: EphesiansRest: 30 Days of Exploring God's Invitation to RestHope: Tethered to an Unwavering GodPsalms for Life

I just wrapped up a launch with a 12% conversion rate, and I'm gonna tell you all about it. I don't typically take you behind the scenes of my business quite like this, but today I am, because this is the stuff I spend most of my time on now (the education side of my business). And this launch was my best one yet.In this episode, I'm breaking down the two big tests I ran with this launch of Behind the Shot: going all organic (no ads into the masterclass) and treating Behind the Shot as its own standalone launch instead of always pushing Rebrand. I'm sharing the real numbers, what I learned about my funnel, and what you're probably underestimating the most in your content. If you've ever wondered what actually goes into a successful launch, or you're curious about the education side of business ownership, this one's for you!We're talking:Why I tested an all-organic launch (no ads) for the first timeThe exact numbers: 300+ on the wait list, 36 enrolled, 12% conversionHow my shot list freebie is quietly doing more work than I realizedThe real amount of content it takes to have a launch like this (spoiler: it's a lot)Why I'm rethinking how often I launch Behind the Shot vs. RebrandThe mindset shift I want you to have around posting and sellingLinks & Resources

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin are coming to you live from Denver, Colorado at the NIADA 2026 National Convention. No guest, no studio — just two guys in rocking chairs sharing what they're seeing, hearing, and thinking after a week of conversations with dealers from across the country. From AI and daily score boarding to EV velocity, subprime lending shifts, and a low-balance trade cycle that's moved way further out than most dealers realize — this one covers the themes nobody's putting in a press release.What You'll Learn:-Why "know your numbers" is still the dominant theme at NIADA 2026 — and how AI is changing what dealers actually do with those numbers once they have them-The scoreboarding framework both Jeff and Luke keep coming back to — and why the metric you assign an employee has to be something they can actually control-Why independents are outselling franchises on direct-to-consumer EV brands like Tesla and Rivian — and why velocity is the only strategy that works when prices fluctuate that fast-Why subprime banks are still slow to finance EVs — and why one dealer buying 300 EVs a month should absolutely be reinsuring that battery risk himself-How capital markets are quietly re-entering the subprime space — and what it means that Capital One is calling dealers who never reached out-Why the low-balance trade conversation has shifted from $2,500 to $6,500 — and why starting it at 18 to 24 months in the loan is now the number that actually works-Why Jeff is so scared of shiny objects he admits he probably misses good ones — and what finally convinced him to change his payment processorIf you're an independent dealer who couldn't make it to Denver this year — this is the closest thing to being in the room.Support the businesses that support the podcast:Buckeye Risk Services - Reinsurance and wealth strategies for independent dealers.https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeyeBlytz - BHPH payment processing with fast funding and text-to-pay.https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpayIturan GPS - Asset protection and customer management for BHPH and retail dealers.https://theindependentdealer.com/ituranFollow & Connect:Website: www.theindependentdealer.comFacebook Group: @independentautogroupLuke Godwin: @lukegodwinJeff Watson: /sendtojeffwLike, subscribe, and share this with a dealer who needs to hear it.

How do you turn what feels like an “ordinary” property into a brand that guests connect with, remember, and actively choose over everyone else's? In this episode, I'm joined by branding and marketing strategist Ali Haney. We're unpacking how she transitioned from a long-term rental disaster into remote short-term rental management across multiple states, eventually blending her photography background with her hospitality experience to help hosts build true brand equity.We talk about:Flipping perceived property weaknesses into powerful market differentiators, like turning a Gatlinburg cabin's lack of internet into an intentional, off-the-grid romantic reset complete with analog experiences.Building a foundational brand strategy from scratch by defining core messaging pillars, identifying a hyper-specific guest avatar, and establishing values that serve as concrete criteria for hiring and firing your team.Utilizing ChatGPT and AirDNA as a market research "cheat code" to analyze competitor specs, summarize guest review trends, and spot high-impact amenities missing in your local market.Designing property features around guest origin data, such as installing an EV charger at a Catskills rental specifically to attract higher-income, eco-conscious travelers driving up from the city.Executing a deep property rebrand that goes beyond a logo tweak, using your brand strategy as a daily filter for social content, listing updates, and team briefs to eliminate decision fatigue.Ali pulls back the curtain on how to use your brand strategy as the literal backbone of your guest experience and long-term business scaling. You'll hear how to shift your mindset to view marketing as structured testing and learning rather than a verdict on your worth, allowing you to "do it scared" and out-position your competition.If you are a short-term rental / Airbnb host wondering how to stop competing on price alone and start engineering an unforgettable hospitality brand that commands premium rates, this conversation is your blueprint. Get ready to learn how to drop perfectionism and start leading your life and business with intention.HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[01:07] A short introduction about our guest Ali Haney, and how she got into the world of short-term rentals[03:12] Ali talks about using branding strategy to move beyond photography and create marketing that connects with ideal guests [06:50] Ali explains how defining a property's personality and turning perceived limitations into unique selling points creates a memorable brand that attracts the right guests [09:32] How identifying a property's natural differentiators helps build a stronger and more memorable brand[10:49] Ali shares how operators can decide between separate property brands or a unified brand strategy when managing multiple listings across different markets[12:39] Ali outlines portfolio-level values as the foundation for aligning multiple property brands while preserving each listing's individuality [15:40] Ali defines brand strategy as the foundational framework that aligns mission, guest targeting, differentiation, and messaging to guide every part of a short-term rental business[21:14] How the core value of excellence creates clear operational boundaries and simplifies decision-making across hospitality and property management[24:33] Ali highlights branding as a profit-driven strategy that turns one-time OTA guests into repeat direct bookings while improving long-term ROI[27:51] Ali frames rebranding as a full strategic reset that goes beyond visuals to ensure alignment between guest targeting, design, and business goals [30:16] Ali distinguishes between legacy brands and STR assets while outlining when rebranding makes sense and how to use guest data to guide the decision [32:52] How competitor and review analysis can uncover actionable differentiators that directly shape STR brand strategy and guest experience design[34:56] Ali reframes STR marketing as a data-driven cycle of testing and learning, separating performance outcomes from personal identity to support better decision-making[37:31] Ali shares how short-term rental owners can begin building a brand strategy by using existing performance data and evaluating properties through a differentiation-first mindset[40:07] The lightning round Golden Nuggets:“You're giving the house essentially a personality, so that people can start to feel like they know that property before they even step foot into it.”“We took what she thought was a weakness and instead tailored the entire property's brand and made it their superpower.”“If we don't have a strategy that we want to enact within our business and we just build pretty things on top of it, it's probably going to fall down at some point.”“Create an experience that people want to return to, because it's much easier to nurture a client or a guest that already trusts you, versus having to consistently acquire new ones.”“If we just take a small step each and every day, and we do that scared, that is still a huge amount of progress over six months time, nine months time, 12 months time.”Let's Connect: Website : https://brandandmarket.co/Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/brandandmarket.co/Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

Doula support for a c-section is one of the most misunderstood parts of what we do, and this episode is here to change that.In this episode, we're talking about what belly birth support actually looks like from the inside. Stephanie sits down with How2Mom client Lynley to walk through Betty's birth story, from induction leading to c-section, to the OR, to that first skin-to-skin moment. It's honest, it's warm, and it's a really good reminder that every birth deserves support, no matter how it unfolds.What you'll hear:Why having a doula in the OR meant Lynley's husband could be fully present instead of trying to play every role at onceWhat a family centered c-section actually looks like, including options most parents don't know to ask forHow a doula supports the nervous system during surgery, from explaining the tugging sensations to massage during the shakesWhat it felt like to go from induction to c-section, and why having a familiar face made all the difference when things moved fastWhy a belly birth doesn't have to mean trauma, and what it looks like when it feels empowering insteadLynley is a recipe developer and content creator at Fit Foodie Finds (fitfoodiefinds.com). Links for this episode:Birth doula services: https://www.how2mom.com/birth-doulaDigital Birth Affirmation Cards: https://www.how2mom.com/product/digital-birth-affirmation-cards/Fit Foodie Finds: https://fitfoodiefinds.comThank you so much for listening to the Mom2Mom Podcast! This podcast is meant to empower women and bring the community together through storytelling and education. Here, you will find encouragement, support and community. We are your community. And we're so happy to have you!Join the email list to be notified when episodes go live HERE! Please also make sure  to comment, share and subscribe! xoxo, StephanieLet's Connect:Website (how2mom.com) Instagram (@how2mom)Facebook (@how2mom)TikTok (@how.2.mom)Twitter (@how_2_mom)Linkedin (@how2mom)Pinterest (@how2mom)YouTube (@how2mom)

The month of July can feel a little... slow. And every year I watch photographers absolutely panic about that.

This episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast is brought to you by Buckeye Risk Services — the reinsurance and wealth strategy partner for independent dealers. Learn more at https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeyeIn this episode, Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin sit down with Mark Fuerbacher, President of Universal Imports of Rochester — a 41-year euro specialty dealership doing $400,000 a month in customer pay service — and Dan Reel of Reel's Auto Sales, a two-location retail operation in rural Ohio retailing 65 to 75 cars a month. The topic is back-end profit: reinsurance, service contract penetration, GAP strategy, and why both of these dealers have quietly built some of the most resilient operations in the independent retail space.What You'll Learn: -How Mark built a customer pay service department that generates $400,000 a month — and why that single decision made front-end gross almost irrelevant -Why Dan stopped taking public service work entirely in 2026 — and how cutting off outside customers actually increased his cash flow and cut his recon time to line in half -The geographic 75-mile rule Dan uses to decide whether a service contract goes into his reinsurance or gets passed to a third-party provider — and why that distinction protects his claims ratio -How Mark was told by one reinsurance company he was too small to qualify — and why a conversation at NIADA with Buckeye changed everything within a month -Why Dan is seriously considering reinsuring his own GAP product at 70-plus percent penetration — and what that math looks like when you're selling a $59,000 Super Duty -The commission structure that turns salespeople into back-end hunters — and why a deal without GAP and a VSC is barely worth writing up -Why both dealers say reinsurance and 20 groups are the two things most independent retailers can't afford to keep ignoringIf you're a retail or independent dealer who feels like you're leaving money on the table every time you hand a deal to a third-party warranty company — this conversation will change the way you think about the back end of your business.Support the businesses that support the podcast: Buckeye Risk Services - Reinsurance and wealth strategies for independent dealers. https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeyeBlytz - BHPH payment processing with fast funding and text-to-pay. https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpayIturan GPS - Asset protection and customer management for BHPH and retail dealers. https://theindependentdealer.com/ituranFollow & Connect: Website: www.theindependentdealer.com Facebook Group: @independentautogroup Luke Godwin: @lukegodwin Jeff Watson: /sendtojeffwLike, subscribe, and share this with a dealer who needs to hear it.

Watch the Youtube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdyfzxAdW6g   Join My Vancouver Realtor Team https://www.thealigngroup.ca/join-our... What does it take to come to a country where you know nobody, speak no English, and build a multi million dollar real estate empire from scratch? In this video we sit down with Go, a Romanian born realtor who arrived in the US with two hundred dollars and no connections and has since built one of the largest organizations at EXP Realty with over 1600 agents, more than a million dollars in annual revenue share, and fifteen billion in total sales volume.  We cover her complete agent attraction framework including how she uses ManyChat keyword automations on Instagram to generate inbound leads without cold calling, why knowing your ideal agent avatar down to their age and production level changes everything, how she built a partner website that qualifies agents before they ever get on a call with her, and why she runs a strict no follow up and no show blacklist policy that somehow results in a ninety five percent closing rate.

Watch the Youtube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhuPMhQOzpI   Join My Vancouver Realtor Team https://www.thealigngroup.ca/join-our... Are you a real estate agent waiting for the market to recover before you start pushing harder? In this video, I break down the exact framework I have used to grow our team's production every single year since the market shifted, covering mindset, skill development, strategy, and accountability. Waiting is a strategy and it is a losing one, so we are going to talk about what the agents who are actually winning right now are doing differently. I cover the three strategic pivots every agent should be making in a slow market including expired listings, investor relationships, and your own database, plus the daily accountability system that separates agents who dominate from the ones who are just hoping something falls in their lap. Whether you are a newer agent trying to get traction or a seasoned agent who has lost momentum in this market, this video gives you a clear and actionable path forward.

Our study of Ephesians moves into chapter four as we explore verses 1–6 and discover what it truly means to walk worthy of your calling. Even while writing as a prisoner of Rome, Paul refuses to identify with his captors. Instead, he anchors his identity completely in Jesus Christ. In this episode, we talk about how understanding how deeply loved you are by God changes the way you live and interact with others. It's not about forced uniformity, but it's about accessing God's love to actively cultivate humility, gentleness, and patience. Tune in as we break down the seven non-negotiable biblical markers of unity and learn how the Holy Spirit empowers us to love and maintain true kingdom unity with those we disagree with.EPISODE LINKSThe Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians (The New Daily Study Bible), by William BarclayWHAT IS NEUE THING?Neue Thing is a non-profit ministry, founded by Cherie Wagner, that exists to equip women with the Word of God. Cherie's life-long passion is two-fold: knowing Jesus Christ and making Him known. Author of Found On My Knees, Awake O Sleeper, Rest, Hope, Psalms for Life, and Knowing Your Name, Cherie writes Bible studies for women that will encourage them to know and believe God's Word, equip them to live it, and empower them to take it and transform this generation for Jesus Christ.CONNECT Website: https://neuething.org/Email Subscription link:https://neuething.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neuethinginc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neuethingGive to Neue Thing: https://neuething.org/give/RESOURCESProverbs: The Wise, The Fool, The WickedKnowing Your NameFound On My Knees: The Journey from Brokenness to BlessingAwake O Sleeper: EphesiansRest: 30 Days of Exploring God's Invitation to RestHope: Tethered to an Unwavering GodPsalms for Life

Watch the Youtube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2GTaOceYIQ   Join My Vancouver Realtor Team https://www.thealigngroup.ca/join-our... Ever wonder why so many top producing agents are leaving traditional brokerages for eXp Realty? In this video, I break down exactly why I chose eXp Realty over building a $500,000 ReMax franchise, with the real numbers from year one through becoming the first president of eXp Realty Canada. I cover deals closed, agent growth, revenue share income, and what happened during the COVID slowdown when production stopped completely. I also explain the three things every agent should be building in their real estate business, equity, residual income, and lead generation, and how eXp Realty made all three accessible without the upfront cost of a franchise. Whether you are currently brokerage shopping, evaluating revenue share models, or just curious about how eXp Realty actually works, this video gives you real numbers and a real comparison. If you want to talk about whether this model fits your business, the link to book a call is in the description below.

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin sit down with Byron Oldham, owner of Honest Autos in central Florida and the FIADA Florida Independent Auto Dealers Association Quality Dealer of the Year for 2025 — who, at the time of recording, was preparing to head to NIADA nationals in Denver. Byron built his two-location operation by doing something most dealers never get the chance to do twice: buying out his own father's store, then turning around and buying out his biggest competitor. He's done both without ever touching a floor plan.What You'll Learn:-How Byron negotiated the buyout of his dad's dealership — and why the conversation came down to "sell it to me or I'm going to be your competitor"-The rev share structure he used to acquire 700 accounts from a competitor without a taxable event, a giant upfront check, or inherited headaches-Why his buying team is now larger than his selling team — and how being located next to the largest retirement community in the world changed everything about how he sources inventory-How he's stayed entirely self-funded across two acquisitions, two locations, and 45 years of family legacy — and why he drove a Prius with 300,000 miles on it for six years to make it happen-The honest truth about what goes wrong when you buy a competitor's store and the previous owner still has an office on your property-Why autonomous vehicles might be the biggest long-term threat to the buy here pay here model — and how he's thinking about it with three kids at home and a decade of runway-What winning state quality dealer means to a second-generation dealer trying to carry his father's legacy — and why a little imposter syndrome comes with the territoryIf you're an independent dealer thinking about buying out a competitor, exiting your own business, or just trying to grow without drowning in debt — Byron's story has more hard-won lessons in one conversation than most dealers get in a decade.Support the businesses that support the podcast:Buckeye Risk Services - Reinsurance and wealth strategies for independent dealers.https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeyeBlytz - BHPH payment processing with fast funding and text-to-pay.https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpayIturan GPS - Asset protection and customer management for BHPH and retail dealers.https://theindependentdealer.com/ituranFollow & Connect:Website: www.theindependentdealer.comFacebook Group: @independentautogroupLuke Godwin: @lukegodwinJeff Watson: /sendtojeffwLike, subscribe, and share this with a dealer who needs to hear it.

At the risk of sounding incredibly cheesy... brand photography is truly my dream. I genuinely can't imagine doing anything else. But here's the thing: there are a lot of parts of building a profitable brand photography business that nobody really talks about.In this episode, I'm sharing the lessons I wish someone would've told me sooner. Because being a talented photographer and running a profitable business are two completely different skill sets. We'll talk about why the camera is actually a small part of your job, what really creates clients who rebook and refer, and why your systems matter so much more than being "naturally talented." If you've ever felt like the business side is harder than the photography side, this one's for you.We're talking:Why being a great photographer isn't enough to build a profitable businessThe strategy before the shoot (and the delivery after) that clients actually rememberTeaching clients the value of brand photographyWhy pricing isn't based on your gear or hoursTurning your delivery process into a marketing momentBuilding repeatable systems that create referrals and rebookingsLinks & Resources:

Before I started shooting brand photography, I had this really idealistic picture in my mind of what it could look like. Beautiful sessions, incredible clients, and helping businesses grow.And while all of that is true... nobody tells you that creating beautiful photos and running a profitable brand photography business are two completely different skills.In this episode, we're talking about everything that happens outside of clicking the shutter. From pricing and client education to portfolio strategy and delivering galleries that actually lead to referrals, this is the side of brand photography that can completely change your business. If you've ever felt like you're creating great work but still struggling to build consistent momentum, this episode is for you.We're talking:Why the actual photoshoot is only about 20% of the jobPricing for outcomes instead of hours or gearTeaching clients the value of brand photographyTurning gallery delivery into marketing momentumBuilding a portfolio that attracts the work you actually wantWhy profitable photographers rely on systems—not talentLinks & Resources:

Get your FREE copy of "Your A-Z Guide to Staying Cancer Free" here: https://dramycancer.com/azcancerfree The food you eat either fuel or fights cancer - you get to choose.  There is so much power in your hands.  If you aren't using these strategies, then you are missing out on ways to help you be cancer free.   You know that cancer is a balance between free radicals and antioxidants.  Here is exactly how you set up your diet to work for you (not against you). So let me show you how it's done. #cancersurvivor #cancerfighter #breastcancer #cancerrecovery #cancernutrition #mastectomy #tamoxifen #anastrozole #letrozole #signatara   PS - Whenever you are ready, here the 2 best ways I can help you -  1) "Your A-Z Guide to Staying Cancer Free" **FREE** Click here: https://bit.ly/azcancerfree   2)Join the Cancer Freedom Program  Click HERE: www.cancerfreedomprogram.com   ***Let's Connect: Website: www.cancerfreedomprogram.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUt9...  

Pet Protect and Connect: Using AI to Simplify Pet Adoption for Shelters, Rescues and AdoptersHost Julie Marty Pearson welcomes Liz Adams to The Story of My Pet podcast to discuss Liz's longtime background in animal rescue and her career in healthcare technology and communications, which inspired her to create Pet Protect and Connect. Liz explains how shelters and rescues often lack time and modern tools, and how difficult or inconsistent adoption processes can deter good adopters while still risking poor matches and returns. Her platform, Pet Protect and Connect, focuses first on helping rescues by organizing and ranking applications using weighted criteria and an AI-driven learning component that highlights top positives/negatives and produces match scores, while keeping humans in control of final decisions. The tool can also help adopters by auto-populating repeat applications via a plugin and keeping qualified adopters in the system for future matches. Listeners can learn more or request demos on the Pet Protect and Connect Website or via the app and website waitlist. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram. You can also learn more about Kenway's Cause in Hartford, CT via their Website and Facebook Page. 00:31 Liz Pet Background02:28 Tech Career Journey04:40 Rescue Epiphany Moment07:04 Why Shelters Need Tech11:21 Fixing Adoption Barriers15:26 AI Matching Platform19:50 Adopter Experience Tools27:36 Education and Badges Idea29:17 How Rescues Get Started31:49 How Adopters Join In Support the showSupport the Podcast by Buying Us a Treat via Buy Me a CoffeeShop our Affiliate Partners:

How do you grow a thriving short-term rental portfolio, protect your family life, and still keep a demanding career from taking over your entire identity? Most professionals assume they have to choose between their career and building wealth. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Christina Kendrick, a pediatric anesthesiologist turned short-term rental investor. We're unpacking how she and her husband transitioned from accidental long-term landlords into active operators of an 11-property STR business across Sedona and Cornville, Arizona.We talk about:Hunting for properties that have sat on the MLS forever, negotiating the price down, and uncovering hidden income streams like forgotten RV pads.Using sweat equity and buying at the right price to keep fixed expenses low enough that a property only needs 10 to 12 booked nights a month to cover costs.Moving past vague rules to implement explicit, direct guest messaging after a close call with a guest's grill on a wooden deck near propane tanks.Transitioning 50 existing reservations into independent hosting profiles and scaling a portfolio through a mix of solo ownership and co-ownership with other families.Leveraging MBA marketing principles to revamp a direct booking platform, optimize for AI search, and launch email campaigns that actually convert.Christina pulls back the curtain on how she manages her time and energy while balancing medicine, an MBA program, and parenthood. You'll hear how she applies the hospital philosophy of "only do what only you can do" to her personal life—outsourcing house cleaning and grocery shopping, and shifting her medical schedule to build a dedicated business admin day.If you are a high-achieving professional wondering how to buy back your time and build a generational family enterprise without burning out, this conversation is your blueprint. Get ready to learn how to drop perfectionism and start leading your life and business with intention.HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[00:49] A short introduction about our guest Christina Kendrick, and she shares how a series of practical real estate decisions evolved into a self-managed short-term rental portfolio[06:37] Christina explains how disciplined risk-taking and value-add investing have shaped her real estate decision-making process [09:08] Christina reveals how overlooked properties and strong neighborhood relationships have become key drivers of her portfolio's success [13:26] Christina discusses how proactive neighbor relationships help mitigate conflicts and support long-term short-term rental success [19:12] How delegation, role clarity, and structured time blocks allow her to balance medicine, family, education, and real estate investing[22:47] Christina's approach to outsourcing everyday responsibilities to create more time for high-value work and personal priorities[25:58] Christina shares how lessons from her MBA program have directly influenced the way she markets and operates her short-term rental business[29:21] Christina talks about how running a short-term rental business with her husband has naturally evolved into a clear division of strengths[32:16] How Christina and her husband handle feedback between each other after real-world guest situations that expose gaps in communication and house rules [36:14] The importance of intentional communication and structured check-ins in maintaining a strong business and personal partnership while scaling together[40:19] The lightning round Golden Nuggets:“You don't create wealth by saving, you create wealth by taking risks and investing.”“One of the keys to having a successful STR is having nice neighbors.”“The biggest life hack is outsourcing stuff that other people can do.”“As long as it's getting done, and nobody's getting hurt, and everything's happening the way that it should happen, it doesn't have to be perfect.”“You have to take that first step, otherwise you're going to be stuck where you are.”Let's Connect:Website : www.stargazersedona.com Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/stargazervacation Proudly sponsored by strsisterhood.steadilypartner.com Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

Most of us picture pushing the same way: flat on our back, feet in stirrups, someone counting to ten. That's one option, but it's not the only one. Not even close.In this episode, we're talking about pushing positions for labor and why where you push matters just as much as how you push. From squatting and hands and knees to sideline pushing, closed knee pushing, and small modifications that can change everything when you're on your back, there's a lot of room to work with your body instead of against it.We're walking through:Why gravity, movement, and balance shape what happens in birthHow back-lying became the standard (and why it isn't always the most effective)Upright options like squatting, kneeling, and forward leaningHow sideline pushing supports rest and rotation, even with an epiduralWhy your body often knows what to do before your mind catches upWhether you're planning an unmedicated birth, working with an epidural, or somewhere in between, knowing your options helps you feel more grounded heading into birth. There's no one right way to push. There's only what feels right in your body, in that moment.Resources mentioned in this episode:Spinning Babies → https://www.spinningbabies.comGilligan's Guide → https://www.gilligansguide.comBody Ready Method → https://bodyreadymethod.comBlog: View our Childbirth Ed Course: https://www.how2mom.com/courses-and-events/childbirth-class-online-and-in-person/ Thank you so much for listening to the Mom2Mom Podcast! This podcast is meant to empower women and bring the community together through storytelling and education. Here, you will find encouragement, support and community. We are your community. And we're so happy to have you!Join the email list to be notified when episodes go live HERE! Please also make sure  to comment, share and subscribe! xoxo, StephanieLet's Connect:Website (how2mom.com) Instagram (@how2mom)Facebook (@how2mom)TikTok (@how.2.mom)Twitter (@how_2_mom)Linkedin (@how2mom)Pinterest (@how2mom)YouTube (@how2mom)

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, Luke Godwin takes the stage at an industry conference to break down one of the most expensive — and most ignored — problems in the buy here pay here business: recon. Joined by Sam Brenner of Brenner Car Credit, a five-location BHPH operation out of the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area, Luke walks a room full of dealers through exactly what's bleeding their shops dry, why hiring more techs is almost never the answer, and what a real recon process actually looks like.What You'll Learn:Why having a recon facility often makes the business harder to run — and what that means for how you structure your shopHow Sam's shop was running 22+ labor hours per recon unit at over $2,200 a car — and what one process change cut that nearly in half within 30 daysWhy your techs are costing you double what you think if you're not tracking hours turned versus hours paidThe internal inventory manager role that most dealers don't have — and why one person owning the car from auction to front line changes everythingHow a push-pull system between an inspector and an inventory manager eliminated bloated ROs without a single increase in comebacks or customer complaintsWhat comeback cost per car sold should actually look like — and what it tells you when you're over-reconning or under-reconningWhy flat rate techs will manage you if you don't manage them first — and how to know if your salaried techs are actually worth what you're payingIf you're a buy here pay here or independent dealer who suspects your recon shop is costing you more than it should — but you don't have the numbers to prove it yet — this one will change the way you look at your shop floor.Support the businesses that support the podcast:Buckeye Risk Services - Reinsurance and wealth strategies for independent dealers. https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeyeBlytz - BHPH payment processing with fast funding and text-to-pay. https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzIturan GPS - Asset protection and customer management for BHPH and retail dealers. https://theindependentdealer.com/ituranFollow & Connect:Website: www.theindependentdealer.comFacebook Group: @independentautogroupLuke Godwin: @lukegodwinJeff Watson: /sendtojeffwLike, subscribe, and share this with a dealer who needs to hear it.

Get your FREE copy of "Ultimate Anti-Cancer Food Guide" here: https://cancerfreedomprogram.com/ultimateanticancer Most survivors are doing everything right to prevent cancer recurrence — except for the two ingredients sitting in plain sight. The ones most doctors never bring up could be the difference between staying free and starting over. Here's the gap: cancer care focuses almost entirely on treatment and screening, but rarely on what ends up on your plate every single day. These two ingredients are simple, affordable, and easy to work in. So let me show you how it's done. Join the Cancer Freedom Program Apply HERE: https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_content=cancer_freedom_podcast   #cancerfighter #cancersurvivor #breastcancer #breastcancersurvivors #cancerrecovery #cancernutrition #mastectomy #tamoxifen #anastrozole #letrozole #exemestane PS - Whenever you're ready, here are the 2 best ways I can help you… Get your FREE copy of "Ultimate Anti-Cancer Food Guide" here: https://cancerfreedomprogram.com/ultimateanticancer Join the Cancer Freedom Program Apply HERE: https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_content=cancer_freedom_podcast Let's Connect: Website: https://www.cancerfreedomprogram.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_content=cancer_freedom_podcast  

This week, not only are we covering one of my favorite passages in Ephesians (Eph. 3:14-21), but we also have the privilege of welcoming Charity Gurtler as a special guest for today's podcast! In today's passage, Paul falls to his knees to ask God for inner strength, a deeply rooted understanding of Christ's love, and spiritual fullness. Charity encourages us with reminders about God's ability to do more than we could think or imagine! What kinds of prayers would you pray if you truly believed that? EPISODE LINKSIntentionalBreakthrough.comPrayer JournalIntentional Breakthrough, by Charity GurtlerAnchoredbiblicalcounseling.comWHAT IS NEUE THING?Neue Thing is a non-profit ministry, founded by Cherie Wagner, that exists to equip women with the Word of God. Cherie's life-long passion is two-fold: knowing Jesus Christ and making Him known. Author of Found On My Knees, Awake O Sleeper, Rest, Hope, Psalms for Life, and Knowing Your Name, Cherie writes Bible studies for women that will encourage them to know and believe God's Word, equip them to live it, and empower them to take it and transform this generation for Jesus Christ.CONNECT Website: https://neuething.org/Email Subscription link:https://neuething.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neuethinginc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neuethingGive to Neue Thing: https://neuething.org/give/RESOURCESProverbs: The Wise, The Fool, The WickedKnowing Your NameFound On My Knees: The Journey from Brokenness to BlessingAwake O Sleeper: EphesiansRest: 30 Days of Exploring God's Invitation to RestHope: Tethered to an Unwavering GodPsalms for Life

Are you truly in control of the demand for your short-term rentals, or have you quietly outsourced it to the OTAs without even realizing it? Relying solely on large platforms means you don't actually own your customer base; the hosts who master true demand generation are the ones who will thrive in the next phase of our industry.In this episode, I sit down with Amber Knight, the founder of Bookings Cloud and a seasoned veteran of vacation rental heavyweights like Vacasa, Rented, Inhabit, and LiveRez. We're unpacking what it really means to build a direct guest acquisition engine for your properties and step into true ownership of your business.We talk about:How public booking platforms control the narrative using your listing content, and why reclaiming that control is vital for long-term business survival.Why a beautiful direct booking website means nothing if it breaks guest trust by kicking them over to an unbranded, clunky PMS engine at the final step.Utilizing true paid social ads, not just boosted posts, to feed rich property data into algorithms that match your stay with the perfect guest.Why clicks on Meta can be pennies compared to dollars on Google, why you should never put pricing in your ads, and how to automate property-level campaigns at scale.Clear guidance on when to focus strictly on guest communication versus when your portfolio size justifies a full website investment.We pull back the curtain on the messy reality of data tracking and attribution in a world of privacy laws and GA4. You'll hear why diversifying your booking sources isn't just a quick fix for the low season, but a long-game retirement strategy that compounds over time and builds a business with real enterprise value.If you are ready to move from hoping bookings show up to intentionally creating your own demand, this conversation will give you the playbook. Get ready to stop letting other platforms dictate your revenue and start engineering your own growth.HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[01:03] A short introduction about our guests Amber Knight, and journey from growing up around vacation rentals to building a career focused on strengthening local hospitality businesses and destination communities[04:12] Amber reflects on how intentionally building a life and business through consistent daily actions creates opportunities that once seemed out of reach[06:10] Amber explains how owning guest demand has become a critical competitive advantage as short-term rental operators can no longer rely solely on OTAs to drive bookings[10:58] Amber emphasizes that successful demand generation starts with building trust and creating a direct-booking experience that converts website visitors into guests[18:24] How demand generation moves beyond simply having a trusted website and focuses on actively driving qualified traffic to it [21:07] Amber breaks down Meta advertising as a layered system—from organic content to fully automated, property-level ads—designed to turn raw property data into targeted demand at scale[28:15] Amber explains when paid social becomes viable for STR operators based on ad spend consistency and unit economics versus OTA commissions[30:40] What are the effective Meta ads for STRs rely on high-intent, property-specific visuals and structured data feeding rather than pricing-driven creatives[33:35] Amber explains that attribution is imperfect and long-term direct booking growth should be measured through influence, pacing, and consistent investment rather than immediate ROAS results[42:16] The lightning round Golden Nuggets:“It's really empowering that we each have the ability to build a business around a life that we love.”“If every day you make another step to get to the life you want, the career you want, in the place that you want, eventually you'll get there.”“A business that is sellable does not require the owner to be in the day to day.”“You can't change what happens to you, you can change how you respond to it.”Let's Connect:Website : www.bookingscloud.com Instagram : https://www.linkedin.com/company/bookingscloud/ Email : aknight@bookingscloud.comProudly sponsored by PriceLabsEnjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

What if I told you your brand photos can be genuinely beautiful, stunning photos that you're proud of... and still completely fail your client?I know. That's a rough open.

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin sit down with Melissa Rowan, co-founder of Red White and Blue Autos in Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic Quality Dealer of the Year — now headed to NIADA nationals. Melissa came from investment brokerage, not the car business, and built one of the most quietly efficient BHPH operations in the country: 90+ cars a month, 3.5% delinquency, out of a single sales location, with a model that's almost entirely remote delivery.What You'll Learn:How two investment brokers with zero car experience opened a BHPH dealership in 2014 — and why the numbers-first mindset turned out to be their biggest advantageHow COVID forced Red White and Blue to pivot to curbside and delivery — and why they never went back, with 60% curbside and 40% home delivery todayWhy their show rate is near 99% and how full online transparency, all-digital paperwork, and a reputation built over 10 years makes that possibleHow Melissa manages multiple locations remotely using Slack as the single communication layer — no email, no cameras, no micromanagingWhy tracking a daily report every single day — not end of month — lets her turn up ad spend mid-week and never miss a sales goalHow staying selective with 500+ monthly applications keeps their charge-off rate under control while still selling nearly 100 units a monthWhat being nominated for National Quality Dealer means to her — and why three of the eleven nominees being women mattersIf you're a buy here pay here or independent dealer trying to figure out how to run leaner, trust your numbers over your gut, and build a team that doesn't need you watching over their shoulder — this one is for you.Support the businesses that support the podcast:Buckeye Risk Services - Reinsurance and wealth strategies for independent dealers.https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeyeBlytz - BHPH payment processing with fast funding and text-to-pay.https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpayIturan GPS - Asset protection and customer management for BHPH and retail dealers.https://theindependentdealer.com/ituranFollow & Connect:Website: www.theindependentdealer.comFacebook Group: @independentautogroupLuke Godwin: @lukegodwinJeff Watson: /sendtojeffwLike, subscribe, and share this with a dealer who needs to hear it.

If you've ever had a potential client tell you, “I don't even know what we would shoot,” because they sit at a computer all day, this episode is for you. It's also for the photographers who secretly aren't sure what they'd do with a lawyer, accountant, banker, or coach on their calendar.The truth is, these are some of the most overlooked brand photography clients out there, and they often need brand photography more than anyone! In this episode, I'm sharing why photographers are sleeping on these businesses, how to stop relying on laptops and headshots, and what it really takes to create strategic brand sessions for clients whose work lives mostly inside their brain.We're talking:• Why “boring” businesses are actually incredible brand photography clients• The huge mistake photographers make when marketing their services• Moving beyond headshots, laptops, and office photos• How to uncover visual storytelling ideas through discovery calls• Translating abstract concepts like growth, communication, and leadership into imagery• Becoming a strategic partner instead of “just” a photographerLinks & Resources

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin sit down with Robyn and the team from Blytz — live from Caesars Palace at BHPH United 2026 in Las Vegas — for a candid conversation about what Blytz is building, why they dropped "Pay" from the name, and what the future of AI-powered collections actually looks like on the ground at a real dealership. Joined by Jenissa from Auto Liquidators, who's already running it in her operation, this one goes beyond the pitch and into the practical. What You'll Learn:Why Blytz dropped "Pay" from their name — and what Blytz Collect and Blytz Insights mean for how dealers manage collections from end to endHow one dealership is running an AI collections agent across 300 accounts and what they've learned about the exact times of day customers actually payWhy 85% of customers won't answer the phone — and how the call-plus-immediate-payment-link combo is outperforming everything else in the collections motionHow AI replaced a $55,000 salary not by firing anyone, but simply by not rehiring when a collector leftThe Blytz and Ituran GPS integration that automatically restores a customer's starter interrupt the moment a payment clears — even at midnightWhat Blytz Insights is building toward — queryable, dealer-specific data that answers your questions without forcing your business into a one-size-fits-all reportIf you're a buy here pay here or independent dealer trying to figure out how to collect smarter, staff leaner, and stop paying people to dial numbers nobody is going to answer, this conversation is required listening. Support the businesses that support the podcast: Blytz - BHPH payment processing with fast funding and text-to-pay. https://theindependentdealer.com/blytzpay/Buckeye Risk Services - Reinsurance and wealth strategies for independent dealers. https://theindependentdealer.com/buckeyeIturan GPS - Asset protection and customer management for BHPH and retail dealers. https://theindependentdealer.com/ituranFollow & Connect: Website: www.theindependentdealer.comFacebook Group: @independentautogroup Luke Godwin: @lukegodwin Jeff Watson: /sendtojeffw Like, subscribe, and share this with a dealer who needs to hear it.