Podcasts about llcs

Rob Walling is a godfather of the bootstrapped SaaS movement — he's started 6 companies (5 bootstrapped), built and sold Drip for 8 figures, and created the infrastructure behind MicroConf, TinySeed (which has raised nearly $60 million and invested in over 210 SaaS companies), and Startups for the Rest of Us (820+ episodes over 15 years). But here's what surprised me: Rob told me he's more of a creator these days than a software founder. The guy who built and sold an email marketing platform now gets his dopamine from podcasting, writing books, and making YouTube videos. And his experience on both sides gives him a perspective on the vibe coding trend that I think every creator needs to hear. In this episode, we get into the actual mechanics of how Rob runs his business — the team of 11 people, the $100,000-$120,000 monthly payroll, the four brands he wishes were two. We talk about how he eliminated stress from his life through therapy, hiring owner-level thinkers, and handing the project management to someone else entirely. And we have a real conversation about why vibe coding a SaaS product is probably not the opportunity you think it is — even if you have a big audience. This is part 1 of a 2-part episode; part 2 lives on Rob's podcast, Startups for the Rest of Us. → Rob Walling on Twitter/X → Rob Walling's YouTube Channel → Startups for the Rest of Us (Podcast) → MicroConf → TinySeed → Drip (Rob's 8-figure exit) → SavvyCal (co-founded by Derek Reimer) Full transcript and show notes *** TIMESTAMPS (00:24) Introduction — why Rob Walling is a unicorn in the bootstrapped SaaS world (02:40) Mapping the full Rob Walling business ecosystem: podcast, MicroConf, TinySeed, books, YouTube (05:15) How Producer Ron keeps the trains running on time across four brands (06:44) Inside the team of 11: roles, full-time commitment, and why Rob stopped hiring part-time (07:53) The psychology of making your first full-time hire (and Rob's 8-year wait for MicroConf) (09:33) Moving from task-level to project-level to owner-level thinkers (10:27) Four brands, two LLCs — the insurance story behind the split and why Rob wants to consolidate (12:18) Why Rob doesn't want his name on everything (and the legacy question) (14:41) Identity shifts: from SaaS founder to serial entrepreneur to content creator (16:31) The vibe coding reality check: why building SaaS is 10x harder than creating content (19:09) Why SaaS churn makes recurring revenue harder than it looks for creators (21:04) The construction analogy: tool sheds vs. skyscrapers and where vibe coding breaks down (24:53) Data from 234 investments: only 10-15% of successful SaaS companies lack a technical founder (27:00) The bigger opportunity for creators: equity partnerships instead of vibe coding (29:00) 'Build your network, not your audience' — why audiences plateau for SaaS growth (31:53) A week in Rob's life: deep work Mondays, advising Wednesdays, and the 329 TinySeed founders (34:00) How Rob eliminated stress: therapy, delegation, and giving up project management (38:46) Hiring for high-functioning: screening for 'Producer Ron'-level operators (41:21) The positive tension of deadline stress and why containers make you ship (43:09) Post-exit motivation: 6 months of comic books, guitar, and getting bored into purpose *** RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE → ⁠#291: 48 Hours With Clawdbot: How I'm Using It and Initial Reactions *** ASK CREATOR SCIENCE → Submit your question here *** WHEN YOU'RE READY

Are you a healer, lightworker, or intuitive spending all your energy on LLCs, business cards, and website design, yet still struggling to find consistent clients?In the kickoff of the High Ticket Healer Series, Katie J (aka Kaje) breaks down why the "logistics first" approach is actually repelling the people you are meant to serve. If you want to consistently sign high-ticket clients (offers starting at $1,000+), you have to stop aligning with the world's hustle and start aligning with Spirit.In this episode, we dive into:The Truth About "Selfish" Desires: Why healers having more money is exactly what the world needs right now.The "Clear Channel" Framework: Your only job as a spiritual CEO and how to let the Universe act as your Head of Marketing.The 3 Prerequisites for High-Ticket Sales: Why you need an established financial "safety net" to avoid "sticky," desperate energy during sales calls.Energetic Hygiene & Nervous System Regulation: Practical somatic tools to help you navigate triggers and become a magnet for ideal clients.A 3-Hour Morning Ritual: Behind the scenes of the daily ceremony Katie uses to manifest "payment notification" emails and soulful client connections.Stop trying to do it all yourself and learn how to co-create your business with Source energy.Resources & Links Mentioned:Free Business Consultation: Ready to sign high-ticket clients with ease? Schedule a free 1-on-1 consultation with Katie to get feedback on your business and see if you're a fit for the High Ticket Healer guarantee. https://calendly.com/womanifester/claritySomatic Tools: Breathe With Sandy on YouTube for the manifestation breathwork mentioned in today's episode. https://youtu.be/Po6_yt-t8Ko?si=bIvG8LuLJL8ZbhkPConnect on Instagram: Follow @womanifester to watch the video replays of this series and send a DM to chat about your mission.

https://thefreedompeople.org/services/pma/Learn the key differences between Private Membership Associations and LLCs for business owners. Understand when to use each, how they complement one another, and the critical rules for structuring both without blurring lines. The Freedom People City: Tempe Address: 1753 E Broadway Rd Ste 101 Website: https://thefreedompeople.org

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Justin M. Lee. Purpose of the Interview To showcase Dr. Lee’s journey from a young real estate agent to a multi-industry entrepreneur. To inspire listeners with strategies for wealth-building through real estate, construction, and logistics. To encourage financial literacy, ownership, and collaboration within underserved communities. To issue a call to action for minorities to explore opportunities like Amazon DSP and real estate investment. Key Takeaways Early Career & Education Started young in real estate, embraced discomfort in rooms dominated by older professionals. Leveraged millennial tech skills (social media marketing) to help veteran brokers grow. Earned a doctorate degree and became a licensed real estate broker. Social Media as a Business Tool Built a strong presence on TikTok (90K followers) and other platforms. Helped older real estate firms thrive by creating digital visibility. Emphasized that “business must look as good online as in person.” Financial Literacy & Homeownership African-American communities often lack foundational financial knowledge. Key barriers: misunderstanding credit, fear of debt, and lack of exposure to ownership benefits. Advocates teaching the difference between good debt (real estate) and bad debt (consumer credit). Real Estate Process Initial onboarding: credit score, income, tax filing. Connect clients with lenders, secure pre-approval, then negotiate and close within 30–45 days. Uses property tours as motivation even for those not yet approved. Pooling Resources for Wealth Industry dominated by white men and foreign investors who use syndication. Dr. Lee created a private family fund with fraternity brothers and friends. Acquired 150+ apartment units and commercial properties by pooling resources and forming LLCs. Amazon DSP Opportunity Owns an Amazon Delivery Service Partner business (42 trucks, 200 employees). Offers minorities a chance to apply for DSP with $10K grant. Taught him true CEO skills: HR, payroll, compliance, and scaling operations. Construction Business Entered construction after experiencing exploitation in fix-and-flip projects. Learned the business side (permits, change orders) and got licensed. Built major projects like a 10,000 sq. ft. restaurant in Atlanta. Advocates for Black representation in construction, an industry dominated by whites and Hispanics. Personal Background Raised in New Orleans during Katrina by a single mother and grandparents. Mother invested FEMA checks into real estate, teaching him property management and renovation skills early. Believes knowledge is power and emphasizes planning and consistency. Notable Quotes On embracing discomfort:“I learned to embrace the uncomfort and make it one of my biggest strengths.” On social media:“You have to make your business look the same way online as in person.” On financial literacy:“Real estate is always going to be good debt. Bad debt is the Macy’s card.” On collaboration:“Pooling resources shows how far we can go and how fast we can go—but together.” On planning:“If you don’t plan, you plan to fail. All you have to do is stick to the plan.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Justin M. Lee. Purpose of the Interview To showcase Dr. Lee’s journey from a young real estate agent to a multi-industry entrepreneur. To inspire listeners with strategies for wealth-building through real estate, construction, and logistics. To encourage financial literacy, ownership, and collaboration within underserved communities. To issue a call to action for minorities to explore opportunities like Amazon DSP and real estate investment. Key Takeaways Early Career & Education Started young in real estate, embraced discomfort in rooms dominated by older professionals. Leveraged millennial tech skills (social media marketing) to help veteran brokers grow. Earned a doctorate degree and became a licensed real estate broker. Social Media as a Business Tool Built a strong presence on TikTok (90K followers) and other platforms. Helped older real estate firms thrive by creating digital visibility. Emphasized that “business must look as good online as in person.” Financial Literacy & Homeownership African-American communities often lack foundational financial knowledge. Key barriers: misunderstanding credit, fear of debt, and lack of exposure to ownership benefits. Advocates teaching the difference between good debt (real estate) and bad debt (consumer credit). Real Estate Process Initial onboarding: credit score, income, tax filing. Connect clients with lenders, secure pre-approval, then negotiate and close within 30–45 days. Uses property tours as motivation even for those not yet approved. Pooling Resources for Wealth Industry dominated by white men and foreign investors who use syndication. Dr. Lee created a private family fund with fraternity brothers and friends. Acquired 150+ apartment units and commercial properties by pooling resources and forming LLCs. Amazon DSP Opportunity Owns an Amazon Delivery Service Partner business (42 trucks, 200 employees). Offers minorities a chance to apply for DSP with $10K grant. Taught him true CEO skills: HR, payroll, compliance, and scaling operations. Construction Business Entered construction after experiencing exploitation in fix-and-flip projects. Learned the business side (permits, change orders) and got licensed. Built major projects like a 10,000 sq. ft. restaurant in Atlanta. Advocates for Black representation in construction, an industry dominated by whites and Hispanics. Personal Background Raised in New Orleans during Katrina by a single mother and grandparents. Mother invested FEMA checks into real estate, teaching him property management and renovation skills early. Believes knowledge is power and emphasizes planning and consistency. Notable Quotes On embracing discomfort:“I learned to embrace the uncomfort and make it one of my biggest strengths.” On social media:“You have to make your business look the same way online as in person.” On financial literacy:“Real estate is always going to be good debt. Bad debt is the Macy’s card.” On collaboration:“Pooling resources shows how far we can go and how fast we can go—but together.” On planning:“If you don’t plan, you plan to fail. All you have to do is stick to the plan.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Justin M. Lee. Purpose of the Interview To showcase Dr. Lee’s journey from a young real estate agent to a multi-industry entrepreneur. To inspire listeners with strategies for wealth-building through real estate, construction, and logistics. To encourage financial literacy, ownership, and collaboration within underserved communities. To issue a call to action for minorities to explore opportunities like Amazon DSP and real estate investment. Key Takeaways Early Career & Education Started young in real estate, embraced discomfort in rooms dominated by older professionals. Leveraged millennial tech skills (social media marketing) to help veteran brokers grow. Earned a doctorate degree and became a licensed real estate broker. Social Media as a Business Tool Built a strong presence on TikTok (90K followers) and other platforms. Helped older real estate firms thrive by creating digital visibility. Emphasized that “business must look as good online as in person.” Financial Literacy & Homeownership African-American communities often lack foundational financial knowledge. Key barriers: misunderstanding credit, fear of debt, and lack of exposure to ownership benefits. Advocates teaching the difference between good debt (real estate) and bad debt (consumer credit). Real Estate Process Initial onboarding: credit score, income, tax filing. Connect clients with lenders, secure pre-approval, then negotiate and close within 30–45 days. Uses property tours as motivation even for those not yet approved. Pooling Resources for Wealth Industry dominated by white men and foreign investors who use syndication. Dr. Lee created a private family fund with fraternity brothers and friends. Acquired 150+ apartment units and commercial properties by pooling resources and forming LLCs. Amazon DSP Opportunity Owns an Amazon Delivery Service Partner business (42 trucks, 200 employees). Offers minorities a chance to apply for DSP with $10K grant. Taught him true CEO skills: HR, payroll, compliance, and scaling operations. Construction Business Entered construction after experiencing exploitation in fix-and-flip projects. Learned the business side (permits, change orders) and got licensed. Built major projects like a 10,000 sq. ft. restaurant in Atlanta. Advocates for Black representation in construction, an industry dominated by whites and Hispanics. Personal Background Raised in New Orleans during Katrina by a single mother and grandparents. Mother invested FEMA checks into real estate, teaching him property management and renovation skills early. Believes knowledge is power and emphasizes planning and consistency. Notable Quotes On embracing discomfort:“I learned to embrace the uncomfort and make it one of my biggest strengths.” On social media:“You have to make your business look the same way online as in person.” On financial literacy:“Real estate is always going to be good debt. Bad debt is the Macy’s card.” On collaboration:“Pooling resources shows how far we can go and how fast we can go—but together.” On planning:“If you don’t plan, you plan to fail. All you have to do is stick to the plan.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Building Passive Income with CREI Collin Most passive investors never read the operating agreement—and that's a mistake. The operating agreement is the rulebook for how the syndication operates. It defines your rights, the sponsor's powers, how profits are distributed, when you get paid, and what happens if things go wrong. In this episode, CREI Collin decodes the operating agreement, breaking down the 10 key sections every investor must understand. You'll learn what rights you have as a limited partner or non-managing member, what red flags to watch for, and what questions to ask before you sign. Learn how to read an operating agreement with confidence. CREI Collin decodes the 10 key sections that define your rights as a passive investor. Key Topics Covered: What is an operating agreement (and limited partnership agreement)? The 10 key sections of an operating agreement Your rights as a limited partner or non-managing member What you can and can't do as a passive investor Red flags to watch for in an operating agreement Questions to ask sponsors about the operating agreement How to protect yourself when reviewing an operating agreement Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction: Why most investors don't read the operating agreement [02:30] What is an operating agreement and why it matters [04:45] Section 1: Definitions [05:30] Section 2: Capital Contributions [06:15] Section 3: Allocations of Profits and Losses [07:00] Section 4: Distributions [08:15] Section 5: Management and Control [09:30] Section 6: Voting Rights [10:45] Section 7: Transfer Restrictions [11:45] Section 8: Capital Calls [12:45] Section 9: Sponsor Removal [13:45] Section 10: Dissolution and Liquidation [14:45] Your rights as a limited partner or non-managing member [16:30] Red flags to watch for [18:15] Questions to ask sponsors [20:00] Recap and action steps Key Takeaways: The operating agreement (for LLCs) or limited partnership agreement (for LPs) is the governing document that defines your rights, the sponsor's powers, and the rules for how the deal operates. Focus on 10 key sections: Definitions, Capital Contributions, Allocations, Distributions, Management and Control, Voting Rights, Transfer Restrictions, Capital Calls, Sponsor Removal, and Dissolution. As a limited partner or non-managing member, you have the right to receive distributions, financial information, and a K-1, and you may have limited voting or consent rights. You generally don't have day-to-day control or the right to easily exit. Red flags include unclear governance, broad discretion without guardrails, mandatory capital calls with severe penalties (dilution, loss of rights, reduced distributions, or forfeiture), vague distribution language, difficult or impossible sponsor removal, severe transfer restrictions, and overly broad indemnification clauses. Ask detailed questions about control, distributions, capital calls, voting or consent rights, transfers, and exit strategy. Read the operating agreement carefully, consult with an attorney if investing significant capital, and evaluate calmly if something feels off. Resources Mentioned: Chapters (00:00:01) - Building Passive Income(00:01:46) - What Am I Signing?(00:02:44) - Subscription Agreement and Investor Questionnaire(00:05:21) - Representations and Warranties(00:07:43) - Accredited Investors: Final Checks and Red flags(00:12:53) - The subscription agreement and investor questionnaire are the final legal documents you sign

CPA and certified financial planner Ben Nanney joins the us to break down the financial essentials every locum tenens physician should understand. Through his firm, Locums Tax PLLC, Ben works exclusively with 1099 physicians, helping them navigate taxes, business ownership, and long‑term planning with clarity and confidence.In this episode, Ben shares how he found his way into financial services, why he's passionate about supporting physicians, and what makes locums providers uniquely positioned — and uniquely challenged — when it comes to managing their money. He walks through the “13‑chapter book” approach he uses with clients, emphasizing proactive planning, year‑round guidance, and eliminating tax‑time surprises.Ben also breaks down common questions around LLCs and S‑corps, estimated taxes, deductions, per diem rules, and how to think strategically about benefits, retirement accounts, and student loans as an independent contractor. Whether you're new to locums or looking to optimize your financial setup, his insights offer practical, actionable steps to help you stay organized and avoid costly mistakes.If you're interested in learning more about Ben's work or exploring his services for locum tenens physicians, visit yourlocumstax.com.

Tax season doesn't have to be scary, especially when cookies are involved. In this episode, I'm joined by Katie Callaway from Cookie Finance to tackle all things taxes for content creators. We break down exactly what you need to have in place—from LLCs to business bank accounts—and demystify the world of write-offs, quarterly payments, and how much to set aside for the IRS. The team at Cookie is specifically trained for and tailored to creators like us. They actually get our industry and all of the nuance that goes into our purchases.   Find It Quickly: 00:16 - Meet Katie from Cookie Finance 06:39 - The Importance of LLCs for Content Creators 11:23 - Setting Up Business Bank Accounts 15:14 - Preparing for Tax Season 19:48 - Common Tax Deductions for Content Creators 24:17 - Cookie Finance Services   Connect with Cookie: Try Cookie: thrivetogether.blog/cookie    

Todd Lutsky explains how the types of assets you own — including rental properties and out-of-state real estate — can significantly shape your estate planning strategy. He discusses liability protection through LLCs, how to avoid Massachusetts estate taxes for non-residents, and why simply placing property in a revocable trust may not provide creditor protection.Todd also explores how family dynamics, special needs planning, spendthrift concerns, and divorce risk should influence how trusts are structured. The episode highlights why flexibility and long-term control from a well-drafted trust can protect assets for generations.

What separates solopreneurs who stay stuck from those who scale into something bigger?In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly Ries and Joe Rando sit down with attorney and business strategist Brandon Williams, whose experience working with major brands like Steve Harvey Global gives him a unique perspective on what it really takes to grow a business from a single idea into a lasting legacy.Brandon breaks down one of the biggest myths about solopreneurship: that doing it alone means building it alone. He explains why the most successful solopreneurs actively build networks, leverage contractors, and think years ahead, even when they're just starting out.Whether you're still in the idea phase or actively growing your business, this conversation will help you shift from thinking small to building intentionally.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy solopreneurs should think like CEOs, even on day oneHow to scale without hiring employees (using contractors and partnerships)The mindset shift that helps solopreneurs overcome imposter syndromeHow to break big, long-term goals into actionable daily prioritiesThe legal structures solopreneurs should set up early (like LLCs and contracts)Why sharing your idea accelerates growth instead of risking itHow to build confidence when entering rooms with more “established” peopleThe biggest partnership mistakes solopreneurs make (and how to avoid them)Why effort and momentum attract opportunities and supportKey Takeaways1. Flying solo doesn't mean building alone Solopreneurs who scale successfully surround themselves with contractors, mentors, and collaborators.2. Confidence comes from action, not experience The difference between those who succeed and those who don't is often the willingness to try.3. Structure makes your business real Creating an LLC, separating finances, and putting agreements in place protects your future growth.4. Focus on where you're going, not just where you are Thinking years ahead helps guide better decisions today.5. Effort attracts momentum Taking consistent action creates opportunities, connections, and growth.Episode FAQsHow can solopreneurs scale their business without hiring employees?Solopreneurs can scale by building a network of contractors, freelancers, and collaborators instead of hiring full-time employees. This allows them to expand their capabilities, take on more clients, and increase revenue while maintaining flexibility and low overhead. Many successful solopreneurs use contractors for marketing, operations, design, and technical work.What legal structure should a solopreneur set up when starting a business?Most solopreneurs should create an LLC (Limited Liability Company) early in their business. An LLC separates personal and business assets, protecting the owner from personal liability if legal issues arise. Solopreneurs should also open a separate business bank account and use written agreements with contractors and clients.How do solopreneurs build confidence when starting or growing a business?Solopreneurs build confidence through action, not experience alone. Taking small steps, such as networking, talking about their business, working with clients, and executing consistently, helps build belief over time. Even experienced business leaders are constantly learning, and confidence grows by doing, not waiting until everything feels perfect.

This week on the podcast is part two of our interview with Weston Dombroski. He's the Director of Legal Services at Lawyers for the Creative Arts in Chicago, where he works directly with artists and creative organizations navigating contracts, intellectual property, and organizational structure. Before that, he developed programs at lawyers-for-the-arts nonprofits, worked on legal teams at platforms such as Patreon and Discord, and helped found artist-run music co-ops. Weston has helped artists operate as sole proprietors, LLCs, nonprofits, cooperatives, and platform-based businesses--and he's seen how those choices play out over time. You won't want to miss his thoughts on how artists should approach business! https://law-arts.org/staff

In this bonus episode for BJJ business owners, we're joined again by David Bayarena! David is a BJJ black belt, a longtime BJJMM community member, and the founder of RONIN: a financial planning & training firm specialized in working with Jiu-Jitsu gyms.This conversation focuses on how BJJ gym owners can survive economic volatility and build real wealth, not just create a job for themselves. Topics include: cash flow discipline, break-even analysis, liquidity reserves, entity structure (LLCs vs. S-Corps), tax strategy, insurance protection, inflation, and smart use of leverage.Email David:david@roninwealth.com Work with David at RONIN Wealth:https://www.roninwealth.com⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:https://bjjmentalmodels.comNeed more BJJ Mental Models?Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletterLearn more mental models in our online database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/databaseFollow us on social:https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodelshttps://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodelshttps://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.socialhttps://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodelsMusic by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this conversation, Jonathan N. Feniak discusses the importance of asset protection in real estate, emphasizing the need for strategic planning and understanding liability. He shares his journey from various professional roles to becoming a lawyer, highlighting the significance of client engagement and the challenges faced in the legal field. Feniak also addresses the complexities of business structures and the necessity of creating optionality in one's career and investments. The discussion concludes with insights on building meaningful relationships and delivering value to clients.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

In this episode of the Real Estate Pros Podcast, host Micah Johnson sits down with Katie Johnson, a short-term rental (STR) investor and attorney specializing in STR law. Katie shares how she entered the short-term rental space, scaled her portfolio in Southwest Michigan, and identified a major gap in legal protection for STR owners. The conversation dives into zoning laws, deed restrictions, HOAs, and the increasing regulation of short-term rentals across the country. Katie also explains why proper legal setup—such as LLCs, contracts, and insurance—is critical to protecting investors from significant liability. This episode emphasizes education, risk management, and building the right professional team when operating short-term rental businesses.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

As the Clippers host NBA All-Star Weekend, Pablo's "thorough due diligence" leads down a trail of LLCs and lawsuits that Kawhi Leonard and the richest owner in sports probably don't want you to know about. David Samson and Amin Elhassan return with a new prescription and — if the Aspiration whistle blows again — judgment day.Previously on PTFO:• Part I: The Silent Superstar and the Rotten Apple Tree• Part II: An Argument with Mark Cuban• Part III: The Mystery Investor, the No-Show Payday and the "Smoking Gun"• Part IV: Steve Ballmer, the Other Cuban and the $118 Million Infusion• Part V: Steve Ballmer's "Inconceivable" Donation, the $20 Million Guarantee and a Head on a Spike• Part VI: An IRL Showdown with Mark Cuban• Part VII: The Briefcase, Ballmer's Social Network and Aspiration's House of Cards• Subscribe to Pablo's newsletter for exclusive access, documents and invites• Subscribe to "Nothing Personal with David Samson"• Subscribe to "Basketball Illuminati" with Amin Elhassan(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Department of Justice released a memo halting criminal charges for individuals and businesses doing diesel deletes. So how and why are they still being sued? Are diesel deletes still not legal? Lawyer Stewart Cables joins us today to unpack the latest! Stewart D. Cables is a founding partner of Hassan + Cables. Stewart specializes in general business representation and a variety of trial work. Stewart's practice areas include complex civil litigation, employment law, criminal and DUI defense, transactional work for corporations and LLCs, and counsel for non-profit entities. Stewart Cables E: stewart@hassancables.com P: 303-625-1025 ext.2 https://www.hassancables.com/stewart-d-cables -------------------------------- Disclaimer: This video is for general information purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal advice of any kind. No one should act, or refrain from acting, based solely upon the information provided on this podcast, without first seeking appropriate legal or other professional advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Real Estate Pros podcast, host Michelle Kesil speaks with Brian Bradley, an expert in asset protection for investors. They discuss the importance of legal structures in safeguarding assets, debunk common myths surrounding LLCs and trusts, and emphasize the necessity of proactive planning in asset protection. Brian shares insights from case law to illustrate the significance of timing and control in establishing effective asset protection strategies.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

This week on the podcast is part one of our interview with Weston Dombroski. He's the Director of Legal Services at Lawyers for the Creative Arts in Chicago, where he works directly with artists and creative organizations navigating contracts, intellectual property, and organizational structure. Before that, he developed programs at lawyers-for-the-arts nonprofits, worked on legal teams at platforms such as Patreon and Discord, and helped found artist-run music co-ops. Weston has helped artists operate as sole proprietors, LLCs, nonprofits, cooperatives, and platform-based businesses--and he's seen how those choices play out over time. You won't want to miss his thoughts on how artists should approach business! https://law-arts.org/staff

LLC asset protection expert Garrett Sutton, Rich Dad advisor and Corporate Direct founder, joins attorney Ted Sutton to reveal entity structuring strategies that protect entrepreneurs from lawsuits while optimizing tax savings. Operating as a sole proprietor exposes you to five times greater IRS audit risk and unlimited personal liability—this episode provides proven frameworks successful business owners use to build wealth without risking everything. You'll discover: why Wyoming LLCs offer superior charging order protection for real estate investors and crypto assets at just $62 annually, how S corp taxation eliminates 15.3% payroll tax on distributions (saving $6,000+ yearly on $100K income), the catastrophic mistakes DIY entity formation creates, and proper multi-state holding company structures. Garrett shares Robert Kiyosaki's asset protection philosophy from Start Your Own Corporation and Loopholes of Real Estate, explaining how entity structures integrate with trust planning to avoid probate. Ted addresses Corporate Transparency Act compliance and March 2026 FinCEN reporting requirements for cash real estate transactions. Perfect for established entrepreneurs with $100K+ income seeking business growth frameworks that integrate tax planning with asset protection. Essential topics include: choosing between Delaware, Nevada, and Wyoming jurisdictions, structuring holding companies for rental properties, protecting crypto in LLCs, building your money team with CPAs and attorneys, and avoiding the sole proprietorship trap. This conversation bridges startup entity selection with advanced scaling strategies for coaching businesses, real estate portfolios, and service-based enterprises prioritizing sustainable growth with integrated liability protection.

In this episode of the Real Estate Pros Podcast, host Micah Johnson speaks with attorney Joel Kaufmann about the critical importance of asset protection for real estate investors. They discuss the foundational role of LLCs in safeguarding personal assets, the necessity of layered structures for managing properties, and the significance of estate planning to ensure continuity and reduce conflict. Joel emphasizes the need for proactive planning to mitigate risks associated with death, disability, and disagreements among partners. The conversation also touches on advanced strategies like irrevocable trusts and the importance of having a comprehensive legal framework in place to support long-term investment goals.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

Brad shares his three-year plan to exit traditional employment and live a fully automated business life, what he calls a corporate lifestyle strategy. He's already launched fitness and supplement LLCs and is preparing to add real estate, but questions how to fund growth without overexposing personal capital.Loral walks through why a true corporate lifestyle strategy requires sequencing, management entities, and the right mix of LLCs, S-corps, and future trusts. Rather than leaning equally into multiple businesses, she explains how choosing the most scalable cash machine first accelerates automation and tax efficiency and shows how a corporate lifestyle strategy is built intentionally not emotionally.Loral's Takeaways:Brad's Business Goals and Current Ventures (00:46)Strategies for Business Growth and Tax Planning (02:09)Funding and Investment Strategies (04:08)Timeline and Action Plan (05:43)Meet Loral Langemeier:Loral Langemeier is a money expert, sought-after speaker, entrepreneurial thought leader, and best-selling author of five books.Her goal: to change the conversations people have about money worldwide and empower people to become millionaires.The CEO and Founder of Live Out Loud, Inc. – a multinational organization — Loral relentlessly and candidly shares her best advice without hesitation or apology. What sets her apart from other wealth experts is her innate ability to recognize and acknowledge the skills & talents of people, inspiring them to generate wealth.She has created, nurtured, and perfected a 3-5 year strategy to make millions for the “Average Jill and Joe.” To date, she and her team have served thousands of individuals worldwide and created hundreds of millionaires through wealth-building education keynotes, workshops, products, events, programs, and coaching services.Loral is truly dedicated to helping men and women, from all walks of life, to become millionaires AND be able to enjoy time with their families.She is living proof that anyone can have the life of their dreams through hard work, persistence, and getting things done in the face of opposition. As a single mother of two children, she is redefining the possibility for women to have it all and raise their children in an entrepreneurial and financially literate environment.Links and Resources:Ask Loral App: https://apple.co/3eIgGcXLoral on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/askloral/Loral on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/lorallive/videosLoral on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorallangemeier/Money Rules: https://integratedwealthsystems.com/money-rules/Millionaire Maker Store: https://millionairemakerstore.com/Real Money Talks Podcast: https://integratedwealthsystems.com/podcast/Integrated Wealth Systems: https://integratedwealthsystems.com/Affiliate Sign-Up: https://integratedwealthsystems.com/affiliatesThanks for...

Click Here for the Show Notes   In this episode of Ask Marco, we dive into a question every serious real estate investor eventually faces—but few truly understand: how umbrella insurance actually works inside a real asset protection structure. Listener Shaw lays out an impressive setup with multiple LLCs, holding companies, trusts, and layered insurance, then asks the big question: should umbrella coverage live at the LLC level, the holding company level, or both? Marco breaks it all down in plain English—personal vs. commercial umbrella policies, how they “stack” on top of primary coverage, why common ownership matters, and how to simplify even the most complex multi-state, multi-entity portfolios without leaving dangerous gaps. If you own multiple properties, use LLCs, or are scaling your portfolio and want to protect what you're building the right way, this episode is packed with practical insights you don't want to miss.

California is pushing a wealth tax. Missouri just eliminated capital gains tax. What does that mean for investors?In this episode, Ellis Hammond sits down with Bob and Ben Fraser to break down the billionaire tax battle between CA vs. MO—and how high-net-worth investors adapt. Learn how the wealthy use LLCs, balance-sheet thinking, and smart tax strategy to legally protect and grow their wealth.If you want to pay less in taxes and keep more of your returns, this episode is for you.Don't miss the 2026 Macro Economic Outlook—announced in the outro of this episode! Sign up here: ⁠https://aspenfunds.us/2026-macro-economic-outlook/⁠Have more questions, or want more resources like a tax calculator? Go to ⁠https://investlikeabillionaire.org/⁠  to learn more about our community. Check out Ben & Bob's company and invest along at ⁠https://aspenfunds.us/

This conversation delves into the intricacies of Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) and its significant tax benefits for founders. MICHAEL ARLEIN, Partner at Patterson Belknap, explains the eligibility criteria, the importance of strategic planning, and the potential pitfalls that can arise. The discussion also covers the implications of state taxes and the advantages of gifting strategies. We cover innovative approaches like the “GOAT” trust to maximize tax-free gains. Founders are encouraged to engage with legal experts early in their business journey to fully leverage QSBS opportunities. https://youtu.be/lfBt0j7BlW0?si=LufZ8j2YtgdspLMJ Takeaways from “QSBS For Founders” QSBS is a powerful tax benefit for founders.The maximum exclusion amount has increased to $15 million.Careful planning is essential to avoid QSBS pitfalls.Gifting QSBS stock can multiply tax exemptions.State tax implications vary; California does not recognize QSBS.Discounting shares can aid in estate planning.Converting from an S-Corp to a C-Corp can preserve QSBS benefits.Early engagement with legal counsel is crucial for founders.Innovative strategies like the GOAT trust can maximize benefits.Almost all businesses should consider QSBS eligibility. Chapters 00:00 Understanding QSBS: A Founder’s Guide.02:56 Navigating the QSBS Landscape: Common Pitfalls.06:07 Maximizing QSBS Benefits: Stacking Strategies.08:42 The Importance of Timing: Gifting and Valuation.12:03 State Tax Implications: The QSBS Challenge.14:52 Entity Structures and QSBS: What Founders Need to Know.17:37 Transitioning to C-Corp: Strategies for S-Corps and LLCs.20:29 Who Should Pay Attention to QSBS?23:44 Innovative Business Structures: Technology and QSBS-26:36 Early Stage Strategies: Cloning Yourself on the Cap Table- Transcript of “QSBS for Founders” Frazer Rice (00:01.109)Welcome aboard, Michael. Michael Arlein (00:03.096)Thank you. Good to be here. Frazer Rice (00:04.617)So let’s get started here. QSBS, Qualified Small Business Stock, is something that certainly all founders should be aware of. It’s a tax feature. It’s probably one of the nicest goodies that the federal government gives to people who are starting businesses. Take us through a little bit about what happens there. For founders, you’re going to hear the numbers 1202, which is the section that is quoted here. Take us through a little bit about what happens at QSBS and why it’s a powerful feature. Michael Arlein (00:37.496)Sure, that sounds good. To your point, the New York Times called QSBS a lavish tax dodge that is easily multiplied. And I happen to. I’m not aware of any other provision of the tax code that can save anyone as much money as QSBS. It’s really incredible. I think the policy reasons behind the provisions are that they’re designed to encourage entrepreneurship. Everyone on both sides of the political aisle is in favor of. The basic premise of it is that if you create a company.You own the stock for five years. The company’s in the form of a C corporation, It’s not in one of a series of restricted industries. Mainly service industries, that when you sell the stock, you can exclude from paying tax $10 million, the first $10 million of your gain. That’s the old rule, which I’m still dealing with, that that’s for stock that was issued before July 4th, 2025. And now QSBS has gotten even better. So if you get stock after that date. You hold it for actually now three years, you can exclude ultimately up to $15 million from tax. So we’re now dealing with two different regimes. I’m still stuck in the old regime. Most of the people I’m dealing with got their stock before last July. But I’ll try and point out the differences as we go along. Frazer Rice (02:29.066)Sure, as you said, there are a bunch of things you have to jump through. To make sure that you can sort of apply and then to further comply with the rules associated with it. Things like services. Making sure that maybe you don’t have too much cash and that it’s deployed correctly. Making sure that the original stock issuance persists throughout. What are some of the things that you tell your clients? How do you walk them through the process so that they don’t trip on themselves and lose this nice tax advantage? Michael Arlein (03:09.676)Yeah, there are some landmines, things that you can step on and blow it. There’s some weird rules around redemptions. Like if you have redemptions. Let’s say you create a company and then there’s three co-founders. Then very early on, one of the co-founders wants out or you want to kick them out. And then the mechanism for that is the company kind of buys back their stock. You know, there’s complicated rules that can, you know, blow up QSBS for the entire company. I think some people start their businesses as LLCs or S-Corps or things like that, and then later convert them. And that has to be done very, very carefully with good tax advice. Otherwise that can also blow things up. When I talk to founders, it’s pretty clear their business qualifies. They didn’t screw anything up. Frazer Rice (04:19.626)So the OBBBA in a sense turbocharged a little bit the tax savings. That five year requirement that you talked about. You can now get some of the benefits even as early as three years. And then the dollar amounts got expanded. In addition, and this was not necessarily OBBBA related. The ability to take one exemption and maybe multiply it via stacking continues to be a powerful tool. For those people who are walking into your office now. How do you get them when they sit down situated so that they do that planning upfront? Michael Arlein (05:08.598)Yeah, that’s, you we kind of buried the lead. The benefit of QSBS: it would be incredible if you could just pay no tax on 10 or $15 million. But what’s even more incredible is that you can stack or multiply the number of exemptions. You have using a provision of the code. It says that if you gift QSBS stock to some other person or entity. That that person or entity can take their own up to 10 or 15, their own QSBS exemption. I’m just gonna say it’s 15. We understand that’s for newly stocked. So, classic move for a founder would be to set up trusts for children. There’s a special kind of a trust for a spouse. You can do this with sometimes people make trust for their parents, their siblings. There are certain states where you can actually make a trust for yourself. Usually when people come to my office, the conversation is around creating entities. Typically trusts, and then gifting shares to those trusts. that As a family, you could go from 15 million tax free to 30 or 45 or 60 million tax free. The record I had one guy who had a very large family. He married, he had kids and was very close not only with his parents. With his siblings, his nieces, his nephews, even his aunts, uncles, and cousins. He created 23 trusts, which on paper at least would save up to $230 million. Wow. Yeah. Frazer Rice (07:08.896)There’s a danger with that though, with those 23 trusts had to be different. I imagine the IRS would say, wait a minute, we see what you’re doing. Stacking all of these different things is theoretically nice and all, but is there a way to create differences within those trusts so that the IRS doesn’t view them as one big pot? Michael Arlein (07:39.692)Yeah, great question. So you can’t create multiple identical trusts. Meaning I can’t create five trusts for my child. The IRS has rules that consider those trusts as one trust and would have only one exemptions. So, one of the limiting factors on creating trust is often, who are the people you’re willing to gift to? You know, so this guy with the 23, he actually was willing to create trust for his cousins, his aunts, uncles. Now, those individuals were the beneficiaries of the trusts, which means that they were eligible to receive money from the trust. But those trusts were designed so that when those people passed away, the money would circulate back to his children. So, you we never talked about it, but it’s possible that in his head, his plan was that he would maybe provide some benefit to his cousin. Maybe he’d say to his cousin, hey, if there’s $5 million in this trust and you need a little money, I’ll make some distributions to you, but I’m going to request that the trustee kind of withhold most of the money. And then when you die, it’ll come back and benefit my kids. So there are nuances there. But generally speaking, most people aren’t willing to do that. They’re not close enough with their cousins and their aunts and their uncles. So they end up maybe creating trusts, you know, for their kids, for their parents, sometimes, you know, for their spouse and maybe sometimes they go a little beyond that, but not that far. One thing that’s important is that the U.S. Frazer Rice (09:33.472)One thing that’s important is that the the QSBS is a capital gains tax Concept meaning you’re you’re saving on the tax. From a QSBS for Founders standpoint when the the founder sells the business, and you have to pay capital gains tax on that front. Part of the reason I’m skewing this toward founders is that there’s an gift in a state exemption of 15 million dollars. So it’s important to get these assets into these trusts as early as possible and with as low evaluation as possible. That in many ways is where the real leverage is. Does that square with your thinking? Michael Arlein (10:11.019)Yeah, absolutely. We have a permanent $15 million lifetime gifting limit. $30 million for spouses. And when you gift stock into these trusts, you’re typically gifting at a common stock valuation. People are familiar, founders are familiar with common stock valuations because they do that for purposes of issuing stock options, you know, the so-called 409A valuation. Now, a gift tax appraisal is different than a 409A valuation, but in many ways, they’re very similar. S0 founders know that, you know, they could be raising a preferred round at $10 a share, but their 409A common stock valuation is still $2 a share. So you can get a lot of gifting done. You can give a lot of shares away. You know, using your $15 million exemption, even if the company is very valuable. So we see founders doing this sort of gifting, you know, late in the game, even right before a transaction or an IPO. But if you had a crystal ball, or at least, you know, you were willing to take some risk, obviously, the earlier you do it, the better, because you could gift… I mean, theoretically, if you set up trusts and you gifted shares the day after you created your company, they would be worth essentially nothing. And so you wouldn’t have to use hardly any of your gifting exemption. The problem is most people, A, aren’t thinking about that on the day they create their company. They don’t have anyone whispering in their ear and telling them to do that. And number two, they wouldn’t want to spend the money on legal fees to set up structures because at that point they’re like, don’t know what this is going to be worth. This could be zero. This could go out of business in a year. So there’s a trade off that I see between doing this later in the process where you’re gaining visibility into outcomes, maybe for younger people sometimes, you know, there’s visibility into their family lives. Maybe when they founded the company they were single. Then if they wait five years they marry, they’ll have children, i.e. people who they could create trust for. But the cost of doing that is that you’re gifting at a higher value. Frazer Rice (12:46.591)One of the considerations that people don’t understand is the state tax implication. QSBS is a federal concept that a lot of states join onto and link to. But a state like California isn’t. And so sometimes that can be an untoward surprise to people that there’s a state tax that happens that they may not have expected. Michael Arlein (13:16.299)Yeah, it’s kind of bizarre that California, the home of Silicon Valley, doesn’t recognize QSBS. But most states do. My home state of New Jersey, in fact, very recently joined the QSBS club and now recognizes it at the state level. There are a few other states, I think. Pennsylvania, I don’t think recognizes it, but the vast majority of states do. But unfortunately, if you live in California, you’re probably only in quotes saving the federal tax. But the federal tax on $15 million, 23.8 % of 15 is a pretty big number. Frazer Rice (14:01.086)No question and absolutely worth doing. one of the things that I find happens is that from an income capital gains tax perspective, we’re on top of it with the QSBS. When we get into the estate planning world, we use the concept of discounting, meaning putting QSBS shares or any shares for that matter into other entities so that you get discounting for lack of marketability and the ability to make decisions around it. Are there any tripwires on that front as far as putting things into other LLCs so that you don’t, maybe in a sense that in trying to really maximize the estate planning and the estate tax avoidance that you create issues that might cause problems with your QSBS tax avoidance usefulness there. Michael Arlein (15:02.413)Yes. Again, the rules under Section 1202 of the code for QSBS have some strange traps for the unwary and some gray areas. And one of those gray areas is around transferring interests in partnership type entities, which would mean like an LLC or a partnership. that owns QSBS. So essentially, it’s very clear that if you have QSBS stock and you gift it into one of these entities we’ve been talking about, that that entity would take the QSBS attribute and be able to enjoy the benefits of QSBS. If the QSBS is held in an entity like an LLC, let’s say you set up a, well. Let’s say a realistic example is that you made an investment in a venture capital fund that invested in an early stage company that’s QSBS. And now you’re a limited partner in that fund and you know that that fund is going to have a large exit in this QSBS position and that you’re going to get the benefits of that, but it’s going to exceed $15 million. So you say, what I should do is I should take my interest in this venture capital fund. I should give them to trust for my kids so that when the fund distributes those shares or distributes the proceeds from selling that company, it’ll be split among various entities and I’ll be able to stack QSPS. The transfer of an interest in a fund that owns QSPS, there’s a gray area about whether the recipient of that fund interest would actually have QSPS and it’s generally viewed as something to be avoided. Frazer Rice (17:08.944)In a sense putting it at risk. A question that I think pops up is that there are people who started businesses maybe pre that July 4th date that you were talking about and maybe they chose an entity like an S Corp or an LLC that isn’t sort of a good qualifying C Corp and they’re looking and saying you know what I may be able to sell this business three to five years or beyond and take advantage of this QSBS. Are there avenues to be able to change that tax elections so that you can begin that QSBS and what’s the analysis around? Michael Arlein (17:44.972)Yeah, in fact, a fairly common structure is, and we haven’t really gotten into these details, but it’s a great question. So QSBS is actually the greater of $15 million or 10 times your basis. Now we ignore the basis rule for the most part because the vast majority of founders do not have basis. They create their company and they put nothing into it. With a bank account with $10,000 in it, and they’re not contributing actual dollars into their business. And so the 10 times basis rule doesn’t actually apply. But there’s a way for a founder to take advantage of that, and this strategy is actually called PACKING. And the packing strategy involves starting your business as an LLC and with an LLC and then converting it to a C corporation. with an LLC, when you convert, there’s an attribution of basis to the founder based on the value of the LLC’s assets. Theoretically, if you started off as an LLC, and before the LLC hit $75 million value of its assets, $75 million being sort of the cutoff for qualifying for small business, you have to acquire your stock before your company assets are worth $75 million. Theoretically, let’s say you did that when it was $74 million, then if your basis was $74 million, 10 times your basis would be $740 million, you would have up to $740 million tax free. So people kind of play this game. I think for a lot of companies, it’s not realistic to be an LLC because venture cap, if you’re going to raise venture funds, they want you to be a C Corp. This works for bootstrapped companies, but most companies are forming a C corporations. You know, there is a path to convert from an S-Corp to a C-Corp and preserve QSPS for Founders. I’m no expert in that. All I can tell you is that it has to be done very carefully and very specifically. And I’ve seen a lot of people who didn’t know they needed to do anything specific and they do not qualify for QSPS. Frazer Rice (20:45.085)As we sort of, I’m not going to say wind down here because we may have some other topics that pop up. But when someone walks through their door, I guess maybe the way to think about it is, who does this apply to? You said the services industry. So accounting, finance, that type of thing- NO. For those things that venture tries to invest in, whether it’s software or other processes, who is really should be paying attention to this? Michael Arlein (21:16.491)I mean, I think almost anyone should be paying attention to this because it may be that you don’t qualify, but often people do. And more often than not, you do. This has broad application for most businesses. There are excluded industries, architects and lawyers and accountants. But if you’re doing something in the tech world, you’re probably going to qualify. It’s good to get some advice from the corporate lawyer who’s helping you create your business. I think one of the considerations of whether you form as a C Corp or an LLC is probably the availability of QSBS status. You know, I think stacking strategies, it’s worth having a conversation probably sooner than later with a lawyer to find out what the menu of stacking options is. I talk to people all the time and we decide it’s premature for them to do something. And then they call me back a year or two later and all the time I’m calls from people who say, hey, we spoke a few years ago and now Frazer Rice (22:34.013)Alright. Michael Arlein (22:39.913)the time is right. So it’s good to get educated, learn what the options are. QSBS stacking is not just about giving shares to your kids. There are strategies that are specifically designed for single people where you can create these benefits for yourself and You know, it’s too good to be missed. if you, I do talk to people who say to me, they’re usually on their second venture or third venture and they say to me, I really screwed this up the first time around. I paid no attention to it and I was focused on my business and I just screwed it up. I literally cost myself millions or tens of millions of dollars had I done it correctly. And now that’s why I’m calling you, because I want to do it correctly the second time around. Frazer Rice (23:33.278)Part and parcel with that, I ran into somebody really more of what’s called a media personality. And usually the way I think of it is that the QSBS isn’t necessarily available for people whose value is centered around them as a personality or them as a brand. But I said, you know what, the QSBS component, while it might not apply here, if your business morphs into something where you’re developing other things, slash maybe you turn into a media production company or, youbecome involved in a technology that drives other things, that you shouldn’t dismiss that. The pivot in the business from sort of a personality generated to something a little bit more business process generated might be something to think about, not only from a strategy standpoint, not that you necessarily wanna do things purely for tax reasons, but if that’s a natural consequence, that’s something to think about. Has that ever popped up in your world? Michael Arlein (24:31.915)Yeah, for sure. Every business these days is technology enabled. And I think sometimes businesses that you wouldn’t think of as being technology businesses are doing enough technology things that they can claim that they’re a technology business and not a business providing a particular kind of service. So, you know, with the help of a clever accountant or a tax lawyer, this is not an area that I operate in. I’m more about multiplying QSBS once you have it. But there are tax lawyers and corporate lawyers and accountants who can advise you how to make your business eligible for QSBS by leaning into, as you said, things that you’re doing that may be…you know, eligible versus other parts of your business that would not be. Also, you know, you can, sometimes you see companies that are divided, right? Like, so there’s a company who provides counseling services, like, you know, they’re actually hire psychotherapists that will counsel you, you know, online, like on a Zoom. and their business is split. There’s a medical services company that employs all the counselors and medical services is one of the excluded industries. But then they also have a completely separate business that is their technology platform. And the way they structured it, the value is really in the technology platform. That business is QSBS eligible because it’s a completely separate company. Frazer Rice (26:28.771)That’s a great example. part of the purpose of the question was to elicit that, is that people may say, well, we fall squarely into one classification when maybe some underlying thought might lend itself to structuring from a tax perspective that might be useful later on. OK, now as we wind down, for someone who is, at this point, starting a company when they’re forming these things, not that you, QSBS for Founders should drive the world, but how do they get involved with the discussions so that they do the right things early? Michael Arlein (27:06.401)Yeah, I mean, I do have a very specific strategy that I love for people who are about to form a company. And it really works best in that scenario of an early stage company that’s just about to launch. The way I describe this to founders is that you can and should clone yourself on the cap table. So if you start off a company and you own all of the shares, you’re basically eligible for 15 million tax free. That’s great. But what if you could clone yourself and there were three Frazers on the cap table, then Frazer would have $45 million tax free. So how do you do this? You can do it with trusts. And the beautiful thing is if you have other people create trust for you, then you can be the beneficiary of the trust and control it as well. And I have sort of branded and named this strategy a GOAT trust, which of course has the double meaning, know, greatest of all time. Frazer Rice (28:21.02) QSBS for FoundersRight. Michael Arlein (28:21.165) QSBS for FoundersBut actually stands for gift optimized to alleviate taxes. The essentials of it are is that we would work with your parents, the founders parents, we would work with your grandma, your uncle, and we would spin up some trusts that they create for the benefit of you as the founder. You would have all sorts of control and access to those trusts and they make a gift into those trusts, probably something fairly modest. Then those trusts on the day of formation buy up some of the common stock. And so those are your clones. You know, you’re having your cake and eating it too. You’re getting, you know, QSBS stacking for Founders. You’re getting some other benefits we haven’t even talked about. Those trusts can be exempt from a state tax and state level income tax. And you control those trusts and benefit from them. So we’ve essentially cloned you on the cap table. And that is a beautiful strategy that most people miss out on because they don’t do it. And then they come to me a few years later and they own the stock and it’s valuable and then we have to do the more traditional stacking strategies. Frazer Rice (29:40.432)Really cool stuff. Michael, how do people get in touch with you if they have these problems slash opportunities? Michael Arlein (29:48.525)Sure, well they can Google me. I have a nice web presence. We have our…Founder Focus Practice Group that I lead at the firm, which is very specifically tailored to provide legal services to founders, personal legal services. And I focus on the tax side of that and QSBS stacking for Founders. My email, msarlein at pbwt.com. Phone number 212-336-2588. Frazer Rice (30:23.324) QSBS For FoundersThat will all be in the show notes. Michael, thanks for being on. Michael Arlein (30:26.753) QSBS For FoundersThank you. FAMILY OFFICE MYTHS https://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Actually-Intelligent-Decision-Making-1-ebook/dp/B07FPQJJQT/ QSBS for Founders QSBS for Founders

It's tax season — and the rules have changed again. With new updates to the 1031 exchange and bonus depreciation, real-estate investors have more ways than ever to defer taxes and build wealth in 2025. In this episode, Brian Hamrick welcomes Dave Foster, one of the nation's top Qualified Intermediaries and founder of The 1031 Investor. Dave breaks down what the new "Big Beautiful Bill" means for real-estate owners, and how to use the latest tax provisions to maximize returns and preserve legacy wealth. You'll learn: What's new (and now permanent) in the 1031 exchange rules How bonus depreciation and cost segregation help you eliminate taxable income this year How to combine 1031 exchanges with bonus depreciation for massive savings Why the step-up value in basis creates tax-free generational wealth The difference between Section 179, Section 121, and 1031, and how each applies to real-estate owners The role of LLCs, trusts, and estate planning in preserving tax benefits Creative strategies like setting up a family foundation for charitable giving and tax deductions Whether you're an active investor, flipper, short-term-rental owner, or planning for retirement, this episode will help you understand how to protect your profits and plan smarter for the future. Find out more: Website: https://www.the1031investor.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/The1031Investor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaveFoster1031  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davefoster1031/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaveFoster1031  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davefoster1031/ Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area. https://www.livegreenlocal.com And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and medicare benefits. https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

Are you making smart tax and legal decisions, or leaving money on the table without realizing it? In this episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mark J. Kohler tackles your toughest questions and breaks down real-world tax strategies, asset protection myths, and retirement planning mistakes that business owners and investors face every day.From selling million-dollar collectibles and avoiding unnecessary taxes, to understanding how S Corporations can impact Social Security benefits later in life, Mark tackles listener questions with practical, no-nonsense advice. You'll learn why LLCs don't magically reduce taxes, how charitable remainder trusts really work, and when trusts actually make sense — and when they're a complete waste of money.If you're a small business owner, investor, or high-income professional looking to legally reduce taxes, protect assets, and build long-term wealth, this episode is packed with insights you can use right now!You'll learn:Why setting up an LLC or corporation won't help you avoid capital gains taxes when selling high-value collectiblesWhen trusts actually make sense for asset protection—and when they're an expensive mistakeWhy Social Security has diminishing returns for high earners and how S Corporations change the mathThe rules around depreciated equipment and why you can't “reset” depreciation with a new entityHow self-rental real estate strategies can unlock powerful deductions for business ownersWhat counts as a prohibited transaction inside IRAs and Solo 401(k)s—and what doesn'tGet a comprehensive tax consultation with one of our Main Street tax lawyers that can build a tax strategy plan with an affordable consultation that will leave you speechless!! Here's the link - https://kkoslawyers.com/services/comprehensive-bus-tax-consult/?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=description-link&utm_campaign=main-street-business-podcast&utm_content=msbp607-open-forum-toughest-tax-and-legal-questions Grab my eBook 30 Unique Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know! You don't want to miss this! Secure your tickets for the #1 Event For Small Business Owners On Main Street America: Main Street 360 Looking to connect with a rock star law firm? KKOS is only a click away! Are you ready to get certified in EVERY strategy I teach? Start your journey with a FREE 15-minute discovery call to explore the Main Street Tax Pro Certification. Check out our YOUTUBE Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/markjkohler Craving more content? Check out my Instagram!

If paying yourself from your business is inconsistent, delayed, or feels oddly complicated, you're not alone—and it's not because you're 'bad' with money.   In this episode, I'm breaking down Owner's Pay 101 and showing you exactly how to pay yourself based on your business structure, whether you're a solo business owner, an LLC, or a corporation.   We'll cover what owner's pay actually is (and what it is not), why leaving it undefined always means you come last, and how owner's pay works through payroll, owner's draws, and distributions.   Just as importantly, we'll address the emotional patterns that keep so many capable, successful women hesitant to pay themselves consistently, including the 3 leadership shifts required to stabilize owner's pay.   Paying yourself consistently isn't about spreadsheets or systems. It's about ending the cycle where your business gets richer while you stay financially tight.   In this episode, I talk about: What owner's pay is, and why it's not "whatever is left over."   How owner's pay works for solo businesses, LLCs, and S Corporations.   Why underpaying yourself is rarely about math and always emotional.   How ballooning expenses often replace paying yourself without you realizing it.   Why consistency matters more than the amount when paying yourself.   The three leadership shifts required to stabilize owner's pay.   ~~   For full show notes, transcript, and to check out Kendall's NEW FREE workshop Your Pricing Breakthrough, click here: www.themoneycoachschoolpodcast.com/123

In this conversation, Jon G. Sanchez and Cory Edge discuss the volatile nature of the stock market and the importance of asset protection for real estate investors. They emphasize the necessity of using LLCs to protect personal assets from lawsuits related to investment properties. The discussion covers various strategies for asset protection, including proper titling, avoiding co-mingling of funds, and the benefits of umbrella insurance. The hosts provide insights into the current market trends and the implications for real estate investors.The Jon Sanchez Show is a service of Sanchez Gaunt Capital Management, LLC in Reno, Nevada.Learn more about our services: https://www.sanchezgaunt.com/our-processChapters00:00 Market Overview and Wild Rides01:26 The Importance of Asset Protection09:54 Understanding LLCs and Their Benefits30:18 Asset Protection Strategies for Real Estate Investors

Paying yourself wrong can trigger IRS issues, messy books, and unexpected tax bills. In this episode, we break down exactly how LLC owners should pay themselves in 2026 based on their entity type and tax election.You'll learn the 3 primary ways business owners get paid: owner draws or distributions, payroll, and guaranteed payments. We explain which payment methods are legally allowed for single-member LLCs, partnerships, and S corporations, and why running payroll as an owner is prohibited unless you have an S corporation election.We walk through how each method is taxed, how it shows up in your financial statements, and why owner draws do not reduce business profit even though they reduce cash. 

In this episode, Lady Landlords founder, Becky Nova…Sits with Bree, a business funding and credit specialist, to share how investors can buy rental properties through LLCs and break free from the save-buy-save cycle. She explains how to leverage credit strategically and use of MCA loans. Bree also dives into building business credit, understanding funding options, and using debt responsibly to scale real estate portfolios.Need support with your rentals? Book a call here to learn how Lady Landlords can help! https://lady-landlords.com/pd-chat-with-becky===

Gen X and Millennials are set to inherit nearly $2.4 trillion in U.S. real estate over the next decade, and the impact is already being felt—especially in luxury housing markets. A new report from Coldwell Banker Global Luxury reveals that Americans aged 60 and older now control nearly two-thirds of U.S. wealth, fueling what's being called the "Silver Tsunami." As this massive wealth transfer accelerates, high-end real estate markets are seeing shifting demand, rising price points, and more legacy properties coming to market. According to reporting first highlighted by The Wall Street Journal, wealthy families are buying properties earlier, restructuring ownership through LLCs, and favoring flexible luxury condominiums over traditional co-ops—particularly in markets like New York City and South Florida. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down what this generational wealth transfer means for luxury housing, real estate investors, and long-term market trends as Millennials prepare to inherit the largest share over the next 25 years. Want to learn more? Visit www.NewsforInvestors.com  Source: https://nypost.com/2026/01/20/real-estate/gen-xers-and-millennials-will-inherit-trillions-of-dollars-in-real-estate/

This week's episode dives into a topic most of us avoid—but absolutely can't afford to ignore: wills, trusts, asset protection, and what happens to your family if you don't plan ahead. My guest is Trevor Kuresa, attorney and founder of Hibiscus Legal, who also happens to be the one I personally trust with all my estate planning. Trevor breaks down the uncomfortable (and sometimes heartbreaking) realities of what happens when people die—or become incapacitated—without the right legal structures in place.We cover everything from choosing guardians for your kids, to irrevocable vs. revocable trusts, to family LLCs and asset protection post-OSO sale. We also talk about Trevor's new offering: fractional general counsel services—so you can finally have a lawyer on call without the big firm price tag. If you've ever said, “I'll get to it eventually,” this episode might be the wake-up call that saves your family years of pain.Quotes“I've seen families torn apart because no guardians were named. It dragged through the courts for three years—and the kids paid the price.”— Trevor Kuresa“Even a simple trust can prevent probate, protect your assets, and make life so much easier for the people you love.”— Trevor KuresaKey TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Why this episode might make you uncomfortable—but could save your family (00:01)Trevor's backstory: law school, DSOs, and why he left it all behind (01:51)Why single people still need a will (04:34)What happens if you die with minor children and no guardians named (08:13)The danger of boilerplate wills and online templates (09:51)Revocable trusts vs. irrevocable trusts (12:34)Family LLCs and passing wealth with control (17:29)Why OSO/DSO sales require next-level asset planning (18:48)How to store your legal documents for emergencies (24:24)Who should have access to your estate plan? (25:00)The 4 legal docs everyone should have (20:43)Healthcare directives and medical power of attorney (22:02)Trevor's “Fractional General Counsel” model for orthodontists (30:21)A real-life story of getting dropped by insurance—and how a lawyer could've stopped it (34:56)How often should you revisit your documents? (38:44)Trevor's offer to review your existing documents—free of charge (39:38)Additional ResourcesIf you've got a practice, a spouse, a house, or especially kids—and you don't have a proper estate plan—you're rolling the dice every day. Whether it's a power of attorney, a trust, or a plan for what happens after a DSO sale, Trevor has seen the worst-case scenarios up close. Don't be one of them.

This episode explains how trusts and LLCs protect your real estate, your business, and your family. You'll learn how a land trust keeps your name off public records, how an LLC adds liability protection, and how a living trust helps your assets avoid probate. We walk through real examples and show how these tools support smart strategies, wealth planning, and better money decisions. You'll see how simple changes can keep your property safe, make lawsuits less risky, and create a smooth plan for your heirs. These steps are tax-neutral, but they are powerful for privacy and protection. Listen now so you can protect what you've built and keep more of your wealth.   Next Steps:

Welcome back to Season 9 of the Recovering Perfectionist Podcast!In this episode, Christine chats with Elena Grinenko, owner of KB Tax Advisor and the newest vendor partner of the Dance Wellness Community. Her journey is truly one-of-a-kind for an accounting firm owner, as she initially carved a career as a Professional Ballroom Dancer—Elena proudly holds the titles of Two-Time World Champion, as well as United States and Russian National Champion. Her early interest in accounting manifested when she earned a Math and Geometry Degree in Eastern Europe. During this time, Elena began assisting her mother with the financial intricacies of her business. Upon accepting a job offer in the USA based on her extraordinary abilities in Ballroom Dancing, her expertise in both dance and business flourished. Elena became the owner of several enterprises simultaneously, including a Ballroom Dance Studio, a Talent Agency, a Dance Competition, and an internationally renowned Dance Camp Series. Armed with this wealth of business experience, Elena seized the opportunity to start KB Tax Adviser and contribute to the success of others. Her goal is to transcend traditional tax services by providing personalized assistance. At KB Tax Adviser, they not only handle taxes but also strive to help clients comprehend the intricacies of running a business. She assists them in navigating the legalities involved in both opening and closing their enterprises.JOIN THE INNER CIRCLE:https://dancewellnesscommunity.com/CONNECT WITH ELENA:https://www.kbtaxadviser.com/https://www.instagram.com/elenagrinenko/CHRISTINE BAR NOEL:All The Things! ⁠⁠https://beacons.ai/christinebarnoel⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/recoveringperfectionistpodcast

Send us a textEstate planning doesn't have to be overwhelming, but avoiding it can be costly.In this episode of the Profitable Steward, Jared Sorensen sits down with estate planning attorney Brandon Dean Rains for a practical, plain-language conversation about how farm and ranch families can protect their land, their family relationships, and their legacy.Together, they cover:When and why to form LLCs for farms and ranchesHow asset protection really works in agricultureThe difference between a will and a trustHow to think about guardianship for young childrenSuccession planning when kids are still youngLife insurance as a tool for keeping the ranch intactCommon estate planning mistakes and how to avoid themWhy communication matters more than documentsThis episode is especially valuable for farmers and ranchers entering 2026 who want to stop postponing hard conversations and start building a plan that serves future generations.

A new episode of Parsing Immigration Policy examines the controversy surrounding foreign truck drivers and the issuance of non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses (CDLs). It also offers policy recommendations for the U.S. Department of Transportation and Congress to address safety and labor concerns in the trucking industry.The episode features Gord Magill, a third-generation truck driver and author of the forthcoming book End of the Road: Inside the War on Truckers (March release). Drawing on decades of firsthand experience, Magill challenges the claim, frequently promoted by industry lobbyists, that the United States faces a shortage of truck drivers. Instead, he argues the real problem is driver retention due to low wages and undesirable working conditions.Key issues include:The rapid increase in non-domiciled CDLs, originally intended to address interstate residency issues but now widely abused;How a “driver shortage” narrative has been used to suppress wages and justify expanded pipelines of cheap foreign labor;States issuing CDLs through training centers that fail to meet federal safety and English-language proficiency standards;The rise of “chameleon” companies that evade accountability by dissolving and re-forming under new LLCs after repeated safety violations;The use of overseas-based trucking firms in the hiring of U.S. truckers;Trump-era enforcement efforts aimed at restoring safety on America's highways.In the closing commentary, Mark Krikorian, executive director and podcast host, flags a Center blog post on a recent New York Times interview in which President Trump again expressed his support for continued high levels of legal immigration. Krikorian points out that this is not new and that the president is not a restrictionist, but rather a transitional figure, paving the way for the next generation of Republican leaders who do support lower levels of overall immigration.HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration StudiesGuestGord Magill is a third-generation trucker and authorRelatedGord Magill's Substack, “Autonomous Truck(er)s”“I'm an American Trucker. Illegal Migrants Are Flooding My Industry.”Book due out in March: End of the Road: Inside the War on TruckersTakeaways and Analysis from Trump's Interview with the New York TimesIntro MontageVoices in the opening montage:Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".

In this episode of the Getting Your Finances in Order series, we break down the most common business structures for lawn care pros—from sole proprietorships and LLCs to S-corps and beyond—explaining their federal tax setups, self-employment tax hits, pass-through rules, and the key 2026 quarterly estimated payment deadlines to help you choose wisely, save money, and stay penalty-free.

Thinking about forming an LLC in 2026? In this episode, Mike breaks down how to set up an LLC step by step, what “free” really means, state filing costs, common mistakes to avoid, and why an LLC can act as an insurance policy for future S Corp tax savings. Perfect for new and growing business owners who want clarity without the confusion.If you want a clean, simple business setup that protects you now and gives you flexibility later, this episode gives you the roadmap without the legal confusion.

Allen, Joel, Rosemary, and Yolanda discuss the ongoing federal halt on US offshore wind projects and mounting lawsuits from Equinor, Ørsted, and Dominion Energy. Plus Japan’s Goto floating wind farm begins commercial operation with eight Hitachi turbines on hybrid SPAR-type foundations, and Finnish investigators seize a vessel suspected of severing Baltic Sea cables. Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly newsletter on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on YouTube, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary’s “Engineering with Rosie” YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us! The Uptime Wind Energy Podcast brought to you by Strike Tape, protecting thousands of wind turbines from lightning damage worldwide. Visit striketape.com. And now your hosts, Allen Hall, Rosemary Barnes, Joel Saxum and Yolanda Padron. Welcome to the  Allen Hall: Uptime Wind Energy Podcast. I’m your host, Alan Hall. I’m here with Rosie Barnes, Joel Saxum, and Yolanda Padron. Many things on the docket this week. The, the big one is the five US offshore wind projects that are facing cancellation after the federal halt. And on December 22nd, as we all know, the US Department of Interior ordered construction halted on every offshore wind project in American waters. Uh, the recent given and still given is national security. Uh, developers see it way differently and they’ve been going to court to try to. Get this issue resolved. Ecuador, Ted and Dominion Energy have all filed lawsuits at this point. EOR says [00:01:00] a 90 day pause, which is what this is right now, will likely mean cancellation of their empire. Project Dominion is losing more than about $5 million a day, and everybody is watching to see what happens. Orton’s also talking about taking some action here. Uh, there’s a, a lot of moving pieces. Essentially, as it stands right now, a lot of lawsuits, nothing happening in the water, and now talks mostly Ecuador of just completely canceling the project. That will have big implications to US. Electricity along the east coast,  Joel Saxum: right Joel? Yeah. We need it. Right? So I, I hate to beat a dead horse here because we’ve been talking about this for so long. Um, but. We’ve got energy demand growth, right? We’re sitting at three to 5% year on year demand growth in the United States, uh, which is unprecedented. Since, since, and this is a crazy thing. Since air [00:02:00] conditioning was invented for residential homes, we have not had this much demand for electricity growth. We’ve been pretty flat for the last 20 years. Uh, so we need it, right? We wanna be the AI data center superpower. We wanna do all this stuff. So we need electrons. Uh, these electrons are literally the quickest thing gonna be on the grid. Uh, up and down that whole eastern seaboard, which is a massive population center, a massive industrial and commercial center of the United States, and now we’re cutting the cord on ’em. Uh, so it is going to drive prices up for all consumers. That is a reality, right? Um, so we, we hear campaign promises up and down the things about making life more affordable for the. Joe Schmo on the street. Um, this is gonna hurt that big time. We’re already seeing. I think it was, um, we, Alan, you and I talked with some people from PGM not too long ago, and they were saying 20 to 30% increases already early this year. Allen Hall: Yeah. The, the increases in electricity rates are not being driven by [00:03:00] offshore wind. You see that in the press constantly or in commentary. The reason electricity rates are going up along the east coast is because they’re paying for. The early shutdown of cold fire generation, older generation, uh, petroleum based, uh, dirty, what I’ll call dirty electricity generation, they’re paying to shut those sites down early. So that’s why your rates are going up. Putting offshore wind into the equation will help lower some of those costs, and onshore wind and solar will help lower those costs. But. The East Coast, especially the Northeast, doesn’t have a lot of that to speak of at the minute. So, uh, Joel, my question is right now, what do you think the likelihood is of the lawsuits that are being filed moving within the next 90 days? Joel Saxum: I mean, it takes a long time to put anything through any kind of, um, judicial process in the United States, however. There’s enough money, power [00:04:00] in play here that what I see this as is just like the last time we saw an injunction happen like this is, it’s more of a posturing move. I have the power to do this, or we have the power to do this. It’s, it’s, uh, the, it’s to get power. Over some kind of decision making process. So once, once people come to the table and start talking, I think these things will be let, let back loose. Uh, I don’t, I don’t think it will go all the way to, we need to have lawsuits and stuff. It’ll just be the threat of lawsuits. There’ll be a little bit of arbitration. They’ll go back to work. Um, the problem that I see. One of the problems, I guess, is if we get to the point where people, companies start saying like, you know what, we can’t do this anymore. Like, we can’t keep having these breaks, these pauses, these, this, you know, if it’s 90 days at $5 million a day, I mean that’s 450 million bucks. That’s crazy. But that nobody, nobody could absorb that.  Allen Hall: Will they leave the mono piles and transition pieces and some [00:05:00] towers just sitting in the water. That’s what  Joel Saxum: I was gonna say next is. What happens to all of the assets, all of the steel that’s in the water, all the, all the, if there’s cable, it lays if there’s been rock dumps or the companies liable to go pick them up. I don’t know what the contracts look like, right? I don’t know what the Boem leases say. I don’t know about those kind of things, but most of that stuff is because they go back to the oil field side of things, right? You have a 20 year lease at the end of your 20 year lease. You gotta clean it up. So if you put the things in the water, do they have 20 years to leave ’em out there before they plan on how they’re gonna pull ’em out or they gotta pull ’em out now? I don’t know.  Allen Hall: Would just bankrupt the LLCs that they formed to create these, uh, wind  Joel Saxum: farms. That’s how the oil field does it bankrupt. The LC move on. You’ve, you’ve more than likely paid a bond when you, you signed that lease and that, but that bond in like in a lot of. Things is not enough. Right. A bond to pull mono piles out would have to be, [00:06:00] I mean, you’re already at billions of dollars there, right? So, and, and if you look again to the oil and gas world, which is our nearest mirror to what happens here, when you go and decommission an old oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico, you don’t pull the mono piles out. You go down to as close to the sea floor as you can get, and you just cut ’em off with a diamond saw. So it’s just like a big clamp that goes around. It’s like a big band saw. And you cut the foundations off and then pull the steel back to shore, so that can be done. Um, it’s not cheap.  Allen Hall: You know what I would, what I would do is the model piles are in, the towers are up, and depending on what’s on top of them, whether it’s in the cell or whatever, I would sure as hell put the red flashing lights on top and I would turn those things on and let ’em run just so everybody along the East coast would know that there could be power coming out of these things. But there’s not. So if you’re gonna look at their red flashy lights, you might as well get some, uh, megawatts out of them. That’s what I would do.  Joel Saxum: You’d have to wonder if the contracts, what, what, what it says in the contracts about. [00:07:00] Uh, utilization of this stuff, right? So if there’s something out there, does the FAA say, if you got a tower out there, it’s gotta have a light on it anyways. Allen Hall: It has to or a certain height. So where’s the power coming from? I don’t know. Solar panel. Solar panel. That’s what it have to be, right? Yeah. This is ridiculous. But this is the world we live in today.  Speaker 4: Australia’s wind farms are growing fast, but are your operations keeping up? Join us February 17th and 18th at Melbourne’s Pullman on the park for Wind energy o and M Australia 2026, where you’ll connect with the experts solving real problems in maintenance asset management. And OEM relations. Walk away with practical strategies to cut costs and boost uptime that you can use the moment you’re back on site. Register now at W OM a 2020 six.com. Wind Energy o and m Australia is created by wind professionals for wind professionals. Because this industry needs solutions, not speeches, [00:08:00] Allen Hall: the dominoes keep falling. In American offshore wind, last year it was construction halts this year, contract delays. Massachusetts has pushed back the signing of two offshore wind agreements that were supposed to be done. Months ago, ocean Winds and Berroa won their bids in September of 2024. The paperwork is still unsigned more than a year later, a year and a half later. State officials blame Federal uncertainty. Uh, the new target is June and offshore wind for these delays are really becoming a huge problem, especially if you don’t have an offtake agreements signed, Joel.  Joel Saxum: I don’t see how the, I mean, again, I’m not sitting in those rooms. I’m not a fly on the wall there, but I don’t see how you can have something sitting out there for, it’s just say September 24. Yeah. Yeah. You’re at 18 months now, right? 17, 18 months without an agreement signed. Why is, why is Massachusetts doing this? What’s, what’s the, what’s the thing there? I mean, you’re an, [00:09:00] you are, uh, an ex Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Ian, is that what it’s called?  Allen Hall: Yeah. I, I think they would like to be able to change the pricing for the offtake is most likely what is happening as, uh, the Trump administration changes the agreements or trying to change the agreements, uh, the price can go up or down. So maybe the thing to do is to not sign it and wait this out to see what the courts say. Maybe something will happen in your favor. That’s a real shame. Right. Uh, there’s thousands of employees that have been sidelined. Uh, the last number I saw was around 4,000. That seems on the low end.  Joel Saxum: Yeah. I think about, um, the, the vessels too. Like you’re the, like the Eco Edison that was just built last year. I think it’s upwards of 500 million bucks or something to build that thing down in Louisiana, being sent up there. And you have all these other specialized, uh, vessels coming over from Europe to do all this construction. Um, you know. Of course if they’re coming over from Europe, those are being hot bunked and being paid standby rates, which [00:10:00] is crazy ’cause the standby rates are insane. Uh, ’cause you still gotta run fuel, you still gotta keep the thing running. You still gotta cook food. You still have all those things that have to happen on that offshore vessel. Uh, but they’re just gonna be sitting out there on DP doing nothing.  Yolanda Padron: You have the vessels, you have people’s jobs. You have. Regular people who are unrelated to energy at all suffering because of their prices going up for energy and just their cost of living overall going up. All because they don’t look pretty.  Joel Saxum: Yeah. The entire, that entire supply chain is suffering. I mean, Yolanda, you’re, you, you used to work with a company involved in offshore wind. How many people have, um, you know, have we seen across LinkedIn losing their jobs? Hey, we’re pivoting away from this. I gotta go find something else. And with that. In the United States, if you’re not from the States, you don’t know this, but there’s not that much wind, onshore wind on the East coast. So many of those families had to relocate out there, uproot your family, go out to Massachusetts, New Jersey, [00:11:00] Virginia, wherever, put roots back down and now you’re what? What happens? You gotta move back.  Yolanda Padron: Good luck to you. Especially, I mean, you know, it’s, it’s a lot of projects, right? So it’s not like you can just move on to the next wind farm. It’s a really unfortunate situation.  Allen Hall: Well, for years the promise of floating wind turbines has dangled just out of reach and the technology works, and the engineers have been saying for quite a while. We just needed someone to prove it at scale. Well, Japan just did the go-to floating wind farm began commercial operation this past week. Eight turbines on hybrid spar foundations anchored in water is too deep for anything fixed. Bottom, uh, it’s the first. Wind farm of his kind in Japan and signals to the rest of Asia that floating wind is possible. Now, uh, Rosemary, their turbines that are being used are Hitachi turbines, 2.1 megawatt machines. I don’t know a lot about this hybrid spark [00:12:00] type floater technology, which looks to be relatively new in terms of application. Is this gonna open up a large part of the Japanese shoreline to offshore wind? Rosemary Barnes: Yeah, I mean, at the first glance it’s like two megawatt turbine turbines. That’s micro, even for onshore these days, that’s a really small turbine. Um, and for offshore, you know, usually when you hear about offshore announcements, it’s like 20 megawatt, 40 megawatt monstrosities. However, I, I think that if you just look at the size of it, then it really underestimates the significance of it, especially for Japan. Because they, one, don’t have a lot of great space to put turbines on shore or solar power on shore. Um, and two, they don’t have any, any good, um, locations for fixed bottom offshore. So this is not like this floating offshore wind farm. It’s not competing against many onshore um, options at all. For Japan, it’s competing against energy imports. I’m really happy to see [00:13:00] a proper wind farm. Um, in Japan and they’ll learn a lot from this. And I hope that it goes smoothly and that, you know, the next one can be bigger and better. And then it’s also, you know, Japan traditionally has been a really great manufacturing country and not so much with wind energy, but this could be their chance. If they’re the country that’s really on scale developing the floating offshore industry, they will necessarily, you know, like just naturally as a byproduct of that, they’re gonna develop manufacturing, at least supporting manufacturing and probably. Some major components and then bring down the cost. You know, the more that, um, these early projects might start out expensive, but get cheaper, fast. That’s how we hope it’ll go. And then they’ll push out into other areas that could benefit from offshore wind, but um, not at the cost. Somewhere like California, you know, they have the ability to have onshore wind. They’d really like some offshore wind, some floating offshore wind. But it is a hard sell there at the moment because it is so much more expensive. But if it gets cheaper because, you know, projects like [00:14:00] this help push the price down, then I think it will open things up a lot. So yeah, I am, I’m quite excited to see this project.  Allen Hall: Will it get cheaper at the two to six megawatt range instead of the 15 to 20 megawatt range?  Joel Saxum: That’s what I was gonna comment on. Like there’s, there’s a, there’s a key here that the general public misses. For a floating offshore wind farm. So if you’re gonna do this cost effectively, that’s why they did it with the 2.1 megawatts ones because with a, with the spar product that they’re using basically. And, and I was sourcing this off at my desk, so here you go,  Rosemary Barnes: Joel. We need a closed caption version for those listening on the podcast and not watching on YouTube. Joel’s holding like a foam, a foam model of a wind turbine. Looks like it’s got a stubby, stubby holder on the bottom.  Joel Saxum: This is. Turbine. Steel. Steel to a transition piece and then concrete, right? So this is basically a concrete tube like, um, with, with, uh, structural members on the inside of it. And you can float this thing or you can drag these, you can float ’em key side and then drag ’em out, and [00:15:00] then it just fill ’em halfway or three quarters away with ballast sea seawater. So you just open a valve, fill the thing up to three quarters of the way with seawater, and it sinks it down into the water a little bit. Water level sits about. Right at the transition piece and then it’s stable. And that’s a hybrid. Spar product is very simple. So to make this a easy demonstrate project, keyside facility is the key, is the big thing. So your Keyside facility, and you need a deep water keyside facility to make this easy. So if you go up to Alan, like you said, a two to six, to eight to 10 to 15 megawatt machine. You may have to go and take, you may have to barge the spars out and then dump ’em off the spar and then bring the turbines out and put ’em on. That’s not ideal. Right? But if you can do this all keyside, if you can have a crane on shore and you can float the spars and then put the, build the whole turbine, and then drag that out as it sits, that’s a huge cost reduction in the installation operations. So it, it’s all about how big is the subsea portion of the spar? How? How deep is your [00:16:00] deep water keyside port? To make it efficient to build. Right. So they’re looking at 10 gigawatts of floating offshore wind by 2030. Now it’s 2026. That’s only four years away, so 10 gigawatts. You’re gonna have to scale up the size of the turbines. It’ll be interesting how they do it, right? Because to me, flipping spars off of a barge is not that hard. That’s how jackets and spars have been installed in the past. Um, for, um, many industries, construction industries, whether it’s oil and gas or just maritime, construction can be done. Not a problem. Um, it’s just not as efficient. So we’ll see what, we’ll see what they do.  Allen Hall: You would need 5,000 turbines at two megawatts to get to 10 gigawatts, 5,000 turbines. They make 5,000 cars in a day. The, the Japanese manufacturing is really efficient. I wouldn’t put anything by the Japanese capabilities there.  Joel Saxum: The problem with that is the cost of the, the inter array cables and [00:17:00] export cables for 5,000 turbines is extreme. Allen Hall: We also know that. Some of the best technology has come out of Japan for the last 50 years, and then maybe there’s a solution to it. I, I’m really curious to see where this goes, because it’s a Hitachi turbine. It’s a 2.1 megawatt turbine, as Rosemary’s pointed out. That’s really old technology, but it is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to move around. Has benefits.  Rosemary Barnes: Yeah. It also means like they, they’re not gonna be surprised with like, you know, all of. When you make a 20 megawatt offshore wind turbine, you’re not only in the offshore environment, you’re also dealing with, you know, all your blade issues from a blade that long and 2.1 megawatt turbine has blades of the size that, you know, just so mature, reliable, robust. They can at least rule those headaches out of their, um, you know, out of their. Development phase and focus on the, the new stuff.  Joel Saxum: Does anybody know who [00:18:00] makes blades for Hitachi?  Allen Hall: Rosie? Was it lm? I, I, I know we have on a number of Hitachi turbines over time, but I don’t know who makes the blades.  Rosemary Barnes: Yeah, I don’t know. But I mean, also it’s like, um, it doesn’t mean that they’re locked into 2.1 megawatts for forever, right? So, um, if the economics suggest that it is be beneficial to scale up. Presumably there will be a lot that they have learned from the smaller scale that will be de-risking the, the bigger ones as well. So, you know, um, it’s, there’s advantages to doing it both ways. It’s probably a slower, more steady progress from starting small and incrementally increasing compared to the, you know, like big, um, fail fast kind of, um, approach where you just do a big, big, huge turbine and just find out everything wrong with it all at once. Um, but. You know, pros and cons to both.  Allen Hall: Hitachi buys TPI. They got the money. They got the money, and they got the brain power. [00:19:00] Delamination and bottom line. Failures and blades are difficult problems to detect early. These hidden issues can cost you millions in repairs and lost energy production. C-I-C-N-D-T are specialists to detect these critical flaws before they become expensive burdens. Their non-destructive test technology penetrates deep to blade materials to find voids and cracks. Traditional inspections completely. Miss C-I-C-N-D-T Maps. Every critical defect delivers actionable reports and provides support to get your blades back in service. So visit cic ndt.com because catching blade problems early will save you millions. The Baltic Sea has become a chessboard under sea. Cables carry data. Pipelines carry energy as we’ve all seen and someone keeps cutting them. Finnish investigators are now saying a cargo ship dragged its anchor [00:20:00] across the seabed for tens of kilometers before severing a telecommunications cable. On New Year’s Eve, special forces seize the vessel. Four crew members are detained, but the questions still remain. Who or what is trying to cut cables and pipelines at the bottom of the Baltic Sea.  Joel Saxum: It’s not accidents like it happened on New Year’s Eve and it was, and you drug an anchor for tens of kilometers. That’s on purpose. There’s, there’s no way that this is someone, oh, we forgot to pull the anchor up. You know how much more throttle you have to put on one of these? Have you seen an anchor for an offshore vessel? They’re the size of a fricking house,  Allen Hall: so they’re investigating it right now. And four, the 14 crew members are under detention. Travel restrictions, we’ll see how long that lasts. Crew includes nationals from of all places, Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan. So there is a, a Russian element to this. [00:21:00] I don’t know if you were all watching, I don’t know, a week or two ago when there’s a YouTube video from and oral, which makes undersea. Equipment and defense, uh, related, uh, products. And Palmer Lucky who runs that company basically said, there are microphones all over the bottom of the ocean, all around the world. Everything is monitored. There’s no way you can drag an anchor for a kilometer without somebody knowing. So I’m a little surprised this took so long to grab hold of, but. Maybe the New Year’s Eve, uh, was a good time to pick because everybody is kind of relaxed and not thinking about a ship, dragging an anchor and breaking telecommunication cables, wind turbines have to be really careful about this. There, there have to be some sort of monitoring, installation sensors that are going on around the, all the wind power that exists up in that region and all [00:22:00] the way down in, in the North Sea. To prevent this from happening, the sabotage is ridiculous. At this point,  Joel Saxum: yeah. I mean, even, even with mattresses over the export cables, or the inter array cables or, or rock bags or rock dumps or, or burials, these anchors are big enough to, to cut those, to drag and cut ’em like it, it’s just a, it’s a reality. It’s a risk. But someone needs to be monitoring these things closer if they’re not yet. ’cause you are a hundred percent correct. There’s, so, there’s, there’s private, there’s public sides of the acoustic monitoring, right? So like the United States military monitors, there’s, there’s acoustic monitoring all up and down. I can’t actually never, I looked into it quite a while ago. There’s a name for the whole system. It’s called the blah, blah, blah, and it monitors our coastline. Like ev, there’s a sensor. Every man, it’s a couple miles. Like all, all around the EEZ of the United States. And that exists everywhere. So like you think like in international waters, guarantee that the United States has got microphones out listening to, [00:23:00] right. So, but if you’re in the Baltic Sea, it’s a little bit different of an, of a confined space. But you have Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, all along the southern and eastern coast and the, and Russia. And then you have the Fins, Swedes, Norwegian, Denmark, Germany. Everybody is Poland. Everybody’s monitoring that for sure. It’s just like a postmortem investigation is, is doable.  Allen Hall: Yolanda, how are they gonna stop this? Should they board the ships, pull the people off and sink them? What is it gonna take for this to end?  Yolanda Padron: I don’t know. In the meantime, I think Joel has a movie going on in his head about how exactly he’s gonna portray this. Um, yeah, it’s. I mean, I’d say better monitoring, but I, I’m not sure. I guess keep a closer eye on it next time. I mean, I really hope it’s, there’s not a next time, but there seems to be a pattern developing. Right.  Allen Hall: I forgot how many of those happened.  Joel Saxum: Yeah. The maritime, this is a, this is a tough reality about the maritime world. [00:24:00] ’cause I, I’ve done some work done in Africa and down there it’s specifically the same thing. There’s say there’s a vessel. Okay, so a vessel is flagged from. S Cy Malta, a lot of vessels are flagged Malta or Cyprus, right? Because of the laws. The local laws there that Cyprus flagged vessel may be owned by a company based in, um, Bermuda that’s owned by a company based in Russia that’s owned by a company based in India. All of these things are this way. There’s shell companies and hidden that you don’t know who owns vessels unless they’re even, even the specific ones. Like if you go to a Maersk vessel. And you’re like, oh, that’s Maersk, they’re Danish. Nope. That thing will be, that thing will be flagged somewhere else, hidden somewhere else. And it’s all about what port you go to and how much taxes you can hide from, and you’ll never be able to chase down the actual parties that own these vessels and that are responsible you, you, it, it’s so [00:25:00] difficult. You’re literally just going to have to deal with the people on board, and you can try to chase the channels to who owns that boat, but you’ll never find them. That’s the, that’s the trouble with it.  Allen Hall: It does seem like a Jean Claude Van Dam situation will need to happen pretty soon. Maybe as Steven Segal, something has to happen. It can’t continue to go on it over the next couple of months with as much attention as being paid to international waters and. Everything that’s happening around the world, you’d think that, uh, ships Defense Department ships from Denmark, Finland, Germany. We will all be watching this really closely UK be watching this and trying to stop these things before they really even happened. Interesting times. That wraps up another episode of the Uptime Wind Energy Podcasts. If today’s discussion sparked any questions or ideas. We’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us on LinkedIn and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. [00:26:00] And if you found value in today’s conversation, please leave us a review. It really helps other wind energy professionals discover the show for Rosie, Yolanda and Joel. I’m Alan Hall and we’ll catch you next week on the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast.

Send us a textWe break down the most common real estate tax myths, from REP status and short-term rentals to cost segregation timing and entity hype. We show how to time deductions, avoid recapture pain, and use non-asset strategies to cut taxes while building wealth.• REP status based on hours and participation, not a license• Cost segregation timing to match high-income years• Excess business loss limits and why W-2s hit a wall• Recapture planning with reinvestment or 1031 exchange• Short-term rental rules and the 100-hour trap• LLCs for asset protection, not deductions• Holding company and management company myths debunked• Cost segregation is accepted and improves accuracy• Alternatives to buying assets for write-offs• Real estate cash flow, depreciation, and tax-free refi benefits• Holistic planning across business, wages, and investmentsGo to https://www.prosperalcpa.com/opportunityreport for your free opportunity report illustrating what may be possible with our tax strategiesGo to prosperalcpa.com/apply to learn more

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Justin M. Lee. Purpose of the Interview To showcase Dr. Lee’s journey from a young real estate agent to a multi-industry entrepreneur. To inspire listeners with strategies for wealth-building through real estate, construction, and logistics. To encourage financial literacy, ownership, and collaboration within underserved communities. To issue a call to action for minorities to explore opportunities like Amazon DSP and real estate investment. Key Takeaways Early Career & Education Started young in real estate, embraced discomfort in rooms dominated by older professionals. Leveraged millennial tech skills (social media marketing) to help veteran brokers grow. Earned a doctorate degree and became a licensed real estate broker. Social Media as a Business Tool Built a strong presence on TikTok (90K followers) and other platforms. Helped older real estate firms thrive by creating digital visibility. Emphasized that “business must look as good online as in person.” Financial Literacy & Homeownership African-American communities often lack foundational financial knowledge. Key barriers: misunderstanding credit, fear of debt, and lack of exposure to ownership benefits. Advocates teaching the difference between good debt (real estate) and bad debt (consumer credit). Real Estate Process Initial onboarding: credit score, income, tax filing. Connect clients with lenders, secure pre-approval, then negotiate and close within 30–45 days. Uses property tours as motivation even for those not yet approved. Pooling Resources for Wealth Industry dominated by white men and foreign investors who use syndication. Dr. Lee created a private family fund with fraternity brothers and friends. Acquired 150+ apartment units and commercial properties by pooling resources and forming LLCs. Amazon DSP Opportunity Owns an Amazon Delivery Service Partner business (42 trucks, 200 employees). Offers minorities a chance to apply for DSP with $10K grant. Taught him true CEO skills: HR, payroll, compliance, and scaling operations. Construction Business Entered construction after experiencing exploitation in fix-and-flip projects. Learned the business side (permits, change orders) and got licensed. Built major projects like a 10,000 sq. ft. restaurant in Atlanta. Advocates for Black representation in construction, an industry dominated by whites and Hispanics. Personal Background Raised in New Orleans during Katrina by a single mother and grandparents. Mother invested FEMA checks into real estate, teaching him property management and renovation skills early. Believes knowledge is power and emphasizes planning and consistency. Notable Quotes On embracing discomfort:“I learned to embrace the uncomfort and make it one of my biggest strengths.” On social media:“You have to make your business look the same way online as in person.” On financial literacy:“Real estate is always going to be good debt. Bad debt is the Macy’s card.” On collaboration:“Pooling resources shows how far we can go and how fast we can go—but together.” On planning:“If you don’t plan, you plan to fail. All you have to do is stick to the plan.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Justin M. Lee. Purpose of the Interview To showcase Dr. Lee’s journey from a young real estate agent to a multi-industry entrepreneur. To inspire listeners with strategies for wealth-building through real estate, construction, and logistics. To encourage financial literacy, ownership, and collaboration within underserved communities. To issue a call to action for minorities to explore opportunities like Amazon DSP and real estate investment. Key Takeaways Early Career & Education Started young in real estate, embraced discomfort in rooms dominated by older professionals. Leveraged millennial tech skills (social media marketing) to help veteran brokers grow. Earned a doctorate degree and became a licensed real estate broker. Social Media as a Business Tool Built a strong presence on TikTok (90K followers) and other platforms. Helped older real estate firms thrive by creating digital visibility. Emphasized that “business must look as good online as in person.” Financial Literacy & Homeownership African-American communities often lack foundational financial knowledge. Key barriers: misunderstanding credit, fear of debt, and lack of exposure to ownership benefits. Advocates teaching the difference between good debt (real estate) and bad debt (consumer credit). Real Estate Process Initial onboarding: credit score, income, tax filing. Connect clients with lenders, secure pre-approval, then negotiate and close within 30–45 days. Uses property tours as motivation even for those not yet approved. Pooling Resources for Wealth Industry dominated by white men and foreign investors who use syndication. Dr. Lee created a private family fund with fraternity brothers and friends. Acquired 150+ apartment units and commercial properties by pooling resources and forming LLCs. Amazon DSP Opportunity Owns an Amazon Delivery Service Partner business (42 trucks, 200 employees). Offers minorities a chance to apply for DSP with $10K grant. Taught him true CEO skills: HR, payroll, compliance, and scaling operations. Construction Business Entered construction after experiencing exploitation in fix-and-flip projects. Learned the business side (permits, change orders) and got licensed. Built major projects like a 10,000 sq. ft. restaurant in Atlanta. Advocates for Black representation in construction, an industry dominated by whites and Hispanics. Personal Background Raised in New Orleans during Katrina by a single mother and grandparents. Mother invested FEMA checks into real estate, teaching him property management and renovation skills early. Believes knowledge is power and emphasizes planning and consistency. Notable Quotes On embracing discomfort:“I learned to embrace the uncomfort and make it one of my biggest strengths.” On social media:“You have to make your business look the same way online as in person.” On financial literacy:“Real estate is always going to be good debt. Bad debt is the Macy’s card.” On collaboration:“Pooling resources shows how far we can go and how fast we can go—but together.” On planning:“If you don’t plan, you plan to fail. All you have to do is stick to the plan.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Justin M. Lee. Purpose of the Interview To showcase Dr. Lee’s journey from a young real estate agent to a multi-industry entrepreneur. To inspire listeners with strategies for wealth-building through real estate, construction, and logistics. To encourage financial literacy, ownership, and collaboration within underserved communities. To issue a call to action for minorities to explore opportunities like Amazon DSP and real estate investment. Key Takeaways Early Career & Education Started young in real estate, embraced discomfort in rooms dominated by older professionals. Leveraged millennial tech skills (social media marketing) to help veteran brokers grow. Earned a doctorate degree and became a licensed real estate broker. Social Media as a Business Tool Built a strong presence on TikTok (90K followers) and other platforms. Helped older real estate firms thrive by creating digital visibility. Emphasized that “business must look as good online as in person.” Financial Literacy & Homeownership African-American communities often lack foundational financial knowledge. Key barriers: misunderstanding credit, fear of debt, and lack of exposure to ownership benefits. Advocates teaching the difference between good debt (real estate) and bad debt (consumer credit). Real Estate Process Initial onboarding: credit score, income, tax filing. Connect clients with lenders, secure pre-approval, then negotiate and close within 30–45 days. Uses property tours as motivation even for those not yet approved. Pooling Resources for Wealth Industry dominated by white men and foreign investors who use syndication. Dr. Lee created a private family fund with fraternity brothers and friends. Acquired 150+ apartment units and commercial properties by pooling resources and forming LLCs. Amazon DSP Opportunity Owns an Amazon Delivery Service Partner business (42 trucks, 200 employees). Offers minorities a chance to apply for DSP with $10K grant. Taught him true CEO skills: HR, payroll, compliance, and scaling operations. Construction Business Entered construction after experiencing exploitation in fix-and-flip projects. Learned the business side (permits, change orders) and got licensed. Built major projects like a 10,000 sq. ft. restaurant in Atlanta. Advocates for Black representation in construction, an industry dominated by whites and Hispanics. Personal Background Raised in New Orleans during Katrina by a single mother and grandparents. Mother invested FEMA checks into real estate, teaching him property management and renovation skills early. Believes knowledge is power and emphasizes planning and consistency. Notable Quotes On embracing discomfort:“I learned to embrace the uncomfort and make it one of my biggest strengths.” On social media:“You have to make your business look the same way online as in person.” On financial literacy:“Real estate is always going to be good debt. Bad debt is the Macy’s card.” On collaboration:“Pooling resources shows how far we can go and how fast we can go—but together.” On planning:“If you don’t plan, you plan to fail. All you have to do is stick to the plan.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Home values cratering by 62%, foreclosures at a three-year high, and the LA fire zones are becoming a corporate feeding frenzy—but hold on, is it really Big Bad BlackRock swooping in, or is the media narrative missing the mark? We're breaking down the actual data from the Palisades and Eaton fire zones, where 44% of sales went to "corporations"—but here's the twist: most are small LLCs and mom-and-pop investors, not multinational conglomerates. With only TWO homes rebuilt a year later, insurance covering 60-70% at best, and rebuilding timelines stretching 8-10 years in California's regulatory nightmare, homeowners are being forced to sell at massive losses. Meanwhile, the permits are crawling, the costs are astronomical, and everyday people are equity-rich but cash-poor with nowhere to turn. Is this disaster capitalism or just the brutal reality of rebuilding in the most expensive, over-regulated state in America? What's your take—are these "evil corporations" or just the only players willing to navigate California's bureaucratic hellscape? Drop your thoughts below, and if you're tired of the media spin on these stories, hit subscribe for the real breakdown.

Tait Duryea and Ryan Gibson sit down with Toby Mathis to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics for high-income pilots: business structure and taxes. They explain when to use sole proprietorships, LLCs, S-corps, and C-corps, how losses and profits flow to your personal return, and why entity choice impacts audit risk and mortgage eligibility. This episode is a practical roadmap for pilots starting side hustles who want to lower taxes, protect assets, and avoid costly mistakes.Toby Mathis is a nationally recognized tax attorney, investor, and educator, best known for simplifying complex tax and asset-protection strategies for entrepreneurs and high-income professionals. He is a founding partner of Anderson Advisors, where he helps clients legally reduce taxes, structure businesses, and protect wealth. In this episode, Toby breaks down entity structures, audit risk, and practical tax strategies pilots can apply when starting or scaling a business.Show notes:(0:00) Intro(0:11) Why entity structure matters(1:40) Side hustles and W-2 tax offsets(3:01) Starting a business vs real estate(6:42) Flow-through Vs. C-corp taxation(8:49) Mortgage qualification pitfalls(11:38) Legitimate expense strategies(15:00) Augusta rule and home office(21:48) Why sole proprietors get audited(28:25) Profit Vs. Loss by entity type(41:20) Schedule C Vs. Schedule E risk(56:14) OutroConnect with Toby Mathis:Website: https://tobymathis.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX5nh607M8hSBLiMB9MgbIQ Books: https://www.amazon.com/Tax-Wise-Business-Ownership-Toby-Mathis/dp/0979786002 Tax Tuesday: https://andersonadvisors.com/tax-tuesdays/If you're interested in participating, the latest institutional-quality self-storage portfolio is available for investment now at: https://turbinecap.investnext.com/portal/offerings/8449/houston-storage/ — You've found the number one resource for financial education for aviators! Please consider leaving a rating and sharing this podcast with your colleagues in the aviation community, as it can serve as a valuable resource for all those involved in the industry.Remember to subscribe for more insights at PassiveIncomePilots.com! https://passiveincomepilots.com/ Join our growing community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/passivepilotsCheck us out on Instagram @PassiveIncomePilots: https://www.instagram.com/passiveincomepilots/Follow us on X @IncomePilots: https://twitter.com/IncomePilotsGet our updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/passive-income-pilots/Do you have questions or want to discuss this episode? Contact us at ask@passiveincomepilots.com See you on the next one!*Legal Disclaimer*The content of this podcast is provided solely for educational and informational purposes. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts, Tait Duryea and Ryan Gibson, and do not reflect those of any organization they are associated with, including Turbine Capital or Spartan Investment Group. The opinions of our guests are their own and should not be construed as financial advice. This podcast does not offer tax, legal, or investment advice. Listeners are advised to consult with their own legal or financial counsel and to conduct their own due diligence before making any financial decisions.

Are you building a business but still feeling unsure about taxes and money moves? In this conversation, I sat down with Laura Zarrate, CPA, to break down what every small business owner needs to know. We talked about the truth behind LLCs, write-offs, and quarterly taxes—plus the mindset shift it takes to go from employee to entrepreneur. Laura also shared her powerful perspective on defining wealth beyond just money—because for many of us, it's about freedom, time, and familia.Chapters:00:00 – Meet Laura Zarrate, CPA: Latina Entrepreneur & Tax Expert06:25 – LLCs and Taxes: What Small Business Owners Need to Know11:52 – How Quarterly Taxes Work (and How to Stay Ready)16:17 – Small Business Write-Offs: What You Can (and Can't) Deduct22:47 – Shifting Your Sales Mindset: Charge Your Worth with Confidence26:09 – Redefining Wealth: Freedom, Family, and Time Over Money

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, real estate investors! As the year wraps up (or kicks off!), many of us are either panicking about last-minute "shit to get done" or making grand New Year's resolutions for financial prowess. Let's be real: when it comes to the nuts and bolts of your operations, accounting isn't always "sexy." But today, we're making it downright irresistible! We're talking with the absolute financial rockstar, Vonmarie Thomas, an investor, entrepreneur, and fractional CFO who helps entrepreneurs like us achieve financial clarity and peace of mind. If your books look like a crime scene, or you're just looking to seriously step up your game for 2026, Vonmarie's got the magic wand (and the strategy) you need!Here's what you'll uncover to get your investor finances in fighting shape:Wrangle Your W9s & Master Your Contractors: Forget the mob-boss vibes! Learn why getting W9s, signed contracts, and using protected payment methods (like credit cards) for every contractor isn't just good practice – it's crucial for IRS defense and avoiding sketchy surprises.Structure for Success (and Sanity): Discover why proper entity structuring (LLCs, operating agreements, separate bank accounts) isn't just about asset protection; it's about avoiding commingled funds, ensuring business continuity, and making sure your spouse isn't left wondering "what the hell is this?"Pay Yourself First (Seriously!): Uncover why many ambitious entrepreneurs neglect to pay themselves, jeopardizing their financial well-being and business health. Vonmarie emphasizes that if you're the management company, you need to account for (and pay for!) your own vital role.Beyond the Basics: Leveraging Tax-Smart Strategies: Explore often-missed opportunities like self-directed IRAs for investing, Keyman insurance for partnerships, and even the "Augusta discount" for clever tax write-offs – turning expenses into advantages.Build Your Financial Dream Team (No DIY Disasters!): Stop trying to wear all the hats! Understand why bringing in a team of financial professionals like Vonmarie isn't a luxury, but a necessity for growth, avoiding costly mistakes, and ensuring your financial house isn't a "house of cards."If you've been sticking your head in the sand about your finances, this episode is your wake-up call (without the cold water!). Vonmarie proves that financial clarity isn't just for the big guys; it's essential for every entrepreneur looking to build a sustainable, profitable business. Because let's face it, all work and no play makes for a very dull investor! Don't let another year go by with messy books and missed opportunities. Give yourself the gift of clarity: book a 90-minute Money Clarity Session with Vonmarie Thomas for just $297. It's the smartest investment you can make for your business (and your peace of mind!) in the New Year.Connect with Von Marie Thomas:Book a Money Clarity Session HERE!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonmariethomas/Go out, take some action, get your finances in order, and we'll see you at the top!#RealEstateInvesting #FinancialClarity #Bookkeeping #Accounting #LLC #W9 #IRS #CashFlow #SelfDirectedIRA #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneur #TaxStrategies #FinancialPlanningWatch the Original VIDEO HERE!Book a Call With Scott HERE!Sign up for the next FREE One-Day Note Class HERE!Sign up for the WCN Membership HERE!Sign up for the next Note Buying For Dummies Workshop HERE!Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here's How »Join the Note Closers Show community today:WeCloseNotes.comThe Note Closers Show FacebookThe Note Closers Show TwitterScott Carson LinkedInThe Note Closers Show YouTubeThe Note Closers Show VimeoThe Note Closers Show InstagramWe Close Notes Pinterest

Reaction 1: LLCs Do Not Save Law Firms Taxes If you want more profit in your law firm with less chaos, grab my Law Firm Profit Playbook - https://bigbirdaccounting.com/playbook.

We've all come across that property—the one with the irresistibly low price in the bad area of town. The numbers make it look like a home-run real estate deal, but are there too many red flags to ignore? We'll show you exactly what to do when analyzing this type of rental property!   Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! We've pulled three new questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, and first up, an investor wants to know whether or not they need an umbrella policy for their property. Tune in as Ashley and Tony share their thoughts on insurance, LLCs, and a range of asset protection strategies you can use to safeguard what's yours. Then, we weigh the pros and cons of FHA and conventional loans. One of these options gives you a clear advantage when it comes to seller negotiations!   Our final question comes from an investor who's considering a “great” deal in a less desirable part of town. It looks good on paper, but are other investors steering clear for good reason? We break down when it makes sense to buy this type of deal, and conversely, when it's more trouble than it's worth! Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here! In This Episode We Cover What to know before buying a good real estate deal in a bad neighborhood How to protect your assets with umbrella policies, LLCs, and other strategies Whether you should get an FHA loan or conventional loan for your rental property How to create “stable” rental income through Section 8 investing Why you always need to have cash reserves for your investment property And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BiggerPockets.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-655 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠advertise@biggerpockets.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices