• The 2% Club
    2025/06/27

    The 2% Club: where 2% of your customers give you 98% of your problems. How to recognize what it is and what to do about it.
    1:30 Mike introduces the concept of the "2% Club"—the small percentage of customers who create most of your problems—and explains why handling them is key to business success.
    6:00 Brook reflects on a past job where the customer had a valid complaint and how owning the mistake turned a tense situation into a productive one.
    10:15 Mike shares a story about a customer with 100 sticky notes and how failing to set boundaries cost him both time and money.
    20:00 Brook talks about intentionally avoiding problematic customers and learning to spot red flags during estimates.
    26:00 Mike explains why they now charge for estimates and how it's a strategy to filter out time-wasting inquiries and non-serious clients.

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    32 分
  • Leadership From A Male Perspective
    2025/06/16

    MIke, Brook, and A’marri discuss what makes a great leader from a male perspective—drawing on books, movies, real-life work experience, and generational lessons. From setting expectations to leading with accountability, they unpack what leadership really means.
    2:15 Brook shares insights from a leadership book by a Navy SEAL and how she's applying clear communication and ownership at job sites.
    5:00 Mike recalls lessons from Band of Brothers and the difference between abusive vs. inspiring leadership.
    7:45 A’marri explains how emotions can cloud decision-making and why leaders must focus on structure and solutions.
    12:30 Brook and Mike talk about the balance between holding people accountable and taking care of your crew.
    23:00 A’marri highlights mentorship and the reward of seeing leadership habits take hold with newer team members.

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    31 分
  • Be An Assassin About Being Decisive
    2025/05/22

    Brook and A’marri talk about the importance of being decisive in business—how to manage your time, cut out stress, and stop letting small issues snowball. From management habits to mindset shifts, they share real tools for working smarter, not harder.
    6:30 Brook shares a quote from Mark Cuban about how adaptability is key to business success—and how real-life problems force you to change plans.
    11:15 A’marri discusses identifying time-wasters in business, from inefficient employees to indecisive customers, and how to make structural fixes.
    13:45 Brook explains how she learned to stop over-explaining estimates and how being direct helped her avoid unnecessary stress.
    18:15 Brook tells a story about refusing to mediate someone else’s management issue—and how it saved her time and taught ownership.
    24:45 Brook and A’marri reflect on flexible work schedules, what it really means to “clock out,” and how real productivity often happens after hours.

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    33 分
  • Going Around The Track Again on Managing
    2025/05/16

    One of the key pillars of success in business or real estate is knowing how to manage people. If you can’t manage people—or don’t learn how—it’s going to be an uphill struggle, to say the least. In this episode, Mike, Brook, and A’marri break down what real-world management actually looks like.
    3:00 Brook opens the discussion with a key management rule: be friendly, not friends, and learn how to balance respect with authority.
    6:15 A’marri shares how overexplaining leads to confusion and time-wasting, and why clarity is more powerful than reasoning.
    11:00 Mike breaks down a classic management moment from The Godfather, showing how simple authority gets things done.
    21:00 Mike tells a real story about assuming new hires know how to clean up—and how that mistake cost them with a long-time client.
    34:30 Brook and Mike stress the value of scripting and being prepared—how it reduces anxiety and leads to better leadership decisions.

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    41 分
  • Why Aren’t You Sleeping On The Job?
    2025/05/12

    Brook, Mike, and A’marri discuss the productivity benefits of mid-day naps, workouts, and unplugging—plus how recharging can lead to better problem-solving in business and real estate.
    1:00 Mike shares how business changes and legacy software led them to reimagine company systems—and why their new programmer is now required to nap.
    3:30 Brook explains how his afternoon runs help reset his energy and problem-solve, often leading to clearer, more focused decisions.
    6:20 The team talks about “stepping off the treadmill” and creating space in the day to think more strategically and make better choices.
    11:00 A’marri describes how aligning your workday with your natural energy dips can help avoid burnout and boost productivity.
    28:00 Mike explains how he uses short naps and routine breaks to reach creative solutions—including one that landed them a major contract.

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    36 分
  • The Power Of Scripting And Planning
    2025/04/16

    Brook and Mike discuss the power of scripting and planning for quick Airbnb turnarounds and for selling properties.
    2:00 Mike introduces the idea of scripting your day and how vital it is for managing real estate and small business operations effectively.
    3:00 Brook breaks down how she handles violation lists—deciding what can be done in-house, what needs to be outsourced, and the importance of being proactive before a house closes.
    6:15 Mike reflects on the harsh realities of running a small business—juggling subs, maintenance issues, and why passion alone isn’t enough for success.
    10:30 Brook explains how organizing work around the weather and staying in close communication with subs can save time, money, and stress.
    21:15 Mike shares the three business fundamentals every small business owner should master: sales, creative marketing, and financial literacy.

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    28 分
  • The Action Is The Juice
    2025/03/27

    More of a general meeting between A'marri and Brook as they discuss the week, work they have, working with software developers, how to solve problems creatively, qualities needed to manage and lead and much more.
    2:00 Mike and Brook discuss their love for the movie Heat and its deeper life lessons beyond crime.
    4:20 Mike compares being an entrepreneur to a lifestyle rather than just a career choice.
    5:00 Brook explains how "the action is the juice" applies to business—it's the process, not just the payoff.
    6:45 Mike discusses the struggles of running a business, making payroll, and financial pressures.
    6:30 Mike highlights the importance of financial planning and using spreadsheets to stay afloat.

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    43 分
  • Water cooler talk; management, goal setting, hills and valleys of work, and Scott Galloway.
    2025/02/26

    In this episode of Small Business Confidential, A'marri and Brook have a laid-back chat about their week at work, covering time management, goal setting, and getting things done. Brook talks about balancing work with having a newborn and how routines help him stay productive. They also discuss the ups and downs of work life and share insights from Scott Galloway about focusing on mastering your skills instead of just following your passion.
    2:10 Brook shares his experience balancing work and family life with a newborn at home, emphasizing the importance of maximizing time and being strict with schedules, even amidst daily chaos and unexpected events.
    4:55 A'marri and Brook discuss goal-setting, highlighting how daunting tasks feel more achievable once you start taking actionable steps, similar to breaking down complex projects into manageable pieces.
    6:55 Brook talks about his cold plunge routine, explaining how small morning habits like cold plunges or making the bed can set a productive tone for the day, helping overcome sluggish starts and boosting motivation.
    18:00 Brook references insights from Scott Galloway, challenging the "follow your passion" advice, and instead promoting the idea of mastering a skill you're good at to build a successful and sustainable career.

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    22 分