In this episode, Cheryl Knowlton and Melissa Cruz discuss:

• Vision casting with 10–5–3–1 year planning

• Aligning daily time blocks with long-term goals

• Using color-coded "buckets" to organize calendar time

• Prioritizing revenue-producing activities over admin tasks

• Protecting me-time and family time to avoid burnout

Key Takeaways:

• Long-term vision (10, 5, 3, and 1 years out) should drive what you do today, not the other way around.

• Time blocking works best when you categorize your life into clear "buckets" like lead generation, customer retention, admin, personal development, me time, and family time.

• Revenue-producing activities must be scheduled first, not squeezed in around busywork, and many entrepreneurs feel exhausted because they're living in admin mode while believing they're building a business.

• Trying to do everything yourself keeps you stuck as the intern of your business instead of growing into the CEO role.

• Me time is not optional; it's the foundation that keeps your business and family life sustainable, and when you move your body, eat well, and nourish your mind, you show up with the energy and clarity needed to serve others at a higher level.

"Time is the only currency that we spend without ever knowing the balance. So choose wisely, spend it wisely, and make every single minute count."
- Melissa Cruz

About the guest, Melissa Cruz:

Melissa Cruz is a business coach dedicated to helping ambitious women build businesses and lives that align with their values—without sacrificing what matters most. As a mom, she understands the constant balancing act of family, business, and personal goals, which is why her coaching focuses on overcoming limiting beliefs, building with intention, and releasing the guilt that often comes with wanting it all. Melissa helps her clients create clarity, confidence, and momentum while staying grounded in who they are.

A natural problem-solver, Melissa guides women in turning challenges into opportunities for growth, whether that means improving time management, increasing productivity, or navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship. In addition to coaching, she creates practical, experience-driven courses for real estate professionals, offering actionable strategies that lead to real results. Melissa believes success doesn't require compromise—when businesses are built on authenticity and aligned values, sustainable growth and fulfillment follow.

Connect with Melissa Cruz:

Email: iris.bloom.cruz@gmail.com

Phone: 904-679-2340

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irisbloomcoaching/

CONNECT WITH CHERYL:

Website: www.cherylknows.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwvWKXBC6fKn1dLGY11hxIg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theknowltonteam/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylknowlton/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylknows/

Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Cheryl Knowlton and Dan Mullen discuss:

• Planning ahead to avoid self‑employment tax "surprises."

• Using S‑corp elections to reduce self‑employment taxes

• Properly documenting travel, meals, and vehicle deductions

• Regular, proactive check‑ins with your accountant

• Investing in your own product: real estate for long‑term wealth

Key Takeaways:

• Proactive tax planning is non‑negotiable for agents who don't want to be blindsided at tax time.

• The S‑corp election can dramatically cut self‑employment taxes when structured correctly, and setting a reasonable salary and letting the rest flow as distributions is where much of the savings happens.

• Travel, meals, and vehicle deductions are powerful but highly audited, so documentation is everything, but clear board minutes, mileage logs, and receipts turn "red flag" categories into audit‑proof benefits.

• Treat quarterly taxes like a standing business appointment rather than an optional chore, with calendar reminders and regular check‑ins with your accountant keeping you out of panic mode and in control of cash flow.

• Truly wealthy agents don't just sell real estate—they own it.

"Real estate builds so much wealth. It does for even people living in their own homes. It certainly does for investors."
- Dan Mullen

About the guest, Dan Mullen:

Dan Mullen is a mortgage advisor and a partner at a tax firm, a combination that gives him a unique advantage in helping self-employed clients qualify for mortgages. Because these borrowers are underwritten using tax returns rather than W-2s and paystubs, Dan's deep understanding of tax documentation allows him to navigate the process more effectively. Having seen firsthand the pain and frustration caused by mortgage letter requests, he is on a personal crusade to help tax preparers avoid them and to bridge the gap between mortgage underwriters and tax professionals.

Connect with Dan Mullen:

Website: https://www.futureandmain.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielbmullen/

CONNECT WITH CHERYL:

Website: www.cherylknows.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwvWKXBC6fKn1dLGY11hxIg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theknowltonteam/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylknowlton/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylknows/

Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Cheryl Knowlton and Dave Rosenberg discuss:

• Radical accountability's three elements: mechanics, mindset, and modeling

• Importance of clear job descriptions, processes, and formal training with testing

• Counseling and curiosity instead of yelling when mistakes happen

• Leadership's impact on safety: fight/flight/freeze/fawn responses to toxic behavior

• Leaders must "walk the talk" to build trust, accountability, and high-performing teams

Key Takeaways:

• Radical accountability rests on three legs: mechanics, mindset, and modeling, and when any one of these is missing, performance, trust, and culture all suffer.

• Clear job descriptions, documented processes, and written policies remove "I didn't know" as an excuse.

• Training must be formal, repeatable, and include testing and practice (like role plays) because without proof of competence, leaders can't fairly hold people accountable or diagnose whether problems are systemic or personal.

• When leaders yell, they trigger fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses, not learning or growth, and the alternative is a calm "counseling" conversation that looks for either broken systems or misaligned behavior.

• Team members watch what leaders do more than what they say.

"If you want your team to grow, we need to grow as leaders. It's just that simple."
- Dave Rosenberg

About the guest, Dave Rosenberg:

Dave Rosenberg is a professional keynote speaker and leadership development consultant. He guides teams and leaders to foster a culture of accountability that accelerates results.

As a leading authority on high-performance leadership, accountability, and team dynamics, Dave Rosenberg is frequently hired as a leadership speaker, accountability speaker, and change management speaker. Dave's engaging, interactive, and insightful speaking style makes him a preferred keynote speaker for businesses aiming for the best conferences and events.

After 30+ years in leadership positions, Dave's leadership experience is practical, not theoretical. He has been the president of 4 organizations and has consulted with hundreds of companies across the United States. His clients represent a large cross-section of industry, from manufacturing, retail, construction, engineering, farming, trucking, communications, and service.

Connect with Dave Rosenberg:

Website: https://lockedonleadership.com/about-dave-rosenberg/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daverosenbergspeaks/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lockedonleadership

CONNECT WITH CHERYL:

Website: www.cherylknows.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwvWKXBC6fKn1dLGY11hxIg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theknowltonteam/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylknowlton/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylknows/

Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.