In this episode, I sit down with Jordan Fleming the co-founder of smrtPhone and author of Click Call Scale, to talk about the one tool most investors overlook when trying to grow their business: the phone system. We dive into how deep CRM integration, intentional data use, and AI-driven sales tools are transforming the way real estate investors manage teams, follow up with leads, and stay compliant.

If you've ever thrown money at leads and wondered why your close rate is still weak, Jordan’s insights are the wake-up call you need. From avoiding six-figure fines to converting more sellers through thoughtful follow-up, this episode is packed with actionable strategies that will change how you view your phone—and your business.

Episode Timeline:

[0:00] – The origin of smrtPhone and how it grew from Podio users to REI giants
[5:20] – Why deep CRM integrations beat generic phone systems every time
[7:10] – What most investors get wrong about calling and follow-up
[10:00] – The power of full communication history in closing more deals
[12:15] – AI call scoring and training: a game changer for growing sales teams
[14:30] – The gold is in the follow-up—how automation unlocks deal flow
[16:55] – Click Call Scale: Jordan’s new book and why data hygiene matters
[19:45] – How sloppy calling habits can get you fined (or blacklisted)
[24:00] – Legal risks vs. carrier risks—why compliance is both a law and a behavior issue
[26:10] – Free book offer and extra gifts for investors ready to scale right

5 Key Takeaways

1. Your phone system is not just a tool—it’s the foundation of your sales engine.
2. Clean, structured data is the #1 factor in avoiding lost leads and legal trouble.
3. AI tools like call scoring are essential for training and scaling your team effectively.
4. The fortune is in the follow-up—but only if you systematize it.
5. Compliance isn't optional. Sloppy calling behavior can cost you five figures—or more.

Links & Resources

• Learn more about smrtPhone: www.smrtphone.io
• Need help keeping the money you make? Visit: www.simplecfo.com

If this episode gave you a lightbulb moment, don’t forget to rate, follow, and share the podcast. And leave a review to help more real estate investors discover the Profit First for REI show!

In this episode, I sit down with Gino Barbaro—multifamily investor, author, educator, and co-founder of Jake & Gino. We dive deep into the mindset, systems, and financial foundations that helped him scale from a pizza shop owner to a real estate mogul managing over 2,000 units.

Gino shares the critical role that Profit First played in helping him gain control over his personal and business finances—and why so many investors fail not from lack of opportunity, but from lack of clarity and discipline. This episode is a masterclass in building a long-term, values-driven real estate business that actually creates wealth and freedom.

Episode Timeline

[0:00] – Introduction

[1:25] – From family business burnout to discovering multifamily real estate

[3:45] – Scaling with partnerships: how Jake & Gino built a vertically integrated company

[6:12] – Why multifamily is more forgiving than single-family investing

[9:00] – Using Profit First to remove emotion from business decisions

[10:40] – You can’t outsource what you don’t understand—why financial literacy is step one

[12:20] – The “3 pillars” of real estate success: buy right, manage right, finance right

[15:15] – Teaching your kids about money, wealth, and entrepreneurship

[17:50] – The one mindset shift that separates successful investors from burned-out ones

[20:30] – Why “purpose over profit” actually leads to more sustainable business growth

[23:05] – How Gino uses Profit First in both personal and business budgets

[26:00] – Where to start if you feel overwhelmed by your numbers

5 Key Takeaways

1. Clarity comes before scaling. Without control over your finances, more doors just means more chaos.
2. Profit First works because it’s simple. Gino uses it personally and professionally to stay focused and disciplined.
3. Vertical integration creates true freedom. Jake & Gino scaled by controlling management, education, and investing under one roof.
4. Teach wealth early. Gino involves his six kids in financial education—because legacy starts at home.
5. Mindset is the multiplier. If you don’t believe you’re worthy of wealth, no strategy will save you.

Links & Resources

• Connect with Gino: JakeandGino.com
• Gino’s book: The Honeybee
• Learn Profit First for real estate: SimpleCFO.com

If this episode gave you clarity or motivation, be sure to rate, follow, and leave a review. Share it with a fellow investor who’s ready to grow with purpose and profit.

What happens when your business loses over half a million dollars—and it’s your own fault? In this episode, I’m joined by my good friend and client Caleb Luketic, who shares how he climbed out of a $550K loss through strategy, grit, and knowing his numbers. We dive deep into the raw, behind-the-scenes reality of being on the brink—and how clarity, accountability, and CFO support helped him rebuild a thriving business in just 18 months.

Caleb doesn’t just talk about the comeback. He reveals the specific shifts in strategy that saved his business—like choosing assignments over flips, getting creative with owner financing, and radically narrowing his marketing focus to only what worked. If you’re in real estate and feeling overwhelmed, this episode will show you it’s not just possible to turn things around—it’s profitable.

Episode Timeline

[0:00] – Introduction

[2:05] – Caleb’s background in marketing and how it evolved into real estate investing

[5:50] – How poor decisions and bad hires led to $550K in losses

[8:30] – Facing the choice: bankruptcy or bounce back

[10:20] – The 18-month payoff plan and how data made all the difference

[12:00] – Why gut decisions nearly sank the business—and what saved it instead

[14:10] – Flipping vs. wholesaling: how choosing cash now won the long game

[16:00] – The $80K wholesale assignment that cleared the final debt

[18:15] – New challenges: when the market shifts mid-flip

[22:40] – Why Caleb is moving away from flips to owner financing and wholesale

[24:00] – The emotional difference between retail buyers and owner-financed buyers

[28:00] – Caleb’s marketing agency focus: SEO, PPC, and Meta ads

[30:20] – Real ROI breakdowns for marketing channels

[32:00] – Why you need someone to help you pivot—before it’s too late

5 Key Takeaways

1. Losing money isn’t the end—lack of strategy is. Caleb turned a $550K loss into a growth story by facing the numbers head-on.
2. Wholesaling brought the cash flow flipping couldn’t. Fast assignments became the engine for rebuilding his business.
3. Marketing without data is dangerous. Narrowing efforts to what worked (and ditching what didn’t) saved thousands.
4. You must pay off the emotional debt too. Caleb shares how personal shame nearly sidelined his comeback.
5. You don’t need more leads—you need more clarity. Profit First helped Caleb make smarter decisions and recover with purpose.

Links & Resources

• Connect with Caleb Luketic: www.calebluketic.com
• Learn more about Profit First implementation: www.simplecfo.com

If this episode inspired you, helped you, or made you rethink your strategy—don’t forget to rate, follow, and share the show. Your reviews help more real estate investors discover the Profit First for REI podcast. Let’s keep growing together!