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40+ year business owner, Mike Reilly, shares the dirty secrets of owning your own small business.
47 Episodes
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Mike, Brook, and A’Marri share how they personally and professionally use AI — from handling emails and financial reports to streamlining business processes and even creative work. 2:30 A’Marri explains how ChatGPT helps solve work problems and create podcast notes more efficiently. 5:30 Brook describes using AI for workout plans, financial schedules, and even relationship advice. 7:00 Mike compares the rise of AI to the early days of personal computers in the 1980s. 11:30 Discussion on how f...
Mike, Brook and A'marri talk about collections and problem customers. How do you collect the money owed to you? When to do a deposit or a prepay? How to make sure you don't run into the same problems with the same customers. 1:15 Mike kicks off the discussion on unpaid bills, asking Brook how to handle clients who don’t pay. 2:15 Brook shares prevention tactics like deposits, credit cards on file, and liens to secure payment. 4:00 A’marri emphasizes profiling customers and requiring upfront p...
Part 1 involves a meeting with Alex who works in consulting and providing solar energy for businesses. Part 2 is a recap and follow up from Brook and Amarri on what they would like to see in Cleveland Heights as young residents. 1:45 Mike lays out Cleveland Heights’ housing and vacancy problems, linking crime, retail decline, and lack of city action. 4:30 Discussion on eliminating point-of-sale inspections and instead enforcing property upkeep with fines. 7:30 Alex and Mike brainstorm new app...
Brook and Amarri talk about what they are looking for from the new mayor of Cleveland Heights once they are elected. 2:30 Brook introduces the topic: what younger Cleveland Heights residents want in the next mayor, highlighting the need for action and better leadership. 5:00 Brook shares a personal story about how potholes affect daily life and how simple planning could fix them. 8:30 Brook and A’marri discuss Cleveland Heights' communication issues and how improving updates through calendars...
Mike, Brook and A'marri talk about the mentality infecting a lot of Cleveland Heights residents that accepts the status quo and how the presence of Laura Hong who is running for mayor will hopefully shake things up. 1:30 Mike introduces the episode and explains why Cleveland Heights’ upcoming mayoral election is critical for local investors and property owners. 3:45 A’marri talks about the apathy residents have toward deteriorating areas in Cleveland Heights and the need for visible change. 6...
Mike, Brook and A'marri discuss their new process for hiring as well as learning lessons from the past, how people spend all their time looking for jobs instead of working them, how hiring is a stress tester for your managers as well as a quick journey into the similarities between managing and being a father. 1:15 Mike introduces the concept of “time wasters” and how they show up in business—especially in hiring, partnerships, and communication. 5:30 Brook talks about how vague job interview...
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...
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 le...
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 indecis...
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...
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 “st...
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...
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 ju...
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 ...
Mike and Brook get into the details of why young people, or people who are fixated with their passion, they've got a vision, they're going to be an artist, but they don't have anything back office. They don't have any concept of money or paying their bills, or just overly focused on that vision in front of them. 01:10 Mike introduces the topic of why artists struggle financially, questioning the "starving artist" cliché and why passion alone isn’t enough to succeed. 03:15 Mike references an a...
Mike, Brook and A'marri discuss goal setting and strategic planning for your business. Your data should tell a story. Within that story are learning lessons that need to be applied to your new strategies. This goes for your business as well as your personal life. Some things are black and white and others are gray and nuanced. Be disciplined in your routine, but allow new ideas and creativity to process in the background of your mind after a power nap, run, workout or Mike's favor...
In this episode of Small Business Confidential, hosts Mike and Brook Reilly explore the financial realities of running a business, focusing on managing cash flow, setting goals, and evaluating profitability. They share their experiences in contracting, rental properties, and overcoming financial hurdles. They highlight the importance of planning, monitoring key metrics, and addressing inefficiencies to avoid financial pitfalls. The discussion also covers lessons learned from past mistakes and...
In this episode of New Years and Setting Goal, hosts Brook Reilly and A'marri discuss effective goal-setting strategies for personal and professional growth. They explore the importance of reflecting on past goals, setting actionable and realistic objectives, and adapting plans to fit individual lifestyles. The conversation highlights overcoming challenges like lack of motivation and maintaining discipline, with examples from fitness, financial planning, and personal development. Brook and A'...
There is an art to managing. Most people dont know how to do it. But you'll never learn how to do it if you think you know everything already. You have to acknowledge what you dont know and put the work in to learn it. The art of managing and more on the Cleveland Real Estate podcast.
Processes are essential for enhancing efficiency, productivity, and growth in business. While resistance to change may be common, understanding the benefits of streamlined processes can ultimately lead to success in both your business and personal life. Join Brook and Amarri as they discuss the importance of processes and how it can positively impact your personal life and goals. 2:11 A'marri and Brook started talking about implementing, changing, and adapting, which is the whole point of est...
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