Signing Off: Thank you for 7 Incredible Years
The Richer Geek
Today’s episode is different. This marks the final episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. After seven incredible years, Mike is signing off to focus fully on his growing business and new hotel investments in Spain. Thank you for listening, supporting, and being part of the journey. Mike remains active on LinkedIn and looks forward to staying connected there. Resources from Mike and Nichole | |
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The IRS Is Watching: Is Your Crypto Audit-Ready?
The Richer Geek
Happy New Year and welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today, we are joined by Janna Scott, founder of DeFi Tax, to talk about one of the biggest risks crypto investors face today: inaccurate tax reporting. Janna explains why most crypto tax software is unreliable, how IRS audits really work, and what happens when reported numbers don’t match blockchain data. She shares how her research exposed major gaps in the system and why both individuals and businesses need audit-ready crypto records. In this episode, we chat about… The Software Variance Problem: Janna...
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Scaling Real Estate with Virtual Teams
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. It’s the last day of 2025, a perfect time to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and what needs to change. Today, we’re joined by Pete Neubig, CEO of VPM Solutions, to talk about building virtual teams that actually support growth. If you’re planning to hire your first virtual team or scale smarter in 2026, this episode is for you. In this episode, we chat about… Pete’s journey from a 20-year employee to building and selling a property management company How virtual team members evolved from simple task roles to...
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Why Mindset Beats Strategy in Wealth Building
The Richer Geek
Happy Holidays and welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we are joined by Rod Khleif, a multifamily real estate investor, best-selling author, and host of a top 1% business podcast with over 20 million downloads. Rod shares his journey from growing up with very little, to losing $50M during the 2008 crash, and rebuilding a stronger, purpose-driven real estate business. This episode focuses on mindset, taking action despite fear, and why real estate continues to create opportunity during uncertain markets. If you tend to overanalyze or feel stuck waiting for the...
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Building Wealth Through Community-Driven Real Estate
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today we are joined by Fuquan Bilal, a seasoned real estate entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience building wealth through multifamily and luxury real estate investments. As the CEO and Founder of NNG Capital Fund, Fuquan shares how creative strategies, strong investor communication, and community impact drive long-term success. We talk about market cycles, investor trust, and what it really takes to raise capital the right way. This episode is packed with practical insights for investors and operators at every stage. In this...
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Traditional CPA vs. Strategic CPA: What Helps You Grow
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today we are joined by Chris Hervochon, CPA, CVA, a numbers-driven advisor who helps growth-minded entrepreneurs make smarter financial decisions. Chris shares how good accounting goes far beyond tax season, why advisory-based CPAs can save you tens of thousands, and the real difference between bookkeeping, controllers, and fractional CFOs. He also breaks down how to prepare your business for a future sale and the hidden risks most founders never check. If you're ready to run your business like the asset it should be, this episode...
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The Rich Life: Real Estate, Freedom, and Finding Your Purpose
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, today we are joined by Christina Suter, a seasoned real estate investor, advisor, and educator. Christina shares her journey, starting with inheriting a paid-off house at 17, and explains why she views real estate as a vehicle for location, time, and choice freedom, not just money. Tune in as she discusses her shift from appreciation plays in California to high cash flow strategies like room shares , and how her "Live A Rich Life" coaching helps people find meaning and purpose beyond just achieving financial independence. In this...
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Build Income With Airbnb Arbitrage
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today, we are joined by Daanish Azim, who built a $60K/month Airbnb business without owning a single property. He lost everything in 2022, took a chance on one rental unit, and turned it into a small empire. Now he teaches others how to do the same through Airbnb arbitrage. In this episode, we chat about… What Airbnb arbitrage is and how it works Why getting property owners’ permission matters How to check city rules and avoid issues with regulations Funding the business using 0% business credit cards What today’s...
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How to Build Wealth Through Non-Food Franchising
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today we are joined by Jon Ostenson, one of the top 1% Franchise Consultants in the U.S., respected author, investor, and leading voice in the world of non-food franchising. Jon breaks down how everyday professionals, corporate leaders, and real estate investors can use franchising to build wealth, diversify income, and create long-term stability even without quitting their day job. In this episode, we chat about… Jon’s career path from corporate leadership to franchise president and top franchise consultant Why non-food...
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Bitcoin Meets AI: What’s Next?
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! This week, as we honor Veterans Day, today’s guest brings both service and purpose to the mic. Joshua Brooks, founder of Exponential Advisors and an Army Reserve Chaplain, combines military discipline, faith, and forward-thinking tech to help families and organizations build real financial freedom. Joshua shares how he’s blending AI, blockchain, and Bitcoin into modern financial planning, why he believes everyone should take a second look at Bitcoin, and how faith and integrity shape his work. From overcoming PTSD to leading with...
info_outlineWelcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today we are joined by Jon Ostenson, one of the top 1% Franchise Consultants in the U.S., respected author, investor, and leading voice in the world of non-food franchising.
Jon breaks down how everyday professionals, corporate leaders, and real estate investors can use franchising to build wealth, diversify income, and create long-term stability even without quitting their day job.
In this episode, we chat about…
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Jon’s career path from corporate leadership to franchise president and top franchise consultant
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Why non-food franchising offers lower risk, better margins, and more stability than trendy food brands
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How Jon helps clients filter through 600+ franchise options to find the best fit for their market and goals
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The truth about “semi-passive” franchise ownership and what it actually requires
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Why real estate investors and professionals looking for diversification are a natural fit for franchising
Key Takeaways:
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Avoid Chasing Trends: Focus on non-trendy, understandable, cash-flowing service-based businesses like insulation, dumpsters, senior care, or pet grooming , as people will continue to spend on these regardless of the economy.
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Franchising is a "One-Stop Shop" Discovery Process: Working with a franchise broker like Jon is entirely free , and they help filter through the "noise" by identifying top opportunities based on the strength of the franchise leadership, financial models, and competitive advantages.
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Protect Your Area: Franchise brands protect owners, either through a protected radius for customer-facing retail or a defined territory (e.g., 250,000 population) for service-based businesses.
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Starting a Franchise vs. Buying an Existing One: It's generally easier to start a new franchise because the most successful existing units often sell internally to other franchisees , and buying an existing non-franchise business comes with the risk of key staff/customers leaving after the sale.
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Be Clear on Your Role: Understand the commitment level required. While many non-food franchises allow for an executive/semi-absentee model , Jon advises that "passive" is a misnomer, and you must be prepared to lean in if the manager isn't great.
Resources from Jon
LinkedIn | FranBridge Consulting | Download your FREE book: 'Non-Food Franchising'
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Check out our latest project here: Barcelona Hotel Fund
LinkedIn | Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide