Join Brian Charlesworth, founder of Sisu, as he interviews Steven Myers, the visionary owner of Urban Cool Brokerage. Steven shares his journey from corporate aerospace engineer to leading real estate investor and team owner in Wichita, Kansas. From selling his first property to growing a team of over 60 agents, Steven’s story is a testament to the power of grit and resilience. In this episode, Steven discusses the challenges of leaving a high-paying corporate career and the risks he took to follow his entrepreneurial calling. Reflecting on his decision, he says, "I saw these people in their 60s still grinding away, and I thought, this isn’t the life I want for myself." He talks about the systems he put in place, including Sisu, to track performance and build a scalable business. "If you’re not really understanding your numbers... you’re just not really doing a good service to your business," Steven emphasizes as he shares how he grew his team to over 60 agents and completed more than 500 transactions in just a few years. With a unique perspective as a former "rocket scientist" and a real estate team leader, Steven offers listeners fascinating insights into growing a business by leveraging technology and effective leadership. Steven also explains his strategy for building ancillary services, like mortgage and title, and why controlling the entire client experience has been key to his success. It's not just about selling houses—it's about managing every aspect of the client journey. Top Takeaways:

(3:39) From aerospace projects to real estate success

(6:05) What happened when the corporate job said "no more real estate"?

(9:02) The shift from flipping houses to going all-in on sales.

(12:53) Why ditch spreadsheets to build a real business system?

(15:52) Building the right systems before scaling a team.

(18:49) How did this team grow from 0 to 60 agents in just 4 years?

(20:59) Why do systems only work if you have the right people?

(24:09) A $1.7 trillion opportunity that sparked a change

(29:52) How does Sisu’s data lead to a million-dollar difference?

(31:33) What do your metrics reveal about your business gaps?

(35:01) Spotting changes early to keep growth on track

(39:20) Why 2025 is about conversations and service.

(40:22) How does Sisu help deliver that "white glove" customer service?

(42:44) Why is spending on tech crucial for agent success? Want to know how Steven overcame market shifts and learned from the challenges of running multiple businesses? Tune in to learn more about his journey and how you can apply his insights to grow your own real estate business. About Steven Myers Steven Myers is the CEO of Urban Cool Homes, a real estate business he founded in Wichita after realizing his passion for property went beyond his corporate career. After graduating at the top of his engineering class at Wichita State University, Steven climbed the corporate ladder to become a director of program management before transitioning into real estate. He has also worked as a realtor at eXp Realty and is the owner of Motto Mortgage Charged. Connect with Steven Myers Today!

Urban Cool Homes

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This week on GRIT, host Brian Charlesworth welcomes Shahar Plinner, founder and CEO of Formations, to discuss an often-overlooked aspect of running a real estate business: taxes. Shahar brings decades of expertise in tax planning for the self-employed, particularly real estate agents and team leaders. From his roots in Israel to building one of Seattle’s top accounting firms, Shahar has always been driven by one goal—helping entrepreneurs keep more of their hard-earned money. In this insightful conversation, Shahar reveals how real estate agents can save tens of thousands of dollars annually by structuring their businesses correctly. “Ninety percent of the agents who come to us aren’t set up as S Corps—and they’re losing significant money because of it,” he explains. Shahar walks through the process of shifting from a sole proprietor or LLC to an S Corporation, which allows agents to reduce their tax liability while still growing their business. The episode also touches on how real estate agents often procrastinate tax planning until it's too late, leading to missed opportunities. Shahar emphasizes the need for intentional tax management throughout the year rather than scrambling at tax time. “The sooner you start thinking about your taxes, the better the outcome. It’s not just about saving on taxes; it’s about creating a long-term strategy that supports your business growth.” Brian and Shahar also discuss the exciting new partnership between Sisu and Formations, offering real estate professionals a seamless integration between business performance tracking and tax optimization. This collaboration allows agents to have a holistic view of their business and finances in real-time, enabling smarter decisions year-round. Top Takeaways:

(4:27) Why real-time financial planning beats last-minute tax fixes.

(9:47) Making sense of real estate taxes—Depreciation, aggregation, and more.

(11:19) How does having a dream team simplify real estate investing?

(12:27) The untapped tax benefits for 1099 real estate agents.

(18:10) Automating 90% of real estate tasks

(23:01) Why live financial data is the key to business confidence.

(24:21) Sisu and Formations—The integration every real estate agent needs.

(28:08) How to eliminate data friction with Sisu’s seamless integration.

(33:27) What are the benefits of S Corps for real estate agents? If you’re looking to gain a better understanding of how smart tax planning can support your real estate business, this episode is a must-listen. Shahar’s expertise will change the way you think about taxes and how they can be used to fuel your success. About Shahar Plinner:

Shahar Plinner is a tax and accounting expert with over 20 years of experience. After moving from Israel to Seattle, he built and sold one of the top tax firms in the area. Now, as the founder and CEO of Formations, he focuses on helping self-employed professionals manage their taxes and maximize financial efficiency.

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Formations

In this episode of GRIT: The Real Estate Growth Mindset, Brian Charlesworth sits down with JD Reese, founder of The Genuine Group, one of Southern Utah’s rising stars in real estate. JD shares his evolution from selling over 1,000 homes as a builder agent to creating and leading a team that’s now ranked in the top five in just three years. How did he do it? JD credits much of his success to the systems and processes he built from the ground up. JD takes us back to when he worked long days as a builder agent at Salisbury Homes, where he learned the value of grit and consistency. After experiencing significant changes in the builder market, JD decided to start his own team. In his words, "I realized I could make ten times the amount of money by doing my own thing, and that was eye-opening." The episode dives deep into how JD created a strong foundation for his team, starting with using tools like Sisu and Follow Up Boss to manage accountability and streamline operations. He shares how his focus on building a repeatable system allowed him to transition smoothly into team leadership. JD also touches on his recruitment strategy, which emphasizes hiring young, trainable agents who align with his team's culture of hard work and innovation. What sets JD apart is his hands-on leadership style. He continues to prospect daily alongside his agents, which has helped his team maintain high performance even in challenging markets. "I still prospect an hour to an hour and a half every single day, including Saturdays," JD explains, showcasing his dedication to staying connected with his team and clients. Top Takeaways:

(2:29) The secrets behind selling over 150 homes a year.

(7:34) Can you hit your income goals by prospecting every day?

(13:29) Why the right CRM is your new best friend in real estate.

(17:20) Is data the key to a team that never drops the ball?

(18:00) What’s the real edge of 24/7 reporting for agents?

(25:26) What’s the real cost of wearing too many hats in real estate?

(29:43) How did training turn market challenges into opportunities?

(31:31) AI, PPC, and Facebook—How to use all to win.

(34:28) How do open house registrations boost conversions?

(36:07) How do proper SOPs transform lead management?

(38:41) Why Every Real Estate Deal Needs a "Pizza Tracker" System. Don't miss this insightful conversation as JD explains how to grow a team, foster a winning culture, and consistently push the needle forward. Tune in to learn more about JD's journey and what it takes to build a high-performing real estate business. About JD Reese JD Reese is the owner of The Genuine Group and a Utah native, born and raised in St. George. With a background in new construction and experience as a general contractor, JD aims to provide a genuine experience for clients, whether they are buying, selling, investing, or building homes. He founded The Genuine Group to share his knowledge from nine years in real estate and to build a tech-driven, supportive team environment. In his free time, JD enjoys skateboarding, golfing, playing video games, and spending quality time with his wife and their pets. Connect with JD Reese Today!

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