Don Costa was managing a 16 person team before COVID hit. He's now running his team incredibly lean and he's learned a couple of things along the way. He shares how to build a strong business foundation, what to do when you have a real winner on your team to keep them engaged, and so much more on this week's episode! KEY TAKEAWAYS: Since COVID, Don has chosen to downsize his team (and get lean!) Don asked himself, how can he and his team make more money than what they're already doing. It makes no difference what your gross rev is when your margins are tiny. When you're in growth mode, how much money are you really keeping? What does it mean to have a strong business foundation? If you have a buy box, stick to it! Don't try to put a square peg through a round hole. How did Don's business get so bloated? Business is meant to serve you and others. This is why you must have a plan. Don knows that if he is bored, he is dangerous. He will always be working and doesn't plan on ever retiring. What is Don doing to get more business through his door with less staff? Do not stop following up until the seller tells you to kick rocks. The best acquisition managers have a very small life span. You get a good 12-24 months before they move on. You have to hold your team accountable and sometimes that means listening to sales calls. By hiring more people, you can actually end up starving your top-player out. And guess what happens when you starve a winner? How is Don keeping his team sharp and up-to-date? If you don't have a good disposition's person in your corner, you're doing all of this wrong. If you're not training your team in marketing and sales, you're doing yourself a disservice as well. Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: The Flip Empire Experience in the Florida Keys; Flipempire.com/private Up your Sales Game: http://flipempire.com/sales Connect with Don: Fliptalk.com & Instagram Check out Don's Flip Talk Podcast BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: Profit First by Mike Michalowicz Don't Wait To Enjoy Your Life Tomorrow, Live It Today! How To Grow Your Business, Expand Your Impact, and Experience Your Perfect Life: Get Access Now: Free 5 Part Video Training Series on "How To Quickly Generate The Most Qualified Motivated Seller Leads & Produce High Margin Deals WITHOUT Investing a Bunch Of Your Time and Money" 🔊 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE TO THE FLIP EMPIRE SHOW (PODCAST) on Apple Podcasts ▶︎ http://www.flipempire.com/podcast 📺 SUBSCRIBE TO ALEX PARDO'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL NOW ▶︎ https://www.youtube.com/alexpardo 🚀 How To Grow Your Business, Expand Your Impact, and Experience Your Perfect Life Don't Wait To Enjoy Your Life Tomorrow, Live It Today ▶︎ https://www.AscendYourSuccess.com/ 💻 Access to Online Course: 5 Ways To Scale Your Real Estate Wholesaling Business To Six Figures (In 6 Months Or Less): http://www.flipempire.com ★☆★ WHO IS ALEX PARDO? https://flipempire.com/about/ FOLLOW ALEX ON: ★ INSTAGRAM → http://instagram.com/alexpardo25 ★ FACEBOOK → https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 ★ LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-pardo★ YOUTUBE → https://www.youtube.com/alexpardo. Tweetables: "A stable business first, a stable foundation, is the most important thing. And, you can get fat/bloated and become more bureaucracy than a business." "You create this machine (for residual income), but you end up feeding the machine." "If I have a winner on my team. If I have the greatest pitcher of all time, why am I going to have that person on the bench 50% of the game?" Ask Alex A Question: Have a question you want featured on an upcoming Flip Empire Show? Head over to the Ask Alex page, and record your question. We've made it super easy for you, so let us know what challenges you are having, and Alex will answer it personally! Subscribe To The Flip Empire Show, and Leave a Rating & Review!