If you can’t instantly see your numbers, you’re not really running a business—you’re rolling the dice. In this episode, I break down why so many real estate investors and entrepreneurs feel constant financial pressure even when deals are closing and money is coming in.

I walk through what true financial clarity actually looks like, why tracking the right numbers matters more than tracking all the numbers, and how cash-flow forecasting can help you make smarter decisions before problems show up. Whether you’re flipping, wholesaling, buying and holding, or running a multi-deal operation, this episode will help you stop reacting to your finances and start leading your business with confidence.

Timeline Highlights:

[0:00] Why running a business without clear numbers is like rolling the dice

[1:04] The real reason business owners make money but still feel stuck

[2:05] How cash crunches happen—and why they’re inevitable without systems

[3:05] The first number every business owner should be tracking

[4:06] How to measure marketing ROI using both money and time

[5:31] Why “work in progress” drains cash in real estate businesses

[6:29] Using dedicated accounts to track project cash and investor funds

[8:11] The key numbers every owner should see on a financial dashboard

[11:01] Why forecasting gives you a crystal ball for future decisions

[13:22] How financial clarity reduces stress and drives real freedom

Key Takeaways

1. Financial clarity means knowing where every dollar is going—and why.
2. Tracking numbers only matters if they help you make better decisions.
3. Marketing spend must be measured against real returns, not gut feelings.
4. Real estate investors must separate operating cash from project cash.
5. Cash-flow forecasting helps you plan for both best-case and worst-case scenarios.
6. A financial dashboard turns numbers into actionable insights.
7. Confidence in business comes from visibility, not just profitability.

Links & Resources

Book a free discovery call and get help building clarity and forecasting into your business: profitrei.com

Closing

Thanks for spending time with me today. If this episode gave you clarity or a new perspective, make sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with another investor or business owner who needs better visibility into their numbers. And if you’re ready to apply what we talked about with real guidance and accountability, visit profitrei.com and book your free discovery call to start building true financial clarity and confidence.

In this episode of the Profit First for Real Estate Investing podcast, I sit down with Dave Dupuis, one-half of the dynamic duo behind Investor Mel & Dave. Dave shares how he and his wife Mel built a thriving real estate business—owning over 250 units across five countries—without ever using joint venture partners. From his early days as a firefighter to scaling their portfolio through creative financing, Dave unpacks the mindset shifts, systems, and strategies that helped them achieve financial freedom and teach thousands of others to do the same.

We get into the nuts and bolts of using other people’s money the right way, how to protect your equity while growing fast, and the power of not giving up decision-making control. Dave also opens up about how a life-threatening car accident led them to start coaching and why keeping your business aligned with your values is the key to long-term success.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] - From firefighter to full-time real estate investor: Dave’s unexpected journey

[1:44] - The secret to working successfully with your spouse

[2:43] - Why they left their jobs to go all-in on real estate

[5:04] - The “aha” moment that changed everything for Dave

[7:35] - How they bought 12 properties in 12 months using creative financing

[9:20] - The near-fatal accident that sparked a shift to coaching

[11:05] - Over 2,000 students and counting: What makes their program different

[12:28] - Why Dave refuses to do joint ventures—and what he does instead

[15:31] - Their approach to multifamily and why they still invest in small properties

[16:29] - The three creative financing strategies they use (and teach)

[18:18] - How real estate helps them support their family goals

[21:06] - Why they brought on Simple CFO and how it’s improved their decision-making

[22:38] - Inside their coaching model and what students can expect

[25:08] - What Dave would do differently if starting over today

[27:03] - Final advice for stabilizing and growing your real estate business

Key Takeaways

1. Creative financing is key: You don’t need JVs—using OPM through seller financing, promissory notes, and retirement funds can scale your portfolio without giving up control.
2. Keep the decision-making power: Dave explains how avoiding JVs allows him and Mel to make financial decisions aligned with their family goals.
3. Stabilization > growth: Long-term success means periodically slowing down to strengthen your foundation before scaling again.
4. The right systems matter: Bringing in financial pros like Simple CFO gave them the clarity and time to focus on growth.
5. Serve from experience: Their coaching model is built on what they wish they had when starting—actionable, honest, and fully aligned with what they practice.

Links & Resources

• Connect with Dave & Mel: https://www.instagram.com/investormelanddave
• Learn more or book a call: https://www.investormeldave.com
• Bonus for Profit First listeners: Visit https://www.investormeldave.com and mention “Simple CFO” for exclusive access
• Learn more about Simple CFO: https://www.simplecfo.com

If this episode gave you valuable insights, please follow, rate, and review the podcast. And don’t forget to share it with a fellow investor who needs to hear this message today!

Book your FREE financial discovery call at ProfitREI.com

If your business is profitable on paper but your bank account tells a completely different story, this episode is for you. I hear this all the time—business owners doing great revenue, being told by their CPA that they’re profitable, yet still feeling broke, stressed, and unsure where the money is actually going.

In this episode, I break down why this disconnect happens and why it’s almost never a revenue problem—it’s a system problem. I share real conversations with business owners, lessons from my own entrepreneurial journey, and how implementing a simple framework like Profit First can completely change how you experience money in your business—without spreadsheets, accounting jargon, or overwhelm.

Timeline Highlights:

[0:00] Why so many profitable businesses still feel broke and financially stressed
[1:04] The frustration of doing all the work but not getting to keep the money
[2:30] My personal experience running high-revenue businesses with no financial clarity
[3:17] How discovering Profit First changed the way I looked at money forever
[4:18] A real client story of digging out of the hole by fixing cash flow first
[6:07] Why entrepreneurs struggle with numbers—and why that doesn’t have to stop you
[7:08] The “Golden Trio” of bank accounts that helps you finally keep what you make

Key Takeaways:

1. Profit doesn’t matter if you never actually see it in your bank account.
2. Most entrepreneurs don’t have a money problem—they have a money system problem.
3. Revenue alone won’t create financial freedom without intentional allocation.
4. You don’t need to love spreadsheets to understand and control your numbers.
5. Separating money into purpose-driven bank accounts creates clarity and control.
6. Keeping profit, paying yourself, and planning for taxes must happen first, not last.

Links & Resources:

• Schedule a free discovery call and get guidance on implementing Profit First: profitre.com

Closing

Thanks for spending time with me today. If this episode gave you clarity or a new perspective, make sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who’s working hard but still feels broke. And if you’re ready to apply what we talked about with real guidance and accountability, head over to profitre.com and book a free discovery call to start building your path to financial clarity and freedom.