It’s a simple stack, but it’s incredibly effective at helping me manage my fitness, my business, and my personal life.

Each app plays a specific role, and together they create a rhythm that helps me stay on track every single day.

I’d like to walk you through how I integrate these tools into my daily life.

Fitbod for Fitness

My day often starts with a trip to the gym with my wife, Charrisse, and Fitbod is our guide.

This app plans our daily workouts and is perfect because it takes all the guesswork out of the equation.

It designs a workout for you based on your goals, how much time you have, and what equipment is available, whether you're at a commercial gym or at home with dumbbells.

Click here to read more about my health and fitness journey.

ChatGPT for Ideas

ChatGPT is my brainstorming and problem-solving partner. I use it for both my business, Rock Finance, and my personal life.

For my business, I use it to develop my business model, write text for my website and LinkedIn, and think through my offer. I’ll even feed it feedback I’ve received from people and ask it to be brutally honest about what I might be missing. It helps me refine my ideas constantly.

On the personal side, it’s become my go-to for "kid stuff." Instead of falling down the WebMD rabbit hole, I can ask it about a symptom my child has, and it will give me common reasons and a clear perspective.

Notion for Notes

While Fitbod organizes my body and ChatGPT organizes my thoughts, Notion organizes my life.

On the surface, I use it as a super-powered to-do list. I have different pages for my Rock Finance projects, speaking engagements, and even family tasks, like returning something to Amazon or filling out school forms. It’s a central hub for all the little things that need to get done.

But it's more than that. Notion has a great transcribing tool. I’ll use it to transcribe important meetings with my wife when we’re planning logistics for the family. I even turn it on during church services to get a nice summary of the sermon afterward. It helps me capture key points that I might otherwise forget once life gets busy. My goal is to eventually use it to create workflows as I build out my team.

Conclusion

These three apps form a system that supports my daily rhythm.

• Fitbod provides the physical discipline
• ChatGPT fuels the brainstorming and creative problem-solving
• Notion centralizes everything into an organized plan

Together, they help me build consistency across all areas of my life.

By integrating these tools, I've created a framework that allows me to be more efficient, creative, and present, whether I'm at the gym, working on my business, or spending time with my family.

Even when I tried to work out as a teenager, I was still a little chubby. The problem was I was trying to work out, but I didn't have the proper nutrition to support it. This cycle continued until two key moments changed everything.

The Turning Point

The first major shift happened when I was in Dallas. My pastor at the time had us do a three-week fast. It wasn't about starving ourselves; it was a gradual process of learning about our diet. The first week, we cut out sweets, sugars, and confectioneries. Next, we pulled out things like fast food and bread. He was showing us what was causing illnesses and inflammation.

After those weeks, I went from around 200 pounds to 180. I looked better. I felt better. But something was still missing.

The second turning point came on a trip with my older brothers. Looking at the pictures, it was so clear that I was the little brother. They worked out a lot, and I was just this skinny guy next to them. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was what some people now call "skinny fat." At that moment, I told myself, "Never again."

Simple Nutrition

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you can’t out-work a bad diet. I started thinking about food in three simple categories, something I now teach my own kids.

• Muscle Food: These are your good, lean proteins like beef, chicken, and fish. Their purpose is to build muscle.
• Energy Food: This includes grains and veggies. You need lots of energy to do all the things in your life. If you eat too much, it gets stored in your body. If you don't have enough, you feel lethargic.
• Junk Food: This is the fast food and the stuff packed with ingredients you can’t pronounce. As much as we can, we should avoid that.

Just understanding this breakdown gets you about 80% of the way there. But here’s the other key: calories matter. No matter how “clean” you eat, if you consistently consume more calories than you burn, you’ll gain weight. On the flip side, if you want to lose fat, you have to maintain a caloric deficit—eating fewer calories than your body uses. Tracking calories, even for a short season, can be eye-opening. You quickly realize how easy it is to overshoot, and how powerful small changes can be when you create a sustainable deficit.

Proper nutrition really is the foundation. Once I understood that food fuels my body and muscle protects my future, everything about my health started to shift.

Why I Lift

I’ve tried different forms of exercise, and while walking and running absolutely have their place for heart health and mental clarity, I discovered that the real turning point for me came with strength training. I grew up around a retirement community and saw firsthand how fragile life can become when muscle mass fades away—a small slip or fall could mean a broken bone and a long recovery. That made me realize: muscle isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about resilience.

When I started lifting consistently, I put on nearly 30 pounds—mostly muscle. More importantly, my daily life changed. I used to feel pain in my back and knees just from carrying my child up the stairs. Now, because squats are a non-negotiable part of my week, I can carry my kids, give piggyback rides, and move through life without that constant discomfort. Strength training didn’t just reshape my body—it gave me back my freedom of movement.

My Workout Tool

The worst feeling is showing up to the gym and not knowing what to do. That's why I use an app called Fitbod. It takes all the guesswork out of the equation and designs a workout for you based on your goals, how much time you have, and what equipment is available.

The best part is how it helps you progress. If I did dumbbell curls with 10 pounds today, Fitbod remembers that. Next week, it will push me to try 15 pounds. It even asks for feedback after a set to see if the weight was too light or too heavy, then adjusts the plan accordingly. It also has videos to show you the correct form, so it removes the fear of doing an exercise wrong.

My Advice

If you feel intimidated about starting, I get it. My advice is simple. First, if you can, go with a friend or a partner. My wife Charrisse and I work out together, and it's become quality time for us. Having that encouragement makes a huge difference.

Second, have a plan before you walk in. The worst feeling is showing up and not knowing what to do. That’s why I use an app called Fitbod. It takes away the confusion and tells me exactly what to do.

Finally, don't be intimidated by other people at the gym. The person you see lifting heavy weights didn't just get there yesterday. They’ve been at it for years, and they started from the same place you are now. Use them as inspiration, not as a reason to feel discouraged.

Conclusion

My journey to fitness was about shifting my mindset from simply losing weight to building real, functional strength. It started with understanding basic nutrition and was fueled by the desire to live a more resilient and active life for myself and my family. The goal isn't just to be fit, but to be strong enough to handle whatever life throws at you.

Key takeaways:

• You can’t out-work a bad diet — proper nutrition is the foundation.
• Think of food in three categories: muscle food, energy food, and junk food.
• Lifting builds resilience and strength for everyday life, not just appearance.
• Consistency and having a clear plan make it easier to stick with fitness.
• Everyone starts somewhere — don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s years of progress.

Building a healthy lifestyle is a marathon, not a sprint. The key is to start with a foundation of good nutrition, find a workout plan that removes the guesswork, and remember that everyone begins somewhere. It's about consistency and the decision to do the hard things that lead to a better life.

I decided to build a long-term consulting practice, moving away from a traditional job structure to a more independent, client-focused model.

This is a quick update on why I made that leap and how I’m approaching this new chapter.

The “Why”

The biggest reason for starting my own consulting practice was to gain time freedom. I wanted to be able to control my schedule and choose the projects that truly interested me, whether it was working with a startup or going back to private equity.

My dream scenario is to have three to six-month engagements where I can go deep with a company, learn about their business, and add value with the financial acumen I’ve developed over the last two decades.

Ultimately, it’s about not having a traditional boss but instead serving a client with a clear, specific need.

I find that clients often value you more than a manager because there’s a clear ask and no vagueness in the request—we have a project, and the goal is to get it done.

The Client Search

To find my first long-term client, I’m using a two-part strategy that combines digital outreach with local networking.

LinkedIn Campaigns

I’ve been running direct outreach campaigns on LinkedIn. Initially, I focused on connecting with recruiters, CPAs, and bookkeepers who might have clients needing my services. Now, I’m also going directly to the source by reaching out to founders and owner-operators who may not have a finance person on their team yet.

Local Networking

I’ve also been active in local networking. I attend events with the Chamber of Commerce and other groups. There’s real value in getting in front of people and talking about what you do. It’s one thing to have an idea on a computer screen, but it’s another to explain it to an actual person with a business and help them understand the value you can offer.

Conclusion

My journey into consulting has been driven by a pursuit of freedom and the desire to apply my skills in a more impactful way.

The path to landing that first long-term client involves a mix of modern digital outreach and traditional in-person networking, both of which are teaching me invaluable lessons about business development.

This process has reinforced that having a clear offer and being able to communicate it effectively is key.

Every conversation, whether online or at a local event, is an opportunity to refine my message and connect with people who need the financial clarity I can provide.

If you’re a business owner looking for strategic financial guidance to help you scale, let's connect.

From foundational life principles to practical business systems, these are the books that have left the biggest imprint on my perspective.

Life Principles

The Bible has been the most impactful book for me. When I was younger, I experienced a significant shift in my thinking. I realized the stories in the Bible weren’t just historical accounts; they were principles for how to live life, engage with people, and connect with God. I began to see practical results from living in alignment with its teachings.

One verse particularly resonates with me:

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” – Romans 10:17

You can’t have faith in something you don’t know, and you won’t know it unless you read it. Taking my faith seriously and consistently reading the Bible changed my life in profound ways.

Understanding Motivation

The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin offers fascinating insights into how people respond to expectations and motivation. Rubin breaks down human behavior into four categories based on how we respond to internal and external expectations:

• Upholders: respond well to both internal and external expectations
• Questioners: question external expectations but meet internal ones
• Obligers: readily meet external expectations but struggle with internal ones
• Rebels: resist both internal and external expectations

Through this framework, I discovered that I’m an Obliger; someone who responds well to external accountability and expectations. This self-awareness has been invaluable in structuring my work and personal goals in ways that leverage my natural tendencies rather than fighting against them.

Business Systems

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber completely transformed my approach to business. The book centers on the critical importance of systems and structure in building a sustainable business. Gerber explains that every business involves three distinct roles:

1. The Technician – does the hands-on work
2. The Manager – organizes processes and people
3. The Entrepreneur – creates the vision and strategy

Most small businesses fail because the owner attempts to fill all three roles simultaneously, leading to burnout and inefficiency. In contrast, successful franchises thrive because they operate with clear systems and standard operating procedures (SOPs) where everyone understands their specific role and responsibilities.

I read this book while working as an analyst, and it fundamentally changed how I approached leadership. Instead of continuing to do all the analytical work myself, I learned to focus my time on mentoring and training my team. This shift allowed me to transition from technician to manager effectively, ultimately preparing me for entrepreneurial ventures.

The Lasting Impact

These three books have provided me with a comprehensive blueprint for different areas of my life:

• The Bible gave me a foundation of timeless principles to live by, offering wisdom for both personal decisions and relationships. It serves as my moral and spiritual compass, providing guidance that transcends any particular situation or challenge.
• The Four Tendencies taught me to work with my natural motivations instead of against them. Understanding that I’m motivated by external expectations has helped me create accountability systems and partnerships that set me up for success rather than relying solely on willpower.
• The E-Myth Revisited provided a clear framework for building scalable business systems. Its lessons have been crucial not only in managing teams but in structuring my own consulting practice to operate efficiently and grow sustainably.

Each of these books continues to influence how I approach daily challenges, whether I’m leading a team, organizing my schedule, or developing new business strategies.

They’re more than just books; they’re practical tools for continuous growth and improvement that I return to again and again.

Follow me on LinkedIn or Patron View for more content like this, or check out Rock Finance’s website for more tips like these.

About 99% of the time, I travel with my wife—and sometimes with the kids, depending on the location. Over the years, we've discovered a few spots that we return to for their unique ability to help us unwind, explore, and create lasting memories.

Each destination serves a different purpose in our travel rotation, from pure relaxation to cultural connection to urban excitement. Here are three of my absolute favorites.

Cancún, Mexico

When I think of a true getaway, I often use "Cancún" as a catch-all for the entire Riviera Maya region. This is our go-to for a classic tropical vacation: blue skies, beautiful pools, and pristine beaches (I don't actually love going in the water, but I love having the option to).

What truly differentiates Cancun for me is the quality of service. It's surprisingly, consistently excellent. The people working at the resorts are incredible and make the entire experience seamless.

For a Couples' Getaway: We love UNICO 20°87° Hotel in Riviera Maya. It's an adults-only, all-inclusive resort that's a bit smaller than the mega-resorts, which makes for a more intimate and relaxing setting.

For a Family Trip: We've also taken the kids to Club Med Cancún. It was a fantastic resort, but it offered a learning experience: it was heavily geared towards French-speaking Europeans. While a wonderful place, it was a bit tough for our kids to connect and play with the other children. It's a small detail that can make a big difference on a family vacation.

Related article: We stayed in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for a family vacation. Click here to read the full story.

Montego Bay, Jamaica

While Mexico delivers on relaxation, Jamaica offers something completely different—a vibrant cultural experience that feels like coming home. As someone from the Caribbean, being around more Black and Caribbean people is a wonderful experience that adds a deeper layer to our travels.

Jamaica's vibe is fantastic, and the food is a major highlight. You can't go wrong with oxtail, curry goat, and rice and peas. My wife loves seafood, and she always enjoys the fresh crab and lobster.

The service style here differs from Mexico's ultra-polished approach—I'd say it's like a nice restaurant compared to Mexico's "really, really nice restaurant" level of service. However, the upside is that English is widely spoken, making it easy to explore beyond the resort.

What sets Jamaica apart is how family-friendly and adventure-packed it is. We've gone zip-lining and ridden ATVs, and there are always opportunities for unique experiences like playing with dolphins. For our 10-year anniversary, my wife and I stayed at the Iberostar in Montego Bay, which was another incredible, adults-only experience.

New York City, USA

This last destination might sound completely different from the first two tropical paradises, but New York City serves an entirely different purpose in our travel repertoire. While some people are overwhelmed by the city's intensity, I actually thrive on the energy—the hustle and bustle is part of the appeal.

The best time to visit, in my opinion, is fall or winter. The weather is cooler but not too cold, and the way the city transforms with all the lights is really special. Unlike our beach destinations where the focus is on slowing down, NYC is about ramping up and experiencing everything the city has to offer.

The appeal isn't just about the food (though it's amazing), but the endless activities. We love seeing Broadway shows—we've seen Memphis and Hamilton, and my in-laws even took the kids to see Frozen, which they still talk about. Wicked is next on my list.

My wife's best advice for anyone visiting is to explore beyond the usual tourist spots in Manhattan. We love spending time in Brooklyn. It's more manageable, and walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is an experience in itself. Seeing the city, the water, and the park on the other side turns a simple walk into a destination.

Conclusion

Finding the right destination is about matching the place to your needs and what you're hoping to get out of your time away. For me, these three spots work together to cover every base, from pure relaxation to cultural connection to high-energy exploration.

• Cancún/Riviera Maya: For unparalleled service and a truly relaxing, all-inclusive beach experience. It's my top choice for a stress-free couples' getaway where the biggest decision is which pool to visit.
• Montego Bay, Jamaica: For a vibrant dose of culture, adventure, and amazing food. It's perfect for family-friendly excursions and reconnecting with Caribbean roots while still enjoying resort amenities.
• New York City: For an injection of pure energy, world-class entertainment, and the unique thrill of urban exploration. There's always something new to see, especially on Broadway.

Taking the time to explore and experience new things—whether that's unwinding on a beach, exploring your heritage, or diving into city culture—is one of the most valuable investments you can make.

For years, our 9-to-5 roles were all-consuming, and it felt like our ability to do fun things was always being pushed aside.

This trip was a powerful reminder of why I took the leap into entrepreneurship—to finally have ownership of my time and put my family first.

Here’s the full story.

Where We Stayed

When we go on a family trip, finding the right place to stay is key. In Cabo, we stayed at the Vista Encantada Resort, and it was the perfect home base for us.

It’s a luxury resort with incredible suites that overlook the Sea of Cortez, giving you these breathtaking, panoramic views. Having the extra space of a suite is a game-changer when you’re traveling with kids, and the resort had everything we needed—from a great rooftop pool to fantastic dining options right on the property. It had the quality and ambiance that made a trip truly memorable.

The Corporate Time-Suck

I've always wanted to run my own business. I come from a very entrepreneurial family—in fact, my wife and I are the last ones to make the jump, and now there's no one in our immediate family with a traditional corporate job. For a long time, I was the holdout.

Life circumstances always seemed to push me toward the corporate path. I went to a good school and had student loans, so a high-paying, stable job felt necessary. Then came marriage, kids, and a mortgage. All those obligations, combined with a natural fear of failure, kept me in what felt like a "safe" role.

But that safety came at a cost. The work was demanding, and the conversations at home were often tense and draining. We'd talk about work for five minutes and then just be done with it. Even worse, I never truly owned my schedule. I could be at the grocery store and get a random meeting invite on my calendar, instantly stressing me out. It was a constant feeling of being constrained by someone else's priorities.

The Freedom to Be Present

Starting my own business has fundamentally changed that. My expectation is that I’ll be working harder and longer than I ever did in my corporate jobs, but the key difference is that I'm building it for myself, on my own terms. The work is psychologically different because I'm doing something I enjoy with people I enjoy working with.

That freedom is what made our trip to Cabo possible. I wasn't worried about a manager putting a meeting on my calendar while I was supposed to be on the beach with my kids. This new flexibility allows me to structure my day around my family. I can take my daughters to their summer camp, work out, run errands, and spend time with my ten-month-old son. While they're at camp or napping, I can batch my time for meetings and deep work. When they get home, I can be Dad. If a client needs me while a kid is sick, I can confidently say, "I'm sorry, I can be with you tomorrow," without the tension I felt before.

Building a Family Legacy

Ultimately, the goal is to build something we can invite our kids into. My wife is also running her own business, and we want them to learn these skills firsthand. They won't have to go to business school to understand marketing, sales, or finance because they'll grow up around it. I want them to inherit the skills and the mindset, whether they decide to take over the family businesses or start their own.

That's the real long-term vision. This trip to Cabo was just the beginning. It was a taste of the life we're building—one where we can go to concerts, take road trips to Dallas or Houston, and create memories without the constant shadow of a corporate job. It’s about more than just a single vacation; it’s about a lifetime of them.

For me, it all comes down to the quality of the food. If a place is expensive, it better deliver.

Over the years, I've found a few spots that consistently hit the mark.

These are the places I keep going back to and recommend to anyone looking for a great meal in Austin.

MEXTA Mexican Restaurant

This is, hands down, probably our new favorite restaurant. I want to give it at least a nine out of ten.

The food, the service, the ambiance, it's all really good. We went and shared just about everything.

The Shrimp Tacos were fantastic, and I was surprisingly impressed by their Caesar Salad. My wife really enjoyed the bisque, and the Lobster Roll was another standout.

It's one of those places that's worth the price because the quality is just there.

QI Austin

I really enjoy Chinese food, and while it's been a moment since I've been here, QI Austin is a place I'd give a solid seven out of ten.

It has a cool ambiance and a decent price point. It's the kind of place where you can be adventurous.

My wife and I really enjoyed the QI Soup Dumplings, Sesame Chicken, Roasted Pork Belly, and Lobster Cheese Roll.

Franklin Barbecue

When you talk about barbecue in Austin, you have to talk about Franklin. It's the most famous one for a reason—it is, bar none, probably the best barbecue in Austin.

People wait in line for hours just to get in or pick up an order, and they serve until they run out, which happens fast.

Fun fact: The worst barbecue in Austin is still better than 99% of what you'll find elsewhere in the country, and Franklin is the absolute top tier.

If you go, you have to get the Ribs and Brisket. It’s legendary.

Lamberts

While Franklin is the king of pure barbecue, Lamberts offers a different kind of experience that I really appreciate.

What differentiates it is the ambiance. It feels more like a high-end restaurant than your typical smoky, picnic-style BBQ joint. They have live music, and the whole atmosphere makes for a great night out.

It’s where you go when you want incredible barbecue but also a more refined, sit-down dining experience.

Red Ash

For context, I used to live in the Northeast, so I am very critical of Italian food and pizza.

In my opinion, the best Italian food is in New York. That said, Red Ash is the only truly good Italian restaurant I’ve been to in Texas. It absolutely lives up to the standard.

The Octopus a la Plancha is incredible, and even the bread is amazing. If you have a high standard for Italian food and find yourself in Texas, this is the place to go.

Conclusion

So there you have it. A few of my go-to places in Austin that are always worth the trip.

Whether you're in the mood for authentic barbecue, high-quality Italian, or adventurous Chinese, these restaurants have never let me down.

For me, it's all about the experience and whether the food lives up to the hype, and these spots consistently deliver.

Here's a quick recap of my top picks:

• MEXTA Mexican Restaurant: A solid 9/10 with an incredible menu where you really can't go wrong.
• QI Austin: The perfect place for adventurous Chinese food.
• Franklin Barbecue: The legendary, undisputed king of Austin barbecue.
• Lamberts: Where you go for fantastic barbecue but in a more refined, sit-down restaurant setting with great ambiance and live music.
• Red Ash: A must-try for authentic, top-quality Italian food.

Read more of my articles on my blog here.

If Finance can deliver good, clean, easy-to-understand data that reflects how the business actually operates — Finance earns the right to lead.

That’s the core of a data-driven culture. It’s not about dashboards for the sake of dashboards.

It’s about decision-making. Accountability. Growth.

It’s about equipping leaders — across functions — to act confidently, not just guess better.

Data-Driven Culture

Let’s clear something up. “Data-driven” doesn’t mean drowning in spreadsheets or dashboards. It means aligning data, decision-making, and execution.

Here’s how I define it:

A data-driven culture is one where leaders at all levels make decisions based on clear, timely, and trusted information — not instinct, politics, or noise.

And that culture doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design.

My Philosophy

Too often, Finance is seen as the department of “no” — disconnected from the field, late with the numbers, unclear on the story.

That’s a culture killer. When I’ve led FP&A teams, my goal was simple.

Make Finance the most trusted, most respected, and most valuable internal partner in the company.

Not by being loud. But by being clear.

Not by owning every metric. But by delivering the few that truly matter.

Building Data-Driven Cultures

This is the process I used to build data-driven cultures at my previous companies:

At Invitation Homes: From Raw Data to Operating Discipline

When I joined Invitation Homes, the company had data — lots of it. But data alone isn’t power.

We were tracking thousands of single-family homes. What we lacked was operational focus.

We changed that by setting simple, consistent KPIs:

• 90% occupancy
• $2,000 average rent
• 60% NOI margin

We automated reporting, created dashboards operations actually wanted to use, and started driving performance reviews with data, not gut.

The result?

Finance went from being reactive to proactive — and overhead dropped by over 40% as we standardized processes and invested smartly in technology.

At Amherst: Clean Data = Strategic Clarity

At Amherst, we inherited a reporting structure that was cluttered and inconsistent.

We restructured the data pipeline, implemented Adaptive Insights, and built rolling forecasts that matched how business leaders thought about their units.

Suddenly, the finance team wasn’t chasing actuals — they were leading planning conversations.

That shift allowed senior leadership to get out of the weeds and focus on growth, investment, and optimization.

3 Key Pillars

Here are three key pillars of a data-driven culture.

Clarity Over Complexity

Data has to be simple, visual, and aligned to real decisions.

I don’t want 19 tabs and 40 metrics. I want the 3–5 things that actually drive performance — and I want them clean.

If a dashboard doesn’t change behavior, it’s just decoration.

Self-Service as the End Game

The holy grail of Finance is a self-service dashboard that ops or leadership wants to review on their own.

That’s when you know you’ve won the game — when they don’t just get the data… they act on it before you even say a word.

Trust Is Everything

The best models in the world don’t matter if the data is wrong, late, or doesn’t reflect how teams actually see their business.

I’ve learned that if you can get one or two early wins — a clean weekly report, a better forecast — trust starts to compound.

And with that trust, finance becomes a true strategic engine.

Conclusion

Data Is a leadership tool. Data shouldn’t be a burden.

It should be a weapon. A filter. A source of clarity in the fog.

That’s what I help teams build — whether I’m serving as a fractional CFO, leading a finance transformation, or speaking on stage.

Because when data is trusted, aligned, and acted upon — Finance stops reporting the business… and starts driving it.

Follow me on LinkedIn or Patron View for more content like this, or check out Rock Finance’s website for more tips like these.

Whether you’re speaking to investors, clients, or partners, clarity builds trust. So when I’m asked, “What do you think about the U.S. real estate market right now?” — I don’t hedge.

Here’s my view, built from experience, shaped by data, and grounded in real operational results.

A Market in Transition

We’re in a noisy market — but not a broken one.

Residential real estate is becoming more localized and less predictable from a national perspective. Commercial real estate, especially office, is undergoing a generational reset.

But neither of these trends signals collapse — they signal revaluation, reallocation, and, for those with a disciplined approach, real opportunity.

At the heart of this market is a simple truth: clarity rewards conviction. The investors who win will be the ones who stay focused, underwrite conservatively, and operate efficiently.

Focusing on North Austin

A mentor of mine once told me:

“You can find a deal anywhere — but only if you truly understand the ground you’re standing on.”

That’s why our acquisition strategy is focused tightly on North Austin, and why we’re narrowing our search aperture even further.

We believe in going deep, not wide.

Here’s why:

1. Hyper-Local Knowledge Creates Speed and Confidence

When you know the schools, employers, rent comps, traffic flows, and local politics, you’re not guessing. You’re making informed, fast decisions — and that’s how deals get done.

In North Austin, we already have that embedded knowledge. We’ve mapped the market, tracked historical trends, and built relationships with brokers and local lenders. That gives us a real edge.

2. Strong Fundamentals Anchor the Market

North Austin remains one of the most resilient submarkets in the country, with:

• Job Anchors: Apple, Dell, Samsung, Amazon, and multiple logistics/distribution centers.
• Steady In-Migration: Working professionals and families continue to relocate here.
• Healthy Demand for Rentals: Especially in the Class B/C segment, where affordability still matters.

Even as rent growth normalizes and interest rates rise, tenant demand in this corridor hasn’t collapsed — it’s just recalibrated.

What the Numbers Say

The national narrative says, “Austin is overbuilt.”

That’s only half true. Yes, there’s softness in luxury Class A towers downtown — but that’s not where we play. We’re focused on 1980s–2000s vintage assets in proven neighborhoods.

Here’s what we’re seeing:

• Cap rates have expanded ~50–100 basis points across the board.
• Valuations per door have come down from $175K–$200K to closer to $140K–$160K, creating room for value-add or light rehab deals.
• Financing is tougher, which is thinning the buyer pool. But that also gives us leverage in negotiations and deal terms.

This is a moment where cautious underwriting and operational strength matter more than ever.

Lessons From Experience

At Invitation Homes, we built a model that thrived on consistency:

• >90% occupancy
• >$2,000/month rents
• >60% NOI margins

That taught me that real estate isn’t won on IRR projections — it’s won in the day-to-day blocking and tackling.

At Amherst Residential, I helped lead FP&A for a 30,000+ home portfolio.

There, I learned that the best operators aren’t the most aggressive — they’re the most disciplined. They build systems that scale, and they don’t stretch for deals.

Now, advising and investing in smaller multifamily operators, I apply the same principles: tight underwriting, a defined buy box, and a local edge.

What We’re Targeting

• Location: North Austin only (e.g., Wells Branch, Tech Ridge, North Burnet)
• Unit Count: 20–100 units
• Vintage: 1980–2005
• Strategy: Light value-add, operational efficiency, long-term hold or mid-term reposition
• Target Returns: 6–8% cash-on-cash with upside, 14–16% levered IRR

Why Focus Wins

In a market this uncertain, I’d rather be a specialist than a generalist. You can chase deals across the country — or you can dominate a zip code.

By focusing on North Austin, we’re not just betting on a submarket. We’re betting on local knowledge, execution discipline, and operational strength.

That’s our edge — and in this cycle, that’s what will win.

Follow me on LinkedIn or Patron View for more content like this, or check out Rock Finance’s website for more tips like these.

Real leadership isn’t about being in charge. It’s about taking responsibility.

And that’s the heart of servant leadership — the idea that great leaders serve their teams, not the other way around.

Servant leadership isn’t soft. It’s not passive. And it’s not just a nice-to-have.

In my experience, it’s the most effective way to build trust, unlock potential, and scale high-performance teams — especially in fast-moving, high-stakes environments.

What Is Servant Leadership?

At its core, servant leadership flips the traditional leadership pyramid.

Instead of seeing leadership as power flowing from the top down, servant leaders invert the structure:

• They listen first.
• They remove obstacles.
• They prioritize people development.
• And they model what they expect from others.

It’s not about command and control. It’s about clarity and care.

Why It Works

In strategic finance, I’ve led teams through intense budgeting cycles, M&A diligence, company-wide reforecasts, and system overhauls.

These are high-pressure moments. People are tired. Stakes are high.

You don’t lead through those moments with a title. You lead by being present, asking the right questions, and making it safe for people to tell the truth.

You lead by being the calmest voice in the room — and the first one to roll up your sleeves.

At Amherst Residential, I led an eight-person FP&A team across a 30,000+ unit single-family portfolio. My job wasn’t just to get the forecast right.

It was to build a culture where my team could thrive under pressure, speak up when something was off, and know they had air cover from me when things got hard.

That’s servant leadership in practice.

What it Looks Like

1. Listening Before Leading

I make it a habit to ask my team two questions:

• “What’s getting in your way?”
• “How can I help?”

Sometimes it’s process. Sometimes it’s tools. Often it’s clarity.

But until you ask — and really listen — you’re just managing, not leading.

2. Setting a Clear Vision, Then Getting Out of the Way

Servant leadership isn’t aimless.

It requires vision + trust. I’m clear about the “what” and “why.” Then I give my team the space to own the “how.”

In my consulting practice, I apply this to client engagements too. I don’t drown operators in reports. I ask questions, build the framework, and empower them to lead the business better.

3. Owning Mistakes at the Top

The servant leader absorbs blame and deflects credit. That’s not martyrdom — it’s culture-building.

When your team knows they can take smart risks without fear, they move faster, think bigger, and execute better.

In Real Estate and Consulting

In real estate, deals fall apart all the time — poor communication, unclear expectations, weak execution.

In consulting, clients don’t just want numbers — they want a partner who brings calm, clarity, and a bias toward action.

That’s why I anchor all my work — from multifamily development to fractional CFO services — in servant leadership.

Because relationships drive results. And trust compounds.

Faith + Leadership: The Deeper Root

For me, servant leadership is also rooted in my faith.

As a follower of Christ, I take seriously His model of leadership — not from a throne, but with a towel.

Washing feet. Feeding people. Walking with them.

It’s a daily challenge — and a daily call: to lead with humility, courage, and love.

Why Servant Leadership Wins

In any industry — real estate, finance, tech — the leaders who create trust will build the strongest teams, the best businesses, and the most resilient outcomes.

Because when people feel seen, supported, and safe — they rise.

That’s the kind of leadership I want to practice. That’s the kind of culture I want to build.

And that’s the kind of business I want to run.

Follow me on LinkedIn for more content like this, or check out Rock Finance’s website for more tips like these.

From building strategic finance capabilities to supporting a global platform, it's been a season of growth both professionally and personally.

Gratitude and Recognition

To my colleagues, mentors, and friends at CBRE — thank you. I've learned so much from working alongside you, and I'm proud of what we accomplished together.

The collaborative environment and diverse challenges have shaped my professional development in ways that will benefit my future endeavors.

The Next Chapter

As I turn the page, I'll be focusing on being a Fractional CFO and strategic finance consulting — helping businesses unlock clarity, confidence, and better performance through stronger financial leadership.

This transition represents an opportunity to leverage the expertise gained at CBRE while serving a broader range of organizations that need strategic financial guidance.

Looking Forward

Stay tuned for updates on this new venture.

The skills developed and relationships built during my time at CBRE will undoubtedly contribute to the success of this next phase.

And, as always, I'm just a message away for those who wish to connect or explore potential collaboration opportunities.

The financial planning and analysis (FP&A) landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with professionals seeking innovative ways to transform data into strategic insights.

This year's FP&A Summit Austin promises to be a pivotal gathering for finance leaders looking to advance their expertise and expand their professional networks.

Event Details and Registration

This is going to be an awesome conference.

Check us out if you're in the Austin area. It'd be great to see you there!

About Finance Alliance

Finance Alliance launched in 2022 with a mission to connect a global network of finance leaders to enable and empower each other to thrive in their existing roles and beyond.

But who is Finance Alliance for? Whether you want to build key skills and finally land a promotion, or you're a thought leader with a passion for sharing knowledge - there's a place for you here with Finance Alliance.

We cover everything from Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) to budgeting and forecasting, finance metrics, digital finance transformation, and more - including insider tips to help you align the C-Suite for ultimate collaboration.

So, whether you're a CFO, VP of Finance, Finance Director, Finance Manager, or an aspiring CFO, you'll feel right at home as a valued member of our community.

What to Expect at the Summit

We're bringing together the brightest minds in finance for a day of unrivaled networking, learning, and discussion so you can:

• Discover ways to innovate your processes and future-proof your FP&A strategy
• Successfully integrate emerging tech to leverage AI & automation for increased accuracy and efficiency
• Don't miss out on this chance to build valuable connections that can help advance your career

The FP&A Summit Austin represents more than just another conference—it's an opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, gain cutting-edge insights, and take your finance career to the next level.