This is the most important message I've ever recorded.

In this final episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I share a decision I've been wrestling with and the powerful lesson behind it: Exponential growth is only possible through ruthless focus and deliberate elimination.

This isn't about quitting—it’s about pruning. Just like in business, when you cut back, you create the space for deeper roots and stronger growth.

I walk you through my personal journey, explaining why I'm winding down this beloved podcast to concentrate fully on scaling my businesses, Forward Factor and Made in America. This choice wasn't easy, but it's a necessary step in practicing what I preach.

If this show has meant anything to you, let it remind you: Diehard Entrepreneurs aren't the ones who do everything. They're the ones who stay relentless about what matters most.

Listen now for the challenge that will help you identify the one thing you need to prune to unlock your next level of growth.

I’m on a MISSION to help entrepreneurs build strong, successful businesses. Get on board at: 🤝

https://www.devinramos.com

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – The Most Important Episode I’ve Recorded

00:12 – Exponential Growth Comes from Focus and Elimination

01:04 – The Mission of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories

01:46 – Why My Focus Became Diluted

02:11 – Focus Comes From Within

02:31 – The Tough Choice: Winding Down the Podcast

02:43 – This Isn't Quitting: It's Pruning

02:54 – Where My Content and Impact are Moving Next

03:17 – The Simple Challenge to Unlock Your Growth

03:40 – Recap: Relentless on What Matters Most

03:59 – Thank You for This Chapter

🎬Watch this on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/bPPhJ-GTKB8

⚡ Let's stay in touch:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/devinramos/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/devinjramos035/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-ramos-602a811ab

🎬 Produced by:

https://daretopodcast.com/

#FocusAndClarity #PruningForGrowth #Entrepreneurship #BusinessFocus #RuthlessElimination #ExponentialGrowth #BusinessStrategy #MakingToughDecisions #FinalEpisode #DiehardEntrepreneurStories #ScaleUp #ProductivityHacks #BusinessPodcast #DevinRamos #EntrepreneurStories #Motivation #MindsetMatters #Leadership #BusinessTips #forwardfactor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to build a thriving 7-figure real estate business and successfully pivot into hard money lending?

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, Devin Ramos talks with Mike Simmons, who grew a successful house flipping and wholesaling business over a decade before co-founding Express Hard Money. Mike shares his journey from corporate jobs to real estate entrepreneurship, the challenges of building scalable systems, and winning a 7-figure flipping contest in 10 months.

We discuss the shift from hands-on flipping to wholesaling for faster growth, managing sales teams, and navigating the ups and downs of marketing strategies—including overcoming the COVID-19 direct mail collapse.

Mike also dives deep into starting his lending company, how real estate experience shapes his approach, and the nuances of raising capital from family offices versus high net worth individuals. He reveals the importance of smooth customer experience over low interest rates, and lessons learned about fund administration and institutional investor expectations.

Entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and leaders will gain insights on resilience, scaling businesses, and pivoting to new growth opportunities.

Connect with Mike Simmons:

Website: mikesimmons.com

Express Hard Money: expresshardmoney.com

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

06:00 From UPS and corporate to real estate entrepreneurship

14:00 Early flipping struggles and pivot to wholesaling

25:20 Losing contractor and realtor, discovering wholesaling potential

30:00 Marketing scale-up and hiring sales team

32:50 Joining Seven Figure Flipping and rapid growth to $1M

36:00 Challenges managing sales team and business systems

38:30 COVID-19 impact on direct mail marketing and recovery with PPC

42:00 Maintaining $1M revenue as a lifestyle business, scaling again in 2023-24

44:00 Managing partner dynamics and eventual amicable buyout

56:30 Launching Express Hard Money lending company

58:30 Lending niche insights: real estate experience benefits

1:01:00 Raising capital from family offices vs. high net worth individuals

1:14:30 Building proper fund administration and data room setup

1:18:00 Importance of professionalism and patience with institutional investors

1:22:00 Closing thoughts and where to find Mike Simmons online

🎬Watch this on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/I-2RIR5WRQ4

⚡ Let's stay in touch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devinramos/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devinjramos035/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-ramos-602a811ab

🎬 Produced by: https://daretopodcast.com/

#RealEstate #HardMoneyLending #Entrepreneurship #RealEstateInvesting #HouseFlipping #Wholesaling #BusinessGrowth #InvestorTips #PassiveIncome #StartupLife #SmallBusiness #Leadership #DevInRamos #ForwardFactor #DiehardEntrepreneur

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feeling like your marketing costs are rising but sales are dropping in 2025?

In this video, I share real stories from my real estate and cleaning businesses about how we handle higher marketing expenses, fewer quality leads, and lower sales conversions.

Learn simple ways to save money on marketing like using cheaper direct mail options, improving online ads, and focusing only on what works best.

I also explain how to find better customers faster and why cutting your marketing budget can actually hurt your business.

If you want easy-to-follow marketing tips to grow your small business, get more leads, and improve profits, this video is for you.

Subscribe and join me on the journey to smarter marketing and business success!

Website: 🤝

https://www.devinramos.com

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction

00:45 - Host Introduction and Topic Setup

01:09 - Overview of Business Models (Real Estate & Cleaning)

02:12 - Marketing Cost Increase and Impact

03:54 - Lead Quality and Conversion Decline Effects

06:41 - Strategies to Reduce Marketing Costs

10:03 - Exploring Alternative Direct Mail Methods

11:56 - Agency Outsourcing and SEO Efforts for Cost Efficiency

13:28 - Focusing on Effective Marketing Channels and Cutting Ineffective Ones

16:40 - Addressing Lower Conversion Rates and Lead Screening Improvements

20:03 - Targeting the Right Audience and Refining Messaging

🎬Watch this on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/ponpFA6UPUQ

⚡ Let's stay in touch:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/devinramos/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/devinjramos035/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-ramos-602a811ab

🎬Produced by:

https://daretopodcast.com/

#marketingtips #smallbusinessmarketing #digitalmarketing #directmailmarketing #realestatemarketing #cleaningbusiness #leadgeneration #marketingstrategy #smallbusinessgrowth #businesssuccess #marketingcosts #businessowner #entrepreneurtips #marketingroi #onlineadvertising #ppl #seo #salesconversion #businessgrowth #marketinghelp #leadquality #marketingbudget #marketingideas #marketinghacks #businesstips #marketing2025 #entrepreneurship #marketingchallenges #smallbusinessowner #localbusiness #devinramos #forwardfactor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.