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Behind Closed Books

Behind Closed Books

Written by: Craig Sheets
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About this listen

Behind Closed Books is where raw business stories meet real financial turning points. It is not about glossy success; it is about the breakdowns, pivots, and gut-punch lessons that came from finally paying attention to the numbers. Each episode delivers unaltered insight from entrepreneurs and advisors who have faced the hard calls and came out sharper.


This show brings on bold founders, sharp consultants, and those who have been deep in the trenches of business chaos and clarity. They unpack what actually moved the needle and what nearly broke it. If you think accounting is boring, you have not heard these stories.

Copyright 2025 | All Rights Reserved
Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Private Lending: Rates, Terms & Real Estate Tips | Dustin Lauer | Behind Closed Books | EP 105
    Dec 22 2025

    Discover how private money lending is revolutionizing real estate investment! In this episode of Behind Closed Books, host Craig Sheets sits down with Dustin Lauer, Chief Production Officer at Landmark Capital, to discuss private lending, hard money alternatives, and investment property financing strategies.


    What You'll Learn:

    ✅ Private money lending vs. traditional bank financing

    ✅ Current interest rates and loan terms (starting at 5.5%!)

    ✅ How to qualify without income verification

    ✅ The importance of LLCs for rental property protection

    ✅ Investment strategies in today's mature market

    ✅ Fix-and-flip financing options

    ✅ Rental property cash flow requirements (DCR explained)


    Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction to Dustin Lauer

    01:26 - Why Choose Private Money Over Banks?

    06:08 - DTI vs. DCR: Understanding the Difference

    09:43 - Hard Money vs. Private Lending Terms

    14:24 - Competitive Interest Rates (5.5% Floor Rate!)

    17:20 - Qualification Requirements for Private Loans

    24:25 - Partnering Strategies for New Investors

    27:39 - Mature Market Investment Opportunities

    34:00 - Airbnb Risks and Short-Term Rentals

    38:45 - Cost Segregation and Tax Benefits

    45:17 - Dustin's Background and Career Journey

    55:25 - How to Contact Landmark Capital


    About Our Guest:

    Dustin Lauer brings 16+ years of experience in private lending and real estate finance. As Chief Production Officer at Landmark Capital, he specializes in helping investors, builders, and real estate entrepreneurs secure financing for investment properties, renovations, and ground-up construction projects.


    Key Takeaways:

    💰 Private lending rates are now competitive with conventional loans

    🏗️ Construction draws are processed in 1-2 days vs. 3-4 weeks with banks

    📊 Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DCR) is key for rental financing

    🤝 Partnership opportunities exist for combining experience and capital

    🏘️ Focus on properties below median home values for better absorption


    Connect with Dustin Lauer:

    Website: lendmarq.com

    LinkedIn: Dustin Lauer


    Related Topics: #PrivateLending #RealEstateInvesting #HardMoneyLoans #InvestmentProperty #RealEstateFinance #FixAndFlip #RentalProperty #LandmarkCapital #RealEstateInvestor #PropertyFinancing #CommercialRealEstate #RealEstateTips


    🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more financial insights and business strategies!

    👍 LIKE if you found this valuable!

    💬 COMMENT with your real estate investing questions!

    📤 SHARE with fellow investors!


    About Behind Closed Books:

    Behind Closed Books reveals the financial decisions that shape business success. Host Craig Sheets brings you unscripted conversations with business owners and experts about turning points, hard calls, and the numbers that drive growth.

    #BehindClosedBooks #RealEstate #Investing #BusinessPodcast #Finance

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    1 hr
  • Comic Books, Community & Creator Income: The Mike Koslik Story | Behind Closed Books | EP 103
    Nov 19 2025

    When you’ve known someone for 15+ years, you get to skip the small talk and get straight into what actually matters.


    Today, Mike Koslik joins me for a real conversation about what it actually takes to build something on the internet. He is the creator of Comic Book Corner 2.0, a long-time head tennis pro, and someone who has built an online community brick by brick.


    It’s not a highlight reel—it’s the part most people never talk about: the work, the trade-offs, and the choices that compound over time.


    Key Discussion Points

    00:00 – Mike Koslik joins the show

    02:10 – How two friends of 15+ years ended up in totally connected worlds

    05:42 – Building a YouTube channel in a niche you think no one cares about

    09:30 – Community, live streams, and why people show up

    13:55 – The real economics of YouTube: ads, memberships, super chats

    21:20 – Short-form vs. long-form: how creators actually get paid

    25:08 – Behind the curtain: filming, editing, schedule, burnout

    31:44 – The tax + financial side creators ignore

    39:12 – Comics as assets, speculation, and the crash after COVID

    45:50 – Consistency, imposter syndrome, and starting before you're “ready”

    51:30 – How tennis and teaching shaped Mike Koslik’s communication style

    57:10 – Growing up, identity, and the experiences that shape who you become

    01:05:20 – What Mike would tell anyone who wants to start creating

    01:10:48 – Closing thoughts


    Before you head out, help this conversation reach the people who need it:

    👍 Hit Like if this gave you something real to think about

    🔔 Subscribe so you don’t miss the stories that happen behind the numbers

    💬 Comment with your biggest “aha” moment, I’d love to hear it

    🔗 Share this with someone who's on the edge of starting their own thing


    #BehindClosedBooks #MikeKoslik #ComicBookCorner #YouTubeGrowth #ContentCreatorLife #OnlineBusiness #CreativeEntrepreneur #CommunityBuilding #SmallBusinessOwners #AuthenticConversations #Podcast #CreatorEconomy

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Toolbox & Jenn Rush | Behind Closed Books | EP 102
    Nov 4 2025

    Payroll is more than just cutting checks. Are there more details you should know?


    In this episode of Behind Closed Books, host Craig Sheets sits down with Jenn Rush from Heartland Payroll Solutions, one of the nation’s top payroll experts. Together, we uncover the real stories and critical insights behind modern payroll—from compliance to credits you probably didn’t know existed.


    Here’s what we cover:

    The truth about “No Tax on Tips” and overtime pay

    How to stay compliant with new immigration & hiring laws

    Why even small teams need written job descriptions & handbooks

    How to claim the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and save up to $9,600 per hire

    Why growing beyond 50 employees is not a risk — it’s an opportunity

    Real-world payroll mistakes that could cost your business big

    This episode gives you practical ways to protect your business, maximize savings, and stay one step ahead of compliance.


    About Our Guest

    Jennifer Rush

    Employee Management Solutions Specialist, Heartland Payroll Solutions

    📩 jennifer.rush@e-hps.com

    🌐 heartland.us


    About Behind Closed Books: A podcast where business owners and experts reveal the financial decisions that shape success. Real stories. Real lessons. Real business.

    📌 Subscribe for more insights that help you run smarter, stay compliant, and build a business that lasts.


    #PayrollTips #SmallBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #HRInsights #TaxCredits #LegalCompliance #PayrollSolutions #WorkOpportunityTaxCredit #BehindClosedBooks

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    57 mins
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