Episode Summary

In this episode of the Next Gen Strategies podcast, Grant and Tyler sit down with Mo Carpenter of Gallery Homes Real Estate to unpack what it really looks like to walk away from a safe corporate job and build a relationship driven real estate business.

Mo shares his journey from twelve years in a corporate role at Assurant to working two jobs for two years, then finally making the leap into real estate full time. He talks about the “golden handcuffs” of salary and benefits, how his wife pushed him to set boundaries, and why he refuses to build his business on cold leads and empty promises.

If you are thinking about leaving a stable role for entrepreneurship, getting into real estate, or just trying to grow a business without losing your values, this one hits a lot of nerves in a good way.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why law school turned into corporate life, and why corporate life stopped being enough
• How Covid downtime forced Mo to be brutally honest about work, marriage, and calling
• The promise he made to his wife before jumping into real estate
• Working two full jobs for two years and what that grind actually looked like
• How a simple “why” video launch went viral and jump started his book of business
• Why his first clients trusted him with big properties even when he had zero experience
• Building a business on relationships, not purchased leads
• Why “your sphere” will always beat the perfect marketing funnel
• When Mo knew he had to start a team and how he chose his first hire
• The difference values make when you are building a team, not just chasing sales numbers
• A wild story of winning a house with 18 offers without being the highest bid
• How clear communication and story can beat a higher price in multiple offer situations
• Boundaries, burnout, and why not all business is good business
• What reality TV gets wrong about real estate
• Why Mo is dipping into commercial deals while keeping his heart in residential

Key Takeaways

• Relationships and integrity will take you further than any paid lead source.
• You can respect the “golden handcuffs” of corporate while still planning your exit.
• Your sphere of influence is not a fallback plan, it is your first and best lead engine.
• It is okay to say no to business that does not fit your values or season of life.
• Real growth happens when you invest in the people on your team, not just your own production.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Grant Covault and Tyler Davis get real about AI and the way tools like ChatGPT actually fit into day to day business. They dig into the gap between the hype and the reality, the difference between free and paid versions, and why blindly trusting AI is a fast track to sloppy work and bad decisions.

They break down how they use ChatGPT in their own worlds, what it consistently gets wrong, and where it actually creates real value. From SOP building, communication cleanup, and transcription, to research and process improvement, they highlight the practical use cases that work and the pitfalls that don’t.

No sci-fi fantasies. No fearmongering. Just straight talk on how to use AI responsibly and effectively.

What We Cover

• Why the AI hype cycle is misleading

• Free vs paid ChatGPT tiers and how to pick

• Setting up custom instructions and memory

• The “agreeable problem” and how to force real critique

• Research traps, hallucinations, and verification

• Using ChatGPT for SOPs, processes, transcripts, and communication

• Where AI fits today in accounting, marketing, and operations

• Why business leaders need to understand AI even if they don’t like it

Takeaways

AI isn’t a magic assistant, and it’s not replacing anyone tomorrow.

It’s a tool that amplifies what you already do, good or bad.

If you guide it well, it makes your work faster and clearer.

If you don’t, it’ll show up in your output immediately.

Listen and Subscribe

Follow the NextGen Strategies Podcast for real stories and practical strategies to help you build a healthier, smarter business.

Grant and Tyler hit the road to HR Butler’s new Columbus office to talk payroll, taxes, and total compensation with Tyler and Trent from HR Butler.

From overtime and tip credits to Ohio’s messy local tax system and rising benefit costs, this episode dives into what every employer needs to know heading into 2025. If you’ve ever wondered how to make payroll make sense—or how to actually retain people in a competitive market—this one’s worth your time.

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• The truth about the “Big Beautiful Bill”
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• What’s changing for overtime and tips
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• How Ohio’s local taxes really work
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• Why payroll is harder to keep in-house
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• The importance of total compensation statements
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• How benefits and transparency build loyalty
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🎙️ Joining us: Tyler & Trent from HR Butler

Watch more episodes of the NextGen Strategies Podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/@NextGenStrategiesPodcast

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