Most people feel trapped by the traditional path—go to college, get a job, grind until retirement—only to find themselves overworked, underpaid, and financially insecure. Kris Krohn lived that life. A broke college student working 18-hour days, he hit rock bottom when he came home to find his wife crying because they couldn’t afford food. That moment pushed him to reject the system and take control of his financial destiny through real estate investing.

In this powerful episode, Kris reveals how he went from $3,000 in savings to $1.6 million in real estate by the time he graduated. Now with over $2 billion in real estate transactions, Kris shares how anyone—even with no experience—can build passive wealth through smart investing. Learn how to break free from the 9-to-5, avoid retirement traps, and build a life of purpose, profit, and freedom.

Key Takeaways:

• From Slavery Day to Freedom Day: Kris shares how hitting rock bottom with his wife inspired his real estate journey—and led to financial independence by age 26.

• The 20-Home Strategy: Discover how Kris’s plan to earn $10K/month through real estate led to complete financial freedom—and how he helps others do the same.

• The ROI Mindset Shift: Forget interest rates—Kris explains why most people are financially illiterate and why ROI matters more than the media narrative.

• Real Estate Partnerships Made Simple: Kris outlines how his turnkey model allows people to invest using 401Ks, home equity, or IRAs—while he does all the work.

• Freedom ≠ Retirement: Learn why true wealth is not just financial, but emotional, spiritual, and aligned with your values—and how Kris is starting a “minimalist millionaire” movement.

About the Guest:

Kris Krohn’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a leading figure in real estate investing is both inspiring and instructive. Growing up with limited resources, Kris discovered early on that financial independence wasn’t just a dream—it was a goal to be achieved through smart, persistent action. Over the years, he transformed his life by mastering real estate investment strategies, turning setbacks into valuable lessons, and ultimately building a multi-million-dollar portfolio that has allowed him to live on his own terms. Kris’s story is a powerful blend of grit, innovative thinking, and a passion for empowering others. He’s not only achieved personal financial freedom but has dedicated himself to helping others do the same through his engaging podcasts, seminars, and investment platforms.

His ability to simplify complex investment concepts and translate them into actionable advice makes him an ideal guest for any podcast focused on entrepreneurship, personal development, or wealth building.

Links:

https://www.kriskrohn.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-krohn-569479174/

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

https://www.instagram.com/kriskrohn

Fast Five Questions

1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “Use his knowledge and network to structure deals where others bring the capital—because reputation, not money, is the most valuable asset.”

2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Acquiring a business for the wrong reason—he got the one asset he wanted but lost $3.2 million in the process.”

3. What is a book that you would recommend? “Time Machine by Kris Krohn and Rich Dad Poor Dad and Think and Grow Rich”

4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “Calendar and Phone”

5. What is your definition of freedom? “Having both time and money—but choosing to live with balance, purpose, and minimalism, not excess. True wealth is doing what you love, when you want, with who you love.”

About Jeff:

Jeff spent the early part of his career

Most families approach college planning emotionally instead of strategically—leading to wasted time, unnecessary debt, and missed opportunities for aid. Annmarie Hatfield has spent over a decade guiding families through the complex and overwhelming college admissions process. From misunderstood financial aid forms to choosing the wrong schools based on sports teams or family tradition, she’s seen how misinformation costs students thousands—and parents their peace of mind.

In this episode, Annmarie shares how her company, College Inroads, helps students and families navigate college like a business decision—without sacrificing the dream. Whether your child is a freshman or a senior, you’ll learn how to reduce stress, increase options, and even negotiate tuition. This is the episode every parent needs to hear before writing that first college check.

Key Takeaways:

• College Planning is a Business Strategy: Annmarie teaches families to treat college like a business investment, not just an emotional decision.

• Start Early, Save Money: The ideal time to start college prep is 10th grade—but College Inroads now offers programs as early as 8th grade due to demand.

• Don’t Fall for FAFSA Myths: Even wealthy families should file the FAFSA. It opens doors to merit aid, government loans, and eligibility for tuition appeals.

• Tailored College Searches: There are 2,700+ four-year schools in the U.S.—most families only know 20. College Inroads finds the right schools for your child.

• Appeals Can Work: Annmarie and her team help families negotiate for more aid—even after acceptance. College pricing can be flexible if you know how to ask.

About the Guest:

Annmarie Hatfield is a seasoned business owner, speaker, and one of two Partners at College Inroads, an Independent Education Consultant firm based in Texas. With a strong background in sales and marketing, Annmarie has helped guide more than 1,300 students and families over the past 13 years through the complex and often overwhelming college admissions process.

At College Inroads, Annmarie focuses on making the journey to college less stressful and more affordable—from choosing a major and building a college list to applying strategically and reducing college costs. Their team has successfully supported students of all academic levels, helping them gain acceptance to Ivy League institutions, private universities, and public colleges across all 50 states.

Annmarie is also a Texas Ex, award-winning professional, board member, author, wife, stepmom, and proud cat momma. She actively networks in the business community and educates parents and students through webinars, school presentations, and partnerships with financial planners and family-focused organizations like the Young Men’s Service League, National Charity League, and high school PTOs.

Her mission is simple: save families time, stress, and money on the road to college—while making sure every student finds the right fit.

Links:

https://collegeinroads.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/annmariehatfield/

Fast Five Questions:

1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “Buy a website, tap her network, and use social media to announce the launch—visibility before perfection.”

2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Not spending enough money early on the right marketing. It took 14 years to hit $1M in revenue, but it could have happened faster with better...

Small businesses are losing time, customers, and profit by relying on outdated systems—especially when 60% of calls go unanswered. Ken Cox has seen this over and over. After decades in tech and entrepreneurship, he’s now helping small businesses automate their customer communication with “AI employees” that work 24/7, speak every language, and never forget your policies. The kicker? Most businesses don’t even realize how accessible this tech is—or how much it can increase their valuation and efficiency overnight.

In this episode, Ken breaks down how AI voice agents are revolutionizing service-based businesses, how to train your first AI receptionist, and what the future looks like when humans become orchestrators—not operators. Whether you’re a brick-and-mortar owner or just exploring your next business idea, this is your roadmap to the next wave of work.

Key Takeaways:

• AI Employees for Small Business: Ken explains how voice AI can answer your phone, reply to reviews, and even schedule appointments—without hiring extra staff.

• Why You’re Losing 60% of Business Calls: Learn why most businesses miss opportunities daily and how automation can fix it instantly.

• Training AI Is Easier Than You Think: If your website has the right info, your AI agent can be trained in minutes to handle customer interactions.

• Automated = More Valuable: Businesses with AI systems are not only more efficient—they’re worth double at exit.

• The $100M Mistake: Ken shares a personal story about an overlooked contract clause that cost him a fortune—and what every entrepreneur should learn from it.

About the Guest:

Ken Cox is a dynamic and accomplished President of Hostirian and the host of the Clicks and Bricks podcast. As an entrepreneur, Ken has built a successful career creating safe and happy workplaces, providing critical IT services to companies of all sizes, from small businesses to the Global 500. His commitment to trading value for value and developing products that benefit everyone involved has earned him recognition as a leading figure in the business world.

Ken is also the author of Reclaim Sobriety: The 12 Rounds of Sobriety, a transformative guide for achieving lasting sobriety. Additionally, he co-authored a chapter in Kevin Harrington’s book, Many Paths to Profit. His expertise in navigating digital privacy, modern HR strategies, product marketing, and entrepreneurship, combined with his personal journey through adversity, makes him a perfect fit for podcasts with an audience of CEOs, CTOs, founders, IT directors, and CFOs.

Links:

https://www.jamesrobbins.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrobbins97/

Fast Five Questions

1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “Start 3–5 service-based businesses using Inlink’s AI tools—test what works and double down.”

2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Accepting a $1M buyout clause in a contract that ultimately cost $100M+ in missed revenue."

3. What is a book that you would recommend? “The Phoenix Project — a must-read for understanding systems, operations, and how to document magic into SOPs.”

4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “ChatGPT Pro — his go-to for creative writing, SOP development, and running every corner of the business.”

5. What is your definition of freedom? “The ability to act...