Podcast
Main Street Business
Hosted by Mark J Kohler and Mat Sorensen · EN
The Main Street Business Podcast, hosted by attorneys Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler, is the go-to resource for entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners who want to build, protect, and manage their wealth. Each episode explores real-world scenarios and offers practical advice on business structuring, tax planning, side hustles, real estate, self-directed retirement accounts, and more.
With decades of combined legal and tax experience Mark and Mat make complex financial topics understandable through charismatic discussions and practical education. Their goal is to empower listeners to make smarter legal and financial decisions by turning advanced concepts into clear, actionable strategies for LLCs, corporations, estate planning, tax reduction, raising capital, asset protection, and retirement planning.
Mark J. Kohler is a CPA, attorney, best-selling author of six books, and a nationally recognized authority on small business tax and legal strategies. Mark serves as a Senior Partner at KKOS Lawyers and Board Member at Directed IRA Trust Company, which manages over $3 billion in assets. As the founder of the Main Street Certified Tax Advisor Program, Mark has trained thousands of CPAs and Enrolled Agents nationwide, helping millions of small business owners better navigate tax and legal strategies. Mark also co-hosts The Main Street Business Podcast along with Mat Sorensen.
Mat Sorensen is an attorney, best-selling author of The Self-Directed IRA Handbook, and CEO of Directed IRA & Directed Trust Company, a leading self-directed IRA custodian with nearly $3 billion under administration. He is a national expert on self-directed retirement strategies and a Senior Partner at KKOS Lawyers. Mat also co-hosts The Main Street Business Podcast along with Mark J. Kohler.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
# 621 Auto Mileage V. Actual Expense: Who wins?
3w ago00:29:38Tap to summarizeDid you deduct actual expenses or use the standard mileage rate for your vehicle? More importantly, was that the best choice for your situation? Book a comprehensive tax and business consultation with Mark and Mats firm KKOS Lawyers to ensure your strategy works for you.Grab my eBook 30 Unique Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know! You don't want to miss this! Secure your tickets for the #1 Event For Small Business Owners On Main Street America: Main Street 360 Looking to connect with a rock star law firm? KKOS is only a click away! Are you ready to get certified in EVERY strategy I teach? Start your journey with a FREE 15-minute discovery call to explore the Main Street Tax Pro Certification. Check out our YOUTUBE Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/markjkohlerCraving more content? Check out my Instagram!
Transcribe →# 620 5 LLC Mistakes
4w ago00:26:04Tap to summarizeWant to make sure your LLC is in order? Book a Call with Mat and Marks Law firm KKOS Lawyers and Get your Entity Cleaned Up https://kkoslawyers.com/entity-clean-up/Grab my eBook 30 Unique Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know! You don't want to miss this! Secure your tickets for the #1 Event For Small Business Owners On Main Street America: Main Street 360 Looking to connect with a rock star law firm? KKOS is only a click away! Are you ready to get certified in EVERY strategy I teach? Start your journey with a FREE 15-minute discovery call to explore the Main Street Tax Pro Certification. Check out our YOUTUBE Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/markjkohlerCraving more content? Check out my Instagram!
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#619 The Difference Between LLCs and S-Corps for Real Estate Investors
Apr 2800:30:42Tap to summarizeGet your entity structured the right way. Schedule a review to maximize your tax benefits and strengthen your asset protection. Book an Entity Structure consultation with Mark and Mats Attorneys at KKOS Lawyers. Book a Call Here.Grab my eBook 30 Unique Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know! You don't want to miss this! Secure your tickets for the #1 Event For Small Business Owners On Main Street America: Main Street 360 Looking to connect with a rock star law firm? KKOS is only a click away! Are you ready to get certified in EVERY strategy I teach? Start your journey with a FREE 15-minute discovery call to explore the Main Street Tax Pro Certification. Check out our YOUTUBE Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/markjkohlerCraving more content? Check out my Instagram!
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#618 What to do if you can’t pay your taxes
Apr 2100:34:22Tap to summarizeCan't pay your taxes? Get a Comprehensive Tax and Business Consultation so this never happens again. Book a Call HereMarks most recent article - https://markjkohler.com/blog/what-to-do-if-i-cant-pay-my-taxes-by-deadlineGrab my eBook 30 Unique Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know! You don't want to miss this! Secure your tickets for the #1 Event For Small Business Owners On Main Street America: Main Street 360 Looking to connect with a rock star law firm? KKOS is only a click away! Are you ready to get certified in EVERY strategy I teach? Start your journey with a FREE 15-minute discovery call to explore the Main Street Tax Pro Certification. Check out our YOUTUBE Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/markjkohlerCraving more content? Check out my Instagram!
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#617 The Trust is the Missing Link to your Trifecta
Apr 1500:30:27Tap to summarizeDon't delay get your plan in place - https://kkoslawyers.com/services/comprehensive-estate-plan/Grab my eBook 30 Unique Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know! You don't want to miss this! Secure your tickets for the #1 Event For Small Business Owners On Main Street America: Main Street 360 Looking to connect with a rock star law firm? KKOS is only a click away! Are you ready to get certified in EVERY strategy I teach? Start your journey with a FREE 15-minute discovery call to explore the Main Street Tax Pro Certification. Check out our YOUTUBE Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/markjkohlerCraving more content? Check out my Instagram!
Transcribe →#616 The Big Short & Rod Khleif's Story: How to Rebound
Apr 700:36:01Tap to summarizeWhat would you do if you lost $50 million and thousands of properties overnight? In this powerful episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, real estate investor Rod Khleif shares his raw story of the 2008 crash, how he lost over 2,000 properties, and the mindset that helped him rebuild an even bigger portfolio through multifamily investing. This conversation breaks down hard-earned lessons from failure, the truth about single-family vs. multifamily investing, and why mindset is the real key to long-term success.We also dive into today’s real estate market — rising interest rates, distressed multifamily deals, and why massive opportunity is emerging right now. If you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or just someone trying to bounce back from setbacks, this episode will challenge how you think about risk, failure, and growth.Be sure to like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway — and check out our other episodes on real estate, wealth building, and financial strategy!CHAPTERS:0:00 Teaser0:35 Rod’s Real Estate Journey and the 2008 Crash5:11 Losing Everything and Mindset Shift8:11 How to Rebuild After Failure14:23 Focus, Fear, and Taking Action17:35 Why Single-Family Houses Failed vs Multifamily20:28 Scaling Bigger Deals Faster22:01 Playing to Strengths in Business24:32 Today’s Multifamily Market Crisis25:18 Opportunity in Distressed Assets30:54 “Renter Nation” and Housing Trends32:08 New Opportunities Like Senior Housing33:28 How Value Creation Drives Wealth34:45 Power of Environment and NetworkResources:Interview a Main Street Tax Pro that Speaks like MarkMeet with a Real Lawyer on ZoomSelf-Direct Your IRA or 401k - Buy a Business or Real Estate with Your Retirement Account (Directed IRA)Keep Your LLC or Corp in good standing and Hide Your Address (Main Street Business Services)Become a Certified Tax Advisor in Mark’s Program:Connect:Website: markjkohler.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjkohler/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markkohler/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markjkohler/X: https://x.com/markkohler/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@markjkohler/Grab my eBook 30 Unique Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know! You don't want to miss this! Secure your tickets for the #1 Event For Small Business Owners On Main Street America: Main Street 360 Looking to connect with a rock star law firm? KKOS is only a click away! Are you ready to get certified in EVERY strategy I teach? Start your journey with a FREE 15-minute discovery call to explore the Main Street Tax Pro Certification. Check out our YOUTUBE Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/markjkohlerCraving more content? Check out my Instagram!
Transcribe →#615 Why One LLC Isn’t Enough for Most Entrepreneurs
Mar 2700:21:41Tap to summarizeHow many business entities do you actually need as an entrepreneur? In this episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen break down the real strategy behind structuring multiple businesses, protecting assets, and scaling the right way.They walk through the key reasons you may need separate entities, including liability protection, partnerships, exit strategies, regulatory requirements, and branding. Through real-world examples — including costly mistakes entrepreneurs make when entities aren’t properly separated — you’ll learn how to avoid exposure, structure subsidiaries correctly, and build a business framework that supports growth and long-term success.If you're running multiple income streams or planning to expand, this episode will help you think like a seasoned business owner. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share, and check out more content to keep building your business smarter and safer!You’ll learn:How to determine if you need multiple business entities or just one The biggest liability mistakes entrepreneurs make when combining businesses Why an S Corp foundation is critical for tax savings and structure When to create a separate LLC for partnerships and joint ventures How to properly structure subsidiaries to actually protect your assets Real-world examples of entity setup failures—and how to avoid them When and why to separate a business for future sale or exit How branding and regulatory requirements impact your entity strategy The correct way to manage finances, payroll, and operations across entities A practical framework for scaling multiple income streams safely and efficientlyGet a comprehensive tax consultation with one of our Main Street tax lawyers that can build a tax strategy plan with an affordable consultation that will leave you speechless!!Here’s the link - https://kkoslawyers.com/services/comprehensive-bus-tax-consult/?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=description-link&utm_campaign=main-street-business-podcast&utm_content=msbp615-why-one-llc-isnt-enoughGrab my eBook 30 Unique Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know! You don't want to miss this! Secure your tickets for the #1 Event For Small Business Owners On Main Street America: Main Street 360 Looking to connect with a rock star law firm? KKOS is only a click away! Are you ready to get certified in EVERY strategy I teach? Start your journey with a FREE 15-minute discovery call to explore the Main Street Tax Pro Certification. Check out our YOUTUBE Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/markjkohlerCraving more content? Check out my Instagram!
Transcribe →#614 How Lawsuits Can Take Away Your Home (And How to Stop It!)
Mar 2000:38:31Tap to summarizeIf you got sued tomorrow, could you lose your home? In this episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen break down the real risks to your home equity — and the smart strategies you can use right now to protect it before it’s too late. From homestead exemptions to equity stripping, this is essential knowledge every homeowner and investor needs to understand.We dive into how different states protect your home, when creditors can (and can’t) touch your equity, and how tools like HELOCs, retirement accounts, and domestic asset protection trusts can create powerful layers of defense. You’ll also learn the common mistakes people make — like relying too heavily on umbrella insurance or transferring assets incorrectly — and how to avoid them.If you're serious about protecting your wealth, minimizing risk, and building a solid financial foundation, this episode gives you a practical roadmap to do it right. Make sure to subscribe, like, and share this with someone who needs to safeguard their assets!You'll learn:How lawsuits can impact your home equity — and when your house is actually at riskWhat the homestead exemption is and how it protects you (state-by-state differences)When and how creditors can force the sale of your homeThe strategy behind “equity stripping” and how it can reduce your exposureHow HELOCs and liens can be used as a defensive asset protection toolWhere to safely move equity so it’s harder for creditors to reachThe pros and cons of domestic asset protection trusts vs. offshore trustsWhy umbrella insurance may not protect you the way you thinkHow to structure LLCs and entities to contain liability and protect personal assetsCommon asset protection mistakes that could cost you everythingGet a comprehensive tax consultation with one of our Main Street tax lawyers that can build a tax strategy plan with an affordable consultation that will leave you speechless!!Here’s the link - https://kkoslawyers.com/services/comprehensive-bus-tax-consult/?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=description-link&utm_campaign=main-street-business-podcast&utm_content=msbp614-can-you-lose-your-house-in-a-lawsuitGrab my eBook 30 Unique Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know! You don't want to miss this! Secure your tickets for the #1 Event For Small Business Owners On Main Street America: Main Street 360 Looking to connect with a rock star law firm? KKOS is only a click away! Are you ready to get certified in EVERY strategy I teach? Start your journey with a FREE 15-minute discovery call to explore the Main Street Tax Pro Certification. Check out our YOUTUBE Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/markjkohlerCraving more content? Check out my Instagram!
Transcribe →#613 Open Forum — Kids’ Trump Accounts, Real Estate Taxes, and Growing Your Business
Mar 1300:46:27Tap to summarizeIn this Open Forum episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen answer real questions from business owners about taxes, investing, and scaling a successful company. From the brand-new “Trump accounts” for kids to real estate tax strategies and smart ways to grow your business, this episode breaks down complex financial topics into practical advice you can actually use.They explain how parents might use Trump accounts to create long-term wealth for their kids, including a powerful strategy to convert those accounts into Roth IRAs later in life. You’ll also learn key tax strategies for high-profit business owners, including retirement plans, paying your kids through the business, real estate deductions, and how to balance tax savings with long-term wealth building.Plus, the discussion dives into real-world business growth strategies — like when to expand physical locations versus going virtual, how to attract better talent, and how to structure your business as it scales. If you’re a small business owner looking for smarter tax strategies and better ways to grow your wealth, this episode is packed with insights.You’ll learn:How the new “Trump accounts” for kids work and when they might still make sense even without the government contributionA strategy to convert a child’s Trump account into a Roth IRA to potentially create decades of tax-free growthWhen paying your kids through your business can unlock powerful retirement strategies like a kid’s Roth IRAKey tax strategies business owners with $500K+ in profit should consider to reduce taxes and build wealthHow retirement plans like a Solo 401(k) can help you shelter more income as your business growsWhy successful entrepreneurs balance tax savings with wealth-building investmentsThe difference between focusing on tax write-offs and focusing on long-term wealth creationGet a comprehensive tax consultation with one of our Main Street tax lawyers that can build a tax strategy plan with an affordable consultation that will leave you speechless!!Here’s the link - https://kkoslawyers.com/services/comprehensive-bus-tax-consult/?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=description-link&utm_campaign=main-street-business-podcast&utm_content=msbp613-open-forum-trump-accounts-real-estate-and-growing-your-businessGrab my eBook 30 Unique Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know! You don't want to miss this! Secure your tickets for the #1 Event For Small Business Owners On Main Street America: Main Street 360 Looking to connect with a rock star law firm? KKOS is only a click away! Are you ready to get certified in EVERY strategy I teach? Start your journey with a FREE 15-minute discovery call to explore the Main Street Tax Pro Certification. Check out our YOUTUBE Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/markjkohlerCraving more content? Check out my Instagram!
Transcribe →#612 Bonus Depreciation Explained: The Tax Strategy Everyone Gets Wrong
Mar 600:44:11Tap to summarizeAre the tax benefits of bonus depreciation and real estate investing really as powerful as they’re advertised? In this episode, Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen break down the truth behind the popular tax strategy that many investors believe will dramatically reduce their taxes. The reality may surprise you.Using real examples, they explain how depreciation, cost segregation, and passive losses actually work — and why many investors misunderstand how those losses can (or cannot) offset income from a business or W-2 job. You’ll learn the difference between passive and active losses, why many tax pitches exaggerate the benefits, and how strategies like the self-rental rule, material participation tests, and the short-term rental loophole can legitimately change the outcome.If you’re considering a real estate investment mainly for the tax benefits, this discussion will help you evaluate the opportunity the right way. Taxes can enhance a good investment — but they should never be the only reason to make one. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this with other entrepreneurs and investors who want smarter tax strategies!You’ll learn:The truth about bonus depreciation and why many investors misunderstand how it actually saves taxesHow real estate depreciation works and why it doesn’t always offset your W-2 or business incomeThe difference between passive losses and active income (and why it matters)Why investing purely for tax write-offs can actually cost you moneyHow cost segregation accelerates depreciation in real estate dealsThe self-rental rule and how it can legally offset business incomeWhen short-term rentals can unlock tax benefits that long-term rentals cannotThe material participation tests and why they determine whether losses countWhy some investment pitches exaggerate tax benefits to attract investorsHow to evaluate whether a “tax-saving investment” actually makes financial senseGet a comprehensive tax consultation with one of our Main Street tax lawyers that can build a tax strategy plan with an affordable consultation that will leave you speechless!! Here’s the link - https://kkoslawyers.com/services/comprehensive-bus-tax-consult/?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=description-link&utm_campaign=main-street-business-podcast&utm_content=msbp612-the-truth-about-bonus-depreciationGrab my eBook 30 Unique Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know! You don't want to miss this! Secure your tickets for the #1 Event For Small Business Owners On Main Street America: Main Street 360 Looking to connect with a rock star law firm? KKOS is only a click away! Are you ready to get certified in EVERY strategy I teach? Start your journey with a FREE 15-minute discovery call to explore the Main Street Tax Pro Certification. Check out our YOUTUBE Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/markjkohlerCraving more content? Check out my Instagram!
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