The Money Mondays: What Does It Take to Reach a Billion-Dollar Valuation? w/ Albert Preciado (EP111)

Host: Dan Fleyshman
Guest: Albert Preciado
Release Date: March 3, 2025

Introduction to the Episode

In Episode 111 of The Money Mondays, host Dan Fleyshman engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Albert Preciado, a powerhouse in the mortgage and real estate industries. The discussion centers on the monumental task of achieving a billion-dollar company valuation, drawing from Albert's extensive experience in building and scaling multiple businesses.

Albert Preciado's Sales Philosophy

Albert opens the conversation by emphasizing the critical importance of sales skills in any business endeavor.

Albert Preciado [00:00]: "If you can learn one skill, like just one skill, the first skill you want to learn is how to sell."

He illustrates this by sharing his approach to sales operations, detailing how his team handles massive daily call volumes to drive revenue.

Albert Preciado [01:58]: "We spend $80,000 on ad spend, we make a million. We have 40 salespeople in our office. Each dials 100 times. So it's 4,000 dials a day. And right now we're averaging 50,000 plus a day."

Building and Scaling Multiple Businesses

Dan highlights Albert's impressive track record, noting his operation of numerous high-revenue businesses from a luxurious penthouse.

Dan [00:31]: "Albert Preciado... he's got, I don't know, 30, 40, 50 sales reps up there, doing six figures a week on one business, doing millions of dollars in the mortgage industry, millions of dollars in the real estate space."

Albert discusses the challenges and strategic decisions involved in scaling these ventures, including a significant investment in his office space.

Albert Preciado [04:00]: "If you're not growing, you're dying... we spent about a million and a half just remodeling the whole floor."

Importance of Personal Branding

Albert underscores the necessity of building a strong personal brand as a foundation for business expansion.

Albert Preciado [09:24]: "I built a big brand over the years... it takes time. People want everything so fast... you have to be patiently aggressive."

Dan parallels Albert's approach with his own experience in building Elevator Studios, emphasizing the value of a unified brand across diverse ventures.

Mentorship and Learning from Experts

A pivotal part of the conversation revolves around the impact of mentorship on Albert's success. He credits mentors like Neil Patel and industry giants for providing invaluable guidance.

Albert Preciado [05:23]: "Neil's involved too. So Neil has told us like what to do, how to do it. You know, he's a genius marketer."

Dan reflects on his own mentorship journey, highlighting the diverse range of mentors who have shaped his business acumen.

Driven9 Event and Future Plans

Albert reveals ambitious plans for the upcoming Driven9 event, positioning Driven as the next Virgin brand by expanding into various sectors.

Albert Preciado [06:44]: "Driven is becoming the next Virgin... driven mortgage, driven real estate, solar driven, financial services driven escrow."

He elaborates on his vision to integrate technology and AI, aiming for a trillion-dollar company by transforming Driven into a multifaceted brand.

Albert Preciado [07:07]: "I'm already thinking trillion. How do we get AI involved? Software, tech."

Building a Sellable Business through Systems and Processes

A key theme is the importance of creating businesses that operate independently of the owner, making them attractive for acquisition. Albert shares insights on establishing robust systems and delegating effectively.

Albert Preciado [22:15]: "If your business needs you 80% of the time, it's worth nothing. But if your business runs 80% without you, then you built a business that one day you can sell."

Dan reinforces this by discussing the necessity of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and having a strong operational team.

Dan [22:15]: "If your business cannot run without you, you don't have a business. You have a job."

Overcoming Challenges and Perseverance

Albert candidly shares the hardships he's faced, including economic downturns and industry-specific challenges, yet remains steadfast in his pursuit of growth.

Albert Preciado [25:54]: "I've been through the 2008 recession, then 2020 Covid, 2023 was the worst year ever in my life. Most challenging, especially for real estate... but I figured it out."

He advocates for resilience and continuous learning as essential traits for entrepreneurial success.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The episode concludes with Albert promoting the Driven9 event, encouraging listeners to engage and invest in their financial education.

Albert Preciado [23:53]: "You should go to Driven nine because it's going to change your life."

Dan echoes this call-to-action, highlighting the importance of discussing and understanding money management.

Dan [27:13]: "Have discussions with your friends, family and followers. You got to talk about money... it's part of your daily life."

Listeners are encouraged to visit drivenevent.com and use the code DAN for a 50% discount on event tickets, ensuring they won't miss out on transformative financial insights and networking opportunities.

Key Takeaways

• Sales Mastery: Central to business growth, effective selling can drive substantial revenue.
• Personal Branding: A strong, unified brand aids in scaling and diversifying business ventures.
• Mentorship: Learning from experienced mentors accelerates business acumen and success.
• Operational Excellence: Building systems that allow the business to run independently of the owner enhances sellability.
• Resilience: Overcoming economic and industry-specific challenges is crucial for sustained growth.
• Continuous Learning: Engaging in events like Driven9 provides valuable insights and networking opportunities.

Notable Quotes

• Albert Preciado [00:00]: "If you can learn one skill, like just one skill, the first skill you want to learn is how to sell."
• Albert Preciado [04:00]: "If you're not growing, you're dying."
• Dan [10:53]: "Math and time compounds. And when you're in the game and you're just doing it over and over and over and over and over, you're going to win."
• Albert Preciado [22:15]: "If your business needs you 80% of the time, it's worth nothing."

This episode of The Money Mondays offers invaluable lessons on scaling businesses to monumental valuations, the significance of sales and personal branding, the power of mentorship, and the necessity of building resilient, autonomous business systems. Albert Preciado's insights serve as a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs aiming for billion-dollar success.