Profitability Playbook: The Simple Numbers Podcast

Hosted by Carr, Riggs and Ingram

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Jun 2026

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About the show

From CRI Simple Numbers, this is “Profitability Playbook: The Simple Numbers Podcast,” a podcast hosted by Mike Maxson and Brandon Gray for those championing market growth and anchoring the nation’s economy, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. For more info, visit: https://www.criadv.com/disclaimer/

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60 recent

June 11, 2026Episode 2232 min

S3:E22 - The Turnaround: A Case Study On A Million Dollar Profit Shift

From a financial deficit to a seven-figure profit all in one year. It sounds like an entrepreneur's dream, but it takes precise execution and hard choices. This week, we are breaking down the exact blueprint a business used to pivot from a loss to over $1M in profit in just 12 months. We discuss the critical wins that kept the momentum going, the unexpected challenges that threatened to derail their progress, and the exact strategic levers they pulled to scale. If you are ready to unlock growth in your own organization, you won't want to miss this episode!Learn more at:SimpleNumbersCRISimple Number Summit

June 4, 2026Episode 2137 min

S3:E21 - Do You Need An Attorney? with Danielle Laughlin

This week, we sit down with Danielle Laughlin of Sage Business Counsel to discuss the foundational legal issues and hurdles that entrepreneurs face in today’s business landscape. Danielle shares practical strategies for risk management, asset protection, and long-term compliance to help business owners safeguard their growth.Visit SimpleNumbersCRI.com for more. Register today for the Simple Numbers Summit!

May 21, 2026Episode 2030 min

S3:E20 - Sleepless Nights! What Are the Top Concerns of Entrepreneurs?

What keeps a founder up at night? This week, we are looking past the guesswork and diving straight into the actual data surrounding the top concerns for entrepreneurs in today's fast-moving market. From inflation anxieties to the pressure of scaling sustainably, we are breaking down the real-world challenges business owners are facing right now and, more importantly, how you can navigate them.Learn more and SimpleNumbersCRI.comRegister for the Simple Numbers Summit!

May 14, 2026Episode 1930 min

S3:E19 - Where Smart Entrepreneurs Go to Stay Ahead

In a market that moves at the speed of an algorithm, the most dangerous thing an entrepreneur can do is stop learning. But with an endless sea of "noise," how do you identify the resources that actually move the needle for your business?This week, we’re breaking down the 2026 Entrepreneur’s Growth Toolkit. We move beyond the basics to explore the high-impact environments where the world’s most successful founders are spending their time and energy. Whether you’re a solo founder or scaling a mid-market firm, this episode is your roadmap to staying informed, connected, and ahead of the curve.Visit https://www.simplenumberscri.com and https://www.simplenumberssummit.com

May 7, 2026Episode 1831 min

S3:E18 - The Dos and Don'ts for Every Entrepreneur

What is the secret to steering your business toward sustainable success? In this episode, Mike Maxson and Brandon Gray break down the essential dos and don'ts every entrepreneur needs to know. Join us as we cover the critical playbook for pricing, labor, raises, owner's compensation, facilities, and marketing.Tune in to discover the rules you need to follow, and the costly mistakes you should avoid, when growing your business!Learn more at:SimpleNumbersCRI.com and SimpleNumbersSummit.com

April 30, 2026Episode 1731 min

S3:E17 - The Great Labor Reset

It is time for the great labor reset! In this episode, Mike Maxson and Brandon Gray explore how to measure labor effectiveness and ensure a strong return on your labor spend. Discover the strategic hacks for managing your team to drive sustainable profitability!Learn more at simplenumberscri.com and simplenumberssummit.com.

April 23, 2026Episode 1631 min

S3:E16 - Are You Growing or Scaling?

Growth adds cost, scale adds profit!In this episode, Mike Maxson and Brandon Gray dive into the numbers that define a truly scalable business. Moving beyond top-line revenue, they explore the "Big Three" of scaling: gross margin, labor efficiency, and controlled operational spend. If you’re a business owner ready to stop chasing raw growth and start building for long-term efficiency, this breakdown is for you.Learn more at SimpleNumbersCRI.comRegister now for the Simple Numbers Summit

April 16, 2026Episode 1530 min

S3:E15 - How to Navigate the Black Hole

This week, Mike Maxson and Brandon Gray tackle the "black hole" - that challenging transition phase as companies scale toward the $10M mark. They dive into the specific strategies and leadership approaches needed to navigate this shift successfully. From refining your operations to evolving your financial strategy, we discuss how to break through the gravity of the mid-market transition and keep your momentum moving upward. Tune in to learn how to guide your organization through this critical growth phase with confidence and clarity! Learn more at simplenumberscri.comRegister for the Simple Numbers Summit

April 9, 2026Episode 1432 min

S3:E14 - Measuring LER for Sales and Marketing Teams

This week, Mike Maxson and Brandon Gray dive deep into the mechanics of Labor Efficiency Ratio (LER) to help you unlock a clearer picture of your organization’s performance. They focus specifically on two critical subcomponents: Sales LER and Marketing LER. Whether you are looking to optimize your team's output or better align your spending with your growth goals, understanding these metrics is key to driving sustainable efficiency. Tune in to learn how to translate complex data into actionable strategies for your sales and marketing engines! Visit simplenumberscri.com for more. Don't forget to register for the Simple Numbers Summit!

April 2, 2026Episode 1344 min

S3:E13 - Has the Black Hole Moved? with Greg Crabtree

Is your business falling into the "black hole?" This week, Mike Maxson and Brandon Gray are joined by Greg Crabtree, to explore that critical turning point in a company’s journey where operating expenses and labor needs begin to outpace revenue growth.They dive into the structural challenges of scaling, like the "half-person" problem: needing a full-time business development role when your current activity only supports 50%. Historically, this plateau hit between $3M and $5M in revenue, but has that range shifted in today's economic climate? Tune in to discover how to identify if you are approaching this gap and what strategic moves you can make to bridge the hole and reach the next level of profitability!To learn more visit:https://www.simplenumberscri.comhttps://www.simplenumberssummit.com