Inside The Firm

Chris Prefontaine is the Chairman and Founder of Smart Real Estate Coach®, a 4x best-selling author, Forbes Business Council Member, and 3-time Inc. 5000 Honoree. With decades of experience, he has guided his Wicked Smart Community to complete hundreds of real estate transactions across North America, helping countless investors achieve success. Host of the Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast (ranked in the top 0.5% globally), Chris shares proven strategies for building wealth through creative real estate investing that thrives in any market.

On this episode of Inside the Firm, don’t forget to fill out this survey (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfpfSaybV8H67kq9ttvcOunvzLMufqrHtt-ecR5Zh4SLfhSg/viewform), then should we build cookie cutter homes again, and finally Charlotte North Carolina is GIVING away money?! Join us as we go back Inside the Firm!

Chris Naugle is America’s #1 Money Mentor, a former pro snowboarder turned multimillion-dollar entrepreneur, and the founder of Private Money Club. After nearly losing it all in the 2008 crash, Chris discovered the 200-year-old Infinite Banking Concept used by the ultra-wealthy and rebuilt his empire without banks or financial advisors. He’s the author of two bestselling books, host of The Chris Naugle Show, and has helped thousands achieve financial freedom using proven wealth-building strategies. Chris teaches everyday people to take control of their money, break free from bad financial advice, and build self-sustaining wealth.

Marcy Sagel is the Founder and Principal of MSA Interiors, a leading commercial design firm specializing in multifamily, student, senior, and affordable housing projects. With over 30 years of experience, she’s known for transforming real estate with innovative, functional, and sustainable spaces that elevate user experiences. A trusted advisor and thought leader, Marcy also collaborates with manufacturers to shape future design trends and serves as an active member of EO Baltimore, embodying creativity and business acumen in every project. https://msainteriors.com/insidethefirm/

Jacob Parks, co-author of The Growth Engine: A Guide to Building a World-Class Business Development Function in Professional Services. He has over 20 years of experience leading strategy, growth, and operations at Profitable Ideas Exchange (PIE for short) where he has helped professional services firms such as McKinsey, KPMG, and Accenture build sustainable growth engines.

On this episode of Inside the Firm, Kurt Weierstall gives us an update on the economy, then we try out Google’s latest free tool, Pomelli, and finally why 85% is good enough. Join us as we go back Inside the Firm!

Marianne Page spent nearly three decades as a senior manager at McDonald’s, mastering the art of consistent operations that build trust, loyalty, and business growth. She won both the President’s Award and the Circle of Excellence Award for top performance and team leadership. Today, she runs a global business helping entrepreneurs implement systems that run their operations and develop high-performing teams. Marianne is the author of three best-selling books—Simple Logical Repeatable, Process to Profit, and Mission: To Manage—and delivers keynotes on “Kickass Consistency,” teaching leaders how to achieve consistent leadership, team performance, and customer experience.

Mark Zweig is a renowned entrepreneur, author, and educator in AEC industries who has built multiple companies, advised thousands of firm CEOs, written extensively, and all while pursuing passions in cars, motorcycles, architecture, and family.

On this episode of Inside the Firm, architects understand the pain, how to be better at your job, and finally what are your biggest financial mistakes? Join us as we go back Inside the Firm!

Fletcher Wimbush, CEO of Discovered Performance Hiring Software, has spent the past decade solving some of the toughest challenges in hiring. A recognized thought leader, he has published extensively on reference checking, aptitude assessments, and the role of AI in candidate selection. His FACT Driven Hiring System consistently delivers million-dollar results, cementing his reputation as a game-changer in the industry. Beyond transforming organizations, Fletcher has helped thousands of individuals build successful careers, extending his impact across the hiring landscape.

On this episode of Inside the Firm, what is the hardest thing to deal with as an architect, then are we in a recession, and finally, why should everything you do be made simple, logical and repeatable? Join us as we go back Inside the Firm!

Anthony Morena is the Founder and Principal of Mortar Group, a boutique investment management and development firm that has been shaping New York City's residential landscape since 2001. As a licensed architect in both New York and New Jersey with 25 years of combined investment, design, and development expertise, Anthony represents a unique "architect-as-developer" model that sets him apart in the real estate industry.

On this episode of Inside the Firm does density ever create affordable housing, then some hot takes from Tyler Suomala, and finally, what is generative engine optimization and why should it be your next focus? Join us as we go back Inside the Firm!

Eugene Gershman is a real estate developer who grew his father’s construction company into a $30M/year development arm before the market forced him to regroup. Today, he focuses on smarter, high-impact projects, capital raising with clarity, and building sustainable businesses. Eugene’s journey has taught him how to lead through uncertainty, manage risk, and stay mentally resilient when the market shifts. He partners with property owners and emerging developers to bring single- and multi-family projects to life, sharing the lessons of experience along the way. His motto: “Don’t sell your land—develop it.”

Mark Zweig, founder and CEO of Zweig Group, is a renowned entrepreneur, author, and educator in architecture, engineering, and construction industries. He has built multiple companies and worked with thousands of AEC firm CEOs on strategic planning, ownership transitions, and growth challenges. Mark has written thousands of articles, authored several books—including his upcoming Confessions of an Entrepreneur—and shares insights through The Zweig Letter. He serves as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Walton College of Business and chairs the Vistage NWA Groups. Outside of business, he is a car and motorcycle enthusiast, an architectural aficionado, and a devoted father of five daughters.

On this episode of Inside the Firm should the Fed have cut rates sooner, then what is going on with single family starts, then what the Fed rate cuts mean for housing and the economy. Join us as we go back Inside the Firm!

Alexander Concepcion first discovered his love for books through his Cuban-American parents in Miami, Florida. After burning his college diplomas, he moved to Texas and became one of the state’s top-producing—and only taco-themed—independent real estate brokers, all while working part-time. Outside of real estate, he studies history, plays disc golf, hosts extravagant dinner parties, and travels the world. Alexander is on a mission to help small entrepreneurs rethink risk, approaching business through a human, relatable lens rather than academic theory or influencer hype. He calls his approach Survival First, a “Dante’s Inferno for small entrepreneurs,” helping them navigate the challenges of building a business.

Paige Byrd is an award-winning designer and Co-President of Thiel & Team, leading the firm to over 150 design accolades while transforming hospitality and multifamily spaces nationwide. With experience on 1,600+ projects for 600+ clients, Paige is a recognized expert in placemaking, sustainability, and user-centered design. She provides practical insights into design trends, creating impactful amenities, and building successful firms while maximizing project budgets. Paige brings a forward-thinking perspective on how design shapes the future of living and elevates guest and resident experiences.

Isabelle Fortin is a leadership consultant and host of The Human Leader livestream, dedicated to helping CEOs and HR leaders build human-centered cultures. With over three decades of combined military and corporate leadership experience, she empowers teams by tapping into the uniqueness of each member. Isabelle developed a behavioral and motivation assessment tool to help leaders adapt their communication and leadership style for maximum impact. She specializes in improving communication, culture, retention, and profitability while guiding clients to go Against the Ordinary.

On this episode of Inside the Firm did you know that most home builders are small businesses, why saying I’ve been doing this for 20 years needs to stop, then why architects need to stop whining and start building. Join us as we go back Inside the Firm!