What’s up, everyone!
A lot of entrepreneurs think the next breakthrough comes from landing a bigger client, launching another product, or finding a new revenue stream.
Sometimes that’s true.
But after talking with Mark Kohler, I was reminded that one of the fastest ways to improve your financial future isn’t making more money—it’s keeping more of the money you’re already earning.
Mark has spent decades helping entrepreneurs navigate the tax code, and one thing became clear throughout our conversation: the people who build wealth don’t see taxes as something to fear or ignore. They treat tax strategy like every other part of their business—they learn it, plan for it, and use it to their advantage. That shift in mindset alone can completely change how you build wealth.
🔥 Here’s What We Hit
Treat Your Side Hustle Like a Real Business
What it means: Mark explained that a side hustle isn’t just extra income—it’s an opportunity to unlock tax advantages, build assets, and create long-term wealth if you run it like a business instead of a hobby.
Your Move: If you have freelance income or a side business, separate your finances, track every expense, and start treating it like the business it is.
Stop Delegating Your Financial Future
What it means: Your accountant is an advisor, not the CEO of your finances. The most successful business owners understand their numbers, meet with their advisors throughout the year, and actively participate in tax planning instead of waiting until filing season.
Your Move: Schedule a proactive tax planning meeting this quarter instead of waiting until it’s time to file your return.
The Tax Code Rewards Action
What it means: One of Mark’s biggest points was that the tax code is designed to encourage certain behaviors—starting businesses, investing, creating housing, hiring employees, and strengthening the economy. The people who understand those incentives often build wealth faster.
Your Move: Ask yourself what investment or business decision you’ve been putting off that could also create tax advantages.
Good Bookkeeping Makes You Money
What it means: You can’t deduct what you don’t document. Mark emphasized that poor bookkeeping isn’t just disorganized—it costs entrepreneurs real money every year.
Your Move: Review your bookkeeping process this week. If every business expense isn’t being tracked consistently, fix that before the end of the month.
Build Wealth as a Family
What it means: One of the most interesting parts of our conversation was Mark’s philosophy of involving your family in the business. Beyond the tax benefits, it teaches financial responsibility, creates shared ownership, and builds a legacy that lasts beyond one generation.
Your Move: Think about one way your spouse or children could become more involved in your business while learning valuable financial and entrepreneurial skills.
🤝 Connect with Mark Kohler
Mark J. Kohler is a CPA, tax attorney, bestselling author, and founder of one of the nation’s leading tax and legal education platforms for entrepreneurs. He specializes in helping small business owners legally reduce taxes, build wealth, and create long-term financial strategies.
🌐 Website: https://markjkohler.com
📚 Books: https://markjkohler.com/books/
🎙️ Podcast: https://markjkohler.com/podcast/
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarkJKohler
So, What’s Next?
🎧 Listen to the full episode: How to Keep More of What You Earn with Mark J. Kohler
🎙️ Right About Now (Apple Podcasts):
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/right-about-now-with-ryan-alford/id1434407036
🎙️ Collector Nation (Apple Podcasts):
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/collector-nation/id1758867735
🎙️ The Vibe Science Podcast (Apple Podcasts):
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vibe-science-podcast/id1786021735
Instead of asking, “How can I make more money?” this conversation challenged me to ask a different question:
“Am I keeping as much of the money I already earn as I legally can?”
For most entrepreneurs, that answer is probably “no.”
Sometimes the biggest financial opportunity isn’t earning another dollar—it’s learning how to keep more of the ones you’ve already made.
See you next week.
Cheers,
Ryan Alford
Host | Right About Now
CEO | The Rad Collective
