Unfiltered by PropertyManagement.com – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Unfiltered, Dylan Scroggins and Matt Speer sit down with Adam Willis of Nestwell to unpack his unique path from sandwich delivery driver and professional Yu-Gi-Oh! duelist to leading one of Utah's top property management companies. Adam shares how growing up in a family business shaped his entrepreneurial instincts, what pushed him to scale from 85 to over 1,100 doors, and the mindset shift that turned his company from a "lifestyle business" into a high-performing, data-driven organization. He opens up about leadership, culture, and the systems, like EOS and ProfitCoach, that helped his team evolve and thrive.

They discuss:
• The unlikely connection between Yu-Gi-Oh! tournaments and business strategy
• How saying no to a merger created a stronger culture and buy-in within his team
• Using EOS to drive intentional, data-backed growth across 1,100+ doors
• Building a leadership team that challenges you and aligns with mission and values
• Why omnichannel communication and resident experience are the next frontiers in property management

Links:

Nestwell Property Management - https://www.nestwellpropertymanagement.com/

Adam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-willis-12b44a25b/

Dylan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanscroggins/

Matt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspeer/

PropertyManagement.com - https://propertymanagement.com/

The Kalmar Group - https://thekalmargroup.com/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:37) - Life in Salt Lake City
(00:02:48) - Adam Willis' entrepreneurial journey
(00:03:28) - The Yu-Gi-Oh marketing experience
(00:06:48) - Joining the family business
(00:10:09) - Scaling the business
(00:12:30) - The role of EOS and Profit Coach
(00:14:01) - Challenges and strategies in growth
(00:22:52) - Building a strong leadership team
(00:25:41) - Building a global team
(00:27:18) - Industry insights and exciting trends
(00:28:34) - The importance of omnichannel communication
(00:32:22) - Mastering Google reviews
(00:40:02) - Balancing team capacity and customer service
(00:44:32) - Final thoughts and future outlook

In this episode of Unfiltered, Dylan Scroggins and Matt Speer sit down with Chicago-based entrepreneur and property management leader Mark Ainley for a wide-ranging conversation on growth, marketing, and the evolving real estate landscape. Mark shares how his early experiences in investing and property management shaped the foundation of GC Realty, discusses how he's built a business that thrives in both residential and commercial markets, and explains why reputation and responsiveness remain his company's most powerful differentiators. He also offers a candid look at how technology, regulation, and industry maturity are reshaping the property management space.

We discuss:

• The evolution of GC Realty from a small brokerage to a major property management firm
• How reputation, responsiveness, and reviews drive long-term growth
• The challenges and opportunities of scaling a management company past key "growth ceilings"
• Why regulation can ultimately strengthen the property management industry
• How AI and new tools are transforming operations and marketing strategies

Links:

Mark on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-ainley/

GC Realty and Development - https://www.gcrealtyinc.com/

Prompt Cowboy - https://www.promptcowboy.ai/

Hook Point — https://hookpoint.com/hook-point-book/

Pitch Anything — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071752854

Dylan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanscroggins/

Matt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspeer/

PropertyManagement.com - https://propertymanagement.com/

The Kalmar Group - https://thekalmargroup.com/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:50) - Life as a Bears fan
(00:03:10) - Mark Ainley's journey into property management
(00:05:45) - Challenges and growth in property management
(00:08:45) - Industry insights and future concerns
(00:14:39) - Marketing and content creation
(00:17:49) - Real estate investing and media ventures
(00:19:32) - Emerging technologies and tools for business success
(00:20:08) - The importance of reputation management
(00:21:50) - Balancing real and online reputations
(00:25:27) - Effective tools and apps for business
(00:27:48) - AI and its role in business operations
(00:29:11) - Recommended books and podcasts for PM leaders
(00:33:50) - The future of property management

In this episode of Unfiltered, host Dylan Scroggins sits down with Ben Smith, founder of BrightReach Sales, to explore how property management companies can transform their approach to growth. Drawing from his years in sales and experience with major industry vendors, Ben shares insights into what separates operationally strong businesses from those that are truly built to scale. The conversation covers everything from building intentional sales processes and defining ideal clients to managing business development teams and the growing role of outbound strategy in today's market.

They discuss:

• Why sales should be treated as a competitive advantage, not an afterthought
• How to define your ideal client and qualify both properties and owners effectively
• Best practices for hiring, managing, and compensating business development managers (BDMs)
• The importance of sales leadership, structure, and training within small teams
• The rise of outbound sales strategies and how property managers can execute them successfully
• How BrightReach Sales is helping companies build scalable sales systems and community through initiatives like Elevate SKO

Links:

BrightReach Sales - https://brightreachsales.com/

Ben on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-smith-brightreach/

Dylan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanscroggins/

Matt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspeer/

PropertyManagement.com - https://propertymanagement.com/

The Kalmar Group - https://thekalmargroup.com/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:55) - Challenges and trends in property management sales
(00:07:04) - Defining your ideal client and sales process
(00:10:47) - Hiring and managing a BDM
(00:16:22) - Training and supporting your sales team
(00:19:13) - State of PM sales in 2025
(00:20:27) - Sales strategies and lead generation
(00:21:28) - Elevate sales kickoff event
(00:22:38) - Importance of community in sales
(00:24:06) - Lightning round: Tools and tips
(00:29:26) - The future of property management
(00:30:41) - Conclusion and contact information

In this episode of Unfiltered, co-hosts Matt Speer and Dylan Scroggins sit down with Josh Winch, President of Focus Property Management, to discuss how his company is redefining what it means to manage real estate. Josh shares his journey from a decade in retail to building one of the fastest-growing property management companies in the Midwest. He breaks down how Focus prioritizes people, processes, and culture to create elite results—and why he believes property management should really be called "resident management."

They discuss:
• Building a culture of ownership and accountability within teams
• How specialist roles and scoreboards drive performance at scale
• The power of incentives, visibility, and clear definitions of success
• Why communication and resident experience are the true differentiators
• How Focus empowers employees to invest in real estate and build wealth

A must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, operational excellence, and transforming company culture in property management.

Links:

Focus Property Management - https://www.rentwithfocus.com/

Jason on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmarcordes/

Dylan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanscroggins/

Matt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspeer/

PropertyManagement.com - https://propertymanagement.com/

The Kalmar Group - https://thekalmargroup.com/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:03:55) - Josh's journey into property management
(00:05:50) - The growth of Focus
(00:12:30) - Specialist roles and accountability
(00:17:01) - Incentives and performance metrics
(00:19:58) - Defining success in property management
(00:23:02) - Empowering employees to think like owners
(00:24:06) - Setting clear expectations and transparency
(00:26:35) - Emerging trends and technologies in property management
(00:27:15) - The importance of communication and experience
(00:31:05) - Leveraging AI and technology effectively
(00:35:25) - Investing in employee growth and real estate education
(00:40:31) - Rapid fire questions and future outlook

In this episode of Unfiltered, co-hosts Dylan Scroggins and Matt Speer sit down with Pete Neubig, CEO and co-founder of VPM Solutions, to talk about his journey from investor to property management entrepreneur and now tech founder. Pete shares how the lessons he learned building and exiting a successful management company shaped his perspective on leadership, systems, and scaling. He also dives into how technology, remote work, and AI are reshaping the property management industry, offering practical advice for business owners navigating these changes.

They discuss:

• How Pete transitioned from real estate investing to founding Empire Property Management
• Lessons learned from scaling and exiting a property management company
• The rise of remote teams and the evolution from "property management" to "asset management"
• Common mistakes owners make when adopting new technology and AI
• Why leadership, structure, and mindset are critical before automation

Links:

VPM Solutions - https://www.vpmsolutions.com/

Pete on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-neubig/

Jason on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmarcordes/

Dylan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanscroggins/

Matt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspeer/

PropertyManagement.com - https://propertymanagement.com/

The Kalmar Group - https://thekalmargroup.com/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:17) - Pete's PM background
(00:02:17) - Challenges and realizations in property management
(00:05:00) - Building and scaling Empire Property Management
(00:07:51) - The transition to VPM Solutions
(00:09:47) - The role of technology in property management
(00:11:09) - Asset management vs. property management
(00:21:29) - Balancing business and personal life
(00:24:24) - The evolution of remote teams in property management
(00:30:57) - Adoption and skepticism of AI in property management
(00:36:12) - Challenges and benefits of AI implementation
(00:41:12) - Lightning round: Tools, apps, and future of property management

In this episode of Unfiltered, Dylan Scroggins and Matt Speer sit down with Jason Marcordes to discuss the challenges and opportunities within the property management industry. Jason shares his journey from early days in the business to building Landmark Property Management, including pivotal moments of growth, tough lessons learned, and the importance of focusing on the right clients. The conversation explores how AI, asset management, and culture are shaping the industry's future, while also highlighting the operational discipline and leadership required to sustain long-term success.

They discuss:

• The leap from managing small portfolios to scaling a full property management company
• Lessons from difficult client relationships and why not all business is good business
• Transitioning from C and D class properties to A and B class for stability and growth
• Leveraging SEO, content, and acquisitions to drive new business
• The growing role of AI and asset management in property management
• Building strong culture and team retention in a high-turnover industry

Links:
Landmark Property Management - https://www.chicagospropertymanagement.com/

Jason on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmarcordes/

Dylan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanscroggins/

Matt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspeer/

PropertyManagement.com - https://propertymanagement.com/

The Kalmar Group - https://thekalmargroup.com/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:05) - Jason's journey in property management
(00:03:22) - Lessons learned and business growth
(00:05:34) - Strategic shifts and client management
(00:08:58) - Current status and future plans
(00:12:58) - Leveraging AI in property management
(00:17:46) - Introduction to asset management
(00:18:51) - The importance of client education
(00:21:04) - Choosing the right clients and properties
(00:25:19) - Operational excellence and growth
(00:29:38) - The role of content in building trust
(00:33:32) - Future of property management
(00:34:23) - Contact information and final thoughts

Unfiltered opens with co-hosts Matt Speer and Dylan Scroggins laying out their vision for the show: authentic, unpolished conversations about the realities of property management. In this welcome episode, they explain how the podcast was born out of Matt's acquisition of PropertyManagement.com and their shared goal of creating a credibility-first platform for the industry. The discussion highlights their different perspectives—Matt as a property management operator and Dylan as a recruiter with one foot in and one foot out of the space—while setting the tone for future conversations with owners, vendors, and industry partners.

They discuss:

* The story behind acquiring PropertyManagement.com

* Why credibility and trust matter more than quick lead generation

* Lessons from growing a property management business from zero doors upward

* The vision for making PropertyManagement.com the Carfax of property management

* How the podcast will feature voices from across the industry, from large PM groups to vendors

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:24) - How Matt got PropertyManagement.com
(00:05:27) - Matt's career in PM
(00:08:19) - What is PropertyManagement.com and what it is not
(00:12:04) - Hopes for the podcast

Links:

Dylan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanscroggins/

Matt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspeer/

PropertyManagement.com - https://propertymanagement.com/

The Kalmar Group - https://thekalmargroup.com/

In this episode of Unfiltered, co-hosts Dylan Scroggins and Matt Speer sit down with Brad Johnson, CEO of ProfitCoach, for a deep dive into the realities of property management finances and entrepreneurship. Brad shares his unconventional path into the industry, from seminary and church planting to running one of the largest PM companies in his market before stepping into his current role.

The conversation explores profitability strategies, the impact of regulation, the role of acquisitions, and how AI is reshaping the business landscape. With candid stories, practical insights, and bold takes, Brad offers a clear-eyed view of what it takes to build a sustainable and profitable PM company.

They discuss:

• Why profitability, not just growth, should be the focus for PM owners
• How strong talent and leadership structure directly impact margins
• The surprising upside of regulation for well-run property management companies
• The role acquisitions and local market dominance play in building scale
• How AI can streamline operations while reinforcing the people-driven nature of PM

This episode is a must-listen for property management leaders seeking clarity, strategy, and inspiration on building lasting businesses.

Links:

ProfitCoach - https://www.pmprofitcoach.com/

Brad on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleyjohnson1/

Dylan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanscroggins/

Matt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspeer/

PropertyManagement.com - https://propertymanagement.com/

Kalmar Group - https://thekalmargroup.com/property-management

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:19) - Brad Johnson's journey into property management
(00:05:51) - Challenges and changes in property management
(00:07:48) - Achieving profitability and freedom
(00:21:38) - The role of government regulation
(00:28:17) - The importance of market share in local business
(00:28:34) - Strategies for scaling your property management business
(00:29:42) - Outbound marketing and acquisition tactics
(00:35:55) - Leveraging AI in property management
(00:38:31) - The future of property management: People and AI
(00:47:18) - Final thoughts and recommendations

The debut episode of Unfiltered brings together co-hosts Dylan Scroggins and Matt Speer with guest Lacy Hendricks for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about the realities of running a property management business today. Lacy shares her journey from working at Facebook to stepping into a family business, the challenges of modernizing operations, and the role of automation and AI in driving the industry forward. She also opens up about launching a new venture focused on SEO and digital tools for property managers, offering practical insights on growth, leadership, and staying ahead in a rapidly evolving field.

We discuss:

• Transitioning from corporate tech to a family-run property management business
• Building healthier operations by focusing on processes rather than door count
• Practical automation strategies with tools like Lead Simple, DocuSign, and Zapier
• The leadership challenges of driving team adoption of new technology
• Launching ClearLead Digital to help property managers implement effective SEO strategies

This episode is packed with actionable lessons for property managers and entrepreneurs looking to modernize their operations and embrace new opportunities.

Links:

Lacy on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacyhendricks/

Dylan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanscroggins/

Matt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspeer/

ClearLead Digital - https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearlead-digital/

Thia Finn Books - https://www.thiafinn.com/

PropertyManagement.com - https://propertymanagement.com/

Kalmar Group - https://thekalmargroup.com/property-management

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:02:39) - Lacy's journey into property management
(00:05:11) - Challenges and changes in the property management industry
(00:06:58) - Implementing technology and automation
(00:17:18) - Leadership and team buy-in for new systems
(00:20:28) - Balancing passion projects and professional responsibilities
(00:21:38) - Challenges and innovations in property management
(00:22:16) - The role of technology in modern business
(00:23:45) - The future of SaaS in property management
(00:27:55) - SEO strategies for small businesses
(00:33:57) - Launching ClearLead Digital
(00:39:33) - Final thoughts and contact information