Celebrating a Million Podcast Downloads

Host Dwan Bent-Twyford, America’s most sought-after real estate investor, kicked off her show with some exciting news—her podcast officially surpassed one million downloads. Using Buzzsprout as her hosting platform, she shared how thrilled she was to receive the official recognition and learn that her show is now in the top 5% of all podcasts.

Dwan reflected on her journey, noting how consistency—publishing one podcast per week over five years—has helped her reach this milestone. While she initially considered ramping up to three episodes per week to hit 500 shows faster, she decided to stay focused on quality rather than speed.

Why Mark Dolfini Is a Fan Favorite Guest

As part of a special series, Dwan invited back ten of her personal favorite guests from past episodes. Among them was Mark Dolfini, who previously joined the show under his brand, The Landlord Coach.

“I picked the people who left me feeling energized and inspired,” Dwan explained. “Mark was one of them.”

Mark expressed gratitude for being included and admitted he always enjoys the fun, high-energy conversations they share.

Shifting From Landlord Coach to Strategic Boardroom

When asked what he’s been up to lately, Mark shared that he has shifted his focus.

For years, he built a reputation as The Landlord Coach and authored the well-known book The Time Wealthy Investor 2.0, which helped landlords and property managers systemize their businesses. While impactful, Mark realized he was only using a fraction of his coaching abilities in this niche.

Today, he has “niched up” and now works more broadly with business owners of all kinds—from real estate investors to salon owners, contractors, and small business entrepreneurs. His mission? To help them create life-first businesses that serve their personal vision, rather than trapping them in an endless grind.

Introducing The Strategic Boardroom and The Time Wealthy Advantage

Mark founded Strategic Boardroom, a consulting and coaching platform for business owners looking to regain control of their time and build scalable systems.

He’s also preparing to launch his upcoming book, The Time Wealthy Advantage. The book focuses on helping entrepreneurs struggling with:

• Overwhelm and procrastination
• Lack of structure in their days
• Running “too hot” at 99–105% capacity daily
• Never having white space on their calendar

Instead of glorifying hustle culture, Mark teaches business owners to build processes and frameworks that create freedom and sustainability.

The VIPER Method: A Framework for Life-First Business

At the core of his coaching is the VIPER Method, a strategic framework designed to help entrepreneurs align their business with their personal vision. VIPER stands for:

• Vision – Start with your personal vision first. What do you truly want life to look like? Then, align the business vision to serve that life.
• Infrastructure – Put the right foundation in place, from tools to systems, that support scalability.
• Process – Define repeatable processes that reduce chaos and create consistency.
• Execution – Carry out the strategy with intention and focus.
• Reporting – Measure results, track progress, and stay accountable.

As Mark explains, too many entrepreneurs create a business vision first, then let it consume their lives. VIPER flips that equation, ensuring the business supports the individual’s goals—not the other way around.

Why This Shift Matters

For Mark, the transition from Landlord Coach to broader business strategist was fueled by a desire to live more intentionally. With three children, including a toddler at age 52, he emphasizes being fully present in every moment.

“I don’t want to run at a pace that keeps me away from my family,” Mark shared. “I want a business that exists for me—not me existing for the business.”

This shift in mindset resonates deeply with entrepreneurs who find themselves burned out, stretched thin, and losing sight of why they started their business in the first place.

Why Personal Vision Must Come First

During their conversation, Dwan and Mark highlighted a key truth: your job description is not your life description. Too often, entrepreneurs let their businesses consume every waking hour, leaving little room for relationships, family, faith, or health.

Mark explained that the first step in his VIPER framework is always personal vision:

• What kind of parent, spouse, or friend do you want to be?
• How much time do you want for hobbies, travel, or community?
• What role do you want faith or values to play in your life?

Only when this personal vision is defined should a business vision be created. Otherwise, the business ends up dictating your lifestyle instead of serving it.

The Three Cs of Business Vision

Mark then described how to craft a business vision that complements your personal one. This is built around what he calls the Three Cs:

1. Core Purpose – Why does the business exist beyond making money?
2. Core Values – What principles will guide decisions and culture?
3. Client Avatar – Who is the ideal customer you want to serve?

With those three anchors in place, entrepreneurs can set clear timelines and growth objectives that align with their bigger life goals.

Infrastructure and Process: The Backbone of a Business

Next comes the I and P in VIPER: Infrastructure and Process.

• Infrastructure covers the foundational tools: software, phone systems, websites, desks, even the chairs. These are the resources that keep a business running.
• Process is divided into two categories:
  • Tactical (day-to-day SOPs) – The routine steps like opening/closing procedures, bookkeeping, and deposit handling.
  • Strategic Planning – The “look up from the oars” moment. Mark compared business owners to rowers who spend every day paddling without asking where the boat is going. Strategic planning ensures the business isn’t just busy—but actually moving toward the right destination.

As Mark put it, without strategic processes, many entrepreneurs are just “cutting holes in the ocean.”

The Danger of Overplanning (and Action Faking)

Execution is where most plans fall apart. Mark and Dwan laughed about entrepreneurs who spend months—or even years—“getting ready to get ready.”

Dwan shared stories of meeting people at conferences who, years later, were still stuck at step one: forming LLCs and researching endlessly, but never making an actual investment. Mark called this “action faking.”

“Action faking is when you spend five hours designing a business card font and convince yourself it’s progress. But in reality, no one cares. You’re just procrastinating.”

This is a trap many entrepreneurs fall into—confusing busyness with productivity. True execution means moving the needle, not tinkering with logos, websites, or legal structures before you’ve taken meaningful action.

Conclusion

Understanding the ins and outs of real estate doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By grasping the key concepts and strategies discussed above, you’ll be better equipped to make smart decisions—whether you’re just starting out or expanding your portfolio.

At Dwanderful, Dwan an experienced real estate investor and podcast host, makes it even easier for aspiring investors to learn and grow. She offers a free book, Real Estate Lingo, to help you master the basics, along with her paid guide, Five Pillars of Real Estate Investing, for those ready to take their knowledge deeper. Plus, you can even take a fun quiz game to discover how you could generate six figures in the next six months, whether you’re buying your first property or your next. (It only takes a minute!)

With resources like these, Dwanderful gives you the tools and confidence to turn your real estate goals into reality. Book a call now!