Episode 15: The Tracking System That Built a Sellable Business (While He Was Having Heart Surgery) with Nathan Brooks

There are many CEOs with a big heart. They want their people to be successful, have this big vision, and drive within them, but they don't hold themselves accountable. There is a big difference between being a jerk and being accountable.

In today’s episode of the Strength in Numbers Podcast, Marcus Crigler sits down with Nathan Brooks, entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Arch Capital, to talk about the wake-up call that forced him to rethink everything: open-heart surgery.

Nathan also shares how his community showed up massively, and why that experience pushed him to rebuild his companies around tracking, accountability, and culture. Listen and enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Build a business that can operate without you
• Use tracking systems to diagnose problems
• Create accountability without hurting culture
• Raise capital through a debt fund the right way

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(02:18) Who is Nathan Brooks and the businesses he leads

(03:52) His open-heart surgery and the moment everything stopped

(06:26) The support he received from friends and the entrepreneur community

(11:19) Being a CEO vs operating inside those businesses

(12:00) The importance of tracking everything

(14:13) Why most entrepreneurs “ready–fire–aim” into problems

(16:21) Balancing accountability with culture and core values

(17:02) Using core values to lead hard conversations

(19:00) Why accountability must start with the CEO

(19:53) The power of clear numbers vs. emotional expectations

(21:05) Mission-driven teams vs. money-driven teams

(23:58) Why you must track numbers daily

(25:46) Real-world examples of time value, deal size, and ROI

(27:54) Cash flow is the foundation of every business

(29:13) Why cash conversion cycles determine who survives and who doesn’t

(32:16) Cash is the true backbone of any business

(34:25) The discipline of putting business profits straight into holding accounts

(36:01) Raising capital in a debt fund

(38:42) Why pooled funds reduce risk and simplify the process

(41:39) Nathan’s final advice on becoming a better decision-maker

Who This Episode Is For:

• Entrepreneurs who want a business that runs without their constant involvement
• Business owners who struggle with accountability
• Operators who are looking to build sellable, scalable companies
• Anyone wanting more liquidity, stability, and peace in their business

Why You Should Listen:

If you’re still running your business on gut instinct and endless hustle, this episode will show you what changes when you finally start tracking, delegating, and leading like a real CEO. The right systems don’t just save your business, they give you your life back.

Connect with Nathan Brooks:

• Website: https://archcapital.ai/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbrooksrei/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbrooksrei/ 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NathanBrooksRei 

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler