Transcript [00:00] I check out fundraisers all the time. [00:01] The popular fundraisers, I want to see [00:02] who's donating and this specific page, I [00:05] was seeing was very healthcare-oriented [00:08] page. $36,000 donations, $18,000 [00:11] donations, and I went through it. And I [00:13] highlighted every single guy who I know [00:16] currently owes my client money and is [00:17] claiming that they don't have. [00:20] And I sent them a WhatsApp. I said, [00:22] "That's so interesting. You just donated [00:24] $36,000 [00:25] to this page. I thought you had no [00:27] money." [00:28] Yeah, I walked out of my marriage with [00:30] absolutely nothing besides for the most [00:33] important things, which was my children. [00:36] I had a zero work experience [00:39] and I [00:40] had to start over. For me, that was [00:42] something that was worthwhile because I [00:45] felt this was something that I had to do [00:46] for me and for my children. And for the [00:48] first time in my life, I had to go find [00:50] a job. So, I [00:52] put together a resume. [00:54] I had absolutely [music] no work [00:56] experience. When I tell you I didn't [00:57] even know how to save a file on a [00:59] computer, [01:00] that is a fact. [01:01] >> Now, before we begin, we want to offer [01:03] an important note. This episode [01:05] discusses a challenge that some [01:07] businesses and individuals have [01:08] experienced when extending credit or [01:10] waiting for payment. This is a [01:11] widespread problem, not specific to one [01:13] industry, one religion, or one group of [01:15] people. Also, it's actually vital to [01:17] emphasize that these experiences should [01:19] not be understood as reflecting the [01:21] conduct of the community as a whole. The [01:23] overwhelming majority of people strive [01:25] to act with integrity, honesty, and in [01:27] line with both the law and Torah values. [01:29] Our goal here is not to stereotype or [01:31] cast blame, but to have an honest [01:33] discussion about a real issue. If [01:35] anybody has a specific question that are [01:37] relevant to their situation, they should [01:39] speak to their local Orthodox rabbi. [01:41] This show is not meant to offer specific [01:43] halachic or legal guidance in any way, [01:45] shape, or form. Our hope is that by [01:47] talking about this with care, we can [01:49] encourage accountability, strengthen [01:51] trust, and reinforce the values we all [01:53] share. Now, let's get to that episode. [01:55] >> Imagine having eight kids, no degree, no [01:58] work history, and you have no idea how [02:00] to even save a file on a computer. Newly [02:03] divorced at 35, Rifka Brodsky had two [02:06] choices in front of her. Accept that [02:08] this was her life, or try her best at [02:10] the thing everyone but her thought she [02:13] couldn't do. Today, she runs a [02:15] collections firm that recovers millions [02:17] of dollars in money that businesses have [02:19] forgotten about. How she does it? Well, [02:22] you're going to have to hear her story. [02:24] She could have very well been on [02:25] Inspiration for the Nation, but without [02:27] further ado, here is the newest episode [02:30] of Kosher Money. [02:31] You spent more than 15 years as a [02:34] stay-at-home mother. You raised eight [02:36] children, [02:38] and then your life changed. [02:40] You entered the workforce, not a [02:43] conventional resume by any means. You [02:45] built something amazing. [02:47] You help businesses that can't get paid, [02:51] and you help them get paid. [02:53] You help other single mothers build [02:55] financial independence. [02:58] Take us back to that moment where you [03:00] felt you needed to just start over. [03:04] >> Okay, so I guess we should go back to, [03:07] you know, where I was born and raised in [03:09] Monticello. [03:11] And when I was 18, like most [03:13] 18-year-olds, I went off to Israel [03:16] to seminary. And honestly, the only [03:19] thing I ever wanted to do was to be a [03:20] stay-at-home mom. I wanted to go through [03:22] seminary. I wanted to get married. I [03:24] wanted [03:25] you know, to just be a stay-at-home mom [03:26] with my kids. [03:28] And [03:30] when I was in Israel, I actually got [03:31] introduced to my [03:34] now ex-husband. He was also studying in [03:36] Israel in Yeshiva. [03:38] We got married that summer, actually in [03:41] Israel. [03:42] And then [03:44] within 9 and 1/2 years, I had eight [03:47] children. [03:48] We moved back to America after my third, [03:52] and I just I continued being a [03:54] stay-at-home mother. I loved being a [03:56] stay-at-home mother. I enjoyed raising [03:59] my children. That was really all I ever [04:00] wanted to do. Entering the business [04:02] world was like [04:03] so far out of my [04:06] realm of thinking, honestly. After 15 [04:10] and 1/2 years of marriage, [04:12] with proper guidance, I left my [04:15] marriage. [04:17] And I always say I walked out of my [04:19] marriage with absolutely nothing, [04:21] besides for the most important things, [04:24] which was my children. [04:26] I gave up [04:27] everything financially. [04:29] I had zero work experience, [04:32] and I [04:33] had to start over. For me, that was [04:35] something that was worthwhile because I [04:37] felt this was something that I had to do [04:39] for me and for my children. At the time, [04:42] my youngest was four, and my oldest was [04:44] 14. [04:45] And for the first time in my life, I had [04:46] to go find a job. [04:48] So, I [04:50] put together a resume. [04:51] I had absolutely no work experience. [04:53] When I tell you I didn't even know how [04:55] to save a file on a computer, [04:57] that is a fact. [04:59] And I just I started going to [05:01] interviews. I put something together, [05:02] started going to interviews. [05:04] >> How old were you at that time? [05:05] >> I was [05:06] 35. [05:08] 35. [05:10] And I would [05:11] go for interviews. Sometimes people were [05:13] like, [05:14] "This woman, eight kids, single, no [05:17] experience, like, have a good day. Not [05:19] going to work." [05:20] >> Interviews for what? What type of [05:21] positions? [05:22] >> Anything. Really, I needed a job. I had [05:25] eight children. I was [05:27] the one that had to support them. We're [05:29] talking tuitions, we're talking camps, [05:31] we're talking day-to-day expenses that [05:33] all fell on me. My goal [05:36] was [05:37] my children were used to a comfortable [05:39] way of life. [05:41] I needed to make sure that they could at [05:42] least have something close to what they [05:45] had because we all know there's a stigma [05:47] of divorce out there, which is, you [05:50] know, for some reason like some [05:51] dysfunction. [05:52] But I feel that when children could [05:56] continue in the way they were used to, [05:58] which means you don't have to tell that [06:00] kid you can't afford camp. You don't [06:02] have to tell the kid we can't afford to [06:04] get that. [06:05] There's a certain level of like [06:08] peace and calm they could kind of [06:09] continue. And for me it was [06:11] non-negotiable. That kid has to get the [06:13] camp. That kid has to be able to do what [06:15] all their friends are doing. They have [06:16] to be, [06:17] you know, feel like normal, like a [06:19] regular kid. [06:20] I started going for interviews. [06:22] Some of it was rejection. We need [06:25] someone that could put in more hours [06:26] than you could. My youngest was four, so [06:28] obviously, you know, going in for a for [06:30] a 9-5 work day was definitely [06:33] challenging. [06:35] But I was just very, very committed to [06:37] finding a job and getting it and being [06:40] able to provide for my kids. [06:42] Probably after a couple of months, [06:45] I went into a [06:48] health care company. My, you know, my [06:50] biggest industry even in collections now [06:52] is health care. I started out in health [06:54] care. [06:55] And I gave him my resume and I sit down [06:57] and he says to me, "Tell me what your [06:59] work experience is." And I said to him, [07:01] "I have no work experience, but I have a [07:03] ton of life experience." [07:05] And he says to me, "Tell me about your [07:07] life experience." [07:09] I start telling him about managing a [07:11] home single-handedly with eight [07:13] children. All the things that I had to [07:15] do. There was a period where I had a [07:17] child with a brain tumor, so I [07:20] literally handled everything in terms of [07:23] he would have doctors in Florida for his [07:25] surgeries. He would have doctors in [07:27] Baltimore. Like, and I researched [07:29] everything and I handled everything and [07:32] I explained to him that part, you know, [07:33] that's may not be in the workforce, but [07:37] those are management skills. [07:39] And he was, honestly, he was younger [07:41] than me, this guy, but he was he was [07:43] blown away by [07:45] what I was able to tell him how life [07:48] skills could turn into work skills. [07:50] And he hired me. He gave me a shot. [07:53] And I started out just doing [07:56] you know, I I think I worked from 9:30 [07:58] to 3:30, something like that. It was a [08:00] entry-level position because you have to [08:02] start entry-level. [08:04] >> Hourly? [08:05] >> I believe so. [08:06] >> Okay. [08:06] >> And then a couple months into the job, [08:09] the head of AR got fired. The head of [08:12] the accounts receivable department. They [08:14] had to let her go. And they had [08:15] absolutely no one else to replace her. [08:17] So, me being me, I am a overachiever. I [08:20] told them I said, "Listen, you're [08:22] looking to hire someone. You don't have [08:23] anyone now. Medical billing, AR, if you [08:27] don't have someone doing it, it's just [08:29] going to fall behind. At least until you [08:30] find someone else, let me I'll teach [08:32] myself. Uh you know, someone will show [08:33] me a little bit. I'll teach myself. I'll [08:34] I'll take it over." [08:36] And they were desperate. They gave me a [08:38] shot. I remember [08:40] at [08:41] 3:00 in the morning sitting there with [08:43] every like Medicaid and Medicare book [08:47] looking at the codes and teaching myself [08:49] medical billing and all that stuff. I [08:51] knew nothing about it. [08:52] >> No AR back then? [08:53] >> No AR. [08:54] >> [laughter] [08:54] >> Right. [08:55] >> And I I really taught it to myself. And [08:59] over that year, I became the manager of [09:03] the AR department. And one of the things [09:06] that really interested me is that when I [09:08] took over the AR department, their [09:10] collections was just it was a disaster. [09:13] It was money they like fully gave up on. [09:14] They're like, "Yeah, that nursing home [09:16] owes us $10,000. This nursing home owes [09:18] us this. That private pay patient owes [09:20] us this, but they're never going to pay [09:21] it." [09:22] And I love challenging myself. I was [09:24] like, "You know what? Let me just Let me [09:25] try." And I was shocked to see that we [09:28] were actually we made a lot of progress [09:30] with collections. [09:32] We were able to really clear out [09:33] balances. Some of them were like 3 4 [09:35] years old. Clearing up balances, [09:37] creating payment plans. And it wasn't, [09:39] you know, by the way of picking up a [09:41] phone and saying, [09:43] "Oh, we're calling from a debt [09:44] collection company." No, it was, "We see [09:46] you have a balance. Let's talk about it. [09:48] Let's figure it out. Why is it not [09:49] paid?" Some of them totally forgot about [09:51] it. Some were upset about the product [09:53] they got, and it was really just working [09:55] with them and figuring it out. Fast [09:57] forward, um one of the things I started [10:00] doing for this company was attending [10:01] health care conferences. I'm good at [10:03] sales and marketing things like that. [10:05] And one conference that I went to, where [10:08] I was already starting to get a name, [10:10] you know, that I was working in health [10:11] care, not in my own business, but, you [10:12] know, people started knowing me. [10:14] I was like, "You know something? This [10:15] collections thing, I want to see [10:17] if there's a path forward for my own [10:19] business." [10:20] And I remember [10:22] I went over to about 10 or 12 vendors, [10:25] as in medical supplies, staffing, [10:27] different people that, you know, service [10:29] nursing homes. And I just went over to [10:30] them. I said, "Do you have collections?" [10:33] Every single guy had collections, [10:36] ranging at that point in the amount of [10:38] $30,000 all the way up to $6 million [10:40] just sitting there. And all They all [10:43] gave up on it. I said, "Listen, [10:45] I'm not charging you a penny. [10:47] You give me your collections, I collect, [10:50] I take a commission. We, you know, I had [10:52] a commission structure. [10:53] It's right now sitting there. At least, [10:55] you know, you'll pocket 80%. We'll take [10:57] I take 20%." [10:59] They'll be happy. They're like, "You're [11:00] never going to collect, but sure, you [11:02] know, have have at it. No problem." [11:04] I walked out of that conference with my [11:06] first 10 or 12 clients, can't remember [11:08] exactly at that time. [11:10] And I started this on the side. I [11:12] started reaching out to the facilities, [11:15] you know, with these balances that these [11:17] vendors had. [11:18] And we saw major success. We saw a lot [11:22] of success. And I remember telling a few [11:24] people at the time, "Oh, you know, I'm [11:25] thinking of starting my own business." [11:27] Everybody laughed at me. They're like, [11:29] "Collections? No no going to pay. Don't [11:31] leave your day job within a few months. [11:34] I left my day job. [11:36] >> Were you scared? [11:37] >> Initially, yes, because I had eight [11:40] children to support, [11:41] but I'm a huge risk-taker. It's I I [11:44] don't believe you could [11:46] have success in life. [11:48] I mean, maybe you could, I don't know, [11:49] but at least from my view, in order for [11:51] success, you need to be willing to take [11:53] risks. [11:54] I also felt like [11:55] the money I was making, you know, it [11:57] wasn't enough to support eight kids. [11:59] I felt like I was still at the bottom, [12:01] and I figured the only way I could go [12:03] was up. So, I try out this collections, [12:05] it doesn't work, [12:06] I go back, I got another job, you know, [12:08] but I just felt I was sitting on [12:09] something where there was a lot of [12:10] potential. [12:12] There was There's a really It's a [12:13] untapped [12:14] field, to be honest, especially the way [12:17] that we were doing it. [12:18] >> Is it still untapped? [12:19] >> Still untapped. Still untapped. I [12:21] actually don't even sign non-competes [12:24] with my employees, because I'm always [12:25] like, "If you feel you've got this, and [12:28] you know how to do it, [12:29] go out on your own." I have absolutely [12:31] no problem with it. There is so much [12:33] collections out there, I can't even take [12:34] all of them on. Like, it's it's too [12:36] much. There Everybody has collections. [12:38] >> That takes a certain level of bitachon [12:40] and emunah. [12:41] >> Yeah. [12:42] >> Right? [12:42] >> Baruch Hashem. [12:43] But, you know why? Yeah, I trust in [12:45] Hashem completely. I I don't believe in [12:49] holding back an employee, you know, from [12:51] pursuing their own journey, but I'll be [12:53] honest, no one has left. [12:55] Because at the end of the day, it's it's [12:58] my name [12:59] out there when someone says, "Who do you [13:01] Do you want to go to for collections?" [13:03] Everybody on the chats and on LinkedIn, [13:05] I sometimes get tagged, I think. Like, I [13:07] one time got tagged almost 20 times in [13:08] one post on LinkedIn when someone asked [13:10] for collections. [13:11] >> Oh, really? [13:12] >> Yeah, we became [13:14] I guess what's called the gold standard [13:15] for collections, corporate collections, [13:17] which means health care, MCA, just cash [13:20] advance, and one of the very big [13:22] industries that we are now very involved [13:24] in [13:24] >> Mhm. [13:26] >> is disputes within the community, [13:29] financial disputes, loans, real estate [13:32] deals that did not perform yet and [13:33] people need their money out, all [13:35] different types of [13:37] partners that are in disputes, siblings [13:39] that are in dispute all over money. And [13:41] that's something that's really like [13:43] grown a lot as well. But when we [13:45] initially started, it was just health [13:47] care. [13:48] There's a joke actually at conferences [13:50] and initially they said when Rifka [13:52] Bratsca walks into a health care [13:53] conference, all the owner and operators [13:55] walk out. [13:56] But later [13:57] >> you doing when you're walking [laughter] [13:58] in? [13:59] >> It's they they're like, oh, she's the [14:01] one that called me 150 times for me to [14:03] pay my $400,000 balance. Oh, and I've [14:06] been ignoring her. Now she just walked [14:08] into the conference. We know she's going [14:09] to come straight to us and ask us about [14:11] it. So, you know, they try to hide. [14:13] >> Calling 150 times? [14:15] >> No, not anymore. This initially, but at [14:18] this point, I call it now the [14:19] double-edged sword because [14:21] not only are we servicing vendors that [14:24] need to collect from nursing homes, [14:27] we're servicing a lot of the owner [14:28] operators with their private pay [14:30] collections, which is the people in [14:32] their facilities that are not paying, [14:34] ones that are not on Medicaid. For [14:36] example, they'll have $150,000 balances, [14:39] things like that, and they're not [14:40] paying. So, owner and operators are now [14:42] using us to collect that from them. [14:45] So, now it kind of works in my vendors' [14:47] benefit as well. I'll call them up and [14:50] say, hey, go answer because [14:52] we may be calling about, you know, their [14:55] their patients, their residents. [14:57] And we'll just say, hey, you know, I [14:58] know I noticed that, you know, there's a [14:59] outstanding invoice over here. You want [15:01] to deal with it? Oh, yeah, yeah, call my [15:02] CFO. Let's handle it right away because [15:04] they don't want to lose us from bringing [15:05] money in for them. So, [15:07] that's actually [15:09] interesting once we started doing the [15:11] owner operator end. [15:12] It was It was interesting interesting [15:14] turn of events. [15:15] >> So, if it's not [15:17] calling [15:18] consistently day day night, [15:21] sounds like there's almost [15:24] a human element to how you're going [15:26] about it. [15:27] >> Yes, so I call it actually the [15:29] psychology behind collections. I find [15:32] there's four categories of people that [15:33] don't pay their bills. Category number [15:35] one [15:36] are the people I have the most fun with. [15:39] People that use my client's services or [15:42] products and never intend to pay. They [15:45] take your services, they they know [15:47] they're not going to pay when they take [15:48] it. [15:49] The next type are people that they want [15:53] to pay [15:54] but they just don't have the money right [15:56] now. Like [15:58] they would like to [15:59] one day. I I have a problem with those [16:01] as well and I'll get to that. Number [16:03] three are people that are unhappy with [16:07] the service or the product that they [16:09] received. Or something as simple as a [16:11] mistake on the invoice. They were billed [16:13] $50 more than they expected and that [16:16] could hold up an entire balance [16:18] sometimes worth hundreds of thousands of [16:20] dollars because of a small disagreement [16:22] or dispute. [16:24] And number four [16:26] >> Can I guess number four? [16:27] >> Sure. [16:27] >> Okay, so you have used services, not [16:29] going to pay. [16:30] They want to pay but can't now. People [16:34] are unhappy, holds [16:35] they [16:36] their business is is just [16:39] in the dumps. They're not they're [16:41] logistically unable to create the money. [16:44] >> So, that would go kind of into category [16:47] two of they want to pay but they just [16:51] don't have that money right now in their [16:52] business. [16:53] >> I'm putting myself on the spot here but [16:55] I do want to get this. [16:57] >> You could guess again. [16:58] >> Okay. [16:59] >> the category I like the most and it's [17:01] the simplest honestly to resolve. [17:05] >> And it's not that they don't have the [17:06] money, so [17:07] >> Correct. [17:08] >> they have the money [17:10] but [17:12] they don't know which vendor to pay [17:13] first. [17:15] >> You're getting there. [17:15] >> Okay, give it to me. [17:17] >> It's something that's an internal issue [17:19] that could be either on my client's end [17:21] or on the people that owe the money. [17:22] It's just an AR mess. The accounts [17:25] receivable department is a mess. They [17:27] have the money, they don't know what's [17:28] coming in, they don't know what's going [17:30] out. Who sent this invoice? Was the [17:32] invoice sent? Um sometimes it's just [17:35] it's a mess, disorganization. [17:37] >> Mhm. [17:37] >> And sometimes all it takes is for us to [17:39] get on the phone and say, "Hi, why were [17:42] these invoices not paid?" And then [17:43] sometimes they'll be like, "We actually [17:45] never received them." Or they'll say, [17:47] "Oh, yeah, there's a new AP person. [17:49] Send them to her." [17:51] >> So I why did the business have trouble [17:52] collecting if that's the case? [17:54] >> Because our clients' businesses are [17:55] messes as well. Many times [17:58] some sometimes I say for us it's very [18:00] this category for us is the easiest [18:01] money. Because sometimes it takes us one [18:04] phone call [18:05] to figure it out and get them paid. A [18:07] lot of times our clients, their AR team, [18:10] will send one email initially with the [18:13] invoice, never follow up. We're just not [18:15] getting paid, pass it on to Rifka. [18:17] And we'll make one phone call and be [18:19] like, "Hi, did you ever get that [18:20] invoice?" We never got it. Let's resend [18:22] the invoice. Who is it going to? Follow [18:24] up 2 days later with a payment. Did it [18:25] get approved? The money's in our [18:27] client's bank account within 2 weeks. Um [18:30] and honestly that is the most common [18:33] scenario. [18:34] Um it's just a mess and that's why we do [18:37] also a lot of consulting besides for [18:38] collections. [18:40] We are hired to come into [18:43] companies and clean up their mess. [18:46] A lot of times also companies are bought [18:48] out. For example, nursing homes [18:50] constantly are changing hands all the [18:52] time. So who's responsible for the bill? [18:55] Is it the new ownership or is it the old [18:57] ownership? It's detective work. It's [18:58] figuring it out, but you typically can [19:00] figure it out and then the money comes [19:01] in. So it's just doing a little bit of [19:03] legwork [19:04] and [19:06] you know, figuring that out. [19:09] >> I want to take a minute because there [19:10] are families in Israel in dire need of [19:14] food, shelter, and so much more. [19:17] I want to tell you about an [19:18] organization. You know them. They're [19:20] making a real difference every single [19:22] day. Colel Chabad. We spend a lot of [19:23] time in the show talking about money, [19:25] how to earn it, save it, invest it, and [19:27] use it wisely. But one of the greatest [19:29] uses of money is helping someone who [19:31] simply can't make ends meet. For more [19:34] than 200 years, yes, 200 years, Colel [19:37] Chabad has been supporting families [19:39] across the great country of Israel with [19:41] food, emergency financial assistance, [19:43] critical help. We're talking widows, [19:45] orphans, people going through incredibly [19:47] difficult times. They're on the ground. [19:50] They know the families personally many [19:51] times, and they work quickly to get help [19:53] where it's needed most. The reality is [19:55] that there are parents who are working [19:56] hard and still struggling to put food on [19:58] the table or cover basic necessities [20:00] with dignity. And that's where your [20:02] support can make an immediate impact. If [20:05] you're in a position to help, whether [20:06] it's a large donation or even a small [20:08] one, every contribution matters. Visit [20:10] colelchabad.org/koshermoney. [20:12] The link's in the show notes, and give [20:14] what you can. Thank you. Thank you for [20:16] helping families who truly need it. [20:19] I want to go back [20:22] to the human element of your story. [20:24] >> Yes. [20:24] >> Right? [20:25] You say that you're a big risk-taker. [20:28] >> Yes. [20:28] >> Somebody who may find themself in a [20:31] position like that may be more [20:33] risk-averse. [20:35] Right? They come to you [20:37] and they want to take that jump, but [20:39] they're scared, and you had the [20:41] mentality of, "Hey, if it doesn't work [20:42] out, I'll just go back to finding a [20:44] job." Do you think that is something you [20:47] had from way back when? Or did your [20:51] situation push you to the edge of a [20:53] cliff that you really had to take that [20:56] risk if you were going to make this [20:57] work? [20:58] >> So, 100%. So, I I like to call myself [21:01] kind of like [21:03] a lot of my life I've been in survivor [21:06] mode. [21:07] And when you're in survivor mode, [21:09] it makes you [21:10] take risks. It makes you do things [21:12] completely out of the box, which [21:14] leads me in a way to when I'm doing [21:17] collections, we think of such out of the [21:19] box ways for when people tell us, you [21:21] have no money. [21:23] I'm like, hold on a second. Oh, you're [21:25] waiting for a refi? I'll get you that [21:27] refi. You're stuck in a deal? I'll help [21:29] you get out of it. You don't have the [21:30] money to pay? Let me go to the person [21:32] that owes you the money. And that was [21:33] very much the way I always lived my [21:35] life. [21:36] I'm stuck in this situation, let me [21:38] think of a way to get out. And I always [21:40] found a way to get out. I always took [21:41] the risk. Am I going to tell you every [21:43] risk I took was positive? Not [21:46] necessarily. [21:47] But I believe every risk I took led me [21:50] to where I am. Listen, I could have [21:52] taken the the safe route. I still would [21:55] be in this company, doing the AR, making [21:58] a hundred grand a year, which we all [22:00] know does not [22:01] pay eight kids' bills. But I I knew [22:04] there was no other way if I wanted to [22:05] provide my children this life, [22:08] I needed to take that risk. And could [22:10] have failed, but [22:13] God was with me. [22:14] It didn't. [22:15] >> Clearly so. I think a lot of people [22:17] equate risk with recklessness. And it [22:21] sounds like you don't, right? You can [22:25] take risk, but it has to be done in a [22:28] way that is thought out [22:30] >> Correct. [22:31] >> you're not jumping off a cliff without a [22:33] parachute. [22:34] >> A hundred percent. So, I am an [22:36] over-thinker by nature. [22:38] Any risk I take, I'm obviously thinking [22:41] of every single outcome that could [22:43] potentially happen from it. I'm not [22:45] going to take a risk if I think that the [22:47] the fallout could potentially be very [22:50] damaging. Like, I wouldn't do that. And [22:52] again, going back to collections, when I [22:55] get on a phone with somebody that owes [22:57] money, [22:58] >> Mhm. [22:58] >> I have already thought of every single [23:00] scenario this person could throw at me [23:02] as to why they're not paying and what [23:05] I'm going to tell them. [23:06] Which is something also that came from [23:09] you know, what I've been through just [23:11] always overthinking and figuring things [23:13] out before I take the jump. I recently [23:16] spoke at an event [23:18] and I was with four other business [23:20] owners and the first question they asked [23:22] is are you someone that jumps headfirst [23:24] into the pool or are you someone that [23:26] you know will go into the shallow, you [23:28] know, carefully? And every single woman [23:30] on that panel said they jumped in. They [23:33] take the risk. You know, typically [23:36] success comes with risk. But again, [23:38] don't be reckless. You shouldn't be [23:39] reckless, you know, if the if the [23:40] fallout would be worse than your current [23:43] situation. [23:45] >> Are you still on a commission only [23:47] basis? [23:47] >> So, [23:48] most of our clients we are on a [23:50] commission basis. We take 20 to 25% off [23:54] of everything, which we know is a lot [23:56] because we are dealing with [23:58] very high numbers. But, there are many [24:01] people that just don't know how to [24:04] handle their money or their AR [24:05] department or their billing at all. So, [24:08] about a year ago, we started something [24:10] which is called like the pre-collection [24:12] department, which means [24:13] they pay us a monthly fee rather than a [24:16] commission. And anything any any size [24:19] bill anything that goes past net 30 [24:22] automatically gets transferred to us and [24:24] we have a rep on the case that is just [24:26] handling everything so that it does not [24:28] default and go crazy into collections. [24:30] Um and that is something which I [24:32] encourage the smaller businesses that [24:35] don't have the $400,000 invoice, but [24:37] they still have the [24:40] 10,000 or even the 2,000 and they just [24:43] want someone to handle all of it. They [24:44] don't have to worry about the money. [24:45] They just know it's coming into their [24:47] accounts. That's really something that [24:49] we encourage. But generally, [24:52] um we are mostly commission based. [24:55] >> I bring this up only because you [24:56] mentioned there's so much opportunity in [24:58] the space. On our marketing side, we [25:01] have a client named Ensemble, Cadence. [25:04] They do accounts receivables, but you [25:07] know, they're more back office. [25:09] >> Okay. [25:10] >> Have you, and I'm sure it's come up, [25:11] people have come to you and said, "Oh, [25:13] you're doing collections so well, you [25:15] know, now's your time to take the next [25:17] big jump, you know, back office [25:18] management or, you know, deeper into the [25:22] um deeper into the AR space or or just [25:25] general finance, right? Hire accountants [25:27] and build out more of an offering." [25:30] >> 100%. So, we have been approached [25:32] multiple times because just in general, [25:33] we handle everything financially very [25:36] well. [25:37] But honestly, collections is our thing. [25:39] And like, I don't want to lose focus of [25:42] the collections. I believe that the real [25:44] real issue that [25:46] practically every company is facing is [25:48] collections, and there's so many back [25:50] office companies that do beautifully. [25:53] And like, but I potentially expand into [25:56] those areas, I could, but I I feel that [25:58] there's so much out there just in [25:59] collections that I don't feel the need [26:02] necessarily to compete with the other [26:04] businesses out there that are doing [26:06] that. Like, this is our niche, you know? [26:08] >> Do women come to you for advice on [26:11] business building, taking risks? And [26:13] what are those conversations look like? [26:15] >> All the time. So, I started something a [26:18] while back, which is Coffee with a [26:20] Single Mom every Sunday, which I can't [26:23] say it's every Sunday right now, but [26:24] >> Is that literal coffee in a It's not a [26:27] podcast name, it's a [26:28] >> It's literally we get coffee, and they [26:31] want to, you know, some of these women [26:33] have never worked. They're they're [26:36] getting divorced. They've never worked, [26:37] similar situation to me. Some of these [26:40] women they they have jobs, but like, [26:42] it's not it's just not paying the bills. [26:45] Um and some women really want guidance. [26:46] I'm like, they want to open their own [26:47] business. They want to start their own [26:48] business. How could they go about it? I [26:50] give them guidance. I give them [26:52] connections. In general, I do a lot of [26:54] job [26:55] recruiting. I have a lot of connections. [26:57] I'm I'm a connector. People reach out to [26:59] me all the time. I'm looking for this [27:00] type of job or businesses reach out to [27:03] me, we're looking to hire. And I'm like [27:05] shidduchim, like all day long. If people [27:07] see my status, a lot of times on [27:08] WhatsApp, it's people posting they need [27:10] jobs, people looking to hire. I'm happy [27:13] that I've been able to become a [27:16] I don't know if the word's role model or [27:17] somebody that the single mom community [27:20] looks up to and respects in terms of, [27:22] you know, helping them [27:23] getting financially, you know, on their [27:25] own feet. It's just something I feel [27:27] like when someone unfortunately loses a [27:29] spouse, [27:30] there's so many organizations out there [27:32] for them, which is amazing and there [27:33] should be more and [27:35] I encourage it. But for some reason, [27:37] when a woman gets divorced, [27:39] there's really nothing out there. Like [27:41] really nothing out there. [27:43] And what I discovered very early on from [27:46] when I walked out of my marriage with [27:47] eight little kids is that [27:50] if I don't make my own financial [27:51] destiny, if I don't find a way to do [27:53] this on my own, [27:55] I don't know what's going to be. I I [27:57] simply don't know what it's what's going [27:58] to be. [27:59] And that's I say to this day, my entire [28:02] business is is for one reason, it's for [28:04] my children. It's to be able to give [28:06] them the life that I wanted to give [28:08] them. [28:09] And I want all these other single moms, [28:11] you know, out there to be able to do [28:12] that as well. [28:13] And I also, you know, when I got out [28:16] there, I started my business, I started [28:18] my career, I found this like [28:20] self-confidence [28:21] and self-esteem that I never knew I had [28:24] it. Like I was not aware that I could be [28:27] this businesswoman. I'm I'm actually [28:28] smart. I I had no idea. [28:31] And I suddenly discovered it and I speak [28:33] to so many women that we place in jobs, [28:35] they're like they become different [28:37] people when they're suddenly they're [28:39] respected and they feel good about their [28:42] job, they're good at it, they're in the [28:43] right field and [28:45] and it's it's amazing amazing to see. [28:47] >> So, I'll say it. You're certainly a role [28:49] model, A a powerhouse, a strong resource [28:52] for many people based on the people that [28:54] I've spoken to. All that said, do you [28:56] think people come to you and think that [29:00] however or whatever position you're in [29:02] now, this is how you've always been and [29:05] there has never been nights of tears and [29:08] uncertainty and you sort of have to [29:10] educate them on your journey? [29:12] >> good question. And the answer to that is [29:15] I have many people only see me now. The [29:18] past four years where I became this [29:21] businesswoman and you know, we do well [29:23] and people are like people have said it [29:25] to my face, "You can't understand it. [29:27] Look how well you do, you know, you're [29:29] so out there. You built this massive [29:30] business." Like And I say, "If you would [29:32] have seen me before then, my friends [29:35] that I know from before I went into [29:37] business always tell me they're like, [29:38] 'Rifka, we did not see you for three [29:39] years. We we didn't see you.' You would [29:42] work non-stop. You would come home. You [29:45] would give your kids supper, do [29:46] homework. You would not step outside. [29:48] And then at night, I was working again [29:49] like I said, reading those those medical [29:51] books, you know, for for the coding. I [29:54] was not seen for three years. I hustled [29:56] and I hustled and I hustled and I cried [29:58] and I everything. And the rewards that I [30:02] have now did not come easy. And I [30:05] explain to these single moms also when [30:07] they look at me they're like, "Oh, I [30:08] can't I just have it so easy, you know, [30:10] like the way you have it. You just like [30:11] fell into it." I say, "I did not fall [30:13] into it. I may have only worked for five [30:15] years to date. But that amount of work I [30:18] put in was for sure 15 years. These [30:20] things don't come easy. You got to put [30:22] in the work, you know, and and I'll add [30:25] when I [30:27] got into this and I started seeing the [30:28] success, I kind of got on my soapbox [30:31] over there and I was like "I'm a single [30:33] mom and if I could do it, anyone could [30:35] do it." Reality, not everyone could. [30:39] Not every single mom is cut out [30:42] to be some big business woman. [30:46] Not every single single mom is is meant [30:48] to own her own business. I do believe [30:51] though, if she's a healthy [30:53] and she's and there's a [30:55] a ton of rockstar single moms out there, [30:57] they are capable of supporting their [31:00] family in the right field, which is [31:02] something that I focus on finding what's [31:04] right for each person. Very important. [31:07] But for me it was also kind of a reality [31:08] check. [31:09] My story is not typical. I I I hope and [31:13] pray everyone could have it, but it's [31:15] also [31:16] not something every single single mom I [31:18] believe could attain. But again, we've [31:21] placed 60 single moms in jobs at this [31:24] point. [31:25] And I think from 60 maybe two of them [31:27] are not at their jobs anymore. [31:29] But some of them we helped start [31:30] businesses for. [31:32] And it's amazing. It's like my nachas, [31:34] you know? [31:35] Honestly. [31:36] >> I want to ask you about something you [31:38] said about not realizing that you were [31:41] capable of so much more and and I want [31:44] to [31:45] have a two-parter to this question. [31:47] There are people listening now, whether [31:49] they're single moms or stay-at-home [31:51] moms, that [31:53] what you said resonates with them in [31:56] that they love what they do, [31:59] but they want to exercise some sort of [32:01] muscle because they know that their [32:05] identity is one of capability, that [32:08] they're able to do I don't want to say [32:10] so much more because they love what [32:12] they're doing. I don't want to look at [32:13] it as a replacement, but what what's [32:15] your advice to someone who is struggling [32:18] with that in that [32:20] they love being a stay-at-home mom, [32:22] >> Mhm. [32:23] >> but they want to tap into the skill set [32:26] and their life experiences that Hashem [32:29] has given them and made them stronger [32:31] and and use that either for work or acts [32:36] of kindness. How do they bring that [32:40] from [32:41] an emotion into something practical? [32:44] >> I believe if you're passionate about [32:46] anything and you have a talent, [32:50] then it's you need to be sharing it out [32:52] there. [32:53] And are you asking like if they were [32:56] stay-at-home mom, like they're nervous [32:57] to get out there? Is that your question? [32:59] >> Nervous, but also, [33:01] you know, whether it's a stigma or just [33:03] the way of going about things and this [33:06] is not I'm not asking hush-gushically. [33:08] I'm asking, [33:10] you know, this [33:11] this urge to do more and and and to [33:15] build, right? [33:16] >> Yeah, you start somewhere. Doesn't have [33:18] to be somewhere major. Just get out [33:20] there, start somewhere. You have a [33:22] passion, you you have a talent, start [33:25] small. [33:26] See how it goes. If you're good at it [33:28] and and [33:29] Honestly, I'm a big believer like [33:32] for example, when it comes to sales, you [33:35] can't sell a product you don't fully [33:36] believe in. I don't I don't believe you [33:38] could really be good at sales if you [33:40] don't fully believe in the product. You [33:41] fully believe in yourself [33:43] and you have a good talent or you have a [33:47] good service, something that you could [33:48] get out there, [33:50] have confidence, believe in yourself, [33:52] get out there, do it. See the reaction [33:55] of people and, you know, you never know [33:57] where it could take you, honestly. [33:59] >> And what do you say to someone who says, [34:00] "No, no, you're talented. You have life [34:02] experiences. [34:04] I I you know, whatever's inside of me [34:06] has been sitting dormant for so long." [34:08] >> I say if I could do what you could do it [34:10] because [34:11] for 15 years, like I said, by 29, I had [34:14] eight children. I was so in [34:17] the motherhood world. I did not know [34:21] anything anything work-wise and it's [34:24] amazing to see that when you want to you [34:27] set your mind to something, even some [34:29] for me, I I it was [34:31] I had no other choice. I had no other [34:32] choice and I had to do what I had to do. [34:35] But it was amazing for me to see [34:38] the talents I actually had, what I [34:40] actually brought to the table. [34:42] And [34:44] I I believe there are so many women out [34:45] there that are just scared to take that [34:47] first move. Take that first move. Take [34:49] that risk. [34:51] Take that first move and and you'll be [34:52] shocked to see like [34:54] what comes from it. I mean, no one [34:56] should come for me if nothing comes from [34:57] it, but typically if you have something [35:00] to share with the world, share it in a [35:01] small way, in a big way, just [35:04] do it. [35:04] >> And you're saying what's the worst that [35:05] can happen, right? [35:06] >> What's the worst that could happen? [35:07] Exactly. Doesn't work out. [35:08] >> Right. [35:08] >> Okay, you go back to being home with the [35:10] kids, which is great and rewarding. It's [35:12] was some of my best years. [35:14] And that's that's also a huge thing, but [35:17] if you have something, share it. [35:20] >> I want to pause this episode for 1 [35:22] second. I want to tell you about someone [35:24] who a lot of people have come to trust [35:26] with big financial decisions. His name, [35:28] Shmuel Shaywitz. You probably know him [35:30] from the mortgage world, but that's a [35:32] fraction of what Shmuel actually does. [35:35] Buying a home, refinancing, looking at [35:37] an investment property, figuring out [35:39] business financing, sometimes you just [35:41] need someone with experience to talk it [35:43] and think it through with you. Well, [35:45] that's Shmuel. He has spent years [35:47] helping people understand their options [35:50] and ask the right questions before they [35:51] sign anything. Don't touch that pen [35:54] without speaking to Shmuel. So, even if [35:56] you're not ready to move on something [35:57] right now, one conversation can save you [36:00] real money and a lot of stress later. [36:02] You're going to do all that research and [36:04] then find out at the last second that [36:06] this is not something for you. You could [36:08] have spoken to Shmuel on day one. [36:10] He is a coach at Living Smarter Jewish, [36:12] which many of you know him from there, [36:14] but if you have a financial question or [36:16] you're weighing your next move, go to [36:18] coachshmuel.com/lsj. [36:21] That's coachshmuel.com/lsj. [36:25] It's in the show notes. Schedule a [36:27] conversation and tell them Coach Shmuel [36:28] money sent you. Everyone, including you, [36:31] has a money question. No matter where [36:33] you're holding in life, you deserve a [36:35] real answer. So, don't sleep on this. [36:37] It's my tip to you, Coach Shmuel. You're [36:41] welcome. [36:42] Now, I want to pivot back to collections [36:45] and talk about those who you see cannot [36:48] pay, [36:49] >> Mhm. [36:49] >> right? Whether they're disorganized or [36:52] they just don't have the money. Um but [36:54] they're good and they have good [36:56] intention [36:56] >> Mhm. [36:57] >> versus [36:58] the hopefully few that choose not to [37:01] pay. I think I became aware of you from [37:04] a LinkedIn post more recently [37:07] about how maybe you saw someone was [37:11] potentially spending money [37:13] when they have [37:15] bills to pay. [37:17] >> Yes. [37:17] >> I guess walk me through that. [37:18] >> Okay. [37:19] I want to say that most people have good [37:21] intentions, which means even if they [37:24] can't pay, [37:25] they want to and they're trying to do [37:27] everything that they could to pay. [37:30] Um and those are the people we really we [37:32] will help them. We will help them figure [37:33] it out. Is it a payment plan or is it [37:35] is, you know, we need to collect from [37:38] person C. You know, a lot of times we'll [37:41] call someone up and he'll say, "I want [37:42] to pay. I really really want to pay, but [37:45] someone owes me money. When they pay me, [37:47] I'm going to pay your guy." That's when [37:49] I say, "Okay, give me the number of the [37:50] guy that owes you." And we will collect [37:53] from him. And many times we collect from [37:55] person C. [37:57] We give it to person B and person B [37:59] gives it to our initial client A. And it [38:03] In case everyone's wondering, yes, we [38:04] charge A and B [38:06] their commissions. [38:07] >> As you should. [38:08] >> But yeah. [38:09] But then there is a crowd of people and [38:12] this is honestly [38:15] the hardest not the hardest to deal with [38:19] necessarily, the hardest to see, [38:21] um which are people that we know have [38:23] the money and they just absolutely are [38:25] not interested in paying. [38:27] And [38:28] to me it's crazy because sometimes a [38:30] name comes to my desk and I know very [38:32] well who these people are. And these are [38:35] people that are [38:36] a scunnum within communities. These are [38:38] people [38:39] we dealt with a Dayan actually that owed [38:41] my client a lot of money. That's a crazy [38:43] story. Um, I'm happy to say it. We we've [38:46] dealt with people who have this huge [38:48] like [38:50] following or like, "Oh my gosh, they're [38:51] such amazing people. I'm Bali Tzedakah [38:53] and all of this and that." And they owe [38:54] my client [38:56] sometimes millions of dollars, millions [38:57] of dollars, hundreds of thousands of [38:59] dollars. And when you try and call them [39:03] nothing. They they won't answer or [39:05] they'll just make excuses. I'm never [39:07] paying him or or a lot of them are [39:10] narcissists behind closed doors. [39:12] And they'll just be like "Don't ever [39:14] call me again. I'm never paying." Or [39:16] something like that. And I always say [39:19] we treat everyone. It's called the eye [39:21] for an eye. The way you treat me, I'm [39:23] going to treat you. So [39:24] every conversation we start with [39:26] collections [39:28] we want to work with you. We want to [39:30] help you. We want to figure it out. And [39:31] many people will work with us. [39:33] These people, if they don't want to work [39:35] with us and they want to be nasty [39:38] we could go down that path also. For [39:41] example, this fundraiser that I [39:43] mentioned on my LinkedIn post I check [39:46] out fundraisers all the time, the [39:47] popular fundraisers. I want to see who's [39:48] donating and this specific page [39:51] I was seeing it was a very healthcare [39:53] oriented page. $36,000 donations, [39:56] $18,000 donations. And I went through [39:59] it. And I highlighted every single guy [40:01] who I know currently owes my client [40:03] money and is claiming that they don't [40:05] have [40:06] and I sent them a WhatsApp. [40:08] I said, "That's so interesting. You just [40:09] donated $36,000 [40:12] to this um [40:13] to this page. I thought you have no [40:14] money." [40:16] And it was interesting to see the [40:17] different responses. Some of them were [40:18] like, I didn't have money. I just came [40:20] into money. I'm going to start making [40:22] payments. Those were beautiful. [40:24] Some of them were, you know, still [40:27] non-responsive. We're still working on [40:28] those. And some of them were just [40:31] very [40:34] It was ma'aser. It was this. It was [40:36] that. I said, [40:37] I'm I'm going to challenge you to go ask [40:39] your rav [40:40] if you should be paying ma'aser when you [40:42] still owe your vendors money. [40:45] And it definitely got a lot of [40:47] conversation started. But for me, it's [40:49] shocking because you see all these [40:51] people they're it's it's about image. [40:53] They're not donating the money [40:55] necessarily for a good cause. They're [40:57] donating it because they want you to see [40:59] this person donated $18,000. [41:02] And [41:03] for me, that does not work. Those are [41:06] the people that I will go really hard on [41:08] when it comes to Pesach and Sukkos. If [41:10] you've seen if you've seen my posts [41:11] Pesach and Sukkos time, I'm always [41:13] singling out one guy. I have never said [41:15] anyone's name. He's off in Israel with [41:18] his family and his wife posting pictures [41:20] on his status. Everyone should block me [41:22] if we're collect you know, collecting [41:23] money from you in Israel. He owes my [41:26] client almost a million dollars. I have [41:28] no money to my name. I have no money to [41:29] my name. How'd you get to Israel? [41:31] So, you want to sit here and tell me [41:34] oh, my father-in-law sponsored it. You [41:36] know something? Tell your father-in-law, [41:38] I owe someone a million dollars. It [41:40] would mean a lot more to me [41:42] if the money that you were going to put [41:44] into the trip for me and the children, [41:46] you give me in cash and I pay my vendor. [41:48] And me and my family are going to sit [41:50] out the trip that year. Or these people [41:53] driving Escalades and Lexuses when [41:55] they're saying they have no money. Maybe [41:56] you don't have money, [41:58] but do you think it's appropriate to be [41:59] driving the latest model car when you [42:02] have no money? I don't think so. [42:05] So, these are people we we go really [42:08] hard on. I I have some crazy stories [42:11] which I'm happy to share if [42:14] you know, we could if you were allowed [42:15] to do that on this podcast. I don't [42:17] know. [42:18] >> I want to I want to just emphasize that [42:20] would you say that [42:23] it's a minority, meaning most people [42:26] aren't bad intention and by no means are [42:29] we labeling an entire industry because [42:31] that's simply unfair because there are [42:34] >> industry. No, absolutely not. [42:35] >> many people that we we all know who are [42:39] >> So, I'll tell you what I tell my [42:41] non-Jewish employees when I hire them. [42:44] >> Mhm. [42:45] >> And this is like kind of a disclaimer. [42:48] The people we're going after that act [42:50] like this are the bottom of the barrel. [42:53] These are not the standard typical from [42:57] Jewish person. Every single religion and [42:59] it's not only Jews we go after, you [43:01] know, but any you know, I know we're [43:03] like honing in on, you know, the from [43:04] community. We're always going to have [43:06] these types. No matter what. There's [43:08] narcissists in every single, you know, [43:12] religion and I tell this to my [43:13] employees. I tell them, you're going to [43:15] see some of the worst behavior and this [43:18] is not the standard and 100% I agree [43:20] it's not the standard. That being said, [43:23] the things we have seen [43:25] are very shocking. You know, I like to [43:28] say [43:29] vendors are not your [43:32] personal credit line or your personal [43:34] ATM. [43:35] And I believe a lot of people, not just [43:37] health care, we deal with a lot of [43:38] industries, a lot of businesses use [43:40] vendors as such, as their personal ATMs, [43:43] as their personal credit lines and it's [43:45] completely not fair and I think that [43:47] they have to realize [43:50] first of all, [43:51] that many people, yeah, they want to [43:53] pay. They're not bad people. That being [43:55] said, [43:57] when I [43:58] go to a store [43:59] and I have my credit card, I know very [44:01] well it's going to go through. [44:03] Understand, could I afford the service? [44:06] Yeah, you may want to pay, but you [44:07] should know before hiring someone or [44:09] having someone service, [44:10] will I be able to pay for this? I [44:12] understand that situations come up, but [44:15] it shouldn't be this [44:17] common where, oh yeah, I want to pay, I [44:19] don't have the money. [44:20] >> People tell me, oh Ellie, you don't [44:21] understand the culture of the business. [44:24] And I say, [44:25] you know, again, talking about the few [44:28] and far between that [44:29] >> Yeah. [44:30] >> maybe operate it, but but what do you [44:32] say to somebody that says hey, this is [44:35] common place or oh, we had 30 to 60-day [44:39] terms, we need 90 to 120. Um, you know, [44:43] I guess there's a difference between [44:44] those who are communicating in some ways [44:46] versus not. [44:47] >> I always say the weakest the weakest [44:50] move [44:51] a CEO, owner, operator, business owner [44:53] could do is to not communicate, to [44:55] ignore. And I always say, I say silence [44:58] doesn't get rid of your invoice. It it [45:00] just makes things worse. So, pick up [45:02] that phone and communicate. If you need [45:05] So many times we collect from people and [45:07] they say, listen, I need another 30 [45:08] days. I know I'm past the 60 net. I need [45:11] another 30 days. [45:12] No problem. We we will give you that 30 [45:14] days, but you better make sure to pay [45:17] within 30 days. And we're following up [45:18] with them and we're making sure. We're [45:20] happy to and most of my clients as well. [45:22] We're happy to extend a courtesy as you [45:26] need a little extra [45:27] but you need to communicate with us. [45:29] Communication is key when it comes [45:31] everything, honestly. It's it's it's [45:34] extremely important. Just to think of [45:36] like a funny story off the bat when it [45:38] comes to communication is we were going [45:40] after [45:41] a guy, not health care. We're going [45:43] after a guy for a balance and he was [45:45] just [45:46] not communicating, not communicating. [45:48] Eventually, he answered and he says to [45:49] me, he said, I'm never paying. I I have [45:53] no intention of paying. Never call me [45:55] again. [45:56] I ended the call. I said, don't worry, [45:58] I'm never calling again. You'll be [45:59] calling me. He laughed in my face. He [46:01] hung up the phone. [46:03] What did we do? We went online, and we [46:05] went to his reviews. [46:07] And every single day I call it an honest [46:09] review. I don't call it a negative [46:11] review, I call it an honest review. We [46:12] placed an honest review every single day [46:14] for a week about how he doesn't pay his [46:16] vendors, how he does not pay. [46:19] Within a week, I received a furious [46:21] phone call. You're ruining my business. [46:24] You're flooding me with bad reviews. I [46:26] said, "Well, listen, I tried to [46:27] communicate with you. I tried to talk to [46:29] you. [46:30] You told me not to call you anymore. You [46:32] told me not to reach out to you. You're [46:34] not paying, so I figured [46:35] I could leave an honest review, so we're [46:37] leaving honest reviews." [46:38] He's like, "No, you have to take them [46:40] down." I said, "Okay, give you 24 hours, [46:42] I'll take down all the reviews. 24 [46:44] hours, you make a payment." Sure. [46:47] Well, 24 hours comes and goes. [46:49] Not a single payment. All of them go [46:51] back up. Every single review goes back [46:53] up. Calls me again, fuming. [46:56] I said, [46:57] "We had a deal. We had a deal that if [46:59] the reviews go down, you pay up. [47:02] You want them down again? You You didn't [47:04] keep your side of the deal. You want it [47:06] down? [47:07] You pay up. Pay it up on the spot." [47:09] Reviews removed. [47:11] >> I'd imagine you're [47:13] there are halachic ramifications or or [47:17] you have to know what is permissible and [47:20] what's not. [47:20] >> have I am not a rabbi. I don't even [47:23] attempt [47:24] pretend I am one. Everyone obviously [47:26] should run their, you know, collection [47:28] ideas through a rabbi. [47:31] We're a corporate company. When I have a [47:33] big question, I do run it by a rav. [47:35] Typically, like when I say it's honest, [47:38] an honest review is an honest review. [47:40] Would I be allowed to post a negative [47:42] review about someone that's not true? [47:45] No. But, it's it's honest. [47:47] >> But, just because it's honest doesn't [47:49] make it allowed based on what you've [47:51] based on what you've been guided. [47:52] >> So, I'll tell you. [47:53] >> Yeah. [47:54] >> I believe the reason why so many people [47:56] within our community get away without [47:57] paying bills is because they don't feel [47:59] that there's repercussions because of [48:03] we're in a community where nobody is [48:04] going to get up and say this person [48:07] screwed me for money and [48:10] they'll be like okay so they'll be upset [48:11] for a little bit. They're not going to [48:12] take me to court. They're not going to [48:14] screw me over. They're not going to post [48:15] about it because we don't do that in our [48:17] community and I [48:19] listen, I'm not saying necessarily, you [48:22] know, I'm not a halachic source at all. [48:25] But what I'm saying is is [48:27] we are making people [48:29] take accountability. I have never called [48:31] someone out publicly. I I never intend [48:33] to, you know, yet. Depends how far [48:36] people go. [48:37] But I believe that we are putting the [48:39] accountability back into [48:42] owing money. So many of my clients when [48:45] I say, "Do you want to take legal [48:46] action? Do you want to do something?" [48:47] Whatever, they're petrified. They're so [48:49] scared. They're like, "No, no, no, I'd [48:50] rather just leave it. I'd rather leave [48:52] $350,000 [48:54] never collect it because I never want to [48:56] take him to court." I can't tell you how [48:58] many base din recommend people come to [49:00] me because at the end of the day [49:02] I've spoken to people. They say, "I got [49:04] a hasmana. I crumble it up. I throw it [49:06] in the garbage." People unfortunately do [49:08] not take it seriously. So So what are [49:10] the alternatives if if you're not going [49:12] to [49:13] go out of the box and and do Obviously, [49:16] this is not something [49:19] I want to do and I'll be honest, every [49:20] review we have placed we've been able to [49:22] take down. [49:23] >> Mhm. [49:24] >> So the reviews go up shortly. We get [49:27] calls. We are begged to take them down [49:29] and they go down. It's something that [49:31] could be removed as long as you pay. You [49:33] know, I'm not saying I'm doing something [49:34] against halacha or, you know, [49:36] but what they're doing is straight up [49:37] against halacha. You're You're stealing. [49:40] >> And those that say [49:42] you know, my personal life versus [49:44] corporate, I'm just one partner in a [49:46] business. I don't have [49:49] you know, the $18,000 donation that [49:51] you're seeing is my money, whereas I'm a [49:54] 15% owner in that business and even [49:56] though I'm operator, how do you how do [49:58] you [49:58] >> Past your 15% of the balance will go to [50:01] your owners for the the owners for the [50:02] other. I, you know, and many times we do [50:06] get that in different variations. Oh, [50:08] I'm only a partner, it's not my place to [50:11] say. I say no problem. We get an take an [50:13] email, we put all the partners in one [50:15] email. We say hi. [50:17] We have this balance here. It needs to [50:19] get handled. Everybody's pointing [50:21] fingers at everyone else. Let's all [50:22] point fingers together on the email and [50:24] figure out who is actually responsible. [50:26] Suddenly everyone is communicative [50:28] because no one wants to take the [50:29] responsibility, but we figure out [50:31] exactly who's responsible, who needs to [50:33] pay and we usually get that paid up. So, [50:36] we do end up pitting people against each [50:38] other, but we typically get what we need [50:40] to get done. Obviously, our methods are [50:43] very unconventional, [50:45] but that's what was needed. Another [50:47] story also, um there was actually a da- [50:50] a dayan actually that a client came to [50:53] me, he owed him $200,000. [50:55] A well-known one. And [50:58] I tried reaching out to him, [51:00] tried calling him, [51:02] nothing. Non-communicative. He answered [51:03] once, he hung up on me. [51:06] So, I did something which was very a lot [51:08] of guts, [51:10] but I called up the beis din that he is [51:12] a dayan on and I said that I would like [51:14] to [51:15] pick out a hazmana. [51:17] They said, "Okay, fill out the [51:18] paperwork." [51:19] And I put it in as this is the person [51:21] we're taking, my client against this [51:23] person. I gave her all the details. [51:26] She calls me up, she's like, "Are you [51:27] sure like this is the person you want [51:30] him to to like see over the case? Like [51:33] like" I was like, "No, no, no. He owes [51:35] my client $200,000." [51:38] Like 1 minute. She's like, "I'm going to [51:39] call you back." [51:40] Within 15 minutes we had a payment plan [51:42] set up. The dayan called me. [51:45] He was fuming. I said, "Listen, [51:48] my client tried reaching out to you for [51:49] months. I tried reaching out to you. You [51:51] hung up on me and then ignored me. I got [51:53] your attention. [51:54] So, I wanted to do. [51:56] We got the bill paid. [51:57] But, [51:59] do we want to go this route? No, but I I [52:01] This this is how we got paid. [52:03] >> Do you ever receive threats in return [52:05] that they're going to come after your [52:07] business in some way? [52:08] >> I've never received threats. As a matter [52:10] of fact, typically because we're [52:11] typically business to business with [52:13] some, you know, exceptions. [52:16] Many times people are super impressed [52:18] with how we handle it and the methods [52:20] that we do. [52:22] And after [52:23] they pay up, they're like, "Can we hire [52:25] you? Like, I have so much collections as [52:27] well and I have so many clients that [52:29] started out as [52:31] people where we're going after for money [52:33] that are now clients of ours. [52:35] And [52:36] at the end of the day, they're not happy [52:38] we went after them. They're not happy [52:40] they had to pay, [52:41] but they're like, "You know what? She [52:43] knows how to do it. I have so much [52:44] collections." It's like, you know, it's [52:45] it's a certain humility that they're [52:46] able to see. Like, "You know what? Let [52:49] me pay. Let me get my collections taken [52:52] care of." So. [52:53] >> We'll be right back to this great [52:55] episode with Rifka. We spend a lot of [52:57] time on Kosher Money talking about [52:59] making smart decisions before your money [53:01] is already spent. And if you're building [53:03] something, here's a tip for you. Don't [53:06] pay an architect to learn your world on [53:08] your project. Whether you're developing [53:10] an entire neighborhood, building a [53:12] school campus or a shul, planning an [53:14] office park, or finally creating your [53:16] custom home, there are a thousand [53:18] decisions that need to be right long [53:20] before construction begins. And for [53:22] nursing home and assisted living owners, [53:24] which I think might be listening to this [53:25] episode, this is especially true. 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With offices in [54:50] Lakewood, Michigan, Boca Raton, BF [54:52] Design has the depth of a major [54:54] architecture firm and the specialized [54:56] understanding of a team that already [54:59] knows your world. And oh, tell them your [55:01] friends at Kosher Money sent you. Let's [55:03] get back to the episode. [55:05] Right. And and I think it's worth [55:06] reiterating that [55:08] >> there are many people that are not [55:10] malicious. They might be in a position [55:12] that they're unable to, but they need [55:14] assistance [55:15] going through the disorganization. [55:17] >> very common, very, very common. And I [55:20] give a lot of credit to people that are [55:23] able to realize they need the help with [55:25] collections and to bring us on and to [55:26] help them through it all, be it you [55:28] know, getting their whole AR department [55:30] in order, getting all the bills paid up, [55:32] or even the people that they really [55:35] their intentions is they want to pay. [55:36] Specifically, let's talk about these [55:38] business Amazon businesses that [55:41] they took a lot of products or or loans [55:44] or whatever it was and then their Amazon [55:45] account got shut down. Like, how are [55:47] they supposed to pay that back? I had a [55:49] guy come to my office. He owed my client [55:52] $250,000 and this is a very positive [55:54] story. [55:56] He said, "I know I owe $250,000. I had [55:59] an Amazon business. It shut down." [56:01] He said, "But I want to come into your [56:03] office and talk to that it you directly [56:05] so you could see like you could see what [56:07] I'm dealing with." He came into my [56:09] office. He said, "I want to tell you [56:10] something." He said, "I have not bought [56:11] even a new shirt for myself in 2 years. [56:14] I am driving for the first time a used [56:17] lease. I didn't even know that exist I [56:18] didn't even know used leases exist. Used [56:20] lease." Showed me where his car was. [56:23] "I have no money." He said, "I I have [56:25] nothing. The minute I have money, I'm [56:27] going to pay him back what I owe. I [56:29] started new things now. I'm working on [56:30] it." He said, "That being said, every [56:32] month I'm going to give something." And [56:33] every month I follow up with him. It'll [56:35] be a $500 payment. But it's it's not [56:38] always about the the amount. It's about [56:41] taking responsibility, the good faith [56:43] payments. They could go very far. And [56:47] that's someone I I have a lot of respect [56:49] for. And those are people we'll help. [56:51] Honestly, we want to help you be able to [56:54] pay people back. Like that that's our [56:56] goal. And and we've done some [56:58] crazy things. But uh [57:00] >> What's stopping you from putting [57:01] together an independent panel? [57:03] It's a website of the superstar [57:06] companies you've dealt with that are [57:09] menchla. They have best intention. They [57:12] either pay [57:15] beautifully [57:16] >> or if they were in a situation, they're [57:19] you find them to be trustworthy. And [57:21] these are our folks that people should [57:23] do business with because if there are a [57:25] few bad apples, what I found and I've [57:28] heard from the vendors who are crying [57:31] and they might say, "If you're not going [57:33] to give me the product even though I owe [57:34] you money, I'm going to take all my [57:36] business and go to another vendor, [57:38] right? So so [57:40] you have to protect that next vendor [57:43] that isn't aware of that [57:45] >> Yes. [57:45] >> unique bad rotten apple. So [57:49] do that by showcasing not just with your [57:52] opinion, but an independent panel that [57:55] has no [57:56] skin in the game and say, "Okay, let me [57:59] go to the website and let me see if I [58:01] should do business with them, you know?" [58:03] Oh, okay. But again, we're not it's not [58:04] about showing the negative, but [58:06] highlight who's doing well so that [58:09] people want to be on that list because [58:12] many people aren't interested in doing [58:14] due diligence or don't know how and they [58:16] say, "Hey, should I should I be [58:19] providing product? Again, I'm acting as [58:21] an ATM, I'm a bank, I'm giving them a [58:23] loan, you know, 30-60 days, will I get [58:25] my money back?" [58:27] >> Right. [58:27] >> That is my free suggestion to the [58:29] community and I know many people have [58:31] suggested [58:33] >> I actually posted about this a couple [58:34] years ago on CBN. [58:36] They repost me once in a while. My thing [58:38] was a little bit different. I, you know, [58:40] yours is the positive view. I was I was [58:42] like the blacklist. If you're on the [58:44] blacklist, you don't want to do business [58:45] with these people. But there's a lot of [58:48] >> side of [58:49] >> [laughter] [58:49] >> I said I said that's a lot of halachic [58:51] you get into a lot of halachic issues, [58:53] but I will say that I probably get 10-15 [58:57] calls a week [58:59] of from vendors and they say, "Listen, [59:00] we're about to sign a contract with this [59:02] person. [59:03] >> Uh-huh. [59:03] >> Are they safe to do business with?" [59:06] And I asked the shaila about it. I said, [59:08] "Like what am I allowed to do? What am I [59:09] not allowed to do?" Because I I really [59:11] have the know of really what's going on [59:13] in the industry. [59:15] And [59:16] he said to me, he said [59:19] "You can't advertise You really can't [59:20] advertise [59:22] you know, these things. [59:24] But if somebody's about to sign a [59:26] contract, like the pen is in the not, [59:28] you know, literally, but like they're [59:30] about to close a deal with these people, [59:32] then you're allowed to, you know, [59:34] obviously use your discretion. You're [59:35] allowed to say, you know, I [59:38] I have a bunch of clients that are going [59:39] after them right now, or, you know, no, [59:42] I haven't heard their name, or, you [59:43] know, even if once once in a while a [59:45] name pops up it doesn't mean they're [59:46] bad. It just you know, it also depends [59:48] were they [59:49] maliciously holding back the money. But [59:51] yeah, your idea is great. [59:54] Um I just, you know, [59:56] something to keep in mind, you know, [59:58] definitely something to keep in mind. [60:00] >> People are going to watch or listen to [60:02] this episode and they say, [60:05] okay, you heard it from one side, right? [60:08] You you have to let the business owner [60:10] that she's referencing in these few and [60:12] far between examples, I hope, you need [60:15] to let them share their side of the [60:17] story. And I can tell you from just [60:21] hearing the vendors who have cried about [60:24] it, that I would say back, you've been [60:28] able to tell your story [60:31] all the time. You've you have a platform [60:34] that you're able to control the [60:36] narrative. [60:37] And I think this is maybe the first time [60:41] in which [60:43] the vendors or the folks that are the [60:46] recipients [60:48] of that [60:49] negative outcome, [60:51] you know, for the first time have a [60:53] collective voice, or they have an asset [60:55] on their side that's fighting for them. [60:59] So, that's not a question as much as it [61:01] is a statement. [61:01] >> And and I will say, everybody knows [61:03] about us. If you have an issue as to why [61:06] you're not paying, tell me, because [61:10] there are sometimes very valid reasons [61:12] why someone did not pay a bill. [61:13] >> And we're not referring to them. [61:15] >> We're not referring to them, absolutely [61:16] not. [61:17] >> So, if you get up in my DMs, [61:20] either you have a guilty conscience or [61:21] you're not uh [61:23] >> There There are sometimes, just to give [61:25] an example, very recently, it's actually [61:27] a beautiful story. [61:28] Someone hired us to go after someone who [61:30] owed them quite a bit of money for a [61:32] service they provided. [61:34] And upon investigating [61:37] the situation and speaking to the other [61:39] side, we discovered [61:41] that there was a very big error that my [61:44] client made. A very, very big error. [61:47] And my clients know this about me. I'm [61:49] extremely honest when it comes to this. [61:51] I called out my client and I said to [61:53] him, I said, "Listen, [61:54] they have a very big claim over here. [61:57] Like this was a serious mess-up that [61:59] could potentially cost these people a [62:01] lot of money to to fix." [62:03] I said, "I'm not saying it's for sure [62:04] your fault, but I'm just letting you [62:05] know that there is a very big potential [62:07] mess-up that you guys did. And I want to [62:09] know, like, how do you want to handle [62:11] it?" [62:12] Within a minute, he's like, [62:14] "I'm not going after the money." He [62:15] said, "I'm not going after the money. [62:17] Drop it. [62:18] We're not going to collect it." And to [62:19] take this even further, to show that [62:20] there are some amazing people out there, [62:23] typically, when we deal with a case [62:24] where we don't collect money for them, [62:26] if they're right or wrong or whatever it [62:28] is, we take a loss. We could spend hours [62:31] on a case. If we don't collect, we get [62:33] nothing. [62:34] He paid us for our time. He said, "This [62:37] was not on you. This was on us. We gave [62:39] you a case where we couldn't uh luckily [62:41] really collect on it." And he paid me [62:43] for our time and for our services. And [62:45] this This was actually really an amazing [62:48] thing for me because I was like, he he [62:50] >> actually didn't have to pay us a dime [62:51] according to the contract and he went [62:53] out of his way to pay. [62:54] But there are [62:56] definitely what people know about us. [62:58] You have a And this happens very, very [63:00] often. Very, very often where they say, [63:02] "I'm not paying because the billing was [63:05] wrong. I'm not paying because they gave [63:07] me the wrong product. It was a different [63:09] color the [63:10] dumbest thing sometimes. [63:11] >> Right. [63:12] >> And we will resolve it. We will go back [63:14] to our client. We'll say, "Listen, give [63:15] them a little deduction. You had to hire [63:17] another someone to provide a service for [63:19] an hour, deduct that off of their bill. [63:22] And and we have resolved [63:24] probably hundreds upon hundreds of [63:26] disputes like this and then they get [63:27] paid. It's it's [63:28] But to note, one small dispute on an [63:32] invoice or one small dispute will hold [63:34] up an entire payment. So, [63:37] the AR teams as well, like be careful [63:39] with your billing and your service [63:41] because it could hold up everything, [63:43] honestly. [63:44] >> That's the point I wanted to make in [63:45] that [63:46] it's very easy to blame somebody for not [63:49] paying, [63:50] but if you're disorganized and you're [63:52] sending invoices that [63:55] may have been paid and you're requiring [63:58] the client to now [64:00] rummage through [64:02] >> Yeah. [64:02] >> all of their books to to get clarity, [64:04] that's not fair to them. [64:06] >> and I tell my clients this all the time. [64:08] I say, it makes me look stupid if I go [64:10] to somebody to collect money and then [64:12] they come back and tell me they actually [64:13] paid it. And it has happened many times. [64:16] And then my clients look at me like, "Oh [64:17] yeah, they did pay." [64:18] And I say, [64:20] "Do you know how bad that looks? So, [64:21] before you give us anything, you go over [64:23] it, make sure it's accurate, make sure [64:25] it's proper, and [64:27] you know, and and really, Pete, [64:29] it's it's shocking the AR teams that [64:31] I've I've seen. I think our biggest [64:34] client [64:35] um came to us with $40 million of [64:38] collections. That that is [64:40] accurate. [64:41] And most of it was very highly [64:43] collectible once we got into it. [64:46] It was it was just a mess. They bought [64:48] the company from someone else. It it was [64:49] a mess. [64:50] And we we really really cleaned it up. [64:54] Um [64:55] so yeah, it's you need to keep good good [64:57] records and good books and good [64:58] invoicing. It's very important. [65:01] >> Maybe that's a suggestion for you in [65:03] that if [65:04] it turns out that [65:06] the person who hired you was [65:08] disorganized, [65:09] that there's a flat fee in the event [65:12] that there is no commission. So [65:13] >> did we still did start doing right now. [65:15] We we did because we're not going to [65:17] spend hours and hours on your cases to [65:19] realize that there was [65:21] it was your problem. Um so we do we do [65:23] have flat fees. We've we've very rock [65:26] tight contracts for these things that [65:28] come up. So [65:30] now we protect ourselves. [65:31] >> I want to give a shout out to somebody [65:33] that you mentioned, the person who you [65:34] said was younger than you that hired you [65:37] because of something they saw that [65:41] wasn't tied to a piece of paper, a [65:42] resume. [65:43] >> Yes. [65:44] >> And I guess it's a question for you for [65:47] those in [65:48] hiring positions [65:51] what should they be looking for for a [65:53] superstar? [65:54] >> Okay, I'm going to tell you a superstar [65:56] does not necessarily mean they have this [65:58] amazing [66:00] resume with amazing jobs and amazing, [66:03] you know, um um qualifications and [66:05] college degrees. [66:06] When I spot [66:08] a rock star [66:10] like you see it immediately usually. You [66:12] it's [66:13] it's a personality and it's and when [66:16] they tell you what they've done in their [66:17] life even if it's not work experience. [66:20] I [66:22] have some people that work for me that [66:25] have no work experience or their work [66:27] experience was like in a completely [66:29] different industry. They were [66:31] doing nothing. They came in for [66:33] interviews and I was like, this is a [66:34] rock star. I see myself in her or him [66:37] and What did they say or do in that [66:38] interview? It's it's a personality. It's [66:41] a certain communication that they have [66:43] with people like knowing how to [66:45] communicate properly, knowing how to [66:47] interact, understanding people. [66:50] Specifically for my industry is a huge [66:52] thing. Like I have someone that has a [66:55] social degree in social work. It's [66:57] connecting with people, communicating [66:59] with people. [67:00] It it's something that you feel and not [67:01] even just my industry. When I see a a [67:03] woman and she is amazing at marketing. [67:08] Like she wants to go into marketing and [67:10] I I see her personality and I see what [67:13] she is about. Like she's going to be a [67:16] marketing star. She just needs some [67:17] support. She's going to do it. This [67:20] person that started me off, I remember I [67:22] asking him one time. I said like [67:25] you could take so much more experienced [67:27] people and put them in and he said no, I [67:29] like the fresh blood. I like the fresh [67:32] blood. I like being able to take someone [67:34] and turning them turn them into a rock [67:35] star. And and there's a lot of people [67:37] out there [67:38] like [67:40] just because you have that college [67:41] degree does not equal success. Honestly, [67:44] it's not at all. [67:46] Some of the biggest, you know, most [67:47] successful people they started they they [67:49] started from nothing and honestly, the [67:52] biggest thing is determination and [67:54] persistence. I believe if you really [67:57] want to do something and you could see [67:59] that in a person [68:00] you want to get somewhere, you want to [68:01] do something [68:03] persistence and just keeping at it. Like [68:06] I said, I had every reason [68:08] to just say [68:10] it's over. Like what like eight kids [68:13] I'm 35 years old. I have a nothing like [68:16] what am I going to do? [68:18] But I got up and [68:20] I created [68:22] I created a future for myself and for my [68:23] children and I I believe [68:27] I believe many people could do it. [68:29] Just you have to believe in yourself. [68:30] Honestly, also, you believe in yourself, [68:33] other people will believe in you. [68:35] When a woman comes to my office or calls [68:37] me on the phone [68:39] and she wants a job and her her her [68:43] I can't really do anything. I can't [68:45] really get out of the house for too many [68:47] hours. I can't really this. I'm not good [68:49] at that. I'm not good at this. [68:51] Those are very people that are very hard [68:53] to help. [68:54] When I get out of phone with a woman [68:56] that is like, I want to do this and I [68:59] think I could be good at this. I need [69:00] just some help getting there and I'm [69:02] like, you know what? This This woman [69:03] could could be something. [69:05] And just believe in yourself, honestly, [69:08] and [69:09] I I really think that employers really [69:13] need to start giving [69:15] chances to the fresh [69:18] people that don't necessarily I I I [69:20] believe there's like this inborn thing [69:21] you could tell if someone has [69:23] the potential. And worst case scenario, [69:26] you hire someone, you give them a shot, [69:28] and they don't have the potential, you [69:29] fire them. [69:30] It took 2 months, maybe, out of your [69:33] uh [69:34] >> We don't say fire, we say allow them to [69:36] seek additional external opportunities. [69:38] >> Exactly. Exactly. Listen, you know, and [69:41] I'll be honest, [69:42] not everyone is cut out [69:45] to be working in an office. Not everyone [69:47] is cut out to be in the corporate [69:49] environment, but I everybody is cut out [69:51] for something. I have [69:53] taken women, and I've made them personal [69:55] organizers. I've taken women, even if [69:58] they're working in a playgroup, or [69:59] whatever it is, doing something. Will [70:02] that necessarily pay all their bills? It [70:04] won't, but they're making an effort. [70:06] They're putting in Not everyone is going [70:08] to be capable, that's a fact, something [70:10] I discovered along my journey of helping [70:12] single moms, but I do believe [70:16] everyone could do something. My daughter [70:18] was going to Florida like 5 6 years ago, [70:21] 5 years ago, right when I started this, [70:23] and I posted on my status, is there a [70:25] woman that could drive a few girls to [70:27] the airport? And a single mom reached [70:28] out to me. I had not found her a job [70:30] yet. It was hard to place her. [70:32] And she's like, can I do it? I'm like, [70:34] sure. And I paid her whatever, 2 250, to [70:37] drive my daughter and her friends to the [70:38] airport. And then she called me. She's [70:40] like, you know something? I think [70:42] there's a need for more female drivers. [70:44] And she became a female driver. Is it [70:45] going to bring her in a million dollars? [70:47] It's not, but it made her feel good to [70:49] know that she's out there, [70:51] and she's [70:52] doing something, you know, for her [70:54] family. [70:55] >> Hold the wire, because the episode ends [70:58] even more wisdom. But before that, I [70:59] want to ask you, have you ever wondered [71:02] who created Torah anytime's technology [71:04] or Eastern Union's loan processing [71:07] platform that processed over $50 billion [71:10] or for Prompt Logistics, which is a [71:12] freight logistics company, but you knew [71:14] that. They created custom software [71:17] involving carriers, instant rate quotes [71:19] and comparisons and doing everything [71:21] beautifully and simply. Well, that was [71:23] none other than Bitbean. Stop working [71:26] with archaic software. It's 2026 or when [71:29] you're listening to this, maybe 2028. [71:31] You should get what you want when you [71:32] want at a fraction of the price it used [71:34] to cost because of AI. And to do it [71:36] right, you're going to contact my [71:38] friends at bitbean.com. Links in the [71:39] show notes. It's a no cost conversation. [71:42] You have to see what's possible. Stop [71:44] living inside Google Sheets. Alex over [71:46] at Bitbean's going to take good care of [71:48] you and your business or organization as [71:50] he and the team have for many hundreds [71:52] just like you. If you've seen what daily [71:54] leaves been up to, that has Bitbean [71:57] written all over it. Go to bitbean.com, [71:59] click on their case studies, click on [72:00] AI, click on their contact. They will [72:03] take good care of you, but you have to [72:04] take the first step. There's a woman [72:07] named Shira [72:09] in the Five Towns. She has a WhatsApp [72:11] group where [72:13] it's her [72:14] and a bunch of people [72:19] plumbers and and handyman and and [72:22] professionals. [72:23] >> Mhm. [72:24] >> And [72:25] all week she's posting. It's It's It's [72:27] It's for [72:28] >> It's called I know what this is called. [72:29] It's an organization. It's called um [72:32] uh [72:33] >> It's for divorced moms. [72:35] >> Yeah. [72:35] >> For divorced [72:36] >> a little bit of assistance. Like [72:38] plumbers, electricians, cleaning help. [72:40] >> And it's wild to see that, you know, [72:43] there are people listening and say, [72:44] "Okay, this is interesting to listen to [72:47] or this is helpful for me in some way, [72:49] but I can't help, you know, I'm I'm some [72:53] I'm a lawyer, right? I can't and there's [72:56] so so much that people [72:58] can give of themselves or of their skill [73:01] sets to people in need. [73:03] >> 100% 100%. I actually I believe I will [73:08] never take a penny for any of the job [73:10] recruiting that I do with single moms or [73:13] even we help some also not you know, [73:15] just people that need jobs. And people [73:17] always ask me why why don't you take [73:18] like a fee from the businesses like [73:19] small fee? And I and I always say I [73:22] believe the success was in my own [73:24] company is because this is what I do on [73:27] the side as as a hasid and [73:30] getting someone a job, placing someone [73:32] in a job is honestly like the highest [73:34] level of tzedakah [73:36] and people know that it's it's the [73:38] highest level of tzedakah you could do [73:39] you're saving someone's life [73:41] and [73:42] it's [73:43] you know, give someone a chance if [73:46] you're unsure but just give someone a [73:48] chance and [73:50] you know what they might shock you. I I [73:53] I shocked myself. I'm sure I shocked a [73:54] lot of people. I you know, [73:57] so you never know. You never know. [73:59] >> What's the secret to selling? You said [74:01] you're [74:02] it's one of your strong points sales. [74:04] What would you [74:04] >> Sales. [74:05] >> What what would you say if you had to [74:06] give a couple of things to people that [74:08] are in sales or even the selling of [74:10] themselves? What's your piece of advice? [74:12] >> Number one, [74:14] believe if it's themselves or product, [74:16] believe in yourself. If you believe in [74:18] yourself other people will believe in [74:20] you. If you believe in your product and [74:22] you love that product you're giving, [74:24] you're selling, people [74:26] will trust you. They could tell. Believe [74:28] it or not, when you're selling something [74:30] or when you believe in yourself, [74:32] everyone could tell. [74:33] When you you have this weak pitch, no [74:36] one's taking your product and no one is [74:37] hiring you, honestly. [74:39] I'm very big on LinkedIn. [74:41] Um like in terms of I I've gotten a ton [74:44] of business off of LinkedIn. [74:46] Um and honestly, I don't really have a [74:48] sales team. It's it's simply I am my [74:50] product. I am my sales. [74:53] Me, myself, um, what I put out there, my [74:57] track record is the best sales pitch, [75:00] which means when somebody says, "Oh, how [75:01] do I know your good service is good?" [75:03] Here is a list of people that have used [75:05] my service. [75:06] Call them and ask them. The way I [75:08] present myself when I walk into a room, [75:11] I'm showing confidence. Confidence is a [75:13] huge thing for sales. I've spoken to [75:15] many people [75:17] and I'm just like, [75:18] "They don't seem to believe in [75:19] themselves or their product. Um, why [75:21] should I?" And and I say that for for [75:23] everything. Believe in yourself, believe [75:25] in your product, then [75:27] everyone else will. [75:29] Unfortunately, there are scammers out [75:30] there also, but that that look very [75:32] confident, but [75:34] quickly you believe in yourself, your [75:35] success will follow. [75:37] >> With God's help, how do you ensure your [75:39] particular business lives on when you [75:41] want to retire? And I know you might not [75:43] be thinking [laughter] about retirement. [75:45] >> That's always what I hear when there's [75:47] a powerhouse that is the name and the [75:49] face of the brand and and has the skill [75:51] sets. [75:52] >> 100%. [75:52] >> you ensure that there's residual, [75:55] so-called passive income flowing your [75:57] way after you want to move to Israel and [76:00] retire? [76:01] >> a few things. Honestly, honestly, I [76:03] believe in diversifying, which means as [76:05] the money comes in, we're not just [76:07] keeping it in the business. I'm making [76:09] sure that I will be able to financially [76:12] retire and not just rely on my [76:14] collections company. [76:16] Number two, I have a 19-year-old son [76:18] who, you know, is right now a big masmid [76:20] in Long Beach, you know, second-year [76:22] base medrish. I have I five boys. [76:25] Um, my daughter is actually in college [76:27] on a different track, but I bring in my [76:30] boys sometimes and I show them [76:32] >> resume in the show notes. [76:33] >> Yes. [76:34] >> [laughter] [76:34] >> I bring in my boys sometimes when [76:35] they're off. I have them sit sit in a [76:37] meeting, specifically my 19-year-old who [76:39] I believe, you know, we have very [76:41] similar personalities. I bring him in. I [76:43] show him what it's about. Um but I [76:45] always laugh because I have a set of [76:47] twins that are 11 and girls, and one of [76:51] them [76:52] is like this big powerhouse, and I [76:54] always say that is the kid I feel that [76:56] is going to take over my business. But [76:58] even in general, like I'll talk to my [77:00] kids about my business, and I don't [77:02] force any of them to go into it. [77:03] Obviously, I want them each to take [77:04] their own paths. [77:06] But it's amazing to see how they'll call [77:07] me up from yeshiva. They'll be like, [77:08] "Ma, so that deal you were trying to [77:10] collect on, did it close? Like, did you [77:12] collect the money?" Like, they're very [77:13] excited about And it's actually amazing [77:15] to see because they're actually very [77:17] proud of me. You know, they know I did [77:20] it for them, and I like to show them [77:21] this is what I created to be able to [77:23] support you. They We We discuss it. They [77:25] know that for me going from a [77:27] stay-at-home mother to be suddenly [77:29] working, I had to explain to them this [77:31] is for you. And And they see that. And [77:34] they they see what's come from it. So, [77:37] listen, like I say, Hashem runs the [77:38] world. Where will my business be [77:40] tomorrow? Only Hashem knows. But I [77:42] believe I'm doing [77:44] everything in my [77:46] ishtadlus, in my power to hopefully make [77:49] it continue because [77:51] one of the most rewarding things about [77:53] this business is the amount of shalom [77:55] that we've made between partners, [77:58] siblings, [78:00] people that loaned money that people [78:02] haven't been talking to each other for [78:04] years, and they come to us. We bring [78:05] them into the same room. [78:07] People call us. They're like, "You don't [78:08] understand. My partner, my old partner, [78:10] has not spoken to me in 2 years. He just [78:12] called me." And And that's honestly the [78:14] most rewarding part of my business. [78:17] Um just to see the outcomes. I know that [78:20] we do have some wild [78:22] ways we collect, but typically the [78:25] outcomes outweigh the the risks and the [78:28] craziness. [78:29] Um but yeah, I mean, honestly, anyone [78:33] that, you know, is bringing in a lot of [78:34] money, never, ever rely on just that [78:37] business for [78:39] all your finances. [78:41] Diversify. I'm you know, now I'm [78:43] starting something else. [78:45] A second thing that we, you know, can't [78:47] discuss as of yet. I always say the [78:49] challenge of becoming successful is like [78:51] you want to become successful, you want [78:52] to make a lot of money, and then you do [78:54] it. You make a lot of money, you become [78:55] successful, and then [78:57] you have that fear of I can never go [78:59] back down. I always need to stay up, you [79:01] know, and it's you constantly have to be [79:04] I guess that's where it comes from. [79:05] You're never happy with what you have. [79:07] It's not really not being happy. It's [79:09] the fear of [79:11] going back to what you were before. [79:14] And in a way it makes me understand [79:17] those people that are going to Israel [79:18] and not having money. And going to, you [79:22] know, driving the fancy cars when they [79:24] don't have money because [79:25] once you reach a level of success, it's [79:28] extremely painful to have to be able to [79:30] show the world I need to go get a [79:32] second-hand car, and I need I can't be [79:34] doing anything I used to do. [79:36] Uh [79:38] like I said, you know, responsibility. [79:40] >> In some ways one can hope that you do [79:42] diversify into another business and [79:43] there is no need for collections or the [79:46] the bringing of Shalom, but [79:49] until then it sounds like you're doing [79:51] God's work. [79:53] If someone does want to get in touch [79:54] with you, what's the best way to do [79:56] that? [79:56] >> So, there's email, Rivka, r i v k a at [80:00] ascentconsulting.co. [80:02] >> No, we'll put it in the show notes. [80:04] >> I will give a phone number as well. [80:06] Typically, the best way to reach is like [80:09] by WhatsApp. You know, I'm over to call, [80:11] you know, if business related or single [80:14] mom related or, you know, anything like [80:16] that. [80:17] >> Are you good at not looking at 11:00 at [80:19] night? [80:20] >> I [80:21] purposely don't. Anything that's not [80:24] like [80:25] I used to be that person that was [80:27] working from like [80:30] 8:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the [80:31] morning and responding to the clients [80:33] and responding to everyone no matter [80:34] what time. [80:35] And then I made boundaries for myself. I [80:38] I can have you know, I understand the [80:39] hustle in the beginning of the first few [80:40] years of business, but now [80:43] Baruch Hashem, I feel like, you know, [80:45] I'm able to take a step back. I'm able [80:46] to make those boundaries. I will respond [80:48] to your emails between the hours of [80:50] 9:00 to 5:00 or texts or things like [80:53] that. And sometimes it'll even take us a [80:55] few days if we get, you know, so many, [80:57] but we're pretty good at communicating. [81:00] I have an assistant as well. And [81:02] >> AI [81:03] >> We'll get back to you AI. Yeah, we're [81:04] working on a something AI as well. [81:07] >> After an episode airs, I'll get tons of [81:09] comments and most of the time I say, [81:11] "Okay, just tell the guest, right?" [81:14] >> Yeah. [81:14] >> Right, I brought a guest on. I'm not a [81:16] master in that particular topic. Uh the [81:19] their contact information's in the show [81:21] notes. [81:22] >> Yes. [81:22] >> Um so, if you do have um feedback, [81:25] criticism, um [81:27] advice, uh Rifka's very open to to [81:31] hearing that and uh [81:33] >> Always. [81:33] >> please do share and I cannot thank you [81:35] enough for coming in. [81:36] >> And I guess my uh [81:38] final thoughts is I would say [81:42] is that I like to call it the domino [81:43] effect. Once somebody does not pay their [81:46] bill, you may only think that you're [81:48] only affecting the person that you're [81:51] not paying, but that's not because many [81:55] times by you not paying that invoice, my [81:58] client can't pay his bills and those [82:00] people can't pay their payroll and if [82:03] you can't pay their payroll, people are [82:04] literally not able to pay for their [82:05] groceries. So, [82:08] you know, people should just keep that [82:09] in mind that one invoice not being paid
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