SE01E026 - Real Estate Media, Rebuilt for the Long Haul | With Rob Malan

But First, Principles!

🏗️ Real Estate Media, Rebuilt for the Long Haul

Rob Malan, founder and president of HD Bros, led the company through a tough 2023 — including layoffs and a leadership shift — and came back stronger. In 2024, revenue is already up 20%, with a 25% growth trajectory projected for 2025. The key? Focus, fundamentals, and a single decision-maker model.

🧠 Hard Truths for Business Owners

Rob’s philosophy is simple but sharp: “Cash is king,” and most business bottlenecks start with the owner. He shares the raw lessons behind HD Bros’ turnaround, from dropping consensus paralysis to rebuilding culture around retention and service — not shiny objects.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Build with Friends, Keep the Family

While many warn against mixing business and personal, Rob argues the opposite — with the right groundwork, it can be your superpower. His business and family are deeply intertwined, and he’s playing the long game: not to sell fast, but to build something that outlasts the founders.

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Colin and the But First, Principles team.

Connect with Colin Davis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-davis-1stprinciples/
Visit the First Principles Coaching website here: http://www.firstprinciplescoaching.com/

Listen to But First, Principles! on these podcast platforms:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5lfyftqBqzqQOfv9QgrvZa
Apple Podcasts:
Amazon Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/but-first-principles/id1793156303https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6eb3cb0e-000d-4774-a0df-9cdf8b39089b/but-first-principles

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But First, Principles with Colin Davis is a podcast for leaders, entrepreneurs, and curious minds who want to dig deeper into how things really work. Each episode explores a timeless principle or mental model that drives exceptional decision-making, leadership clarity, and strategic thinking. With guests from business, tech, academia, and beyond, Colin helps listeners peel back the noise and return to what really matters: the principles that stand the test of time.