Main Street Business

State SALT Compliance Tracker (SaaS)

Create a SaaS product that centralizes and automates the state-level operational requirements of the SALT workaround: state eligibility lookup, per-state deadlines and form libraries, deposit workflow (who pays and how to tag deposits as S-corp payments), reminder scheduling for quarterly deposits and state-specific election windows (e.g., NY Sept 15 deadline, CA June 1 election and $1,000 deposit rule). The platform would let accountants and business owners add entities, track required actions by state, generate pre-filled state forms or downloadable templates, integrate with bookkeeping software or bank accounts to tag payments, and produce the documentation needed for year-end filing and audit defense. Implementation steps: research and codify rules for the 36 participating states, build a web app with user roles (owner / accountant), implement alerting and document upload, and pilot with a small CPA network. This solves complexity and compliance risk created by state-by-state variation, reduces missed deadlines (which can cause lost elections), and prevents filing mistakes that trigger amendments/audits. Target customers: tax advisors, CPA firms, and S-corp owners who implement the workaround across states. The podcast explicitly cited the fragmented state rules and deadlines, justifying the need for an organized, state-specific tool.

SaaS High Score: 7.0/10

From: #589 The SALT Workaround After the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB)

SALT Workaround Certification Course for Advisors

Develop a paid online certification (course + exam + downloadable playbooks) that teaches accountants, tax attorneys, and tax-savvy bookkeepers how to implement the SALT workaround end-to-end. Course modules would cover qualification triage (three steps to see if clients qualify), entity considerations (S-corp setup and reasonable compensation rules), state-by-state mechanics (how to make deposits, election windows, non-refundable credit handling), year-end reporting and audit defense, and client communication templates. The product could be delivered as on-demand lessons, live workshops for Q&A, and a private Slack/Discord community for certified advisors to trade experiences and referrals. Implementation: assemble curricula and templates based on the hosts' playbooks, record lectures, build assessments, and offer a certification badge plus directory listing for certified advisors. This addresses the need the hosts repeatedly emphasize—many accountants need training to execute the workaround properly, avoid filing mistakes, and coordinate with clients' payroll and bank flows. Target audience: accountants, tax attorneys, and mid-tier advisory firms wanting to add SALT-workaround implementation to their services. The episode and description explicitly reference teaching and certification offerings, making this a direct, implementable idea.

Content Medium Score: 7.2/10

From: #589 The SALT Workaround After the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB)

Virtual SALT Workaround Advisory Service

This is a specialized virtual tax advisory service that helps S-corporation owners implement the SALT workaround (having the S-corp pay state income taxes so owners can get federal deductions without hitting the SALT cap). The service would screen clients for qualification (are they S-corps, are they in one of the participating 36 states, do they face the $40k cap or phaseout), prepare or coordinate required state deposits and forms, and assist with year-end reporting to avoid filing errors and amendments. Implementation: build a packaged advisory offering (discovery intake, state eligibility check, payroll/quarterly deposit coordination, year-end filing review, amendment handling), deliver remotely via video consults and secure document sharing, and provide standardized checklists and state-specific playbooks. The problem solved: prevents business owners from overpaying federal taxes on income already paid to states and reduces audit/filing mistakes when using the workaround. Target audience: S-corporation owners (especially in high-tax states) and their accountants who need implementation support. Specific tactics mentioned in the episode that inform the service: triage checklist (three steps to qualify), using the S-corp bank account for deposits, knowing state-specific deadlines/forms (e.g., New York September 15, California June 1), and performing a coordinated year-end 1040/state review to avoid amends/audits.

Service Medium Score: 7.6/10

From: #589 The SALT Workaround After the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB)

Roll‑Up Acquisitions of Local Service Businesses

Grant recommends an acquisition roll‑up strategy: buy multiple small local service businesses (dentistry, chiropractic, HVAC, roofing, etc.) during a distressed cycle to scale operating cashflow quickly. Implementation: identify fragmented service verticals, source motivated sellers (owners retiring or facing downturn), standardize operations and marketing, and centralize back‑office functions (billing, HR, purchasing). Use digital lead generation and optimize unit economics post‑acquisition. Funding can be debt, seller financing, and equity; early deals can be structured with earnouts to reduce upfront capital. Problem solved: founders gain immediate cashflow and multiple arbitrage from consolidating businesses; sellers find exit liquidity in a turbulent market. Target audience: generalist operators or entrepreneurial investors comfortable with M&A and operations in service verticals. Specific tactics mentioned: focus on buying multiple units (10+), target businesses available at distressed prices in the cycle, and rapidly replicate successful systems across acquisitions.

Service High Score: 6.8/10

From: #426 Main Street Interview with Grant Cardone

High‑Access Investor Calls & Community

Grant describes running large, high‑access investor calls and chats where thousands of retail investors (including those who invested small amounts like $5,000) can ask questions and build trust with the sponsor. The business idea is to run an online investor community around deal flow: recurring live webinars, Q&A sessions, and an online membership that provides deal briefs, performance dashboards, and exclusive access to co‑investment opportunities. Implementation: launch with a webinar platform (Zoom, Crowdcast), a community layer (Mighty Networks, Circle, Slack/Discord), and an investor portal for KYC/accreditation and payment. Monetization can be via membership fees, deal placement fees, or bundling small minimum co‑investment opportunities. This solves the trust and access problem for retail investors who want institutional deals but lack relationships; it also provides sponsors a scalable distribution channel. Target audience: content/marketing‑savvy founders or investment sponsors who already have an audience and want to convert followers into investors. Specific tactics mentioned: host frequent investor calls (even late-night), accept small minimums to onboard many participants, leverage social channels to fill calls, and use self‑directed IRA partnerships to attract retirement capital.

Community Medium Score: 7.2/10

From: #426 Main Street Interview with Grant Cardone

Retail Real‑Estate Syndication for Main Street

This idea is the syndication/fund model Grant Cardone describes: acquire institutional‑quality real estate assets with sponsor capital, then open up investment slots to a broad, retail audience (including non‑accredited investors) with low minimums so Main Street investors can buy shares of large deals. Implementation: structure an investment vehicle (REIT/syndication/fund or special purpose vehicle), fund initial acquisition with sponsor capital or debt, then market the opportunity to an audience via email, social, and investor webinars. Use investor onboarding flows, subscription payment processors, and compliance/legal documents (private placement memorandum or Reg A/CF filings depending on structure). He specifically recommends hunting assets with adjustable loans coming due (recapitalization opportunities) in strong growth locations (TX, FL, Southeast) and emphasizes location-driven, institutional quality assets that generate cashflow and tax advantages. Problem solved: gives small investors access to deals normally reserved for large institutional investors, provides entrepreneurs a way to scale asset ownership and recurring management fees/carry. Target audience: entrepreneurs and operators who can marshal deal flow and a digital audience — real estate operators, accredited and non‑accredited retail investors, and advisors offering self‑directed IRAs. Tactics/tools mentioned: use your online audience (Instagram/Facebook), host regular investor calls/webinars, accept small minimum investments (example given: $5,000), focus on assets with adjustable loans coming due, and partner with self‑directed IRA providers for retirement capital.

Marketplace High Score: 7.8/10

From: #426 Main Street Interview with Grant Cardone