The Freedom Formula Podcast: Achieving Financial, Location and Time Freedom
By Neel Parekh
The Freedom Formula Podcast: Achieving Financial, Location and Time FreedomMar 09, 2022
143. Doing Less and Making More - Selling a $4MM/yr business to Become a Full-Time Meditation Teacher, with David Lahav
In this episode, Neel chats with David Lahav, a former locksmith company owner turned meditation teacher. They discuss David's journey in entrepreneurship, his mindset shift towards finding purpose and freedom, and the role of meditation in his life. David emphasizes the importance of being an importer of happiness rather than an exporter, and how meditation helps reduce stress and improve decision-making. He also explains how entrepreneurship and meditation are not mutually exclusive, but rather work together to create a fulfilling life. The episode concludes with a discussion on the definition of freedom and the relevance of engaging with the world.
Takeaways
- Entrepreneurship can be a funding mechanism for pursuing one's passion and purpose.
- Meditation can help reduce stress, improve decision-making, and provide mental clarity for entrepreneurs.
- Happiness and fulfillment should not be dependent on external achievements or material possessions.
- The goalpost of success and accomplishment will always move, so it's important to find internal contentment.
- Engaging with the world and sharing one's knowledge and experiences can bring a sense of relevancy and fulfillment.
Follow David on X: @Heydavidla
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
142. Selling Water Beds and Scaling Multiple Businesses with “Output Thinking”, with CEO Coach John Seiffer
In this episode, Neel Parekh sits down with John Seiffer, author of Output Thinking and founder of CEO Bootcamp. They discuss John's entrepreneurial journey, starting with a failed waterbed store business in the 70s. They explore the differences between B2B and B2C business models and the importance of building a business like an asset. John introduces the concept of output thinking and explains how to identify and develop systems in a business. They also discuss common issues faced by new businesses and how to find your zone of genius. The episode concludes with information about CEO Bootcamp and a free coaching session offer.
Takeaways
- Building a business like an asset involves systemizing and scaling operations.
- Identifying and defining outputs is crucial for managing employees and improving performance.
- Outsourcing tasks that you hate doing allows you to focus on your core competencies.
- Start implementing output thinking and systemization from the beginning of your business.
- Consider joining CEO Bootcamp for personalized coaching and guidance in systemizing your business.
Follow John on X: @BetterCeo If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
141. Quitting Silicon Valley to Spend 5 Years Spearfishing, an interview with Jon Stenstrom
In this episode, Neel reunites with his old friend Jon to discuss Jon's unique lifestyle and career transitions. Jon shares his journey from being a residential advisor to working in startups and spearfishing. They delve into the challenges of making career pivots and the importance of unlearning limiting beliefs. Jon also talks about his experience as a stay-at-home dad and the impact it had on his business. They explore the balance between career goals and prioritizing experiences, and the value of simplicity and time freedom. The episode concludes with John sharing where listeners can find him.
Takeaways
- Making career pivots can be challenging, but it's important to listen to your gut and know when it's time to move on.
- Unlearning limiting beliefs and societal expectations is crucial for personal and professional growth.
- Balancing work and family life requires making tough decisions and prioritizing what truly matters.
- Building a lifestyle that prioritizes experiences and time freedom can be more fulfilling than chasing financial success.
140. Quitting the 9-5 Cold Turkey and Starting a Local Town Newsletter, with Ryan Sneddon
In this episode, Ryan Sneddon shares his journey of starting a successful local email newsletter business. He discusses how he came up with the idea, experimented with different business models, and eventually found success with his current business. Ryan explains the process of monetizing the newsletter through advertising and the importance of targeting the right advertisers. He also shares his plans for scaling the business and partnering with others to expand into different cities. Ryan emphasizes the value of sharing knowledge and helping others succeed in the local newsletter space.
Neel and Ryan discuss:
- Starting a local email newsletter can be a profitable business model.
- Targeting the right advertisers and providing valuable content are key to monetizing the newsletter.
- Engaging with the local community and being present in the town can help build a successful newsletter.
- Sharing knowledge and teaching others can be a valuable way to grow the business and create partnerships.
139. How to Test New Biz Ideas and Then Go All In, with Jon Matzner from Sagan Passport
In this episode, Neel sits down with Jon Matzner about his entrepreneurial journey and the launch of Sagan Passport.
Jon emphasizes the importance of iterative experimentation and finding variations on a theme.
He shares his mindset when testing new ideas and the value of being flexible and adaptable.
Jon also explains the concept of Sagan Passport, which offers a suite of hard and soft benefits for hiring global talent.
Neel and Jon discuss:
- Iterative experimentation and finding variations on a theme can lead to successful business ideas.
- Being flexible and adaptable is crucial in entrepreneurship.
- Identify business opportunities by following your passion and looking for areas where people are already spending money.
- Sagan Passport offers a suite of hard and soft benefits for hiring global talent.
Follow Jon on X: @MatznerJon
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
138. Quitting a $1M/Yr Salary To Go Surfing Every Day, with Khe Hy, host of the Examined Life Podcast
In this episode, Neel chats with Khe, a former finance professional who quit his high-paying job to pursue a more fulfilling life.
They discuss Khe's background, his career journey, and the midlife crisis that led him to reevaluate his priorities. They also explore the concept of lifestyle creep and how Khe managed his spending habits.
The conversation delves into the psychological hurdles and money beliefs that often hold people back from making significant life changes.
They touch on generational trauma and the fear of losing money, as well as the concept of golden handcuffs and the optimal lifestyle.
Finally, they discuss the decision to quit and the importance of owning one's time and pursuing activities that bring joy and fulfillment.
Neel and Khe Hy discuss:
- It's important to consider the trade-off between money and security when making decisions about work and lifestyle.
- Financial planning can help provide for future goals and expenses, such as college tuition for children.
- Flexibility and simplicity can be valuable aspects of a lifestyle, allowing for freedom and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
- Generational wealth and inheritance may not always be the best approach, as it may not align with the values and goals of the next generation.
- Optimizing for lifestyle can involve creating a daily routine that prioritizes personal well-being and enjoyment.
- Achieving lifestyle before wealth can be a mindset shift that focuses on living a fulfilling life rather than accumulating material possessions.
- Diversifying income streams can contribute to financial independence and provide stability.
- The pressure to grind and stay focused on financial success can be challenging to overcome, especially when surrounded by others who prioritize wealth.
- Personalized journeys to freedom involve defining and pursuing one's own version of a fulfilling and meaningful life.
- To learn more about lifestyle optimization and financial independence, visit radreads.co and listen to the Examine Life podcast.
Follow Khe Hy on X: @khemaridh or check out his Examined Life podcast. If you can't get enough, you can also find his newsletter here.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to https://maidthisfranchise.com
137. Going Big And Launching 100+ Locations in 11 Months, with Aaron Harper CEO of Rolling Suds Franchise
In this episode, Neel chats with Aaron Harper, CEO of Rolling Suds, about his journey in the franchise industry.
Aaron shares his background in the film industry and his transition to entrepreneurship.
He explains his approach to acquiring Rolling Suds and turning it into a franchise.
Aaron discusses the importance of building a strong franchise system and the support provided to franchisees.
He also emphasizes the need for commitment and effort from franchisees and the challenges of part-time franchise ownership.
Neel and Aaron discuss:
- Transitioning from a traditional job to entrepreneurship requires the necessary skills and experience.
- When acquiring a business to franchise, it is important to partner with owners who have the intellectual capital and successful systems in place.
- Building a franchise system involves condensing years of knowledge into training programs and ongoing support.
- Marketing and lead generation are crucial for franchise success, and a combination of inbound and outbound strategies can be effective.
- Franchisees should be committed to building a multimillion-dollar enterprise and be willing to invest the necessary time and effort.
Follow Aaron on X: @AaronHarperCEO LinkedIn: Aaron Harper
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to http://www.maidthisfranchise.com
136. Quitting the 9-5 and Launching a 7-Figure Fencing Business, with Connor Loftus
In this episode, Neel sits down with Connor Loftus from Mike's Fences and dive into his entrepreneurial journey, exploring the fusion of passion, family influence, and market opportunity that led to the creation of his company.
Takeaways:
- Entrepreneurship often involves seizing opportunities where one's passion aligns with market demand.
- The journey to building a successful business may involve trial and error, but perseverance and adaptability are essential.
- Embracing uncertainty and taking calculated risks can lead to unexpected growth and fulfillment.
Way back in Episode 41 Neel interviewed Mike Loftus whose business is unsurprisingly called, Connor's Landscaping.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
135. Launching a Roofing Business to 8-Figures in Year 1, with Cole Simpson
In this episode, Neel Parekh interviews Cole Simpson, owner of a roofing company, about his journey in entrepreneurship.
Cole shares his background and how he got into the roofing business. He discusses the challenges and lessons he learned along the way, including his experience with franchising and acquisitions.
Cole shares his motivations and goals, and how he approaches business as a game.
Takeaways:
- Entrepreneurship requires risk mitigation and the ability to make asymmetrical bets.
- Experience in entrepreneurship is gained by making decisions and learning from them.
- Focus on growth and revenue in the early stages of a business, and then shift to profitability.
- Consider franchising as a way to speed up scaling and gain credibility in a specific industry.
- Approach business as a game and enjoy the process, while also being a good steward of the opportunities and resources.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
00:36 Getting into Entrepreneurship
03:27 Franchising and Acquisitions
05:02 Current Business Performance
08:23 Risk Mitigation and Decision Making
10:33 Focus on Growth and Profitability
12:07 Full-Time Commitment
15:10 Franchising vs. DIY
18:01 Motivations and Goals
21:30 Approaching Business as a Game
23:49 Where to Find Cole Simpson: @jcolesimpson
134. Do You Need $10K/Mo to be "Free"? An Interview with Stephen Heiner
In this episode Neel sits down for the second time with Stephen Heiner, who previously appeared on episode 108, when he had just newly moved into a Catholic seminary after having been location independent for a decade. This was Neel's "6 month checkup" on Stephen.
Neel and Stephen discuss:
- Stephen's frame for freedom, i.e. discipline = freedom, and how stability has given him productivity, but also another way to do what it is he wants to do
- how much the Four Hour Work Week influenced Stephen's trajectory since he first read it in 2008, and why it's still the number one book he recommends to this day
- the relative recent appearance of "retirement" as a concept and how if you're doing what you love and you know why you are doing it, retirement will not be something that preoccupies you
If you enjoyed hearing Stephen's views, you might enjoy his YouTube channel, where he does book reviews.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
133. Putting In Two Weeks to Go Full-time on his Own Cleaning Business, with Logan Robison
In this episode Neel sits down with Logan Robison who just quit his job in the last few weeks to go full-time on his business.
Neel and Logan discuss:
- a side hustle he started in February 2020: a photo booth which he made 5X on upon exit despite starting the month before Covid hit
- how a big project at his full-time job forced a crisis and a niche move in his then rapidly-growing cleaning business...and just how hard it was to turn down jobs as a result
- how a text message autoresponder helped him still serve leads even while he was at his 9-5
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
132. Traveling the World with your Family, Total Location Freedom w/ Martijn Reintjes
In this episode Neel sits down with Martijn Reintjes, who is currently three months into a 7-month trip with his wife and three kids. And this isn't the first time he's done this, either.
Neel and Martijn discuss:
- how they had to fiscally exit the Netherlands, their home base, so that they wouldn't be fined for homeschooling their kids on the road
- how much richer the education is for his kids on the road, not just for experiences and food, but for languages too
- how Martijn used geoarbitrage to get a nanny to help with the kids and other details at a fraction of what it would normally cost
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
131. Launching an Investor-Backed Call Center for Cannabis, with Donald Spann
In this episode Neel sits down with the one and only Donald Spann.
Donald has been a guest on the pod before (listen here if you'd like to check it out)
Neel and Donald discuss:
- his initial success selling Cutco knives (and Neel pondered some kind of index of people who sold Cutco and success in life)
- his journey through servicing different needs for cleaning companies which started from building websites to then answering phones
- how Donald realized early on that money wasn't the actual motivator, but control of his time and life, and why he wanted a business which required endless consistent delivery rather than a business that had the need to endlessly innovate
If you enjoyed this episode, you can learn more via his YouTube channel on running a call center (it's the only one of its kind).
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
130. Interviewing With Purpose & Pivoting Fast, with Danny Miranda
In this episode Neel sits down with Danny Miranda of the Danny Miranda Podcast.
Danny is currently a full-time podcaster and is one of the few that managed to bag a dream guest, Gary Vee, through a viral social media thread.
Neel and Danny discuss:
- what a big role meditation plays in his life; Danny says that his life is divided in two: before he began meditating and after
- why he used to do 5-10 hours of research per guest...and why he currently does zero
- his love of the journey and being present and how that allows him to be fear from the fear of change
If you enjoyed this episode, you can get a lot of Danny's tips in his Art of Interviewing course.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
129. The FINAL EPISODE of the Remote Local Podcast
See you guys in the new year with a fresh look!
128. 30 Garage Upgrade Locations Nationwide Using 1 Unique Sales Tactic
In this episode Neel chats with Renee Aafjes of Organized Garage, a company that helps people upgrade their garages to make them look and function better.
Neel and Renee discuss:
- the unique (and supportive) environment America offers in building businesses from the ground up (and how New Zealand, where Renee hails from, deals with Tall Poppy Syndrome by contrast)
- Renee's entrepreneurial journey, which included an injury which forced him to change into a business that didn't require as much physical activity
- the collaborative approach his company takes with customers, making them feel much more invested in the process and the outcome
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
127. Selling 200 Stores for Halal Guys, then Buying in and Growing to $15M in Revenue with Paul T Tran
In this episode Neel sits down with Paul Tran, owner of 11 Halal Guys stores in the Orange County, California area.
Neel and Paul discuss:
- how what you don't know can really be a secret weapon in entrepreneurship
- what sort of people make good franchisees (and who can sometimes come with baggage)
- how Paul's personal love for the brand led him to jump back into the restaurant space after sitting on the sidelines for a decade
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
126. From Side Hustle Mobile Car Wash to 8-Figure Mobile Brake Repair with Walker Drewett of NuBrakes
In this episode Neel and sits down with Walker Drewett of NuBrakes, a mobile brake-repair business that grew out of a mobile car detailing business he started while going to school.
Neel and Walker discuss:
- not sitting on your laurels: despite growing the car detailing business to $1M in revenue, Walker found out customers really wanted help with maintenance and service, so he pivoted accordingly
- why it is nerve-wracking to trust employees with company vehicles they can take home, but that becomes easier if you build a culture of trust
- how another business (Super Talent) came about when Walker tried to share how game-changing offshore talent was
If you enjoyed hearing from Walker, feel free to connect with him on X.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
125. Running a $100K/Mo Local Biz Remotely From Japan with Chris Schwab of Think Maids and Inova Local
In this episode Neel and sits down with Chris Schwab of Think Maids (remote cleaning business) and Inova Local (a virtual assistant company).
Chris originally wanted to get to Japan to be with his long-distance girlfriend and realized starting a business was the only way he could do that. That paved the way for everything else.
Neel and Chris discuss:
- the cleaning "revenue valley of despair" in which you are bringing in a lot of revenue but are not yet profitable enough to hire full-time help
- the importance of staying balance once you've made the jump to your remote life: don't get comfortable or your business will go stagnant
- how he and his team connect marketing and sales through specific and personalized funnels.
If you enjoy this episode, you can get even more from Chris in his Local Business MBA course.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
124. A Remote Local Barber Shop Meets Speakeasy with Ben Davis of The Gents Place
In this episode Neel speaks with Ben Davis of The Gents Place (which he describes as speakeasy meets barber shop meets country club) and Rascal Man about his journey from the corporate life to being a remote local business franchisor.
Neel and Ben discuss:
- how he chose what kind of business to start, which included asking "where could I work 80 a week and still love it."
- why someone would choose a $600 annual membership to The Gents Place instead of just paying $30 each time he needs a haircut.
- Operation Gentlemen, a nonprofit that helps homeless veterans eat and re-enter and new veterans enter the workforce
If you enjoy this episode, you can get even more from Ben on his Untrapped Entrepreneur podcast.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
123: From Passive Income to Passionate Pursuits with Brian Luebben
In this episode Neel chats with Brian Leubben, host of the Action Academy Podcast and author of the forthcoming book From Passive to Passionate: How to Quit Your Job, Grow Your Wealth, & Turn Your Passions into Profits.
Neel and Brian discuss:
- his entrepreneurial path which started as a college DJ, then to corporate sales, then to creating a Vivid Vision for this future.
- how "house hacking" brought him $4k a month in passive income, until he discovered affiliate income, which added another $12-19k a month.
- why Brian believes that information should be as available and free as possible. He's all about helping with the execution.
That execution happens over in his exclusive mastermind. You can learn more here.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
122: From Side Hustle to Retiring a Spouse with Seonaid Beckwith
In this episode Neel chats with Seonaid Beckwith of Perfect English Grammar, a very popular website that helps non-native English speakers improve to whatever level they want, for personal or professional reasons.
Neel and Seonaid discuss:
- how what started as a resource for her in-person students became a side hustle and then eventually allowed her to quit her job.
- how she just kept learning what she didn't know to give options to the people who were coming to the site (which now number 1-2M a month).
- her limiting beliefs about money and how she was able to evolve to a more positive outlook and why they both agree that entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful vehicles for personal development out there.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
121. Scaling to 100+ Locations By Going Back To The Basics, with Costa from Costa 10 Min Oil Change
In this episode Neel and sits down with Costa Kapothanasis of Costa 10 Minute Oil Change. Costa has scaled an oil change franchise to 100+ locations.
Neel and Costa talk about:
- how working in family-owned restaurants gave him a sense of the importance of not having single points of failure in a business and how that helped him have the right mindset to build a remote local company.
- his journey from buying a single oil change shop on a 100% seller-financed note (and getting fired from his day job) to his current growing empire of oil change locations.
- how he zagged the business from what everyone else in the industry was doing to create an "oil change only" space.
If you like what Costa has to say you can also check him out on YouTube.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
120. SEO Done Easy: How to DIY SEO with Katrin from Lahav Media
In this episode Neel and sits down with Katrin Krakovich of Lahav Media.
Neel and Katrin discuss:
- the power of blogging for local services business (here's a blog she wrote about it if you want to learn more)
- what she would do if she was starting a local services business today as far as keyword research
- what are the most important aspects of GMB (Google My Business) that every business owner needs to handle
If you enjoyed this episode, feel free to reach out to Katrin on LinkedIn or by email to follow-up.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
119. Going with the Flow with Robby McClung
In this episode Neel and sits down with Robby McClung of McClumsy.com to talk about how you sometimes have to pivot several times to find yourself going the right way in business.
Neel and Robby discuss:
- how Robby first got started in entrepreneurship, which was through training as a sommalier and learning that some of his colleagues did cellar management for restaurants
- creating an event in an isolated area, then growing in a large way because of the success of it
- but also how an event business really struggled during Covid, what he did to pivot during that time, and where he is now
If you liked what Robby had to say you can find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
118. 4 Absolute Worst Businesses to Start in 2023
In this short episode, Neel takes a look at four businesses you should be nowhere near this year.
The list includes:
- Amazon FBA (though he does offer you an alternative platform should you really want to sell products)
- Faddy franchises like Crumbl (which are for sale everywhere these days after franchisees realized this was a fad)
- Pool routes (though Neel does offer a tweak that could make this work)
Neel's all for starting businesses...he just prefers the tried and true, the types that have been around and are proven.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
117. (Rebroadcast of Episode 34) Finding Your Calling, an interview with FBI Agent Turned Serial Entrepreneur Derek Dodds
In this episode, a rebroadcast of episode 34, Neel and David sit down with Derek Dodds and have a leisurely conversation about how Derek found his calling.
Derek currently runs WaveTribe, an ecological surf company, has an interest in Naked Armor, a wet shaving company, and serves an advisor to a publishing company he co-founded, 2 Seas Agency. The path he took to get to those projects is anything but conventional.
Derek also shares:
- Going from having a gun in his hand at the age of 5 and being a hunter to becoming a vegan
- How following women he loved led to big changes in his personal and professional life
- The influence of Jidda Krishnamurti on his life
- How getting a flyer while on a self-study visit led him to give up everything he was building in Europe to come back to America, where he never thought he would return.
Enjoy the episode!
If you want to connect with Derek you can find him on Facebook or Instagram or on his personal site.
116. Exiting a Remote Local Tutor Doctor Franchise, feat Jenny Ness-Hunkin
In this episode Neel and chats with Jenny Ness-Hunkin, a former franchisee of Tutor Doctor and now the Franchise Success Manager at MaidThis.
A ten-year franchisee herself before a successful exit, Jenny believes in franchising in part because she's had such positive experiences with it. Now she helps MaidThis franchisees scale and exit their businesses, just like she did with hers.
Neel and Jenny discuss:
- why she decided to start a business in the first place even though she had a decent job
- why she considers people to be the best and worst part of owning a business
- why she now considers "begin with the end in mind" as a crucial part of any business journey
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
115. Business Models to AVOID and What Makes a Good Business Model
It's a simple but perhaps not-often-repeated truth: not all business models are created equal.
In this episode, Neel talks about local services businesses he would avoid buying/starting as well as what was the one factor he looked at recently when considering a cleaning service acquisition. You'll get the scoop on:
- Why high ticket, low recurring businesses are just as desirable as low ticket, high recurring businesses
- How you could make low ticket, low recurring businesses work (if you had to)
- The importance of building "need to have" businesses, particularly in recessions
Enjoy the episode.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
114. Using WFH 9-5 Job to Launch a Maid Service Side Hustle, an interview with Chris Rodriguez
In this episode Neel talks with one of his very own MaidThis franchisees, Chris Rodriguez.
Chris has been running MaidThis Miami for just about four months now and gives us the lowdown on how he got here.
Neel and Chris discuss:
- why a franchise fee was at first a stumbling block, then a recognition of value for Chris
- what his main motivation was in starting a business when he already had a solid-paying 9-5 (and how his spouse reacted)
- how often Chris posts in the MaidThis slack, which is like a superpowered version of the Facebook group which was where he first heard about Neel and MaidThis
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
113. Acquiring 9 Businesses for $1M+ in Passive Income, with Ujwal Velagapudi
In this episode Neel speaks with Ujwal Velagapudi, who has had a fascinating and unusual journey building businesses in many different industries.
One of the more interesting ideas Ujwal shares in the pod is his lack of concern with "maximizing profit." He's okay leaving some money on the table once he has spent time optimizing the business when he first acquires it.
Neel and Ujwal also discuss:
- Ujwal's attempted retirement in South East Asia
- What drives him (hint: it's not money)
- Why he now only looks at 7-figure cash flowing businesses
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
https://twitter.com/UjwalVelagapudi
112. Quitting the 9-5 and Starting a High Ticket Sales Closing Biz, with Jeff Lundeen
In this episode Neel and sits down with freelance sales coach Jeff Lundeen of Strong Jaw Sales. Jeff had a good career in a well-paying (though stressful) field: air traffic control. Reading books like Tim Ferriss' Four Hour Work Week awakened a desire to escape the 9-5.
Neel and Jeff discuss:
- the effect of a one-way ticket to Colombia on kickstarting the entrepreneurial journey
- why coming back to the job after that travel only made Jeff more resolved to break out of the 9-5
- why Jeff thinks copywriting and sales are so fundamental to entrepreneurship (even though he only really likes to do one of them)
What is perhaps most inspiring about Jeff is his mindset of abundance, which allows him to even teach others how to start a business exactly like his.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
111. Scaling a Maid Service Software Company, with President of Launch27 Omar Santana
In this episode Neel and sits down with Omar Santana, President of Launch27, a SaaS for cleaning companies.
Neel and Omar talk about:
- the concerns that any customer has for a SaaS when a private equity group comes in (as happened to Launch27 in 2019)
- how many of the solutions in the cleaning company space are similar and why that makes switching even more difficult than normal (no feature to encourage you to jump)
- what new features Omar and the team are working on rolling out
Omar was also kind enough to give us his email address (omars@launch27.com) as the fastest way to get a hold of him.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
110. How to have 0 competition: Do Marketing That DOESN'T Scale
As Neel looks back on previous years, he knows he's spent too much time focusing on the "scaling" aspect of marketing.
In this episode, he goes the other way, talking about marketing that doesn't scale, but delivers big results, including:
- Apartment Complex Infiltration: just as stealth as it sounds, but is all about quietly building relationships
- Neighborhood Blitz
- Networking groups, i.e. becoming the "go-to" among a group of fellow business owners
Neel notes that this kind of non-scalable marketing can win against the lazy paid marketing that he favored in years past but is now more crowded than ever.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
109. Turning Digital Cashflow into Real Estate Gold, with Car Wash Guy Kriss Bergethon
In this episode Neel and sits down with Kriss Bergethon, known as the "Car Wash Guy" on Twitter.
Interestingly, while Kriss is known for car washes, it's actually a side hustle for him. He's full time in the supplements and natural medicine space.
Neel and Kriss discuss:
- how trying to get in on the self-storage craze led to buying his first car wash
- the major tax benefits that a car wash can offer, including Kriss' first refund in more than a decade
- why banks love car washes and why they are a great avenue of investment for your business earnings
If you enjoy this episode, you can get the full course on how to find and run your first car wash at Tax Free Cash Cow.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
108. Achieving Financial and Location Freedom...and What Happens After, with Stephen Heiner
In this episode Neel and sits down with Stephen Heiner, who moved to France ten years ago after selling a business. Stephen worked hard to build a dream life, and recently gave all of it up to move to become a volunteer at a religious house.
Neel and Stephen discuss:
- his path to France and what he did when he arrived
- the importance of asking yourself what it is you want at the end of the rainbow
- always being ready to re-evaluate where you are, never accepting that you have "arrived"
If you enjoy this episode, you can also catch Stephen reviewing books on his YouTube channel.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
107. 1099 vs W-2: Compliance and Contracts for Cleaning Businesses with Andy Agarwal from CCDRA
In this episode Neel and sits down with Andy Agrawal of Weekend Maids, who is also part of the CCDRA (California Coalition of Domestic Referral Agencies). Andy has been running the company for the last 15 years, but it's a family business that has been around for 36 years.
Neel and Patrick discuss the importance of compliance, particularly in regards to cleaning companies and properly classifying themselves as referral agencies rather than employers. Among other things, they talk about:
- the importance of a solid contract with your service providers and why you don't just want to pull a form off Legalzoom
- why separate bank accounts for operations and for collecting fees and paying contractors is crucial in the eyes of the IRS
- the rights of contractors, which includes the ability to decline work you offer them or to renegotiate directly when they arrive on the job
You'll also hear about the reality of fines and audits and why these matters have to be taken seriously for anyone who wants to stay in business long-term.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
106: $500K Consulting Side Hustle with Sean O'Dowd
In this episode Neel sits down with Sean O'Dowd of The O'Dowd Group.
Sean was just looking to pay off the loan he took out to buy an engagement ring for his then-fiancee when he decided to consult on the side. His very first gig was through Upwork and involved proofreading an email for $30.
Neel and Sean discuss:
- how having a Wharton degree may have helped him land some clients, but how easily his mom, who was a simple librarian without that elite college pedigree, was able to land a $30k consulting gig with his help
- what sort of income you can hope to attain as a one-person shop
- platforms like Catalant and Uncommon Elite that have helped to power Sean's growth
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
105. Local SEO for Dummies
Neel recently had to interview a number of SEO vendors in preparation for making a change, and felt like he became a bit of an expert in thinking through what agencies can and should provide for you.
Neel talks about what you can expect to pay for decent SEO service ($750-$1500 depending on quality) as well as:
- Map Pack ranking and the importance of reviews that mention your key words
- The importance (and limits) of blogs
- The difference between on-page and technical SEO and why you need both
Neel also talks about link building and why it is a key part of an overall SEO strategy.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
104. Coaching Call Series: Taking Your Home Service Biz to the Next Level with Dan Kats of Shorely Clean
As part of his ongoing coaching call series, Neel chats with Dan Kats of Shorely Clean who is building his cleaning business as a side hustle and is looking to grow it quickly but sustainably.
Neel offers helpful answers to Dan's questions, including:
- The importance of hiring that first employee to help you as soon as possible
- The inbound sales conversion rates he expects from his team
- The importance of "extending your season" to combat seasonality
- Different ways of dealing with add-on services requested by customers.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
103. 2 Years as a MaidThis Franchisee: Dan Blaker of MaidThis Myrtle Beach Shares His Story
In this episode Neel and sits down with Dan Blaker, a MaidThis franchisee in the Myrtle Beach market.
It's been just under two years that Dan has been a franchisee in the MaidThis system and he looks back on his journey to share:
- how MaidThis provided a path for him to quit a 6-day-a-week, 12-hour-a-day job
- just how much "remote" he's put into his remote local business.
- what a pleasant surprise it has been to get to know fellow business owners
You'll also hear Dan talk about the power of door-knocking when you're in your local market and how much franchise systems help you to grow with a safety cushion and framework.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
102: Top Marketing Tactics in 2023 (Paid, Free, Semi-Free)
You've heard Neel talk about pros and cons of different marketing tactics over the last six months. This episode brings all of those reflections together in one valuable episode so be ready to take notes on:
- What's working and what isn't in the Google LSA space
- What to look for when researching PPC advertising to see if it will be worthwhile for your company
- The power of community marketing, including the hyper-local neighborhood blitz strategy
Neel also talks about Thumbtack, a platform that is really doing well for his franchisees at the moment, as well as non-scalable, but valuable opportunities in BNI and EO.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
101. Journey to Becoming a Franchisor with Shaina Denny of Dogdrop
In this episode Neel chats with Shaina Denny, Co-Founder and CEO of Dogdrop.
It's a rare discussion with a fellow franchisor, and Neel and Shaina discuss:
- how Dogdrop works and its capitalization on America's obsession with pets and their well-being
- why Shaina decided to use an FSO (franchise sales organization) instead of using an internal resource
- why Neel stopped using Google ads to advertise for franchise leads (he found that social media leads were more qualified)
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
100. Exiting the Matrix: My 7-Year Travel Journey
It got here even faster than we might have thought, but here is episode #100.
For this special episode, Neel shares a talk that he gave about his travel journey. You'll learn:
- that hunter/gatherer tribes in Africa will tell the same fart jokes you do at home
- the power of a smile and how strangers can help you see who you really are
- how you can opt-out of the American Dream
Neel also shares how he started his journey with fear but ended it with courage powered by serendipity.
99. Community Marketing Using Facebook Groups with Simone of House Mum Home Services
In this episode Neel and chats with Simone, Founder of House Mum Home Services, based out of Brisbane, Australia.
Simone has a successful business and is so full up with clients she has a waiting list.
But she doesn't even have a website! She's a master at community marketing and was kind enough to share some of her tactics and ideas with us.
Neel and Simone talk about:
- how posting on Facebook to find employees led her to gain customers
- what kind of Facebook groups she joins and how she interacts in them
- how she used a customer survey to expand partnerships and give clients exactly what they were looking for
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
98. Recruiting Top-Level Remote Talent For Your Local Biz, with Anna from Remotivate
In this episode Neel and sits down with Anna Scherbyna, owner of Remotivate, a company that helps entrepreneurs and business owners hire for executive and management roles.
Neel and Anna discuss:
- what it was for Anna to work in (and build a company in) the remote space in 2017, before it was cool
- why growing companies won't only need one type of ops person, they'll need three, each with different price points
- the crazy discrepancy at the moment between employers on LI offering remote jobs (13%) and the employees on LI looking for remote jobs (53%)
You'll also hear Anna's perspective on geographies, including her rule of thumb that for higher level managers, you need to look further west when you are outside of the North American geo.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
97. Early 2023 State of the Union for Remote Local Businesses, with Johnny & Sergio
In this episode Neel and sits down with Johnny Robinson and Sergio Silesky for a quarterly roundup of what they are seeing in the Remote Local space. Topics covered include:
- the effectiveness of Google LSA, both now and in the long term, along with some strategies that can help lift your performance if you're lagging
- the "Grand Opening Method" which is about continuing to build a solid lead funnel over time using community marketing
- Neel and Sergio's thoughts on keeping your hiring funnel as full as possible.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
96. Coaching Call Series: The Power of Niching Down, with Austin of Dalmaidtion Cleaning
In another of his coaching series, in which he offers free coaching on a specific problem, Neel chats with Austin, owner of Denver's Dalmaidtion Cleaning, a residential cleaning service with a focus on pet owners.
Neel and Austin discuss:
- Ways to surprise and delight and offer a "6 star service"
- The importance of top-notch cleaners — it is they, more than thank-you notes and gifts, that will retain customers long-term
- Leaning into your niche, in Austin's case, making sure new customers get some pet-oriented incentives early on
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
95. Little-Known Business Path to a US Visa and Finding the Perfect Franchise Brand, with Patrick Findaro
In this episode Neel and sits down with Patrick Findaro, author of How to Buy a Franchise: Employee to Entrepreneur in 12 Weeks and owner at VettedBiz.com
Patrick hosts a podcast, Franchise Findings, in which he talks about all things related to franchises, including conversations with new and experienced business owners as well as overall reports on industry trends.
Neel and Patrick discuss:
- a little known visa classification that Patrick didn't find out about for some time that offers non-citizen entrepreneurs a path to residence in the US
- what sort of people buy franchises, including what kind of incomes they already have and are expecting
- how Patrick was able to write a book in 90 days (hint: he used information he had on hand already)
If you enjoy this episode, you can get even more from Patrick on his YouTube channel.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com
94. Coaching Call Series: When to Expand to a Second City
In this first of a new series in which he offers free coaching on a specific problem, Neel chats with Gordon, a new cleaning services business owner (https://chloescleaningcompany.com), about why he decided to start franchising.
Gordon was also interested in expanding to a new city, and Neel drilled down to ask:
- What was the endgame for expansion?
- Why did Gordon think expanding was a good strategy?
He then went on to give some tips on KPIs that all cleaning services should be checking every week, like
- Total number of cleanings, average ticket price, phone inquiries, conversion rate, etc.
If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in your market & skip years of trial-and-error, go to www.maidthisfranchise.com
If you want a foundations do-it-yourself course on how to start your own remote local business model, check out blueprint.beremotelocal.com