Rising Tide Startups Rising Tide

Can you build your dream home with virtual assistance? In this episode of Rising Tide Startups, Michael Tidwell joins us to share his journey.

 

Join host Kevin Prewett as he explores how Michael Tidwell built his dream home, grew his family, and expanded his business empire—all with the help of virtual assistants. Michael's story and his decade-long partnership with a VA show how trust and clear communication can turn remote relationships into pillars of success. 

 

Michael Tidwell is a business owner who comes from a family of entrepreneurs. In 2012, he started his business with less than $500 in a competitive market, offering only one high-end product. He still owns that business today, utilizing VAs to help him create a lifestyle business. He is also a business broker with Nashville Business Brokers, where he helps business owners sell their businesses by using the same timeless principles he used to build his business. He was able to differentiate himself from his many competitors by offering stellar support and providing his clients with the expertise to make an informed purchase. He applies those same timeless principles and his marketing, research, and problem-solving skills when partnering with a business owner to sell their business.

 

Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:

 

Entrepreneurs should be clear about their motivation or 'why' to stay driven through challenges. A personal 'why' can provide the determination needed during the tough initial stages of business development.
Trusting and delegating tasks to virtual assistants are key for business growth. This can also enhance the long-term success and scalability of businesses with remote teams.
Using specialized firms for hiring virtual assistants can save time and resources. This approach allows for a targeted selection of virtual assistants who can meet specific business needs more efficiently.
Avoiding 'shiny object syndrome' for serial entrepreneurs refers to staying focused on current projects and resisting the temptation to pursue new opportunities that can distract from established goals and lead to a lack of follow-through on existing ventures
Setting clear expectations and closely monitoring work are crucial lessons. More involvement and clearer goal-setting for virtual assistants can lead to better results.
Hiring a virtual assistant with the right skill set can significantly boost a business. The right virtual assistant can not only execute tasks but also offer valuable insights and improvements to the business.
Beginners in using virtual assistants should start by outsourcing a single process and setting a clear budget. This method prevents overwhelm and allows for a gradual and effective integration of virtual assistants into the business.

 

Listen to the full conversation here:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR

 

Connect with Michael Tidwell:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-tidwell-953615162/
Nashville Business Broker: https://nashbb.com/
Pinson Group Business Advisors: https://pinsongroupintl.com/

 

Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.

Shoutout to our Great Sponsor: Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2024!

Imagine the freedom of detaching from the day-to-day grind of your business. Many small business owners fantasize about the freedom to explore the world while their business flourishes—Scott Cox has made this dream his reality.

 

In this episode, Scott shares his journey from being hands-on in his business to become a global digital nomad. He reveals how small changes in routine and environment can spark creativity and make lifestyle freedom possible. Scott’s story is a testament to how entrepreneurship can harmoniously blend with nomadic life, bringing joy and success.

 

Scott Cox, an entrepreneur and consultant, helps small business owners craft fulfilling lives by drawing on his successful shift from hands-on management to remote entrepreneurship. Through his consultancy, STX Consulting, he specializes in developing strong systems and processes that enhance remote work efficiency. Scott’s expertise extends to hiring and managing remote teams and optimizing business operations and marketing strategies.  Scott also shared the transformations accompanying such a lifestyle shift, discussing how embracing change can lead to greater personal and professional growth.

 

Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:

 

Implementing solid systems, processes, and SOPs are essential for managing remote teams, and facilitating smooth operations during the transition from traditional office work to remote environments.
Combining human talent with AI, including virtual assistants, revolutionizes business efficiency and innovation, empowering small businesses to compete at higher levels.
Mentorship and guidance are crucial in successfully scaling a business as they provide direction and encouragement to navigate challenges, leverage experiences beyond one's own, and implement effective strategies for growth.
Virtual assistants and outsourced talent significantly reduce costs and manage tasks, enabling business owners to prioritize core objectives and strategic growth.
Hiring individuals who surpass your expertise can create exponential business growth by fostering an environment of empowerment, fresh ideas, and innovation.
Consistent marketing and sales efforts stabilize revenue streams and sustain small businesses through cyclical income patterns.

Listen to the full conversation here:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR

 

Connect with Scott:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottacox/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/n0madtalk/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/n0madtalk?_rdc=1&_rdr
STX Consulting: https://www.stxconsulting.co/

 

Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.

Shoutout to our Great Sponsor:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com  now to jumpstart your business for 2024!

Ever wondered what it takes to pivot from the dream of a sports career to making a global impact as an entrepreneur? Let us introduce you to International Business Consultant Steve Collins, who's transcended borders and boundaries to revolutionize startups and leadership training. Explore Steve's journey from corporate newcomer to international leader, along the way emphasizing passion and strategic alignment for success. We discuss the critical role of leadership in team building, offer insights from industry titans like Sam Walton, and share personal anecdotes. Tune in for practical advice on servant leadership, mentorship, and the broader impact of purpose-driven organizations.

 

Steve Collins, a seasoned global leader and business developer, brings diverse expertise to his current role as Global Training Director for LEAD International. With an MBA from Wake Forest University, he honed his skills during eight years in China and a fifteen-year tenure in the Middle East, holding pivotal roles in organizations like International Business Associates (IBA) and as President and COO of LEAD International. Steve's journey underscores his commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders, emphasizing collaboration and strategic team composition rooted in servant leadership principles. His teachings, influenced by his cross-cultural experiences and basketball background, resonate in entrepreneurial circles, emphasizing the significance of shared vision and effective team selection for business success.

 

Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:

 

Leadership is key to entrepreneurial success and essential for guiding teams through the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship and making a lasting impact.
Resilience, teamwork, and purpose-driven ventures form the foundation of successful entrepreneurship, guiding leaders and businesses through challenges, fostering unity, and driving meaningful impact.
Effective leadership requires both character and skill, essential for gaining respect and achieving results. The character embodies moral values like integrity and honesty, while skill encompasses competencies such as decision-making and communication.
Selecting the right team is vital for entrepreneurial success. It involves more than just skills; it requires alignment with the company's vision, complementary abilities, ownership, resilience, cultural fit, and contributions to long-term growth and stability.
Entrepreneurs should perceive failures not as defeats, but as pivots or valuable learning experiences. Recognizing setbacks as integral to the journey fosters resilience, focus, and perseverance, guiding them toward growth and success.
Servant leadership prioritizes team growth and trust, supported by mentorship for personal and professional development. This fosters a culture of service and growth, enhancing engagement, morale, and productivity in teams and organizations.

Listen to the full conversation here:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR

 

Connect with Steve Collins:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-collins-6a313629/
LEAD International: https://lead-international.com/

 

Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.

Shoutout to our Great Sponsor: Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2024!

 

Reclaim your time with Jaime Jay, the pioneering mind behind Bottleneck Virtual Assistants, as he shares his journey from U.S. Army paratrooper to entrepreneur extraordinaire, navigating the transition from the rigid structures of corporate America to the creative realm of virtual assistance. We're excited to welcome Jaime Jay back for his third appearance on Rising Tide Startups, and is labelled by our host as the internet's embodiment of kindness. His story is a testament to the transformative power of passion for processes, culminating in the creation of the world's first dedicated Distant Assistant company, reshaping our understanding of work-life balance.

 

Jaime Jay – a man who wears many hats, and wears them all admirably. He's the founder of the renowned Bottleneck Distant Assistant Services firm, and his book "Quit Repeating Yourself" has become a must-read for founders in this space. When he's not busy building his empire, you can find him on his beloved Harley Davidson, cruising through the countryside and taking in the invigorating effects of Uitwaaien – a Dutch practice that involves facing the wind to boost health and relieve stress.

 

Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:

 

Offering a subscription-based service model diverges from traditional contracts while fostering trust and satisfaction with flexible terms that allow clients to leave at any time and potentially receive refunds for unused services.
The meticulous vetting process guarantees top-tier service from highly skilled distant assistants, fostering high retention rates by hiring only the top 5% of applicants.
Structured workflow management and proper delegation techniques contribute to a 100% client retention rate, showcasing the effectiveness of delegation roadmaps in the virtual assistant industry.
Integrating artificial intelligence to enhance its services places significant importance on maintaining a positive and respectful workplace culture.

Listen to the full conversation here:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR

 

Connect with Jaime:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimejay/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyjaimejay/
Bottleneck Distant Assistants: https://bottleneck.online/

 

Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.

Shoutout to our Great Sponsor: Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2024!

In this episode of The Rising Tide Startups, we chat with Taylor Black, a dynamic entrepreneur whose roots trace back to high school ventures and now extend into the innovative ecosystem of Microsoft's venture studio. Taylor's narrative is woven from his formative years launching a B2B SaaS enterprise during his legal studies, to his strategic role in shepherding early-stage companies towards market success such as Conduit Venture Labs and Fizzy Ventures. Whether he's sharing the nuts and bolts of product development or recounting the strategic pivot of Altis.io, an AI platform, Taylor's story is a masterclass in business acumen and adaptability.

 

Taylor Black is a Seattle-based entrepreneur and intrapreneur with an impressive tech industry track record. He currently works in Microsoft's internal Venture Studio. He  also mentors startups through Fizzy Ventures, and founded Altis.io, an AI platform designed to support user researchers.

 

Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:

 

The Intrapreneurial Edge is the use of entrepreneurial skills to promote change, new initiatives, and innovation within a corporation.
Venture Capital and Angel Investing Insights are essential for entrepreneurs and startups to understand the workings of financing startups and fast-growing businesses by providing knowledge on investment mechanics, capital accessibility, networking prospects, market validation, and risk mitigation strategies.
Angel investing is no longer just for the wealthy. Sweat equity and Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) allow smaller investors to participate. Online platforms and crowdfunding democratize venture capital and broaden access to investment opportunities. This fosters a more inclusive investment landscape.


Three things serve as critical factors in assessing a startup's potential:

The Team: Passionate and committed individuals who strongly desire to put energy into their venture.
The Problem: A deep understanding of a significant, meaty problem that the team is in love with, rather than being fascinated with their solution.
The Solution: The team must have the capability to build a viable solution to the problem they've identified. They should have a conceptual understanding and practical know-how or a clear path to developing a solution that addresses the problem effectively.



Listen to the full conversation here:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR

 

Connect with Taylor:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blacktaylor/
Altis.io: https://www.altis.io/
Conduit Venture Labs: https://www.conduitventurelabs.com/
Fizzy Ventures: https://fizzy.ventures/

 

Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.

Shoutout to our Great Sponsor:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com  now to jumpstart your business for 2024!

Ever feel caught in a race against time as work consumes every precious moment? Mike Abramowitz, a seasoned expert in time management for high-earners, joins our host, Kevin Prewett in this episode of The Rising Tide Startups to address this struggle, unveiling strategies honed through personal experiences. From humble beginnings at Cutco to enduring financial setbacks post-college, Mike's narrative is one of resilience and transformation. 

Mike Abramowitz is a #1 Amazon bestselling author,  impactful philanthropist achieving six figures in earnings, and a partner with "Better Than Rich." Mike's passion lies in uplifting others, guiding entrepreneurs to maximize efficiency, and embracing purpose-driven business through programs like 'Operator to Owner.' Co-host of "The Better Than Rich Show" podcast, he imparts valuable business insights, encouraging listeners to make a positive impact.

Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:

The "Time Rich Six" strategy helps leaders prioritize high-impact tasks through practical advice on boundaries, communication, systems, playbooks, team management, and technology for ultimate time freedom.

Establishing Boundaries: This involves setting specific limitations on time and availability, enabling individuals to prioritize their work and minimize disruptions
Communication Guidelines: Implementing rules or systems for communication can streamline interactions, ensuring concise messages are exchanged at appropriate times.
Creating Systems: setting defined processes to help automate or make business operations more efficient, reducing the need for constant hands-on management.
Developing Playbooks: Playbooks are standardized procedures that provide a reference for tasks
Team Management: This involves strategies for effectively leading and organizing a team for independent work, contributing to overall time efficiency
Utilizing Technology: Emphasizing technology, including AI, to automate tasks, manage schedules, and facilitate operations, helping to free up time that can be invested in more valuable activities.


The four pillars of business are as follows:

Attraction involves attracting potential customers to a business by increasing awareness of its offerings and highlighting its superiority. 
Conversion involves transforming potential customers into actual customers by persuading them to take a desired action.
Onboarding involves introducing new customers to a business's offerings and ensuring they feel valued.
Retention involves fostering long-term customer relationships by providing value, great service, and meeting expectations. Strategies include loyalty programs, communication, personalized offers, and product/service improvements.


Time management is a skill that can be mastered, and with the right guidance, anyone can craft a life of intention and efficiency.

Listen to the full conversation here:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR

 

Connect with Mike:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeabramowitz1/ 
Better than Rich: https://www.betterthanrich.com/ 

 

Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.

Shoutout to our Great Sponsor:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com  now to jumpstart your business for 2024!