ABTR 015 : Leaving Holland To Build Dive Resort In Indonesia with Kim & Bastiaan

Hello from Oslo, Norway! 

I promised while on my travels that I’d interview amazing entrepreneurs who are building inspiring businesses and lives in places far from home. I’ve met some inspiring and innovative entrepreneurs over the past few months while living in Indonesia. This episodes guest are a perfect example.

My good friends, Dutch couple Kim Van Winkle & Bastiaan Van Der Kuijl, left their homeland of Holland 6 years ago to build a business and life around their passion, scuba diving, in Asia. During the show Kim & Bastiaan share their story of what was involved in packing up their lives in Holland and moving to Asia to set up their business, Scuba Centre Asia.

We had some great laughs while recording this episode in my island villa, as you can see in the photo. While their stories are funny I know you’ll get loads of value listening to the challenges of setting up a business in Asia, and believe me there are plenty of challenges to consider!

While hanging out over the past few months Monika and I observed how well Kim and Bastiaan work and live together. As a couple who are also business partners Monika and I know first hand how tough it can be working and living with your partner 24/7. During the show Kim and Bastiaan share their strategies of how they’ve managed to build a business together while maintaining a loving and fun filled relationship and lifestyle.

Enjoy!

Gold Nuggets (AKA - Key Learnings) from this episode

When moving abroad expect to take about 130 pounds (60kgs) of luggage. Great to know when choosing your airline!

When exploring an area overseas to build a business spend plenty of time (Kim & Bass spent 4 months) getting to know the local people and understanding their culture.

Have patience, keep your eyes open and ears to the ground and great overseas opportunities will find you. You need to BE THERE (as per the above point).

Invest in a good lawyer who understands the local laws

Hire young local staff and train them up exactly how you want them to work. This will also support the local community.

When working with your partner know when to give each other space.

Everyone is different - accommodate your partner’s work style.

Develop clear roles and responsibilities to avoid stepping on each other’s toes (super important when working with your hubby or wife!).

Let your business evolve. Don’t over plan, be ok with roles and responsibilities unfolding over time.

Links and Resources mentioned in the show

Scuba Centre Asia

Thank for listening

Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you found it valuable. If you did, I’d really appreciate it if you would leave a review on iTunes, as it will help our rankings and allow me to help more people to grow businesses that rocks!

It would also be awesome if you share this episode using the social media buttons at the bottom of the post.

If you haven’t already make sure you subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

I want to make this show the best it can be so if you have any tips or suggestion of how I could make the show better or anything that you’d like to hear on the show please leave a comment below. I read every single one.

If you want to email me I’d love to hear from you [email protected]

ABTR 014 : Building & selling two businesses by the age of 24 with Clint Salter

This episode I speak with Anthill 30 Under 30 winner Clint Salter. Clint won the Anthill award

because by the age of 24 he’d already built and sold 2 businesses – impressive stuff!

In most episodes we generally drill down on just one or two topics. Well, not in this episode, we cover tons of ground. I’m talking everything from work ethic to productivity to mentors and coaches to marketing to morning rituals to online programs and more!

As you’ll hear Clint is one savvy entrepreneur and a very passionate energetic guy. Clint has invested huge amounts of time and money on his business and personal development so it’s easy to see why he is so successful. The thing I like most about Clint is he’s open, honest and is keen to share what he’s learned.

Enjoy the show!

Gold Nuggets (AKA - Key Learnings) from this episode

Build a strong work ethic – if its worth doing it’s worth doing properly .

No matter how much talent you have you need to be willing to do the work.

When looking for mentor get specific with what you want to know then search for someone who is the master in that area.

Invest in your personal and business education.

Don’t look sideways – FOCUS.

Plan your next year in November the year before, before you take a break and while you are still in the groove.

Wake up early and start your day with meditation and visualisation.

Take 100% responsibility for your life – own it!

Know who you are, your identity. You are not your business!

Marketing is as important to a business as oxygen is to a human being.

Links and Resources mentioned in the show

Clint Salter

Dance Life

Studio Success Formula

Anthill 30 Under 30

Success Principles by Jack Canfield

Calm (App)

Headspace (App)

People In Progress – Terri Hawkins

Product Launch Formula - Jeff Walker

Experts Academy – Brendon Burchard

Thank for listening

Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you found it valuable. If you did, I’d really appreciate it if you would leave a review on iTunes, as it will help our rankings and allow me to help more people to grow businesses that rocks!

It would also be awesome if you share this episode using the social media buttons at the bottom of the post.

If you haven’t already make sure you subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

I want to make this show the best it can be so if you have any tips or suggestion of how I could make the show better or anything that you’d like to hear on the show please leave a comment below. I read every single one.

If you want to email me I’d love to hear from you [email protected]

ABTR 011 : Stillness, donkeys, and building a multi layered business with Tom Cronin

You are in for a real treat this episode!My guest is a very successful entrepreneur and absolutely top guy who travel’s to exotic locations while living his life on p...

ABTR 010 : How to get 5000 new customers in a few hours with Chris Barton

This episodes guest is Chris Barton from RewardsHere & PricePal, a shopping technology platform giving employees of organisations and consumers access to a wide variety of discounts.

Chris invites us under the hood of his business and shares with us so many valuable insights.

We start with a bang as Chris shares his strategy for securing national television coverage for his business. We talk about the massive boost national TV exposure has been for PricePal. Without giving too much away, how does 5000 new customers in a few hours sound? Freakin Awesome!!

Chris talks about the clever models he’s using to grow his business as fast as he has in just 12 months. His savvy nature has attracted some fantastic business partners who are now working with Chris to dominate their industries and expand into Asia.

We wrap things up with some tips from Chris as to how he manages his crazy busy lifestyle.

Chris is an entrepreneur who is really building a business that ROCKS! You don’t want to miss this episode.

Enjoy!

Gold Nuggets (AKA - Key Learnings) from this episode

Look after the PR for your business as no PR agency will be able to tell your story like you can.

Have a targeted approach to securing PR opportunities.

Build relationships with journalists as you would any other business relationship.

PR generates more PR.

If you own a B2B business don’t forget SME’s. Their decision makers are easier to get to and make quicker decisions.

When going into business with others (especially family and friends) make sure everyone agrees from the outset what the plan is.

No matter how little cash you have make sure you have the appropriate agreements in place in case the worst happens.

Put yourself in the right place and make yourself visible and the right opportunities will come along.

When putting a board together make sure you look for people who have skill sets that are different to yours.

Links and Resources mentioned in the show

www.rewardshere.com.au

www.pricepal.com.au

Thank for listening 

Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you found it valuable. If you did, I’d really appreciate it if you would leave a review on iTunes (add link), as it will help our rankings and allow me to help more people to grow businesses that rocks!

It would also be awesome if you share this episode using the social media buttons at the bottom of the post.

If you haven’t already make sure you subscribe to the show on iTunes (add link) to get automatic updates.

I want to make this show the best it can be so if you have any tips or suggestion of how I could make the show better or anything that you’d like to hear on the show please leave a comment below. I read every single one.

If you want to email me I’d love to hear from you [email protected]

ABTR 009 : Tigers, whiteboards in the shower and the importance of intuition with Jane Mara

Have you ever had a feeling that your gut is telling you that something is not quite right? Have you ever ignored such a feeling only to have something bad happen later? Well, that’s your intuition, or as this episodes guest refers to it as ‘knowing without knowing why’.

This episode I speak with Jane Mara. Jane is an author, researcher, leadership trainer, executive coach and speaker.

Over the past 15 years Jane has lived and breathed the topic of Intuitive Intelligence. Jane believes that intuition is a hugely undervalued resource that can be improved and utilised to have a more productive and fulfilling life.

In Jane’s first book Intuition on Demand - activate your intuitive intelligence for business success Jane interviews all sorts of people from business leaders, artists, emergency workers and entrepreneurs about how intuition plays a role in their lives. Jane shares with us stories of people she has interviewed.

In her second book Breakthrough – the science of entrepreneurial success, Jane has created a framework that she teaches entrepreneurs to help them envision, create and sustain their businesses.

Jane lets us in on some of the science behind intuition. We explore that when we are in ‘busy beta’ state we are less likely to be aware of and listen to our intuition and as a result poor decisions are made.

It’s a fascinating episode!

Key learnings

Put whiteboards in the shower and have note pads everywhere to capture and harvest ideas.

Avoid technology in the bedroom to get a better night’s sleep.

Listen to your intuition then look for data to back it up.

Record intuitive thoughts you have then reflect on them before making decisions.

You can’t have a successful business if you don’t look after your health first.

Links and Resources

The Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton

The Institute of Heart Math

Neuro-sky

Dr Marta Sinclair

Professor Murray Gillin

Professor William Tiller

Braking the habit of being yourself by Dr Joe Dispenza

www.janemara.com

Thank for listening

Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you found it valuable. If you did, I’d really appreciate it if you would leave a review on iTunes, as it will help our rankings and allow me to help more people to grow businesses that rocks!

It would also be awesome if you share this episode using the social media buttons at the bottom of the post.

If you haven’t already make sure you subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

I want to make this show the best it can be so if you have any tips or suggestion of how I could make the show better or anything that you’d like to hear on the show please leave a comment below. I read every single one.

If you want to email me I’d love to hear from you [email protected]

ABTR 008: Korean BBQ and how to use LinkedIn to grow your business big time with Jeff Yang

I’m so excited to share this episode with you because it is full of gold!! So many valuable nuggets of information that I know will help you in your mission to build a business and life that absolutely rocks.

We talk with my good friend Jeff Yang from SocialGen. SocialGen specialises in helping businesses to connect, build relationships and do business with other businesses through LinkedIn.

I’ve used SocialGen’s services for one of my other businesses, Elevate, and in 5 months and I’ve already generated over $60,000 in new business – AWESOME!

Jeff is a serial entrepreneur who knows what it is like to bang down doors to sell products and services. And I mean literally, Jeff started as a door to door salesman – sale’s doesn’t get any harder than that!

Jeff moved into digital marketing, 'took to it like a duck to water', and ended up working for one of Australia’s top online marketing agencies Eweb Marketing. It is here that Jeff used LinkedIn to secure huge clients for Eweb.

Taking his success using LinkedIn Jeff created SocialGen to help others grow their businesses using the social business network – the right way!

Because Jeff love’s travel and is on a quest to build a lifestyle full of freedom he set up Social Gen using smart systems, technology and outsourced staff. And the best part…Jeff shares it all with you in this episode.

Gold Nuggets (AKA - Key Learnings) from this episode

The key elements of successfully using LinkedIn to grow your business;

• Set clear goals of what you want from LinkedIn.

• Customize your LinkedIn profile to help achieve your goals.

• Create a targeted list of people you’d like to connect with.

• Tailor connection and meeting requests. Make it personal.

• Post related content regularly to build rapport, authority and trust.

• Don’t ask for a meeting for at least 6 weeks after connecting. LinkedIn is no different to any other form of business development – you need to build the relationship over time.

More Nuggets (told you there were loads)

• Consistency is key - Send 10 connection requests and 5 meeting requests every single day.

• Keep costs low and quality of service high.

• Use outsourced staff to keep costs down and pass the savings onto clients to stay competitive.

• When using outsourced staff, create videos of each task you need performed to train your staff and use daily activity reports to keep overseas staff on track.

• Use collaborative tools such as Google Docs and Buffer App to manage remote staff and communicate with clients.

• Don’t be afraid of making mistakes just make sure you learn from them.

• Build a team with skills that complement your skill set.

• Go old school – use contra deals (swap your products and services for others) to keep costs down and grow your business.

• Work at building a positive mindset and become unstoppable. Be grateful and see the lesson in every experience.

Links and Resources mentioned in the show

Buffer App

Google Docs

Podio (analytics and data)

Cloud Staff (outsourcing)

Social Gen

Jeff Yang on LinkedIn

Thanks for listening 

Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you found it valuable. If you did, I’d really appreciate it if you would leave a review on iTunes, as it will help our rankings and allow me to help more people to grow businesses that rocks!

It would also be awesome if you share this episode using the social media buttons at the bottom of the post.

If you haven’t already make sure you subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

I want to make this show the best it can be so if you have any tips or suggestion of how I could make the show better or anything that you’d like to hear on the show please leave a comment below. I read every single one.

If you want to email me I’d love to hear from you [email protected]

ABTR 006: Adrenal Fatigue, Gut Health, and being an author with Naturopath Emma Sutherland

Emma Sutherland is a Clinical Naturopath, Author, Speaker, TV Presenter and mum – so she has a bit going on.

In this episode Emma shares with us what it takes to build a successful and sustainable health business. Emma goes into detail of how she used a PR agency early in her career to help establish her personal brand (something Emma thinks is key for every entrepreneur) which has led to book and TV deals.

We explore the process Emma used to write two books while managing her day to day business. Emma also debunks a few myths about being an author that I know you’ll find interesting.

As well as the business stuff I made the most of having a Clinical Naturopath on the show by asking Emma about the types of health issues busy entrepreneurs come up against. Emma goes into detail about the two big issues you need to be aware of, Adrenal Fatigue and Poor Gut Health, and provides loads of useful information and tips to help you achieve optimal health and an abundance of energy so you can kick ass in business and life.

Gold Nuggets (AKA – Key Learnings) from the episode

• Look after your gut as it hugely affects your overall health and energy levels.

• Cleanse your system of Caffeine, Alcohol, Sugar and Gluten a few times every year for optimal gut health and mental clarity.

• Practice Intuitive Eating.

• Always keep learning to stay at the top of your game.

• Force yourself to learn skills you don’t particularly like in the early days to save cash and move your business forward.

• Get a mentor to accelerate your personal and business growth.

• Build word of mouth marketing – ask your customers for referrals.

• Always allow time for generating new business even when you are busy – don’t wait until you need it.

• Have multiple revenue streams to leverage your time (especially relevant for service industries).

• Build your personal brand – it’s key to your success.

• Take calculated risks and back yourself to succeed.

Links and Resources from the show

Neuro-Linguistic Programming

50 foods that will change your life by Emma Sutherland

Sophia Eats – a parent’s guide to toddler health and wellbeing by Emma Sutherland

Emmas Community Cleanse

www.emmasutherland.com.au

Adrenalfatigue.org

Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you found it valuable. If you did, I’d really appreciate it if you would leave a review on iTunes, as it will help our rankings and allow me to help more people to grow businesses that rocks!

It would also be awesome if you share this episode using the social media buttons at the bottom of the post.

If you haven’t already make sure you subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

I want to make this show the best it can be so if you have any tips or suggestion of how I could make the show better or anything that you’d like to hear on the show please leave a comment below. I read every single one.

If you want to email me I’d love to hear from you [email protected]

ABTR 005 : Outsourcing, building your personal brand, and living in flow with Monty Hooke

In this episode I’m joined by Monty Hooke from www.ezyva.com . Monty truly represents what A Business

That Rocks is all about. He’s a Lifestyle Entrepreneur, Business Growth and Freedom Strategist, and Outsourcing and Virtual Business Expert.

Monty talks about being a ‘Freedompreneur’ and working ‘in flow’ where you build your business to support your freedom (travel, more time with your family) rather than building a business focussed on making the money so you can ‘buy’ your freedom back later on. If you have built a business this probably resonates with you?

In this episode Monty shares with you the 6 breakthrough levels of entrepreneurship and how you can get above the 'line of leverage' to become a Freedompreneur .

Like many entrepreneurs Monty came from humble beginnings. Growing up on the water Monty had his first business at the age of 8 year’s old cleaning boats, which was the start of many business ventures. Also like many entrepreneurs Monty kept finding that he was hitting a ceiling in his businesses where he couldn’t grow his businesses past a certain size. It was at this point that Monty learnt that he had to have a game plan (rather than winging it) and build a team (not just delegate tasks) to help him leverage and scale his business.

Monty took these lessons and applied them, making Ezy VA a million dollar business within the first 18 months!

Ezy VA offers Virtual Assistants on a pay as you go or dedicated full-time business. Unlike platforms like Odesk and Elance Ezy VA’s staff members are employed by Ezy VA so you can rest assured that the VA’s will be focussed on your projects.

Monty shares so much valuable advice on how to outsource effectively that if you are considering outsourcing (and you should be) you’re going to love this episode.

Gold Nuggets (AKA – Key Learnings) from the episode

• Don’t wing it, de-construct your business and build a game plan.

• Learn to leverage people, build teams to help you grow your business.

• Build your business to support your freedom.

• Build your personal brand along the way so your legacy remains once you have exited your business.

• Make sure you have ‘social proof’ of whatever it is you are selling.

• Before outsourcing understand the tasks and processes in your business so that you can provide adequate training.

• Be willing to build training up front so you can replicate the learning.

• Know the value of your time then outsource tasks that are not worth your time.

• Choose a VA that has the skills you need – there is no such this as a General Virtual Assistant that can do everything.

• VA’s don’t build strategies, you need to build the strategy then use the VA to execute the strategy.

Links and Resources from the show

Ezyva.com

Monty Hooke (LinkedIn)

Virtual Elite Business

Training - How to communicate effectively when outsourcing

Training - How to Create Training Videos For Outsourced Staff

Camtasia

Jing

Snag It

Entrepreneur.com

Techcrunch

Mashable

Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you found it valuable. If you did, I’d really appreciate it if you would leave a review on iTunes , as it will help our rankings and allow me to help more people to grow businesses that rocks!

It would also be awesome if you share this episode using the social media buttons at the bottom of the post.

If you haven’t already make sure you subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

I want to make this show the best it can be so if you have any tips or suggestion of how I could make the show better or anything that you’d like to hear on the show please leave a comment below. I read every single one.

If you want to email me I’d love to hear from you [email protected]

ABTR 004 : Making business decisions based on company values with Jade Green

My guest this episode is my good friend Jade Green from Velocity Consulting. Jade is a kick ass business women who love’s learning, team sports and fast cars.

Jade is about as down to earth as you can get and has a great sense of humour. We talk about all sorts of interesting and crazy stuff in this episode – we even talk about ‘women’s touch’!! Guys, it’s not what you think it is….

Velocity Consulting is a specialist sales recruiter. In an industry that does not have the best of reputations, Jade is on a mission with Velocity to improve this reputation ‘one client and candidate at a time’.

Jade shares with us how she built her companies values and why she made them the centre of everything she does. In fact, every single new staff member is hired based on their alignment with the Velocity values. Jade suggests every entrepreneur should do the same, and as a recruitment expert, Jade’s advice is worth listening too.

Check it out.

Gold Nuggets (AKA - Key Learnings) from this episode

• Think about who you want to be to your customers, and build your vision around them.

• Recruit based on values. Every person in your business must live and breathe by company values.

• Do what is best by your customers even if it may disadvantage your business I the short term.

• Be open to change and evolve your business for long term success.

• Don’t be a ‘me too’ business, find ways to differentiate and success will follow.

• Use LinkedIn to post content that is specific to your audience, but remember - it must be relevant to your business. Video’s and pics get more hits than text only posts.

• Surround yourself with like-minded entrepreneurs to be motivated and inspired.

• Use DISC profiling to understand and have better relationships with your staff and customers.

Links and Resources mentioned in the show

The Entourage

Scalable & Saleable

DISC Profile

Buffer App

Unprofessional by Jack Delosa

Manager Tools Podcast

Career Tools Podcast

Rain Today Podcast

Zig Ziglar

Velocity Consulting

Jade Green (LinkedIn)

Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you found it valuable. If you did, I’d really appreciate it if you would leave a review on iTunes, as it will help our rankings and allow me to help more people to grow businesses that rocks!

It would also be awesome if you share this episode using the social media buttons at the bottom of the post.

If you haven’t already make sure you subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

I want to make this show the best it can be so if you have any tips or suggestion of how I could make the show better or anything that you’d like to hear on the show please leave a comment below. I read every single one.

If you want to email me I’d love to hear from you [email protected]

ABTR 003 : Property investing and the art of negotiation with Sebastian James

Our guest this episode is Sebastian James from Hunter James.

Hunter James is a bespoke buyer’s agent service who specialises in finding and securing properties for home buyers and investors.

If you are in to property investing this episode is for you!

There is not much Sebastian doesn’t know about property as he’s worked in every part of the industry, from real estate to finance to negotiating and valuing, and has a number of property investments in Australia and overseas.

Sebastian shares some of his negotiation tactics and explains why every entrepreneur must develop their negotiation skills. He also shares how his business is using technology to be more accessible to consumers.

Listen in and  Sebastian will let you in on a few of his secrets for being productive consistently and managing your mindset.

Gold Nuggets (AKA - Key Learnings) from this episode

• ‘Everything is a negotiation’, every entrepreneur needs to learn how to negotiate effectively.

• It’s not only about passion. Make sure there is a need for your product or service by testing the market before investing time and money building your business.

• Before investing understand your acceptable level of risk.

• When doing business have a long-term view rather than a transactional approach.

• Provide amazing value and service and your customers will keep buying from you.

• Before scaling your business make sure you have processes in place to ensure quality is maintained as you grow.

• Plan your day to be productive.

• Understand what is important in life – Work to Live, not Live to Work.

• Start and end the day by reading or listening to something positive to build an optimistic mindset.

Links and Resources

Real Estate.com.au (Australian real estate site)

Domain.com.au (Australian Real Estate site)

Think and Grow Rich by Nepolean Hill

Tony Robbins

Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United)

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

Success Magazine

HunterJames.com.au

Thanks for listening to the show. I hope you found it valuable. If you did, I’d really appreciate it if you would leave a review on iTunes, as it will help our rankings and allow me to help more people to grow businesses that rocks!

It would also be awesome if you share this episode using the social media buttons at the bottom of the post.

If you haven’t already make sure you subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

I want to make this show the best it can be so if you have any tips or suggestions of how I could make the show better or anything that you’d like to hear on the show please leave a comment below. I read every single one.

If you want to email me I’d love to hear from you [email protected]