Pick Your Hard: Why Customer Trips Build Profitable Relationships (and One Idaho Mistake)

Nathan argues that objections to customer events as “too much work” miss the point: all business is hard work, but you can choose between busywork and relationship-building that moves the needle. He tells a story from a four-day fly-fishing client trip in Idaho where he and a customer mistakenly entered a neighbor’s cabin to use the bathroom, were confronted by the homeowner and her dog, and later triggered fallout when the neighbor confronted the CEO, Don. Nathan admits he failed to promptly report and apologize internally, risking damage to key internal relationships, while the shared incident strengthened his bond with the customer, leading to long-term trust, saved money during problems, and over a million dollars in projects. He closes by urging viewers to choose the hard work that creates experiences, stories, and stronger connections.

🎯 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

1. Relationships with customers are often built through shared experiences, not just business meetings.
2. Hard work that creates memories and connections can be more valuable than repetitive office work.
3. Customer trips and events can lead to long-term trust, loyalty, and major business opportunities.
4. Owning mistakes and communicating honestly with leadership is critical for protecting professional relationships.
5. Strong personal rapport with clients can save money, solve problems faster, and create future career growth.