In my latest episode, I unpack the tariffs that could hit our industry as hard as the pandemic did five years ago.

I cut through the uncertainty to deliver straight talk about what’s coming and how to prepare. If you haven’t achieved a balanced, scalable business model yet, you’re running out of time. Learn why maintaining low overhead, focusing on gross profit over revenue volume, and smart billing practices will be your keys to survival.

Those who applied the lessons from 2020 will weather this storm, and those who returned to old habits will struggle.

Visit trstimson.com for more resources.

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A quick walk through any warehouse operation will tell me a lot about your company's relationship with process and organization.

You can't prep a great show from a disorganized warehouse.

https://www.trstimson.com/warehouse-operations-handbook/

Stop letting “value add” become "free work”!

In this episode, I explore why the humble “project manager” title could be costing you serious money. Learn how elevating your titles to Producer, Executive Producer, and Technical Director can transform client perception and boost your bottom line.

This isn’t about padding bills — it’s about providing AND charging for meaningful value that makes clients happier and your business more profitable.

Visit trstimson.com for more resources.

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Back when I managed teams, I kept a stack of resumes on the corner of my desk. During interviews, candidates would see that pile and realize they weren’t the only person I was talking to. I don’t know if it was effective, but I enjoyed nodding toward that stack while asking, “Tell me more about why you’d be a great fit for us.”

Interviewing sales candidates requires a different approach than hiring for other positions. Whether the role has “sales” in the title or not, anyone who interfaces with clients is selling.

Let’s talk about how to find the right people to represent your company.

https://www.trstimson.com/true-salespeople/

Asking “Where’s my reward?” after decades in business?

In this episode, I share the five things every owner needs (cash flow, profit, growth, satisfaction, and harmony), why solving cash flow problems means making tough decisions now, and strategies to bring harmony back to your team.

Your reward should be a business that works for you — not the other way around. Listen now to finally get the rewards you deserve.

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I studied martial arts for many years. I learned multiple disciplines, earned various black belts, and instructed newcomers. In martial arts, particularly when working with teenagers, we often discuss “punching above your weight.”

Businesses “punch above their weight,” too. A client of mine from years ago built his business on punching above his weight, which helped him win major, high-profile projects that could have gone to companies with more experience, longer market presence, and stronger brand recognition. His scrappy little company kept punching above its weight and winning jobs.

But punching above your weight doesn’t always work. Sometimes, you get in over your head.

https://www.trstimson.com/punch-above-your-weight/

Ever been asked, “Who’s better than you?”

This seemingly simple question took me years to truly understand — and it became a turning point for my business.

In this episode, I break down the 10 tiers of AV excellence, from basic “meatball AV” to those mythical Level 10 shows where everything exceeds expectations.

You’ll learn exactly where your company fits, when you’re punching above your weight (and how to succeed anyway), and why the highest-tier shows are dominated by freelancers.

Listen now to discover how self-awareness and strategic hiring can elevate your team, your shows, and your company’s reputation.

Visit trstimson.com for more resources.

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I keep talking about marketing, but you need to hear this one more time.

Most AV companies loathe marketing, but you just can’t do without it. It solves expensive problems before they surface.

https://www.trstimson.com/marketing-for-live-event-companies/

Does your business have a look, or does it have a soul?

In this episode, I explore what your company reveals about itself when you think no one’s watching. From cable management to proposal design, every detail speaks volumes to your clients.

Discover why over-complicating processes might be hurting you, when precision matters more than exactness, and how to infuse genuine personality into everything you do.

Visit trstimson.com for more resources.

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I know you often feel like your business is in crisis, but it’s not. You’re objectively alright. You’re in control. Remind yourself of that today.

Upgrade your next flight. Stay in a nicer hotel. Celebrate your success. You’ve come farther than 99% of all entrepreneurs.

https://www.trstimson.com/business-spending-habits/