Rik Spruyt - From $0 to $7-figures in 5 years.

A few short years ago Rik Spruyt had a good job in a big company but he wanted more - more freedom, more autonomy, more ownership.

He wanted his own business.

Rik came to me for mentoring and I showed him how to get started with a simple Wordpress website and make his first 10s of 1000s of dollars. Within months his new business CrossTrades was making 6 figures.

Today it's a 7-figure business

Rik's venture is #1 in his field and he also realised a dream to move his whole family to Thailand - since he can run the business from anywhere.

Episode Highlights:

"At that moment (in 2014) I had 20 years of corporate life with that same company and you start to feel that maybe you have evolved as a person and also the company has changed and you're not that compatible anymore."

"At the same time I was getting convinced that the glory days of those big powerful companies were coming to an end, and that there was definitely value for small businesses, and that small business can make a difference in so many ways. Actually this was because of reading Screw Work Let's Play."

"Let's start to play! Not necessarily leaving your job at that moment but getting your brain into action and getting to think about what you can do in the future."

"I don't only see my members as customers, I think of them as a community, as a support group and people who are like minded and thinking in the same direction for the future. And I think it's so important that we all want to survive in the new digitalised future. And to all want to fight for that. I think this is the real difference and the real value of a network with local heroes."

"For some people logistics is not the sexiest topic in the world, but for me, your story actually has the elements of every kind of successful business you would want. Starting from zero, starting from an idea, and growing it to wherever you want to be and it's allowed you to create the life you want." [John]

"John, I need to tell you, that period now, the past 5 years wouldn't have been possible if we wouldn't have met. This is something I think about a lot and I wasn't sure if I was going to say this; you can cut it out if you want, but you need somebody at a certain point in life that says:

"OK, I understand what you want to do - but let me give you a few points about what you should do first and what you should do next, and how you're going to do it."

And if you don't have this person helping you, call it a mentor, call it whatever you want, then it is extremely difficult. I really want to sincerely thank you, because for me this was you, who ignited all this and when we first started I had no idea where it would end, even today I don't know, but it's moving in the right direction."

Topics covered:

• How John's book Screw Work Let's Play changed the course of Rik's life
• The power of getting the right mentor
• How to start a membership with 0 members
• How to capitalise on established industry operations and events
• The key to getting your customers to believe in your offer - even when you're just starting out
• Is it wise to start a small business in a dying industry?
• How to stand out from competitors
• How to keep your members engaged
• How to incorporate a digital platform into a traditional industry
• Capitalising on the inefficiencies of existing industry
• The vibrancy of the asian business network, the international community and the thriving tech scene

Get full references, links, videos clips and more in the shownotes here

Music provided by Argofox: TheDiabolicalWaffle - My Wish https://youtu.be/sRWEMjYR6e4