Cut The Tie Podcast with Jim Wylie
What if everything you believed about the freedom of entrepreneurship was wrong? In this reflective and powerful episode of Cut The Tie, host Thomas Helfrich sits down with Jim Wylie, co-owner of experiential marketing agency Envy Create, to unpack the difference between chasing freedom and choosing responsibility.

A native Scot living in Atlanta, Jim shares the surprising truth behind business ownership, why growth—not escape—is the real goal, and how a support network, humility, and decades of listening have shaped his personal and professional journey. For anyone stuck in the illusion that being self-employed means “doing whatever you want,” this episode is a needed reset.

About Jim Wylie:
Jim Wylie is the co-owner of Envy Create, an experiential marketing firm that helps global brands connect with audiences through both live and digital environments. Born in Scotland and now based in Atlanta, Jim is a husband, father of three, and investor with decades of experience in marketing, operations, and leadership. His work and life philosophy centers on constant personal growth, deep trust, and cutting ties with limiting mindsets.

In this episode, Thomas and Jim discuss:

• Cutting ties with the myth of entrepreneurial freedom
  Jim shares why being your own boss doesn’t mean liberation—it means accountability to others, and that's a responsibility you choose.
• A forced move into sales—and the fear that changed everything
  Pushed into 100% commission, Jim leaned on his father's advice and discovered how listening well is more powerful than selling hard.
• Building a business from a gas station conversation
  An ordinary stop turned into a defining moment—when Jim and his future co-founder realized they were meant to build something together.
• Why support networks are the real startup capital
  From trusting clients to a strong family foundation, Jim emphasizes that no one builds anything meaningful alone.

Key Takeaways:

• Self-employment doesn’t equal freedom
  It gives you choice—and that’s a different, more demanding kind of responsibility.
• Growth—not titles—is the measure of success
  If you're not growing personally, professionally, or emotionally, you're standing still.
• No one builds alone
  Success requires trust, partnership, and a support system that believes in your vision.
• Pay yourself first, or you don’t have a business
  If your business can’t support you, it won’t support your family—or your future.
• You need thoroughbreds, not show ponies
  Business is about performance, not flash. Know who to count on when it matters.

Connect with Jim Wylie:
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.envycreate.com

💼 LinkedIn: Jim Wylie

Connect with Thomas Helfrich:
🐦 Twitter: @thelfrich
📘 Facebook: Cut the Tie Group
💼 LinkedIn: Thomas Helfrich
🌐 Website: www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
🚀 www.InstantlyRelevant.com

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