How Are Smart Investors Scaling Without Adding More Work?
Growing a business—especially in real estate—often comes with an unexpected challenge: the more successful you become, the more work you have on your plate. Managing properties, handling bookkeeping, coordinating maintenance, and keeping investors engaged can quickly consume your time. But what if scaling didn’t have to mean working more hours?
In a recent episode of the Property Profits Real Estate Podcast, host Dave Dubeau sat down with real estate investor and digital nomad Harley Green to discuss how he built a thriving real estate portfolio while traveling the world. The secret? Leveraging remote teams and systems to run his business efficiently without being trapped in daily operations.
The Hidden Bottleneck That Slows Down Growth
Many real estate investors hit a wall when they try to scale. They assume that taking on more deals means handling more tasks themselves. Instead of focusing on revenue-generating activities—like acquiring properties or building investor relationships—they get stuck in:
✔ Tenant & Guest Management – Handling bookings, maintenance, and guest communications. ✔ Bookkeeping & Financial Tracking – Manually tracking expenses, invoices, and rental income. ✔ Marketing & Investor Outreach – Posting listings, managing social media, and creating reports.
For Harley, this realization came early when he was juggling a full-time job, a growing portfolio, and family life. Instead of working 80-hour weeks, he built a remote team to take on the daily tasks, freeing him to focus on high-value decisions.
How Systems & Remote Support Changed Everything
By implementing a strategic approach to delegation, Harley now has a fully optimized real estate business that runs efficiently while he focuses on growth. Here’s how he did it:
🔹 Clear Role Assignments – Every task, from tenant inquiries to bookkeeping, is assigned to a team member with the right expertise. 🔹 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) – Documented processes ensure consistency and efficiency, even as the team grows. 🔹 Technology & Automation – Tools like Monday.com, Google Drive, and ChatGPT streamline workflows and eliminate unnecessary manual work. 🔹 A Strong Team Culture – Virtual team meetups and ongoing training ensure engagement and long-term retention.
What This Means for Business Owners & Investors
Harley’s approach isn’t just for real estate—it applies to any entrepreneur who wants to scale without burnout. Whether you run a real estate firm, a service-based business, or a consulting agency, delegating non-revenue-generating tasks allows you to focus on strategy and business growth.
✅ More time for deal-making and client relationships ✅ Improved efficiency with streamlined operations ✅ Less stress and better work-life balance
If you’re ready to stop working in your business and start working on it, take a page from Harley’s playbook. Build the right systems, delegate effectively, and focus on growth—not the daily grind.
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Missed Deadlines = Missed Growth: How to Avoid Falling Behind
Deadlines can make or break a business. Yet, for many entrepreneurs and business owners, staying on top of them feels like an impossible task. Between juggling client projects, sales calls, team management, and strategy sessions, it’s easy for critical deadlines to slip through the cracks.
But here’s the hard truth: Missed deadlines don’t just cause stress—they cost you money, reputation, and growth opportunities.
So, how do growth-minded entrepreneurs stay ahead? Let’s dive into how managing deadlines effectively can transform your business—and how the right support can help you stay on track.
The Real Cost of Missed Deadlines
When you miss a deadline, the impact goes beyond a simple delay. It can:
Damage your credibility: Clients and partners may start questioning your reliability.
Hurt customer relationships: Late deliverables can mean lost trust and repeat business.
Slow down growth: Delays in one area create bottlenecks elsewhere, stalling momentum.
Increase stress and burnout: Constantly playing catch-up drains mental energy and focus.
The truth is, successful businesses run on predictability and consistency—and deadlines ensure both.
Why Entrepreneurs Struggle with Deadlines
If you’re running a business, you wear many hats. Often, managing deadlines takes a back seat to putting out fires or chasing new opportunities. Here’s why:
Task Overload: You’re doing too much, from operations to sales to admin.
Lack of Systems: Without clear workflows, tasks pile up and get missed.
Poor Prioritization: Urgent tasks crowd out important ones, leading to missed long-term goals.
Context Switching: Shifting between tasks reduces focus, making it easy to lose track of critical deadlines.
But the good news? It doesn’t have to be this way.
How the Right Support Keeps You on Track
To truly scale, you need to move from reactive to proactive operations. Staying on top of deadlines isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. Here’s how dedicated support can make that difference:
1. Streamlined Scheduling & Calendar Management
When deadlines are scattered across emails, apps, and notebooks, things get missed.
Solution: A dedicated assistant can centralize all your deadlines into one cohesive system, set up reminders, and adjust timelines as needed—keeping everything on track.
2. Proactive Task Management
Deadlines don’t mean much without action steps leading up to them.
Solution: Support that breaks large projects into manageable tasks with clear checkpoints ensures steady progress, not last-minute rushes.
3. Consistent Follow-Ups
Opportunities are lost when follow-ups don’t happen on time.
Solution: A structured approach to following up with clients, prospects, and team members ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
4. Focus on Revenue-Generating Work
Your time is best spent on growth activities, not chasing to-do lists.
Solution: Offloading deadline management frees you to focus on strategy, sales, and expansion.
The Long-Term Benefits of Staying Ahead of Deadlines
When you master deadline management, the benefits compound:
Higher Client Satisfaction: Consistent delivery builds trust and leads to repeat business.
Scalable Growth: Efficient operations mean you can take on more projects without overwhelm.
Increased Profitability: Fewer delays mean more time spent on revenue-generating activities.
Peace of Mind: Knowing nothing critical will slip through gives you confidence to focus on the bigger picture.
Final Thought: What’s Missing Deadlines Really Costing You?
Missed deadlines aren’t just inconvenient—they’re costly. Every late project, forgotten follow-up, or overlooked task chips away at your credibility, profits, and growth potential.
The solution? Better systems and the right support.
Imagine running a business where deadlines are met consistently, clients are delighted, and growth opportunities are seized—all without burnout.
That’s the difference efficient deadline management makes.
If staying on top of everything feels impossible, maybe it’s time for a smarter approach.
What would your business look like if deadlines stopped holding you back?
Is Bad Bookkeeping Costing Your Business More Than You Think?
If you’re like most business owners, bookkeeping isn’t the most exciting part of running a company. It’s one of those tasks that gets pushed to the back burner—until tax season rolls around or cash flow issues start popping up.
But here’s the truth: Messy books can cost you thousands in missed deductions, cash flow mismanagement, and tax penalties.
Let’s talk about the most common bookkeeping mistakes business owners make—and how to fix them before they become costly problems.
1. Mixing Business and Personal Expenses
It’s easy to swipe the wrong card when you’re juggling business and personal finances, but co-mingling funds is a nightmare for bookkeeping. It creates confusion, increases the risk of errors, and makes tax time a mess.
The Fix:
Open a separate business bank account and credit card.
Use clear categorization for every transaction.
Track expenses in real time to avoid sifting through statements later.
2. Falling Behind on Expense Tracking
Ever find yourself scrambling to remember what that $78 charge from three months ago was for? Delayed expense tracking leads to inaccurate financial reports and missed tax deductions.
The Fix:
Implement real-time expense tracking with a bookkeeping system or app.
Assign a dedicated team member (or assistant) to upload receipts and categorize expenses weekly.
Regularly review reports to ensure accuracy.
3. Not Keeping Detailed Records
It’s not enough to just track income and expenses—you need documentation to back it up. Missing invoices, lost receipts, and incomplete records can trigger IRS audits and cost you valuable deductions.
The Fix:
Keep digital copies of all receipts and invoices.
Use a cloud-based system to organize financial documents.
Ensure all transactions are properly recorded with clear descriptions and categories.
4. Forgetting to Reconcile Accounts
Many business owners assume their bank statements are accurate—but errors happen. If you’re not reconciling accounts regularly, you could be missing fraudulent charges, duplicate transactions, or accounting mistakes.
The Fix:
Reconcile bank statements monthly to catch discrepancies early.
Cross-check financial records against invoices and payments.
Use automated tools to flag inconsistencies before they become bigger problems.
5. Ignoring Cash Flow Management
Your business might be profitable on paper, but if you don’t have cash in the bank when you need it, you’re in trouble. Poor cash flow management leads to missed opportunities, late payments, and financial stress.
The Fix:
Set up a cash flow tracking system that forecasts income and expenses.
Ensure customer invoices are sent and followed up on promptly.
Maintain a cash reserve to handle unexpected expenses.
6. DIYing Bookkeeping for Too Long
Many business owners start out managing their own books, but as the business grows, bookkeeping becomes more complex—and easier to mess up. Misclassified expenses, late reports, and compliance mistakes can end up costing more than hiring help.
The Fix:
Outsource bookkeeping or delegate financial tracking to a trained assistant.
Invest in bookkeeping software that automates repetitive tasks.
Focus on reviewing reports and making strategic financial decisions, rather than doing the data entry yourself.
Final Thought: Clean Books = Smarter Business Decisions
Bad bookkeeping doesn’t just cause headaches—it affects profitability, cash flow, and growth. When your financials are in order, you can make smarter decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and scale with confidence.
Not everyone is equipped with the right skills and knowledge to manage their books. The smartest solution is hiring an ultimate executive assistant that could manage and fix all your bookkeeping needs.
🚀 If bookkeeping is slowing you down, it’s time to streamline the process. Let’s talk about how to make it effortless.
Are You Losing Money by Handling Customer Service Yourself?
Let’s be real—entrepreneurs and business owners wear a lot of hats. But just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.
Customer service is a prime example. You might think keeping it in-house (or worse, doing it yourself) ensures quality. In reality, it’s costing you time, energy, and revenue.
Let’s break down the ROI of delegating customer service—and why handing it off isn’t just a smart move, but a profitable one.
1. The Hidden Cost of Handling It Yourself
As a business owner, your time is your highest-value asset. If you’re spending hours answering emails, troubleshooting issues, or handling refunds, you’re not focusing on growth.
If your hourly value is $200+ (which it should be if you’re leading a company), every hour spent on customer service is an expensive distraction.
Meanwhile, a trained customer service assistant costs a fraction of that and can handle inquiries faster, more efficiently, and with a customer-first approach.
Bottom line: Every hour you’re tied up in customer service is an hour not spent scaling, selling, or strategizing.
2. Increased Customer Retention = More Profit
Most businesses focus on customer acquisition, but customer retention is where the real profit is.
A 5% increase in retention can lead to a 25%-95% boost in profits (Harvard Business Review).
86% of customers are willing to pay more for a better experience (PWC).
An experienced customer service assistant ensures fast response times, personalized interactions, and proactive follow-ups—keeping your customers happy, engaged, and loyal.
3. Scaling Becomes Effortless
Great customer service isn’t just about handling issues—it’s about turning customers into brand advocates.
With a dedicated assistant: ✅ You scale without stress—no bottlenecks, no backlog. ✅ Customers get faster responses, leading to better reviews and referrals. ✅ You maintain a consistent brand voice, even as you grow.
Instead of stretching yourself thin, you create a seamless customer experience that supports your growth, not slows it down.
4. The Revenue-Generating ROI of Delegation
Here’s the math:
Let’s say you spend 10 hours a week on customer service. If your time is worth $200/hr, that’s $2,000/week ($104,000/year!) spent on tasks someone else could handle.
Hiring a dedicated assistant for ~$2,000/month saves you time, ensures better service, and allows you to focus on high-impact revenue-generating activities.
The trade-off? You gain back your time AND see an ROI that directly impacts your bottom line.
Final Thought: What’s Your Time Really Worth?
Most business owners don’t realize how much revenue they’re leaving on the table by handling customer service themselves.
By delegating, you’re not just outsourcing a task—you’re buying back your time, increasing retention, and setting up your business for scalable growth.
Is Disorganization Holding Your Business Back? Here’s How to Fix It
Have you ever felt like you’re running in circles, working harder than ever but not making the progress you expected? You’re not alone. Many entrepreneurs and business owners struggle with growth—not because they lack ambition or skill, but because their business operations are disorganized.
When systems are chaotic, tasks slip through the cracks, decisions take longer, and opportunities get missed. But when your business is structured and efficient, growth isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable. Let’s talk about why organization is the secret weapon behind every thriving business and how you can use it to unlock new opportunities.
Why Disorganization Stalls Growth
A cluttered inbox, scattered processes, and reactive decision-making don’t just make your day harder—they cost you money. Here’s how:
Missed Revenue Opportunities – A lost email or delayed follow-up can mean losing a potential client or deal.
Wasted Time – If you’re constantly looking for information or fixing mistakes, you’re not spending time on high-value activities.
Inconsistent Customer Experience – Disorganization often leads to slow responses, missed deadlines, and an inconsistent brand experience, which can drive clients elsewhere.
Decision Fatigue – When your business lacks structure, you spend more energy making decisions on things that should be automated or delegated.
The Power of an Organized Business
When your business is systemized and structured, you gain:
Increased Efficiency – With streamlined workflows, tasks get completed faster and with fewer errors.
More Time for Growth – Less time spent on admin work means more time for innovation, strategy, and building relationships.
Stronger Team Collaboration – When processes are clear, your team knows exactly what to do, leading to better productivity and fewer bottlenecks.
Better Financial Control – Organized bookkeeping and financial tracking help you make smarter business decisions.
How to Get (and Stay) Organized
Audit Your Current Workflows Take a step back and assess where time is being wasted. Identify bottlenecks, repetitive tasks, and areas where things frequently get missed.
Streamline & Automate Use project management tools, CRM systems, and automation software to eliminate manual work and keep everything in one place.
Delegate Effectively Stop holding onto tasks that others can handle. Whether it’s customer support, invoicing, or scheduling, delegating frees up your time for bigger priorities.
Create Clear Processes Document key workflows so your team knows exactly how things should be done. This reduces errors and makes it easier to scale.
Review & Optimize Regularly Organization isn’t a one-time fix. Regularly evaluate your systems to ensure they’re still serving your business as it grows.
The Bottom Line
An organized business is a scalable business. The more structure and efficiency you build into your operations, the more room you create for growth, innovation, and new opportunities. If you’re spending more time reacting than leading, it might be time to rethink your approach. What’s one area in your business that could benefit from better organization today?
Could Real Estate Be the Key to Financial Freedom?
When you think of financial freedom, what comes to mind? For many entrepreneurs and business owners, it’s the dream of living life on their own terms—choosing when and where to work, pursuing personal passions, and spending more quality time with family. Achieving that dream can feel elusive, but for Harley Green, it became a reality through strategic real estate investments and smart management.
Here’s how he made it happen—and how you can, too.
Start Small, Think Big
Harley’s journey began in the most unexpected place: his own basement. By converting unused space into a rental unit, he took his first step into the world of real estate. From there, he gradually scaled, acquiring short-term rental beach houses and long-term rental properties in key markets. His secret? Focus on quality over quantity.
Rather than managing dozens of properties, Harley built a small but efficient portfolio of high-quality rentals that provide steady cash flow and require less time and maintenance. This strategy allowed him to keep his investment manageable while maximizing returns.
Key takeaway: You don’t need a huge portfolio to achieve financial freedom. Start with what you have, and let your investments grow intentionally.
Slow Travel: A Cost-Effective Lifestyle
Harley and his family now live as digital nomads, traveling the world while managing their rentals. They’ve mastered the art of “slow travel,” staying in one location for a month or more. This approach not only reduces travel expenses but also unlocks discounts on long-term Airbnb stays and eliminates frequent flight costs.
They’ve even tapped into innovative strategies like home exchanges. By listing their properties on home exchange platforms, they’ve scored free accommodations in places like Mexico and Colombia, turning otherwise vacant rentals into valuable assets.
Key takeaway: Travel doesn’t have to be expensive. Slow travel and creative lodging solutions can make a nomadic lifestyle surprisingly affordable.
Streamline with Systems and People
Managing rental properties from halfway around the world might sound impossible, but Harley has it down to a science. His strategy centers on leveraging technology and hiring the right people:
Tech tools: Platforms like Apartments.com for rent collection and Google Workspace for property information simplify daily management tasks. Monthly inspections and preemptive maintenance keep properties in top shape.
Delegation: Harley relies on virtual assistants and local real estate agents to handle tenant communications, maintenance coordination, and even tenant turnovers. By empowering his team with clear procedures and authority, he ensures smooth operations without being bogged down in daily tasks.
Key takeaway: Building scalable systems and outsourcing tasks allows you to focus on big-picture strategies instead of getting caught up in the weeds.
Diversify and Mitigate Risk
A key part of Harley’s success lies in diversification. He balances long-term rentals with short-term vacation properties and reinvests profits into other opportunities, like private lending and syndications. This diversified approach provides multiple income streams and reduces reliance on any one property.
He also emphasizes careful budgeting and managing risk. By leveraging smart financing options and keeping operating expenses low, Harley ensures his portfolio remains profitable even during economic shifts.
Key takeaway: Diversification isn’t just for stocks—apply it to your real estate investments for long-term stability.
Designing a Life You Love
Harley and his family didn’t stumble into this lifestyle by accident—it was a deliberate choice. They envisioned what they wanted their life to look like and worked backward to make it happen. Whether it’s homeschooling their kids while traveling internationally or prioritizing family time, every decision aligns with their core values.
Key takeaway: Define your ideal lifestyle first, and then design your business or investments to support it.
Real estate isn’t just about building wealth; it’s about creating freedom. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just getting started, Harley’s story is proof that with the right strategies, real estate can be a powerful tool for transforming your life.
Time. It’s the one resource we can’t buy, borrow, or extend. Yet, as entrepreneurs and business owners, we often find ourselves wishing for just a few extra hours in the day. Here’s the good news: it’s not about working harder or longer. It’s about working smarter. And that starts with leveraging the right combination of human support and technology.
If you’ve already brought a Virtual Assistant (VA) onto your team—or are considering it—you’re on the right track. But pairing your VA with productivity tools? That’s where the magic happens. Let’s break down how you can supercharge your time management by combining people and tech.
1. Delegate Strategically
Your VA is a game-changer when it comes to offloading tasks. But delegation without clarity can create bottlenecks. Here’s how to streamline:
Identify repetitive tasks: Use tools like Trello or Asana to track recurring to-dos and assign them to your VA.
Prioritize high-impact activities: Save your energy for strategic decisions and let your VA handle admin work, social media scheduling, or email management.
By using productivity tools to track tasks, you ensure nothing slips through the cracks while freeing yourself up to focus on growth.
2. Streamline Communication
Constant back-and-forth emails can be a time killer. Instead, set up systems that make communication fast and effective:
Collaborate in real time: Platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams allow you to connect instantly, eliminating lengthy email chains.
Share clear instructions: Use Loom to record quick video walkthroughs for your VA, making instructions easier to understand and reducing follow-up questions.
Streamlined communication ensures that everyone stays on the same page, even when you’re juggling multiple projects.
3. Automate Where Possible
Automation tools can handle tasks your VA doesn’t need to touch, leaving them free to focus on higher-value work:
Email automation: Tools like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign can handle routine email campaigns.
Calendar scheduling: Set up automated booking systems like Calendly to save time managing your calendar.
Social media planning: Tools like Buffer or Hootsuite can schedule posts, leaving your VA to focus on engagement.
The combination of automation and delegation creates a seamless workflow that maximizes efficiency.
4. Track Progress and Results
Tracking progress doesn’t just keep you informed—it also keeps your VA empowered and motivated. Here’s how to stay on top of everything without micromanaging:
Daily check-ins: Use tools like Notion or ClickUp for daily updates and task tracking.
Analyze performance: Monitor metrics using tools like Google Analytics or CRM software to measure the results of your efforts.
When you have a clear picture of what’s working, you can adjust and refine your approach for even better outcomes.
5. Foster a Proactive Workflow
Combine your VA’s skills with tools that encourage proactive planning. For example:
Set weekly goals: Use productivity apps like Todoist or Monday.com to set priorities and ensure alignment.
Create templates: Develop templates for recurring tasks like email responses or project plans. Tools like Google Docs can make this process simple and collaborative.
A proactive workflow ensures you’re not just reacting to tasks but planning for long-term success.
Final Thoughts: Invest in Your Time
The combination of a skilled Virtual Assistant and the right productivity tools can revolutionize the way you manage your business. It’s not just about getting things done—it’s about getting the right things done without feeling stretched thin.
Remember, your time is the most valuable asset you have. By investing in smart systems and support, you’re setting yourself up to grow your business while reclaiming balance in your life. So, ask yourself: What’s one task you could hand off today, and what tool would make it even more seamless?
Ready to streamline your time management and focus on what really matters? Start building a smarter, more efficient workflow—because your business (and your sanity) depends on it.
From Setbacks to Success: Building a Life of Financial Freedom and Location Independence
In the modern world, entrepreneurship is no longer confined to an office or a specific location. For many, the dream of financial freedom and location independence has transformed from a far-fetched idea into an achievable reality. In this blog, we dive into the inspiring journey of Steve Didier, host of the Ronin Mindset Podcast, and explore the actionable strategies he’s used to redefine success.
Whether you’re looking to break free from traditional constraints or scale your business, this post provides insights that will empower you to take control of your life and business.
1. Turning Setbacks into Opportunities
Steve’s entrepreneurial journey wasn’t without challenges. From thriving in the booming Las Vegas real estate market to losing everything during the financial crash, he faced a major reset in his life. But instead of giving up, Steve saw this as an opportunity to pursue a more fulfilling life.
Key Takeaway: Sometimes setbacks are the push we need to reevaluate our goals and align our actions with what truly matters. If you’re facing challenges in your business, consider how they could serve as a stepping stone toward your bigger dreams.
2. Embracing Location Independence
After hitting the reset button, Steve sold his belongings, packed up his dog, and drove to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. From there, he began exploring life as an expat and digital nomad. His story proves that you don’t need to be a millionaire to live abroad; strategic planning and a willingness to adapt can go a long way.
Actionable Insight: If you’re considering the leap to location independence, start by researching affordable locations and tapping into online communities for support. Facebook groups and digital nomad forums can help you find rentals, navigate local regulations, and build connections.
3. Building Sustainable Revenue Streams
Steve’s first steps into entrepreneurship abroad included affiliate marketing and real estate. Leveraging his knowledge of real estate from the U.S., he began working with clients in Mexico, targeting Americans and Canadians looking for investment properties. He later transitioned to credit repair, a business born from his own need to rebuild his credit after financial struggles. This business became highly lucrative and scalable, allowing him to outsource work to virtual assistants (VAs).
Lesson for Entrepreneurs: Diversify your income streams and focus on skills you already have. Whether it’s real estate, marketing, or coaching, there are countless opportunities to monetize your expertise in a global marketplace.
4. Outsourcing for Growth
As Steve’s credit repair business grew, he realized he couldn’t do it all himself. Bringing on VAs allowed him to scale his operations efficiently. These VAs handled time-consuming tasks like client follow-ups and manual data entry, freeing him to focus on higher-value activities such as sales and marketing.
Pro Tip: Hiring virtual assistants isn’t just about saving time—it’s about increasing your earning potential. For every VA Steve hired, his income grew because he could dedicate more energy to revenue-generating activities.
5. The Importance of a Marketing Flywheel
Steve leveraged organic marketing strategies like social media to promote his business. Through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, he built a following and used referrals to keep his pipeline full. His approach highlights the value of creating a self-sustaining marketing flywheel that generates leads without constant intervention.
Tip for Business Owners: Don’t underestimate the power of organic marketing. Start small with consistent posts and engagement, and watch as your content works to attract more leads and referrals.
6. Designing a Business Around Your Lifestyle
One of Steve’s core principles is building a business that fits the life you want—not the other way around. For him, that meant prioritizing flexibility and eliminating tasks that tethered him to a specific location or time zone. By focusing on digital products and outsourcing operations, he created a business that allowed him to travel freely.
Ask Yourself: Is your business serving your lifestyle goals? If not, what changes can you make to align your business with your ideal life?
7. Overcoming Challenges as a Global Entrepreneur
Living abroad comes with its own set of challenges, from opening foreign bank accounts to navigating different business regulations. Steve’s advice is to treat these hurdles as experiments. Whether it’s finding alternative payment methods or building a local support network, persistence and adaptability are key.
Practical Advice: Start small. If you’re not ready to commit to a global lifestyle, try living abroad for six months in a single location. This trial period will help you decide if the lifestyle is right for you.
8. Why Take the Leap?
For Steve, living internationally isn’t just about affordability—it’s about embracing freedom. From reducing costs to experiencing new cultures, his journey underscores how stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to incredible growth.
Final Thought: Don’t let fear hold you back. As Steve says, “If it doesn’t work out, you can always go back.” The important thing is to take that first step and see where it leads.
Ready to Build Your Dream Lifestyle?
Steve’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and strategic planning. Whether you’re considering hiring a VA, exploring life as a digital nomad, or simply looking to grow your business, the lessons from his journey can help you take actionable steps toward your goals.
For more tips and insights, listen to the full podcast episode with Steve Didier, available now:
Your dream life is closer than you think. It starts with one decision—one step toward building the freedom and success you deserve. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your journey today.
Harley Green: Welcome to the Workergenix Mastermind Podcast! I’m your host, Harley Green, and today we’re joined by a very special guest—Steve Didier. Steve is the host of The Ronin Mindset Podcast, a digital nomad, entrepreneur, and business owner with an incredible story. Steve’s journey is packed with actionable tips and strategies that can help you elevate your business, achieve financial independence, and build a life of location freedom. Steve, welcome to the show!
Steve Didier: Thanks, Harley! I’m excited to be here and looking forward to this conversation.
Harley Green: Steve, your background is so diverse. You’ve been a bouncer in Las Vegas, a real estate entrepreneur, and you’ve navigated the ups and downs of the real estate market crash. Then, you took a leap into the nomadic lifestyle and entrepreneurship while traveling. How did you manage this incredible transition?
Steve Didier: It’s been quite a journey with lots of twists, turns, and even some dead ends. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. After leaving the army, I moved to Las Vegas and worked a variety of jobs, including as a personal bodyguard for A-list celebrities, a nightclub security professional, and a bartender. But I eventually grew tired of that lifestyle. I had experienced a somewhat nomadic life in the military and wanted something more fulfilling.
I started a real estate business in Las Vegas, and for a time, it was incredibly successful—Vegas was booming, and I was making great money. But despite the financial success, I felt unfulfilled. Then came the real estate market crash, and everything I had built over 12 years was wiped out. I lost my business, went through a divorce, and hit rock bottom. It was a massive reset, but in hindsight, it was a blessing in disguise.
Harley Green: It sounds like a pivotal moment. What led you to pursue a digital nomad lifestyle?
Steve Didier: After going through that tough period, I realized I finally had the freedom to pursue something I had always dreamed about—traveling and living abroad. I sold almost everything I owned, packed up my dog, two boxes, and a suitcase, and drove from Las Vegas to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. That’s where I began exploring the digital nomad and expat lifestyle. I started with online marketing, selling digital products, and later worked in international real estate to learn about global investments.
Harley Green: What challenges did you face, either internally or externally, when making this leap?
Steve Didier: Internally, one of the surprising challenges was parting with material possessions. As I was selling or donating items, I found myself struggling to let go of things that had no real value—just emotional attachments. But in the end, I can honestly say there’s nothing I regret parting with.
Externally, the logistics of living internationally can be tricky, especially with a large dog. Finding a rental, for instance, wasn’t as simple as Zillow or Craigslist. I connected with a rental agent through a Facebook group, which made the process smoother.
Harley Green: What about managing finances and setting up a life abroad? How did you handle that?
Steve Didier: Initially, I was able to open a Mexican bank account with a tourist visa, which isn’t possible now. For day-to-day expenses, I used my U.S. bank accounts and relied on tools like Western Union for larger transfers. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked.
Harley Green: Once you settled in Mexico, you explored new business ventures. What did that process look like?
Steve Didier: Before moving, I had started dabbling in affiliate marketing, which gave me the financial confidence to take the leap. I wasn’t earning much—about $1,500 a month—but it was enough to live comfortably in Mexico at the time. Later, I transitioned into real estate, focusing on helping Americans and Canadians invest in properties they could rent out on platforms like Airbnb. That was an invaluable learning experience.
Harley Green: At some point, you transitioned to a credit repair business. How did that come about?
Steve Didier: After the real estate crash, I had to repair my own credit, which taught me a lot. I started helping others, and eventually, it turned into a lucrative business I could run entirely from Mexico. To scale, I hired virtual assistants from the Philippines, which was a game-changer. They were incredibly talented and efficient, far exceeding my expectations.
Harley Green: It sounds like outsourcing played a huge role in your success. What advice would you give to business owners about hiring virtual assistants?
Steve Didier: Outsourcing is an investment. Each VA I hired freed me up to focus on rainmaking activities—generating sales and revenue. My advice? Start small, delegate time-consuming tasks, and invest in training your VAs. It’s worth every penny.
Harley Green: After running the credit repair business for years, what made you move on?
Steve Didier: The credit repair industry can be exhausting—it’s a lot of negativity. I was ready for a change and wanted to focus on fully digital ventures, like creating courses and exploring AI. The goal was to build a business that didn’t tie me to any specific location.
Harley Green: For those considering a similar lifestyle, what’s your advice?
Steve Didier: Start by identifying what you truly want—whether that’s full-time travel or planting roots in another country. Assess whether your current business can operate remotely. If not, consider leveraging your skills to create a business that aligns with your desired lifestyle. Most importantly, take action. You can always go back if it doesn’t work out, but you’ll never know unless you try.
Harley Green: Steve, thank you for sharing your incredible journey and insights. For listeners who want to learn more, we’ll include links to The Ronin Mindset Podcast and other resources in the show notes. Thanks again for joining us!
Steve Didier: Thanks, Harley. If anyone has questions or is considering making the leap, I’m happy to chat. It’s intimidating, but absolutely worth it.
Is Your Business Ready to Thrive in 2025? Here’s Why Productivity is the Key
As we look toward 2025, one thing is clear: businesses that prioritize productivity will outpace their competition. But productivity isn’t just about checking off more boxes on your to-do list—it’s about working smarter, focusing on high-impact activities, and creating systems that free you to lead with clarity and purpose.
Here’s why productivity should be your top priority this year and how to make it happen.
Why Productivity is Your Competitive Advantage
In today’s fast-moving world, time is your most precious resource. Wasted hours lead to missed opportunities, slower growth, and burnout. Productivity allows you to maximize your time and energy, so you can focus on what really matters: innovation, customer experience, and scaling your business.
Consider this: every minute spent on repetitive, low-value tasks is a minute not spent strategizing or solving the big problems that move your business forward. Imagine the impact of reclaiming even a few hours each week—what would you do with that time?
How to Prioritize Productivity in 2025
Audit Your Current Processes Start by identifying bottlenecks in your workflow. Are there tasks or processes that take longer than they should? Are you using outdated tools or systems? By conducting a productivity audit, you’ll uncover inefficiencies and create a plan to address them.
Focus on What You Do Best The most successful entrepreneurs understand the importance of delegation. Spend your time on high-value tasks—the ones that only you can do—and find ways to offload the rest. Whether it’s automating processes or outsourcing tasks, freeing up your mental bandwidth is crucial.
Leverage the Right Tools Productivity isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter. Tools like project management software, CRMs, and automation can simplify your workload and keep your team aligned. Invest in tools that reduce friction and improve collaboration.
Create Systems for Consistency A systemized approach to your business operations ensures consistency and reduces decision fatigue. Document workflows, establish routines, and create templates for recurring tasks. The more structured your processes, the more time you’ll have for strategic thinking.
The Long-Term Benefits of Prioritizing Productivity
When you put productivity first, you’re not just improving your day-to-day operations—you’re setting your business up for sustainable growth. Increased efficiency leads to higher profitability, better employee morale, and a stronger ability to adapt to changing market conditions.
Imagine a business where you’re not constantly putting out fires but instead focusing on seizing opportunities and driving innovation. That’s what productivity allows you to achieve.
A Final Thought
2025 is the year to take control of your time and elevate your business. By making productivity your priority, you’ll unlock the potential to grow faster, innovate boldly, and achieve your long-term goals.
Start by asking yourself: what’s one change you can make this week to improve your productivity? The future of your business depends on it. Reach out to us to have more insights.
Transform Your Business Growth with a Flywheel Strategy
In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving market, creating sustainable growth for your business can feel like an uphill battle. Many entrepreneurs find themselves stuck in the daily grind, barely managing to keep things running. But what if there was a way to build momentum in your business so it grows seamlessly and scales effortlessly? This is where the concept of a business growth flywheel comes in—a strategy that has propelled businesses, both large and small, to unparalleled success.
Bryan Clayton, CEO and co-founder of GreenPal, has mastered this art. Dubbed the “Uber for Lawn Care,” GreenPal is a platform connecting homeowners with lawn care professionals, with over 300,000 active users and millions in transactions. Bryan’s journey from running a traditional landscaping company to scaling a tech-driven platform is a masterclass in entrepreneurial resilience and innovation. Here’s how he used the growth flywheel to transform his business and how you can implement the same principles.
Understanding the Flywheel Effect
The flywheel concept, popularized by Jim Collins in Good to Great, revolves around creating a self-reinforcing cycle where each part of your business feeds into the next. For Bryan, the flywheel began with understanding his customer needs and using technology to enhance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.
For instance, GreenPal’s core functionality—matching lawn care professionals with homeowners—didn’t just solve a customer pain point; it created a system where satisfied users naturally referred others, driving more business to the platform. This loop of value creation and word-of-mouth marketing became the engine of growth.
Building a Flywheel for Your Business
Whether you’re running a local service company or a tech startup, the principles of a flywheel can work for you. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown based on Bryan’s insights:
1. Focus on Creating a Stellar Product or Service
The foundation of any successful flywheel is a product or service that delivers exceptional value. Bryan emphasizes that you can’t “pour gasoline on wet leaves and expect them to burn.” Your offering needs to resonate with your customers, solving their problems effectively.
2. Leverage Customer Feedback and Reviews
One of the simplest yet most impactful components of a flywheel is gathering customer reviews. Bryan highlights that encouraging even a fraction of your customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google or Yelp can significantly amplify your business’s visibility and credibility. Positive reviews act as a magnet, drawing in more customers and fueling growth.
3. Integrate Systems to Streamline Operations
GreenPal’s success is rooted in its use of technology to simplify processes. Bryan started by studying companies like Uber, Instacart, and Airbnb to learn how they automated customer interactions. You can adopt similar strategies using CRM tools, workflow automation, and efficient task management platforms like monday.com to centralize operations and reduce inefficiencies.
4. Create Shareable Content from Your Work
Bryan suggests documenting your processes through photos, videos, and other media to create shareable assets. For example, if you’re in home remodeling, you could record before-and-after shots of your projects. Post these across platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok to reach a broader audience. The result? Your work markets itself, bringing in more leads without additional effort.
5. Experiment and Adapt
“Action produces information,” Bryan says. Treat every initiative as an experiment. Whether you’re implementing new software, testing a social media strategy, or building a customer referral program, approach it with curiosity and a willingness to adapt based on the results.
Breaking Free from the Grind
Many entrepreneurs start their businesses with a passion for their craft but quickly find themselves bogged down by administrative tasks and operational chaos. Bryan’s advice is simple but powerful: dedicate time to work on your business, not just in it.
For example, set aside weekends or specific days to focus solely on building systems and processes. Start small—whether it’s creating a streamlined lead management system or automating customer follow-ups—and gradually scale up. Use tools like virtual assistants or automation software to handle repetitive tasks, freeing you to concentrate on growth.
The Role of Mindset in Scaling
Transitioning from being self-employed to running a scalable business requires a shift in mindset. Many business owners fall into the trap of thinking it’s easier to “just do it yourself.” However, investing time in building systems and delegating tasks will pay off exponentially in the long run.
Bryan points out that this process isn’t easy—it’s more challenging to document processes, train team members, and test new approaches than to simply keep working in the day-to-day grind. But the reward is worth it: a business that runs efficiently without relying on your constant input.
Why the Flywheel Matters
At its core, the flywheel strategy is about building momentum. Each component of your business—whether it’s customer satisfaction, streamlined operations, or effective marketing—feeds into the next, creating a cycle of growth. This approach not only scales your business but also gives you the freedom to step back and focus on strategic opportunities.
As Bryan puts it, “The goal is to leave for three months, come back, and find your business bigger than when you left.”
Start Your Flywheel Today
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, the principles of a growth flywheel can transform your business. By focusing on delivering exceptional value, leveraging technology, and creating systems that sustain themselves, you can build a business that grows with minimal friction.
If you’re ready to take the next step, start small. Identify one area of your business that can be streamlined, document the process, and test a system to automate or delegate it. Over time, these small changes will compound, driving exponential growth and setting you apart in your industry.
By following these insights and strategies, you can take control of your business growth and set the stage for long-term success. It’s not just about working harder—it’s about working smarter and building a business that thrives on its own.
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Welcome to the Workergenix Mastermind Podcast. I’m your host, Harley Green. Today, we have an exceptional guest: Bryan Clayton. He’s not just a CEO—he’s a visionary who’s redefined the lawn care industry. As the mastermind behind GreenPal, often referred to as the “Uber for Lawn Care” by Entrepreneur Magazine, Bryan has built an innovative online marketplace connecting homeowners with local lawn care professionals. With over 300,000 active users and thousands of transactions processed daily, GreenPal is a testament to Bryan’s ability to understand and meet market needs.
Today, Bryan is here to share his journey and some invaluable insights on scaling a business. Bryan, welcome to the podcast!
Bryan Clayton:
Thanks for having me, Harley. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Harley Green:
Let’s start with your background. Can you share your entrepreneurial journey and how you got to where you are today?
Bryan Clayton:
Absolutely. I’m the CEO and co-founder of GreenPal, which is essentially the Uber for lawn mowing. With GreenPal, homeowners can connect with local lawn care providers through a simple app. You just input your address, and lawn care professionals compete for your job. Once you hire someone, they take care of your lawn, and if you’re satisfied, you can schedule recurring services with just a button press.
Today, GreenPal operates across the U.S. with over 300,000 active users. But it’s been a long journey—a 10-year overnight success story, as I like to say. My two co-founders and I have spent more than a decade building this platform.
My entrepreneurial journey started much earlier. In 1994, I mowed my neighbor’s lawn for $20. That first taste of entrepreneurship stuck with me. Over 15 years, I grew my small lawn-mowing business into a company with 150 employees and $10 million in annual revenue. Eventually, it was acquired by a national firm. Those 25 years in the lawn care and landscaping business laid the foundation for what GreenPal is today.
Harley Green:
That’s incredible. GreenPal leverages technology to solve common pain points, which is such a smart approach. I know finding reliable landscaping services can be challenging. Your platform fills a real gap.
You’ve talked about creating a growth flywheel for businesses of all sizes. Can you explain what that means and how it applies to entrepreneurs?
Bryan Clayton:
Sure. The concept of a growth flywheel clicked for me about five or six years into my first business. Initially, I thought I was just in the landscaping business, but as we grew, I realized I was in the sales business. Creating a reliable sales engine became the core of our operations, enabling us to land larger contracts with commercial properties like apartment complexes and office parks.
When I transitioned to GreenPal, I had to learn how to apply that flywheel concept to a tech company. A flywheel is essentially a self-reinforcing cycle that drives growth. For example, Uber has a flywheel where more drivers lead to shorter wait times, which attracts more riders, which in turn attracts more drivers. At GreenPal, our flywheel works similarly—more lawn care providers lower costs, which leads to happier customers, which attracts more users.
Harley Green:
That’s fascinating. It’s about creating a system where growth feeds itself. How can entrepreneurs in other industries apply this flywheel concept to their own businesses?
Bryan Clayton:
It starts with having a product or service that people love. You can’t build a flywheel if your foundation isn’t solid. Once you’ve got that, the goal is to create a process where one activity naturally generates the next.
Take a home remodeling business as an example. Let’s say you document every project with photos and videos. Those visuals can be repurposed for marketing—posted on social media, uploaded to YouTube, or shared in newsletters. This exposure attracts new clients, which funds better equipment or staff, which improves your service quality, and the cycle continues.
Start small. Maybe you focus on getting more reviews. Serve 10 customers and aim for three to leave reviews on platforms like Google or Yelp. As reviews accumulate, your visibility increases, attracting more customers. That’s a simple but effective flywheel.
Harley Green:
What about handling the influx of leads once that flywheel starts spinning?
Bryan Clayton:
That’s a great question. Many entrepreneurs stay stuck in self-employment mode because they’re trying to do it all themselves. The key is to step back and work on your business, not just in it.
When I started, I’d dedicate Monday through Friday to operations—handling customers, paying vendors, managing payroll. But weekends were for building systems. I’d focus on one part of the business, like lead management. At first, I handled everything myself to understand the process. Then, I’d document it—using tools like Loom to create training videos—and delegate it to a virtual assistant.
The key is to systematize each task so you’re not stuck doing it forever. It’s a slower process upfront, but over time, you free yourself to focus on growth.
Harley Green:
That’s great advice. It’s about making those small investments in systems to build a scalable business.
Before we wrap up, any final thoughts or tips for entrepreneurs looking to build their own flywheel?
Bryan Clayton:
Treat everything like an experiment. Start small and iterate. If you’re thinking about implementing new software or a new process, don’t overthink it—try it out. Action produces information. Even if it doesn’t work, you’ll learn something valuable.
And remember, a flywheel doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a slow build, but once it gains momentum, it becomes a powerful force for growth.
Harley Green:
Fantastic insights, Bryan. Thank you for sharing your journey and expertise with us. How can listeners connect with you?
Bryan Clayton:
Thanks for having me, Harley. Listeners can find me on LinkedIn by searching for Bryan Clayton or visit my website, GreenPal.com. If you’re in the lawn care business or need lawn care services, check us out!
