Most entrepreneurs start their businesses for freedom—freedom of time, financial independence, and the ability to work on what they love. But as your business grows, so does the workload. Instead of gaining time, many business owners find themselves buried in tasks, stuck managing operations instead of leading growth.
In a recent episode of the Scale Smart, Grow Fast Podcast, we sat down with Stephanie Cabral, a former attorney turned real estate entrepreneur, to discuss how she scaled her business efficiently without sacrificing quality or control.
Listen on the go! Catch the full episode on your favorite podcast platform:
The Mindset Shift: Treating Your Business Like a Business
One of the biggest mindset shifts Stephanie made was realizing that real estate investing—or any business—is not a side hustle, it’s a company. If you want to scale, you can’t run your operations manually forever.
âś… She stopped managing everything herself and implemented automation and delegation. âś… She focused on systems that could scale, not just processes that worked in the moment. âś… She prioritized high-impact work instead of getting stuck in daily tasks.
How Systems and Delegation Transformed Her Business
Stephanie knew she couldn’t scale while handling every invoice, repair call, and tenant request. So she built a structured system for efficiency by:
🔹 Using automation tools to manage communication, invoicing, and workflows. 🔹 Hiring a dedicated assistant to take over administrative tasks, freeing her time for strategy. 🔹 Implementing SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to ensure consistency and eliminate micromanagement.
This shift allowed her to focus on growing her portfolio, securing better deals, and expanding her impact—all while working less.
How You Can Apply This to Your Business
No matter your industry, these principles apply. If you’re feeling stuck in daily operations, ask yourself these questions:
🔸 What tasks do I repeat every day that could be automated? 🔸 What low-value tasks am I holding onto that someone else could handle? 🔸 Where am I spending time that isn’t directly growing my revenue?
The key to scaling smart is removing yourself as the bottleneck. With the right systems and support, you can grow your business without working 24/7.
Want to Scale Faster Without Burnout?
If you’re ready to free up your time and focus on what truly moves the needle, it’s time to build a smarter, more efficient business. Watch the full podcast episode now and start implementing the strategies that will help you grow without the overwhelm.
Ready to streamline your business and reclaim your time?Schedule a discovery call today and see how the right systems and support can help you scale smarter and grow faster.
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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.
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.
Harley & Adrienne Green on Becoming a Family of Digital Nomads | Ep. 80
Harley and Adrienne Green share their journey of living a digital nomad lifestyle and building a successful real estate business. They started by investing in real estate and leveraging their savings and investments to create financial and time freedom. They transitioned from direct ownership of single-family homes to commercial investments and partnerships. Adrienne also became a real estate agent and built a team focused on serving real estate investors. They emphasize the importance of being strategic, leveraging virtual assistants, and setting up systems to achieve freedom and scalability. They also discuss the misconceptions and challenges of entrepreneurship and the importance of starting with the end in mind to design their dream lifestyle.
Takeaways
Investing in real estate and leveraging savings and investments can create financial and time freedom.
Being strategic and leveraging virtual assistants can help scale a business and achieve freedom.
Starting with the end in mind and designing a dream lifestyle is important for long-term success.
Misconceptions about entrepreneurship include the belief that it automatically leads to freedom and that it is easy and glamorous. Set clear – goals and create a vision for the future.
Leverage systems and outsource tasks to achieve financial freedom.
Embrace an abundance mindset and view failure as an opportunity for growth.
Traveling with young children can provide unique opportunities for personal and family growth.
Establishing a home base in an international location can be a future goal.
Providing valuable resources and education to others is a way to add abundant value.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction and Background 02:44 – Investing in Real Estate for Financial and Time Freedom 06:16 – Transitioning to Commercial Investments and Partnerships 12:09 – Strategic Scaling with Virtual Assistants 29:08 – Designing a Dream Lifestyle: Starting with the End in Mind 33:43 – Setting Goals and Creating a Vision 34:42 – Achieving Financial Freedom through Leveraging 37:29 – Embracing an Abundance Mindset and Viewing Failure as Growth 45:36 – Traveling with Young Children: Challenges and Opportunities 52:04 – Establishing a Home Base in an International Location 56:23 – Providing Valuable Resources and Education to Others
🚀 Ready to unlock your financial freedom? 🏡🎧 Dive into my latest podcast episode on “The Chris Voss Show,” where I reveal the secrets of Real Estate Investing and how Virtual Assistants can supercharge your journey to wealth! đź’¸
✨ Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can’t afford to miss. Tune in now and take your first step toward financial independence! 🙌
