[00:00:00] Speaker A: When I decided to not go back to corporate, not find a job, I had an idea of what business I wanted to start. And I took your advice, Carla. You gave me advice to make a list of 50 people I could reach out to and tell them the idea of my business and just get in the habit of kind of explaining what my business was and just start there. And it was pretty underwhelming. I obviously reached out to people saying, hey, you know, I. Do you want to talk just like a normal conversation? Of course. Great response rate. But as soon as I brought up that I'm starting a business, the amount of left unread I had was probably like half. So like 25% or 25 people. And then the rest of the people, you know, they wouldn't be willing to get on a call with me because it was about me talking about a business. And I'd say probably like the few people who did that, they clearly had I don't care in their voice or I don't believe in you and your voice. I could just feel it. But it was a really, really big shock, like nobody truly cared. I could tell. It almost felt like a disease.
You weren't born to sit in traffic, work for approval, or wait for Fridays. You were built to be free.
Welcome to Rich and Remote, the show for the ones who dare to do life differently. Here we talk about building businesses that give you choices where you work, how you live, and what you create.
This is for the entrepreneurs who crave freedom, financial freedom, location freedom, and freedom from everyone else's expectations. If you're ready to design a life on your own terms, you're in the right place. Rich and Remote, hosted by Alex and Carla Booth.
[00:01:49] Speaker B: Hey, welcome. Good morning.
Hi to everyone, and welcome to Rich and Remote. How are you today, Alex?
[00:01:56] Speaker A: I am good. A little under the weather, though. I came up with a cold, like, 24 hours ago. I'm hoping it's almost over, but, yeah, good.
[00:02:05] Speaker B: Yeah, you sound okay. So overall, how are you feeling? I know we've been back in Mexico for, like, two weeks now.
[00:02:11] Speaker A: I am so happy to be back in Mexico for so many reasons. One time zone is the best times on the work in. I have tacos at my disposal, sunshine out my front door. The ocean is right there. Mexico is great. I'm so happy to be here.
[00:02:28] Speaker B: Yeah, definitely. The time zone challenge is one of the challenges that online entrepreneurs experience.
For me, it was also hard. I had to be very militant about my time. This is also a topic that we will discuss. I know in the future episodes. So if everyone's listening and if everyone's curious about what it's like to work in, in different time zones, to take your work with you, having some sort of a part time vacation, part time work time, will definitely give some advice and ask us a few questions. If you know Alex, follow Alex on LinkedIn where he is most active. You guys can just BM him your questions and curiosities. And if you follow me on Facebook, on Instagram, same thing.
[00:03:09] Speaker A: Yeah, I'm really excited about today's episode. I know this is a topic that I have been dealing with, but you dealt with a long time ago and came to just an understanding of that's how things are. And for me, it's just been a little bit kind of like earth shattered, earth shattering, you know, it's been. And a little demoralizing. So super excited about today's topic.
[00:03:32] Speaker B: Yeah. So if everyone's curious, our topic today is all about the frustrations, disappointment, and sometimes loneliness that comes with the realization that as an entrepreneur, you might not really get the support that you think you deserve. So let's start with some throwback experiences. Alex, how long have you been in business now? And was there a specific moment in your entrepreneurial journey when you realized that, like, oh my gosh, like, no one's coming to save me and I can't really rely on anyone.
[00:04:08] Speaker A: So I've been in business for almost three years, so pretty new still, right? But yeah, I think when you say, like, no one's coming to save you, I kind of knew that was the case. For me, it's more about, I'm just surprised, like, my friends and family don't care. Right.
But I realized that honestly, when I decided to not go back to corporate, not find a job, I had an idea of what business I wanted to start and I took your advice. Carla, you gave me advice to make a list of 50 people I could reach out to and tell them the idea of my business and just get in the habit of kind of explaining what my business was and just start there. So I did that and it was pretty underwhelming. I obviously reached out to people saying, hey, you know, I. Do you want to talk just like a normal conversation? Of course. Great response rate. But as soon as I brought up that I'm starting a business, the amount of left unread I had was probably like half. So like 25% or 25 people. And then the rest of the people, you know, they wouldn't be willing to get on a call with Me, because it was about me talking about a business. And I'd say probably, like, the few people who did, they clearly had I don't care in their voice or I don't believe in you and your voice. I could just feel it. And then, like, the few people that did, you know, they were nice. They introduced me to other people. That helped, but it was a really, really big shock. Like, nobody truly cared. I could tell. It almost felt like a disease. Right. Like, you want to become an entrepreneur? Oh, you want to start a business?
It felt like they thought I was going to, like, try to take. Sell them on something or take their money. Right. And I feel like that's never gone away. It just absolutely never gone away. So for me, it was, like, immediately. And I was just excited to tell people I was starting something.
[00:06:01] Speaker B: Yeah, it's difficult because, like, being an entrepreneur is one of the most difficult things out there. And if you compare it to, like, other difficult things that people do, you know, like, if you. You told your friends, hey, I'm doing an Ironman, I'm, you know, I'm joining the American Ninja warrior, can you imagine how different, like, their reaction will be? They will be very supportive. I bet they'll be like, oh, my God, High five. That's so cool. When is your episode coming out? I'll make sure. I'll tune in, right?
[00:06:29] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:06:30] Speaker B: And that's a very difficult thing. Entrepreneurship is the same. It's like, a difficult thing. But it was so weird for me. I had negative feedback. I had people putting me down and saying stuff like, oh, so you went to university to start this, like, little business to sell flowers? The flower shop was my first business. And they were like, oh, do you think, like, this is what your parents want you to do? Yeah. I literally got these feedback. I had some people tell me, hey, do you know that 85% of entrepreneurs fail in the first year?
[00:06:59] Speaker A: Well, you know, to be fair, like, telling you the stat there is probably kind of helpful. Right. In a weird way, but, gosh, that sounds way harsher than what I experienced. I don't. Maybe this is like a cultural thing. Like, maybe the Philippines, they're a little bit more harsh on you. For me, it was just like, stay away from me. I am not going to talk to you, like, cold shoulder. But you actually got kind of, like, a little bit attacked. It sounds like.
[00:07:23] Speaker B: Yeah. And I think it. It definitely has a lot to do with the culture as well. Because in my culture in the Philippines, going to college, going to a really good university, which I had the privilege to do because of a very special scholarship. You mind you, we didn't have the money to actually pay for the who for my school. It's like your life raft out of poverty, you know? And so you went through, like, four years of, like, business school. And. Which is weird, because I went to business school to start a business, and now I'm starting a business. And what do you want me to be employed in? Like, Unilever or Procter and Gamble, which is what everyone wanted me to do. Like, I was literally getting just random job announcements from my friends, like, egging me to just apply for a job. And they're like, oh, I have an in. I work at Unilever. I can help you. It's like they're not listening when I say, I don't want a job. I want a business. I want freedom. And it just kind of didn't click in their heads. And I also felt a little bit of that. Like, I felt like, do I have a plague? When I would go to some of these, like, gatherings and I would talk about my business, they would make me feel like I should just stop talking or that it is embarrassing to do.
[00:08:31] Speaker A: So I'm gonna play a little bit of devil's advocate. Okay. You and I, what you're saying this is for your flower shop, though, right? This is like a physical store.
Is that fair?
[00:08:42] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:08:42] Speaker A: Okay. To be fair, because you have a flower shop, I feel like people would be more supportive. It's a physical business. It's more relatable. Whereas, like, you and I, now we have online businesses. I feel like maybe that's, at least in my case, where you get a lot of just unrelatability, therefore, your lack of support. And plus, you know, we've heard of a lot of people starting businesses. You see it on Facebook, and then it goes nowhere. And then all of a sudden, they're starting a new one, or they. They're going to lose weight, and then they never lose weight. Right. And they do these same things. So.
[00:09:16] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:09:16] Speaker A: I'm wondering if, like, if you started, at least in my case, what if I started a physical business in my hometown, would I get more support? Right, but you're saying you did that. It is a physical business. It was in your hometown, and you still didn't get the support.
[00:09:33] Speaker B: Yeah. And it was more of just the act of starting a business, especially because I didn't come from a business family because I went to business school. My classmates had all of their parents already owned a business. So for them to go into business was kind of understandable. Now that I think about it, they actually got more support than me who was just kind of like really taking the risk out there. Even until now. I've had the flower shop for like 17 years. I still have a lot of friends and relatives that don't buy from me, honestly. They buy flowers. I see it because their wives post it, their girlfriends post it, but it's not from me. So it's honestly still very weird. But I think 17 years, I've learned to live with it.
[00:10:18] Speaker A: Interesting. Yeah.
[00:10:19] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:10:20] Speaker A: Well, I just thought maybe it would be different with like an online business and then a physical business. But it sounds like in your case, not so much. But yeah. I want to give you an example. There's this guy Jake, I went to high school with. He started a burger joint in Coeur d', Alene, Idaho. And everyone I know, my friends, oh, that's Jake's restaurant. That's Jake's restaurant. And I think they, they've all gone in and they've eaten burgers and we've all talked about it. Well, I have no one saying that, oh, this is Alex's business. Like this is what he does. Right. So I just figured maybe because of that instance where I knew a guy with a restaurant from my friend group, like maybe that would be different. With your flower shop.
[00:11:01] Speaker B: Yeah, you're right. And I hope those friends kept buying burgers from that place. I hope they never went back to McDonald's or Burger King and they put Jake's business first. So we'll definitely. Is it still open?
[00:11:13] Speaker A: I haven't been back in quite some time, so I don't know, but I think so. I think it's doing well.
[00:11:18] Speaker B: Yeah, we'll include it on our list when we get there. Would love to support. And this is the other hurtful thing for me. Right. Because I love supporting other entrepreneurs.
I love, I will always buy first from my friends. Sometimes I even like rack my brain thinking, okay, before I buy this subscription or before I buy this service, before I buy this product or item, do I have a friend who's selling this? And then I buy from them and then I give them feedback or I write them a five star review. Like I even like go over in like supporting this small business. But unfortunately I just don't get that same support. And to be completely honest, sometimes it hurts me. It hurts my feelings.
[00:11:58] Speaker A: Or I'm sure you probably do have the people who do want to support you, do they ever ask for discounts?
It's like, if you're going to support my business, don't ask for a discount. I don't want to lose money, but yeah, what are you doing? That's so stupid.
[00:12:14] Speaker B: I think throughout the years they've stopped doing that because I'm so vocal about, like, how entrepreneurs should be treated. Thankfully, most, I would say 90% of my friends don't really ask for a discount.
Sometimes they ask for other favors, like, hey, can I split my payments? Or hey, can you put me on top of priority? And for those things, I'm more open to it. And, and of course, sometimes I ask something back. I say, okay, I'll do this. Can you write me a five star review or can you send me three of your friends that you think will be a good match for my services? So I think that's my other.
That's my like, teeny advice here. If you guys have friends who want to ask for a discount, ask for something back. Don't be shy.
[00:12:56] Speaker A: Absolutely. I do think that you need to just support your friend's business in any way. And whether it's you going in once a year and asking for priority or, you know, sharing a business, you know, online, supporting them in any way, I think it's just a generally good thing to do, especially being on the other side. It's something I've always done as well. Carla, I huge fan of purchasing things from friends and family. Whether we're in the Philippines, we're here in Mexico, or if I'm back home. It just, maybe that's why it hurts so bad, people.
[00:13:30] Speaker B: Yeah, exactly.
So in your opinion, why do you think the people closest to us often struggle to support our entrepreneurial dreams? Do you think it's like jealousy, fear or misunderstanding? Or simply, is it because they've just never seen a path like this before?
[00:13:48] Speaker A: Mm, it's a good question. It's one I ask myself a lot. Right.
Because I, I do. Anytime I'll like make a post or something like that about my business and I don't get any support from like a very close friend or very close family. Remember, I ask myself this question a lot. So it depends on the day of how I'm gonna answer this question in my emotion. So sometimes I just think that it's. I think it's general lack of interest when I'm being cold, I guess cold hearted from the way I'm thinking about.
But it very generally could be just like they don't know anything about it. They can't relate, so they just kind of stay clear of it. But to be honest, I do think that there's generally a stigma. I've kind of come to the conclusion that it's something that is just almost taboo. And maybe if I get to a certain point with my business where it becomes recognizable, they have a family or they have someone that comes up, oh, are you the son of Alex who owns this company? Then they would be a lot more engaged, like, if it becomes recognizable and maybe the conversation turns where then they're proud of it.
[00:14:56] Speaker B: Right.
[00:14:56] Speaker A: And they want to start asking more questions. But, yeah, I don't know why.
Have you dove into this being an entrepreneur much longer than I have and, like, figured it out? I'm here looking for advice. I don't know why the hell people don't care.
[00:15:11] Speaker B: I think definitely there's a lot of. I will not lie. I believe there's a little bit of jealousy and there's a little bit of, let me watch how this fares before I cheer for you. In our culture, there's something that we call crab mentality, which is like. Which comes from the concept, you know, just like a crabs in a bucket. Right. Like, if someone tries to get out. Right. Tall poppy syndrome. That's also in some countries, that's what they call it as well. And sometimes they want to wait. It's actually not that they don't want to support you, but they want to wait if you're going to succeed. And they want to, you know, and when you succeed, they're going to be like, oh, I knew her from before, something like that. And it's satisfying. And honestly, it's maybe human nature, like these big athletes, LeBron James or whatever, even Manny Pacquiao. Maybe when Manny Pacquiao was 17 and he said, I'm going to be a world champion, maybe people would laugh at him. He was a lanky, like, five, six kid, you know, I think he's still five six now. I forgot I only met him once in person, but he was not a tall guy. Yeah.
[00:16:14] Speaker A: Yeah. Well, I think that maybe also because they. Their version of success, like, you're right, they maybe don't want to support it too early. But, like, they think that what you're creating is nothing, right? Like, they maybe. They just think that maybe dreams are so stomped down in everyone's life that they think you're just absolutely crazy and they don't want to fuel you your craziness. Right. And they think that there's no way to compete with these big companies. And you cutting off a small piece of the pie isn't worth it. And it's just they don't want to support it. I don't know, Carla. I am still bewildered by this.
[00:16:53] Speaker B: Well, if I think deeper about it, I think it's a concept of some sort of a version of emotional danger.
So I think that starting a business is really risky. And when you're telling them that I'm doing this, I think emotionally their reaction, you know, maybe their nervous system, like their instant knee jerk reaction is, oof, that sounds dangerous. Like, I don't know if I'm gonna support you. So I think that's my personal, that's my theory. But I also read that sometimes at the initial stages of your success, like for example, alex fear first 20k month, like that is like a success, a really big success. Right. A lot of people never get there, but in the beginning start of your success, sometimes people actually feel jealous because in the past they feel like you're equal with them and now you're above them and they somehow hate. They project that. Hate is maybe a strong word, but it looks like they're hating on you or they don't support you, but actually they hate themselves for not taking the risk and trying. And even though they think that they could do it because you and them were like equal. Especially like if your classmates or cousins, like if you were in an equal standing before. I read about this theory as well. So it was pretty interesting.
[00:18:09] Speaker A: Interesting, Yeah. I mean, I would hope that's not the case. Right. I would really hope because I don't want anyone to feel like discouraged or jealous of anything that I'm doing. But yeah, it definitely is like a. It's a social phenomenon to me. It feels like it. Yeah. I'll have to read up on that. You have to give me. I'm definitely going to dive into other resources. Maybe there's a book I can read about this. But that would be a really sad one if that's true.
[00:18:35] Speaker B: Yeah.
And so when you, I'm curious, like when you have those feelings of like you're building something, you know, you're working so hard to get to your first 10k month, your first 20k month, and maybe you're losing clients, you're having difficult conversations, you're trying to keep your team and make them happy. So you're building a lot.
How do you keep going when nobody claps for you? Like even without outside motivation and not receiving support from friends and family, where do you get your motivation?
[00:19:06] Speaker A: Well, I've. Maybe this comes from like a sports background. I've never Liked failing at anything.
[00:19:12] Speaker B: Right.
[00:19:12] Speaker A: One of the mistakes I made was trying golf. Right. And now here I am, four years later, I am still trying golf. But, you know, I didn't like failing at that. So I think failure was like, refusal to fail is a really big motivator. So no matter if I have a support or not, it's like an internal battle with myself. I think that's a huge one, two. It's like, what are my other options? Do I go back to working for a company or do I make my dream happen? Right. And I've already gotten a taste of what my life is now, and there's no way I'm going back. Right. And I think a third is, like, family goals. Right. I have a wife who does support me, but then I also have responsibilities as a man. I need to be able to, you know, provide for my family. I need to build these things. So it's a necessity as well. There's an absolute need in order for, you know, I have people relying on me. So I think those three things are always going to keep me going. But, yeah, it would be nice to have some round of applause or, you know, some friends or family even asking or showing some slight bit of interest in my business at all. Yeah.
[00:20:24] Speaker B: Yeah. And what do you do when you feel like you're craving. Are there moments that you're like, craving for some sort of a pat on your back?
Do you ask for it? I know, obviously I have backstage access to your life. And I remember when you had, I think it was your first 15k month, and you called some people or something.
[00:20:44] Speaker A: Yeah, I kind of forced it.
[00:20:46] Speaker B: Right? So I did.
[00:20:47] Speaker A: Yeah, that's true. I did. I forgot about that. I think I called my mom. Right. She's the one person I can go to, like, no matter what. And she'll always support me.
[00:20:57] Speaker B: She'll always clap for you.
[00:20:59] Speaker A: Funny enough, she's one of the people who's never even followed my business page or I don't even think she fully knows what I do. Or if I make a post on Facebook, she'll be all over Facebook. But if I make a business post, she won't. However, emotional support, I can go to my mom. I can tell her. But when I'm having those conversations, it's still, she'll support me, but it still doesn't. It's not like that full. Oh, my gosh. That's incredible. Congratulations. Like, this is. I knew you could do it. This is awesome. What's next? Like, there's still none of that It's. But it is support, needless to say. So I think there is a cheat code. I do have a wife. Right. Who can give me that, but she's also very good at keeping me not satisfied as well. Like, the ball always gets moved forward, the goalpost always moves a little further. So, yeah, I get both from you, which is nice.
[00:21:50] Speaker B: Yeah. Well, in my defense, I've always known that you're made for more. Right. And I. I see it. I see so much more. And I know there's. There. There's more in there and with some adjustments to, you know, your schedule or, like, habits or whatever. And I'm also trying to help you not make the mistakes that I made because I lost a lot of money. I lost a lot of time making the mistakes that I made, you know, and I didn't want you to experience those. Another perspective that I want to share with our listeners on how to keep going when no one's clapping for you or how to keep. The motivation is to shift your perspective to your team.
So when you hire people, I want every entrepreneur listening right now to always remember that when you hire people, you're literally in charge of their livelihood, especially when you hire people full time. These people that you hire are leaning on you, are depending on you to feed their family, to have their savings and their, you know, cash vault for emergencies.
These are the people who have devoted a third of their lives, you know, eight hours a day. That's a third of someone's life, so that they can build your dream and help you out with that. So every time I feel like I'm not getting the support from other people, I shift my focus to my team and I celebrate with my team. I tell my team, hey, guys. Oh, my God. It's been an amazing month. Our first 50k month, our first hundred k month, you know, whatever the milestone is like, I send gifts, I celebrate with them. I acknowledge certain members of my team. I give them something quirky that doesn't cost me a lot, but I know that they will appreciate. And then I remind myself that the more I grow, the more they grow as well. And. And I'm also working for them. No matter what happens in the economy, they know that I'll always work way harder and longer hours just for them to keep their jobs. So that has worked for me too.
[00:23:49] Speaker A: So true. So true. I have a chief of staff that I know all of her goals. I know how much her life has changed just since working with me. We've talked about what's going to Happen when she gets a raise and she gets to that next level. Holy crap. Is that a different level of motivation for you as a business owner? It is seriously so impactful seeing other people's lives get changed. Right. So really good point, Carla. I need to remind myself to reflect on that more often, because that's really good motivation. One other thing, too. This one's take it or leave it. I happen to be religious, so, you know, I get to have these little conversations with God who I, you know, I have a relationship with. Obviously, other people are going to have maybe meditation or whatever they have. Right. But for me, that's also a good motivator.
[00:24:42] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, yeah. God knows your heart, and God knows what you're doing behind closed doors. Right. Whether someone's clapping or not, whether you have a client or not. And I think honoring.
I think fulfilling your potential as a human being is a way to honor God. It's one of the best ways to honor God that has given us our bodies, our intelligence, and our opportunities and our privileges. And I think that's also. That makes the work sacred, whatever the work is. Right. Whether you're an employee or an entrepreneur or a housewife or, I don't know, Nepo, baby, whatever your destiny is.
Yeah.
[00:25:22] Speaker A: Well, can I ask you a question? Just kind of, like, shift the directions here. Do you ever see friends and family, like, do they follow your business pages? I'm just curious. Like, did you reach out to them and ask them to do it and then they did it? Or did they naturally do it? Or do they like your posts when you're talking about your business? Do they ever ask you questions about your business? I'm just curious if. I'm kind of. If my situation's a little unique. And I'm sure there's a lot of other business owners that could maybe relate to my particular situation, but I'm wondering if it's all of us, like, to this degree.
[00:25:54] Speaker B: Yeah, I agree with you. It's definitely all of us. Because most of my friends and family don't. Don't follow or support my business post. And to be honest, I don't blame them. Like, there definitely is a gap on relatability.
They do like my jokes. They comment on my raunchy jokes. And sometimes if I post a brave political. Not political. I would say social commentary or opinion. If I post a brave opinion, they would come out of the weeds and either disagree with me, agree with me, support it, or share. So I do get a lot of engagement from my friends and family. If I post something personal or something like a strong belief if it's my business, Thankfully, I get support from other business owners because they get it. They get it and I see it. I appreciate it.
[00:26:43] Speaker A: That's exactly one thing I was going to mention is what surprised me, and I made a post about this on LinkedIn Lately, this exact topic. What surprised me was the people who do support you as a business owner are those other people who have either done it before, and even if they're no longer doing it, they support you, they show interest, they actually care, or the people who currently are, you know, entrepreneurs or have. Are owning a business. They've all taken a giant leap, right? They've all done that. So they understand. So that's what makes me feel like it might be relatability being, like 90% of it, but that really surprised me. And not just a little support, a ton of support.
You know, they will refer business. They will just proactively reach out. How's everything going? Is there any advice I can give you? It's crazy, the level of support other entrepreneurs can give each other, and that part has really kind of warmed my heart a little bit.
[00:27:40] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:27:41] Speaker A: And I would say, thankfully, that's why masterminds are around, and that's why they're so helpful. We all actually get a ton of value out of them. You know, you introduced me to Dynamite Circle. That was. I feel like we have a family everywhere around the world, right?
[00:27:57] Speaker B: Absolutely.
[00:27:58] Speaker A: And then, you know, we're currently helping build Speakeasy Mastermind here in Mexico, which is just an additional family. Each one serves a little bit of a different purpose, but I just feel the same reciprocal, you know, support and love and, you know, from each one of them. Whereas, like, that was completely missing from my life. So, pro tip, for anyone who is doing the entrepreneur journey and feeling this lack of support from friends and family, that is exactly why those masterminds exist. It's why these podcasts exist.
So I'd recommend joining one, and those are the two that I really enjoy.
[00:28:36] Speaker B: I agree.
The support and, like, the family feeling that the masterminds give you is very, very special. You guys already know how hard it is. You know, we're doing something difficult together. If you think about it, that is the same principle that is carried through by sororities and fraternities. Right? You go through something difficult together, or you go through something big together, something unique, and you're so bonded. Right. That's why the sororities and fraternities, these are like brotherhoods and sisterhoods that last lifetimes.
[00:29:12] Speaker A: You know, I can't believe I can say this, but I actually was in a fraternity, if anyone knew me growing up in high school, I was just a snowboarder through and through. Last thing I was going to do is join a fraternity. I did. And last year Carla and I went to a dinner in Tulum to meet some friends and there was one of our friends and we ended up scheduling golf together the next day.
[00:29:35] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:29:35] Speaker A: And on the 18th hole we were. He told me he was in a fraternity and I said which one? And it was the same one, Delta Chi, as mine. Since then we have been super close. He checks in on me, but it changed the entire dynamic of the relationship. So it's like if you didn't talk about business or what you do for work with someone, I feel like that's always the first topic when you're meeting people. And then later on you found out that you're both entrepreneurs in the same industry and went to like the same school. It was, it was kind of like one of those moments. But it's funny how just like that, relatability totally changes everything.
[00:30:12] Speaker B: Yeah. Let's do two things. Number one, what is your advice for people who are the friends and family of entrepreneurs? And number two, what is your advice for entrepreneurs to maybe feel more comfortable in making the ask?
[00:30:26] Speaker A: My advice for friends and family, just know that if someone you know is starting a business or has started one, it is incredibly pressure filled, lonely, scary AF and they don't have support and you simply asking them and being genuinely curious about their business is going to go a tremendously long ways. And showing just a tiny bit of support publicly will also go a long ways. You know, check out what their website is like, a few of their posts, you know, give them a good job, follow their business page. Those small things go so far. They're not looking for you to give them money. They're not having an ask for you to go over. Yeah, a tremendous amount of effort. It's just the most basic support. Do that. Reach out to your friends and family that are currently entrepreneurs or have built something. It's generally, you know, it's something that's good for their mental health.
[00:31:29] Speaker B: Yeah. And it's free. You can do a lot of things that are free. That literally doesn't cost you anything to support your friend. Yeah, like their post, follow their page, do a shout out, write them a five star review, sit with yourself and spend five minutes thinking, hey, who can I refer to? Alex, Do I know any online Business owner who could use a really good customer success team, customer support team or something like that. Like, just, you know, think about who you know and help your friend give you some karma points. It's something nice to do.
[00:31:59] Speaker A: Yeah. And the weird thing is, when I had a job, right, when I was at Amazon, everyone asked me, oh, how's it going? What's going on there? They would come up to me thinking I could help them with their orders, which was the funniest part. But regardless, like, it was one of the things people always wanted to talk to me about. Same thing when I was at Microsoft. Same thing when I was at yp. Funny enough. Same thing when I was a dishwasher at a restaurant in Coeur d'. Alene. I had people coming to the restaurant just because they knew I worked there. Oh, you know, my friend works at this restaurant. Let's go support them. I'm not getting any of that money. But they knew I was there, so they would go do it. But that when I made that small change of not being an employee anymore and starting my business, it completely changed. I don't know why quite exactly that is. You know, I've talked about a few reasons, but for any of you out there who have friends and family that are owning a business, treat it the same way as if they had a job and be genuinely curious.
Yeah, why does it change?
[00:32:56] Speaker B: Yeah, exactly. You might learn something new, be curious about it and ask, hey, how can I help? Hey, I got extra five minutes. How can I help? Is there any way I can support you? That is the magic. That is the one line that gives any entrepreneur a business boner. Hashtag, business boner. Hey, how can I support you? How can I support your business?
[00:33:18] Speaker A: Yeah.
Well, and I want to add one other thing. Like when, you know, a friend has maybe lost their job. Right.
How many times have you done this? I know I've done it a bunch. I'm calling them the consultant, provide emotional support.
I'm also figuring out, okay, what is their industry? How can I help? Is there any introductions I can make? Can I try to look for some open roles? I've done that countless times, right?
[00:33:43] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:33:43] Speaker A: And those same people I've done it for have done it for me if I've ever lost a job.
But now it's completely different. There's zero support. Right. So it's just really interesting how it changes just because you're a business owner versus an employee.
[00:34:00] Speaker B: Yeah. Let's shift on the perspective or on the side of the business owner. Do you Think we can do better on making the ask or making it easy for people to support us? What do you think?
[00:34:13] Speaker A: Yes and no. Okay, so I'd say yes or yeah, maybe we should open up and be like, hey, just tell a friend. Like, I would love your support more on this, but to be honest, I think I've done that. I've done that a few times where I've reach out to your friends. Hey, I created this page for my business. Would love a follow just for support. Still get nothing, right? Yeah, I asked friends, you know, I've told friends openly about my business. Just crickets, the next topic. Let's move on.
So, yeah, I guess maybe there's a different approach, but I feel like I've made it really easy. And how easy is it when someone's pouring their heart out in a post and you're sharing, sharing their wins with their company and you see it and you just ignore it, Right?
[00:34:57] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah.
[00:34:58] Speaker A: So I don't know.
[00:34:59] Speaker B: Yeah, for me, I guess my advice would be use milestones in your life. For example, use your birthday. So on my birthday, for example, like three years ago, I launched a brand new podcast. It was different, not rich and remote, but it was like none of your business. My first podcast, I launched it on my birthday and I used that to make the ask. And I said, hey guys, it's my birthday today. If you want to send me a gift, rate my podcast a five star review or something like that. So I guess that is a little strategy that I can share. Like use milestones in your life. Like, hey, today's my fifth year in business. I would really appreciate it if you guys can do this for me. Or if it's your birthday, like, give them a reason to.
Number one, remember who you are and what you do. Because sometimes you need to remind people. Many times I still have people right now who have a different idea about what I do and I'll be like, you've been following me for eight years. Like, you still have no idea. Sometimes it just goes over their head, you know, it's not. They have other things to think about. Like, I get it, life is busy.
So, yeah, take advantage of milestones. That'll be my other advice. And then continue making the ask. No, don't be annoying. I mean, obviously don't do it weekly or whatever, but look for certain moments when you can make the ask.
[00:36:13] Speaker A: Yeah, okay. You just inspired one for me. Maybe it's like if you are experiencing a particularly rough time, maybe call up a friend and just tell them you need to talk, you need the emotional support and you need them to listen to what you're saying. Yeah, maybe there's some of that.
[00:36:28] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, my friends, I love them. I do have friends who have learned to just provide me emotional support and to listen to me because I've been an entrepreneur for so long, 17 years now. So my very best friends who have known me from high school or from college, they've learned to ask questions about my business, how's everything, or how's everything with, you know, with the economy in the States or something like that. So I really appreciate them. And even though they don't ask, like, is there any way I can do to help? Just knowing that they're thinking of me honestly is comforting.
[00:37:04] Speaker A: I just want to clarify too, like, I am not salty about this at all. Like, I realize people, they don't need to support my dreams. I'm the crazy one that went and did these things. It's not their dream. It's just something that I recognize and it is a little sad, right? That's all.
[00:37:21] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, yeah, it is sad. So as a closing thought or perspective, Alex, what do you want to share to entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs about this journey? And if there's one thing that they can take from this podcast, what would it be?
[00:37:40] Speaker A: If you don't get the support from friends and family like you expected, don't be surprised that you're not. It's not unique. Don't take it personal. They're still your friends and family for a reason.
And second, go and make some entrepreneur friends. You gotta network. You gotta find some way to connect with other entrepreneurs and build your tribe.
You're gonna need that support at one point and it's not fair to. I've learned to expect it from friends and family. So go ahead and find the people who will, which is gonna be other entrepreneurs. It's gonna help you in a lot of other ways too. They're gonna give you a lot of great advice, they're gonna give you referrals, you're gonna find partnerships. So it's a necessity in other ways as well. But it would be those two.
[00:38:24] Speaker B: Yeah. And if I can add anything to that, give first, give first. You also, as an entrepreneur can give referrals, can give 5 star reviews, can give likes, and, you know, thumbs up to the other entrepreneurs in your circle. So if you're coming from a sense and a space of abundance, I think abundance will find you as well. Sounds a little woo woo, but I do love it's A little counterintuitive. No. When you feel the lack, you need to give first.
So, yeah, I believe in that. And generosity is always a good virtue.
[00:38:58] Speaker A: 100%. You always have to enter one of these entrepreneur groups with the intention to give, not take. It is incredibly important. You can spot the takers right away, and it just doesn't work. Right.
You gotta be all about giving. If you're an entrepreneur, it doesn't matter who you are. You have something to give, Right? Whether it's perspective, you know, time, or, like, general resources. Like, you have something to give.
[00:39:26] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah, I love that. Okay. Oh, my gosh. I love this. This is kind of a therapy session.
[00:39:32] Speaker A: Yeah, I guess so. I think I needed it more than you.
[00:39:37] Speaker B: I know. I'll give you a hug after this. Alex, if anyone wants to support you, your business, and whether that means emotionally or sending you leads, how can they find you and how can they give you a pat on the back?
[00:39:51] Speaker A: Yeah. Well, we have two businesses. Getcsatom.com or consult huckleberry.com you can reach out to me. Just reach out to me on LinkedIn. That's a place where I'm at all the time. So it's Alex Booth. And if you just type in Huckleberry after that, you're gonna find me. I'm the only one. And we have a really great affiliate program. We love some JV partnerships. So, yeah, reach out to us. Reach out to me there. We also have richandremote.com which is a really, really fun project Carla and I are working on. And there's a lot of ways you can reach out to us there, but also support us and our partnerships along the way.
[00:40:30] Speaker B: Yeah, sounds good. And for me, follow me on Facebook or Instagram. You can find me on Facebook, Carla Stefansingson. Or on Instagram, Karla Stefan. I'm also active on LinkedIn with the same name. You can just search me. Thankfully, there are not a lot of Carla Singh Sons around who are entrepreneurs. So you'll easily, easily find me and let me know how I can support you guys. If there's any way I can support you. If you need advice on growing your business through outsourcing, growing your remote team, and hiring from the Philippines if you're tired and if you've been burned by other outsourcing companies who just hired, like, incompetent VAs or you had a bad experience, let me turn things around for you for free. I want to give you advice. I want to help you build your job description. And of course, if you want to save time time. If you want to leave it to the experts, I'm happy to put you guys on priority. Just let me know that you've heard this episode and that you follow Rich and Remote.
[00:41:25] Speaker A: Thank you all for listening. Really fun topic. Can't wait to hear from you all on our socials, on our website and looking forward to our next podcast. Stay tuned.
[00:41:35] Speaker B: Yeah, perfect. Let's be friends. Sign up for our
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Thanks for listening to Rich and Remote, where freedom isn't a dream, it's a decision.
This is Karla, this is Alex Booth, and this is our journey to our dream Rich and remote life.
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