Credit: Rick Nuske
Hi Rick! It's always a pleasure crossing paths with successful entrepreneurs like yourself. Rick, at what point in life did you embrace the world of entrepreneurship? Did you seek it out, or did it seek you out?
Firstly, thank you for the opportunity to share some insights with your audience. It is a privilege! I started getting the entrepreneurial itch about a year after I became a full-time dad. As a former senior manager, I missed the business world, and it was never far from my mind. But I also wanted to be there for my children, so I knew that a normal 9-5 job wasn’t going to work for me. It was at this point I started writing down ideas and then testing them out in the hope of making something happen. Needless to say, for the longest time I failed miserably at almost everything I tried. I constantly thought about how I could create something from nothing, which I called day-dreaming, and I quickly learnt that the only way to build anything worthwhile, is to actually take action to make it happen.
Small and private businesses are failing at an all time record rate. Entrepreneurial ventures, regardless of the economic climate, often host a 50/50 chance of survival during their initial year of business. What are the top two variables that challenge entrepreneurs when they are embarking upon this colorful yet evolving landscape?
I believe that validating your idea first before investing time, money and effort, contributes to your chances of staying in business past that initial 12 months. This period of time should also be a time of self-development in terms of tuning your mindset, and accepting that success, however you define it, relates directly to the decisions you make, the plan you develop to guide your daily decisions, and whether or not you take action to make it happen each day.
I would add, don’t be afraid to fail, expect failure, and embrace it as a part of the business building process. Be careful who you listen to when seeking advice. Avoid seeking business advice from friends and family.
Finally, free is not a business model, nor does it pay the bills – monetize as soon as you can. If you are serious about staying in business, then you need to know how you are going to pay for the overheads. Money is a tool to be used, and it is not emotional. Get comfortable asking for the sale, and hone your communication skills and sales system to convert lookers into happy paying customers who rave about you. As someone who adds value to other people’s lives, I believe you are obligated to offer products and services that will help your customers, clients or patients, get the results they’re after. Focus on helping people get what they want, and less on what you want, and you will ultimately succeed.
Your business tagline is 'helpful people helping people'. Are there any particular people from your personal and professional endeavors that have enhanced your quality of life?
As the host of The My Future Business Show, I’m truly blessed to have established working relationships with hundreds of personalities with varied skill sets and life experiences. Each individual I’ve spoken with is truly unique, and they share different perspectives and approaches.
That being said, I would have to say that Shane Melaugh, CEO and founder of Thrive Themes, has certainly stuck in my mind for his ability to educate and add value. Shane creates useful and relevant content, which I reflect on as I work towards being the best version of myself privately and professionally.
Another key influence of late, is Noah Kogan, CEO and founder of Appsumo. Noah’s down to earth approach to personal and professional development is refreshing in that he shares his personal experiences in a way that I find easy to relate to and learn from.
Regardless of whom I learn from, of which there are so many brilliant people, I take what I think is useful, which changes from day to day, and I embed each new idea or approach into my own life and business.
What guidance do you have for individuals starting a business during the uncertain times of a pandemic? Is there any reality check or resource these new entrepreneurs need to be aware of?
Following the initial validation of your business idea, the next thing that comes to mind, is to think about how you can diversify your range of products and services to address new problems that your audience needs solved, and given the nature of social distancing, think about how to deliver your solutions to them. It goes without saying that having an online presence is almost mandatory to stay in front of your best audience, who in turn, provided you have a systematic approach, can turn into raving fans and customers.
Having an online presence at this time is proving to be a way to diversify and thrive. Importantly, having an online presence also keeps you connected to people who need your help the most. Now is not the time to hide, it is the time to be seen online, and there are dozens of success stories about entrepreneurs who are thriving right now. You can do the same, it just takes a little bit of time and effort.
You have the privilege of interviewing professionals and entrepreneurs from all over the world. Is there a common theme among all these professionals from different walks of life?
I find that mindset, monetization and systems are the common themes that I notice after speaking with hundreds of entrepreneurs worldwide. I regularly receive feedback from listeners about the show, which often reinforces that mindset is one of the topics that either stop them from succeeding or experiencing amazing levels of success. Monetization is another important topic that is often discussed, and I find it amazing how many start-up entrepreneurs don’t really focus on monetization once they have spent the time validating their idea. Finally, having a way to save time and become efficient by using systems is not only critical to scale, it also frees up time which is especially important when you’re running a smaller business employing people to work for you to complete specific set tasks.
Working for oneself grants business owners the freedom to experience life in rewarding ways. How have you nurtured your inner child while growing into your best entrepreneurial self? Are there any childhood dreams you've been able to actualize through your profession?
For a long time, I struggled, and I wasn’t able to shape a lifestyle of my own choosing. Fortunately, things have changed, and I am now, more than ever, focused on reliving many of my childhood experiences with my own children. I have experienced a great deal of freedom and pleasure from the way I help others succeed. Part of this is also being able to invest in software that has helped me achieve my vision of creating a software business. There are lots of things to consider as you start building a software platform for others to use, and a big part of this relates to technical knowledge and having a way to pay for it. I’ve always been a kid at heart. I love playing around, especially with my kids, and I have to say that I enjoy mucking around as much as I love being an entrepreneur. Nowadays, my focus is on enjoying the things I love doing as often as I can, and this often includes times when I should be working, I can’t help it. Don’t tell anyone!
I also enjoy reliving my childhood through my Moke. This is a special car for me because it reminds me of my time growing up with my Dad. We would drive through the hills with no roof, and I vividly recall looking up and watching the trees flash by as we travelled with the wind in our hair. So much good can come of nurturing the child inside, in fact, I’d go as far as saying that keeping touch with your inner child, is critical to your success as a business owner as it give you balance perspective between work and play. Find a balance between work and play - too much work makes life dull and predictable.
Do you have a 'lessons learned' moment where you made a decision that didn't pan out well in business? Was there any opportunity to adjust your decision and make things right?
My list of avoidable mistakes is a long one. One of the biggest mistakes that I’ve made involved relying on my memory to remember important appointments. By relying on my memory, I missed an opportunity to work with incredibly talented individuals who have the ability to transform the way I do business. As a result of missing out, this was the catalyst that prompted me to create systems that would not only remind me of important dates and times, but also make running my business easier, and make it easier for my guests to follow. There are always opportunities to learn from your mistakes. I believe that growth and progress are born from things that don’t go to plan. Now, I’m not saying that I go out of my way to make mistakes to learn, but I often learn the biggest lessons from things I tried that didn’t work.
What is the one piece of constructive guidance you received in business which initially upset you yet it turned out to be true? How has that occurrence changed your outlook on sharing and receiving constructive feedback?
I remember being told many years back from someone I respect in business, that I should focus more on the needs of others, more than I focus on myself. I remember feeling confused at the time, and I was frustrated because at that time, I believed that business was all about getting what I could out of it. Fast forward to today, and having a complete focus on serving others, giving more than you take, and generally being helpful, has changed not only my business for the better, but it has also helped nurture my relationships with family and friends.
In fact, that is the reason you see the My Future Business tagline ‘Helpful People Helping People’. I believe we must help each other grow and move up to the next level regardless of whether it’s for our personal or professional growth. It’s free to help others, and it’s also the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had. It is giving without expectation of receiving anything in return, which I guess, does actually give me something in return.
We're inundated with hyperactivity in the form of information overload, unsolicited opinions and irrational emotions. What steps should people take to remove excess noise from their time and space to focus optimally on their professional development?
First thing that jumps to mind, is the almost omnipresent influence of technology and social media. Some time ago, I heard the phrase ‘digital diet’, and it is something that I personally focus on doing at least once a week. If you can, switch off that device, get outside, away from the technology, away from the TV, away from the tablet and smart phone, and just be with you without the latest notification, update, like or share. Find time to look after your mind, your body and your soul, and enjoy the benefits that come from having a regular digital diet to help you reset and refocus.
Rick, what is the one piece of timeless insight that serves you well in all matters of the heart, mind and soul?
Lead your life with love. Be forgiving, be courageous, and be kind to others.
Understand that your time on this earth is precious and finite – don’t waste a second. Live your life to the absolute fullest, and help as many people as you possibly can to get what they want without expecting anything in return.
Leave nothing for regret.
Thank you for sharing your time and insights. Please let the audience know how they can support your work.
As the host of The My Future Business Show, I encourage you to book a spot on the show to share your business, book or venture. The My Future Business Show is how I give back, and I would love to share your message in a way that helps you and your business grow. I’m focused on creating a safe place for you to share your message, and I work hard to make your experience just like two old friends sitting down having a chat over lunch. And if you don’t think this is right for you, but you know someone that would get benefit from joining me on the show, then feel free to share the following link with them.
To learn more about how you can join me on the show, visit the link here.
Visit My Future Business and take a look around.
Firstly, thank you for the opportunity to share some insights with your audience. It is a privilege! I started getting the entrepreneurial itch about a year after I became a full-time dad. As a former senior manager, I missed the business world, and it was never far from my mind. But I also wanted to be there for my children, so I knew that a normal 9-5 job wasn’t going to work for me. It was at this point I started writing down ideas and then testing them out in the hope of making something happen. Needless to say, for the longest time I failed miserably at almost everything I tried. I constantly thought about how I could create something from nothing, which I called day-dreaming, and I quickly learnt that the only way to build anything worthwhile, is to actually take action to make it happen.
Small and private businesses are failing at an all time record rate. Entrepreneurial ventures, regardless of the economic climate, often host a 50/50 chance of survival during their initial year of business. What are the top two variables that challenge entrepreneurs when they are embarking upon this colorful yet evolving landscape?
I believe that validating your idea first before investing time, money and effort, contributes to your chances of staying in business past that initial 12 months. This period of time should also be a time of self-development in terms of tuning your mindset, and accepting that success, however you define it, relates directly to the decisions you make, the plan you develop to guide your daily decisions, and whether or not you take action to make it happen each day.
I would add, don’t be afraid to fail, expect failure, and embrace it as a part of the business building process. Be careful who you listen to when seeking advice. Avoid seeking business advice from friends and family.
Finally, free is not a business model, nor does it pay the bills – monetize as soon as you can. If you are serious about staying in business, then you need to know how you are going to pay for the overheads. Money is a tool to be used, and it is not emotional. Get comfortable asking for the sale, and hone your communication skills and sales system to convert lookers into happy paying customers who rave about you. As someone who adds value to other people’s lives, I believe you are obligated to offer products and services that will help your customers, clients or patients, get the results they’re after. Focus on helping people get what they want, and less on what you want, and you will ultimately succeed.
Your business tagline is 'helpful people helping people'. Are there any particular people from your personal and professional endeavors that have enhanced your quality of life?
As the host of The My Future Business Show, I’m truly blessed to have established working relationships with hundreds of personalities with varied skill sets and life experiences. Each individual I’ve spoken with is truly unique, and they share different perspectives and approaches.
That being said, I would have to say that Shane Melaugh, CEO and founder of Thrive Themes, has certainly stuck in my mind for his ability to educate and add value. Shane creates useful and relevant content, which I reflect on as I work towards being the best version of myself privately and professionally.
Another key influence of late, is Noah Kogan, CEO and founder of Appsumo. Noah’s down to earth approach to personal and professional development is refreshing in that he shares his personal experiences in a way that I find easy to relate to and learn from.
Regardless of whom I learn from, of which there are so many brilliant people, I take what I think is useful, which changes from day to day, and I embed each new idea or approach into my own life and business.
What guidance do you have for individuals starting a business during the uncertain times of a pandemic? Is there any reality check or resource these new entrepreneurs need to be aware of?
Following the initial validation of your business idea, the next thing that comes to mind, is to think about how you can diversify your range of products and services to address new problems that your audience needs solved, and given the nature of social distancing, think about how to deliver your solutions to them. It goes without saying that having an online presence is almost mandatory to stay in front of your best audience, who in turn, provided you have a systematic approach, can turn into raving fans and customers.
Having an online presence at this time is proving to be a way to diversify and thrive. Importantly, having an online presence also keeps you connected to people who need your help the most. Now is not the time to hide, it is the time to be seen online, and there are dozens of success stories about entrepreneurs who are thriving right now. You can do the same, it just takes a little bit of time and effort.
You have the privilege of interviewing professionals and entrepreneurs from all over the world. Is there a common theme among all these professionals from different walks of life?
I find that mindset, monetization and systems are the common themes that I notice after speaking with hundreds of entrepreneurs worldwide. I regularly receive feedback from listeners about the show, which often reinforces that mindset is one of the topics that either stop them from succeeding or experiencing amazing levels of success. Monetization is another important topic that is often discussed, and I find it amazing how many start-up entrepreneurs don’t really focus on monetization once they have spent the time validating their idea. Finally, having a way to save time and become efficient by using systems is not only critical to scale, it also frees up time which is especially important when you’re running a smaller business employing people to work for you to complete specific set tasks.
Working for oneself grants business owners the freedom to experience life in rewarding ways. How have you nurtured your inner child while growing into your best entrepreneurial self? Are there any childhood dreams you've been able to actualize through your profession?
For a long time, I struggled, and I wasn’t able to shape a lifestyle of my own choosing. Fortunately, things have changed, and I am now, more than ever, focused on reliving many of my childhood experiences with my own children. I have experienced a great deal of freedom and pleasure from the way I help others succeed. Part of this is also being able to invest in software that has helped me achieve my vision of creating a software business. There are lots of things to consider as you start building a software platform for others to use, and a big part of this relates to technical knowledge and having a way to pay for it. I’ve always been a kid at heart. I love playing around, especially with my kids, and I have to say that I enjoy mucking around as much as I love being an entrepreneur. Nowadays, my focus is on enjoying the things I love doing as often as I can, and this often includes times when I should be working, I can’t help it. Don’t tell anyone!
I also enjoy reliving my childhood through my Moke. This is a special car for me because it reminds me of my time growing up with my Dad. We would drive through the hills with no roof, and I vividly recall looking up and watching the trees flash by as we travelled with the wind in our hair. So much good can come of nurturing the child inside, in fact, I’d go as far as saying that keeping touch with your inner child, is critical to your success as a business owner as it give you balance perspective between work and play. Find a balance between work and play - too much work makes life dull and predictable.
Do you have a 'lessons learned' moment where you made a decision that didn't pan out well in business? Was there any opportunity to adjust your decision and make things right?
My list of avoidable mistakes is a long one. One of the biggest mistakes that I’ve made involved relying on my memory to remember important appointments. By relying on my memory, I missed an opportunity to work with incredibly talented individuals who have the ability to transform the way I do business. As a result of missing out, this was the catalyst that prompted me to create systems that would not only remind me of important dates and times, but also make running my business easier, and make it easier for my guests to follow. There are always opportunities to learn from your mistakes. I believe that growth and progress are born from things that don’t go to plan. Now, I’m not saying that I go out of my way to make mistakes to learn, but I often learn the biggest lessons from things I tried that didn’t work.
What is the one piece of constructive guidance you received in business which initially upset you yet it turned out to be true? How has that occurrence changed your outlook on sharing and receiving constructive feedback?
I remember being told many years back from someone I respect in business, that I should focus more on the needs of others, more than I focus on myself. I remember feeling confused at the time, and I was frustrated because at that time, I believed that business was all about getting what I could out of it. Fast forward to today, and having a complete focus on serving others, giving more than you take, and generally being helpful, has changed not only my business for the better, but it has also helped nurture my relationships with family and friends.
In fact, that is the reason you see the My Future Business tagline ‘Helpful People Helping People’. I believe we must help each other grow and move up to the next level regardless of whether it’s for our personal or professional growth. It’s free to help others, and it’s also the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had. It is giving without expectation of receiving anything in return, which I guess, does actually give me something in return.
We're inundated with hyperactivity in the form of information overload, unsolicited opinions and irrational emotions. What steps should people take to remove excess noise from their time and space to focus optimally on their professional development?
First thing that jumps to mind, is the almost omnipresent influence of technology and social media. Some time ago, I heard the phrase ‘digital diet’, and it is something that I personally focus on doing at least once a week. If you can, switch off that device, get outside, away from the technology, away from the TV, away from the tablet and smart phone, and just be with you without the latest notification, update, like or share. Find time to look after your mind, your body and your soul, and enjoy the benefits that come from having a regular digital diet to help you reset and refocus.
Rick, what is the one piece of timeless insight that serves you well in all matters of the heart, mind and soul?
Lead your life with love. Be forgiving, be courageous, and be kind to others.
Understand that your time on this earth is precious and finite – don’t waste a second. Live your life to the absolute fullest, and help as many people as you possibly can to get what they want without expecting anything in return.
Leave nothing for regret.
Thank you for sharing your time and insights. Please let the audience know how they can support your work.
As the host of The My Future Business Show, I encourage you to book a spot on the show to share your business, book or venture. The My Future Business Show is how I give back, and I would love to share your message in a way that helps you and your business grow. I’m focused on creating a safe place for you to share your message, and I work hard to make your experience just like two old friends sitting down having a chat over lunch. And if you don’t think this is right for you, but you know someone that would get benefit from joining me on the show, then feel free to share the following link with them.
To learn more about how you can join me on the show, visit the link here.
Visit My Future Business and take a look around.