Freedom Nation Podcast

Build Income, Not Just a Retirement Account | Neil Solomon on Business Ownership and Freedom

55 min · Gisteren
aflevering Build Income, Not Just a Retirement Account | Neil Solomon on Business Ownership and Freedom artwork

Beschrijving

Many mid-career professionals work hard, earn more, and save for retirement, yet still feel trapped. Their time belongs to their employer. Their income depends on showing up. Their lifestyle is built around commitments they cannot easily leave behind. Even a strong salary can become a set of golden handcuffs. The traditional plan tells people to work for decades, build a large retirement account, and hope it lasts. But what happens when your compensation does not match your results? What happens when your business cannot run without you? And what happens when you finally have money but no freedom over your time? Without systems, cash flow, and a business that can operate without the owner, entrepreneurship can become another job. In this episode, Jeff Kikel talks with Neil Solomon about his journey from corporate technical sales to business ownership, global travel, and location-independent income. Neil shares how a disappointing bonus helped him rethink the corporate path, why buying an existing profitable business can be a practical entry into entrepreneurship, and how systems allowed him to step away from daily operations. They also discuss business acquisitions, franchise ownership, remote teams, AI tools, global living, and why freedom is not only about money. It is about having fewer commitments controlling your time. If you are building toward your Freedom Day, this episode will help you think differently about income, business ownership, retirement, and the life you want to create. Subscribe and follow the Freedom Nation Podcast for conversations on financial freedom, real estate, cash flow, business ownership, and multiple income streams. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Why Neil left the corporate world after realizing his results did not translate into meaningful financial freedom. * How he prepared for entrepreneurship before leaving his job. * Why buying an existing profitable business can be less risky than starting from zero. * How franchise ownership helped Neil build a business with nearly 300 employees. * The “shower test” for determining whether a business can run without its owner. * Why systems, measurements, delegation, and trust are essential to scaling a company. * How reviewing many business opportunities builds pattern recognition for acquisitions. * Why income streams can create more flexibility than relying only on a retirement account. * How living abroad can reduce costs while improving lifestyle options. * Why Neil defines freedom as being uncommitted enough to act on opportunities. About the Guest: Neil Solomon is an operator, entrepreneur, and author of The 1% Door. After spending 15 years climbing the Fortune 500 ladder, Neil left corporate life after realizing the system was not designed to reward the people creating the most value. He went on to build and operate businesses across restaurants, franchising, and real estate, employing more than 300 people across multiple industries and countries. Along the way, he has experienced major growth, significant setbacks, and two complete rebuilds. Today, Neil helps people see the hidden systems shaping their money, careers, choices, and lives. He speaks candidly about corporate compensation, inflation, hidden taxes, entrepreneurship, fear, family patterns, and the practical work required before taking a leap into business ownership. Neil currently lives between Mexico, Colombia, and the United States. Links: https://www.theonepercentdoor.com/ [https://www.theonepercentdoor.com/] https://www.facebook.com/TheOnePercentDoor [https://www.facebook.com/TheOnePercentDoor] https://www.youtube.com/@theonepercentdoor [https://www.youtube.com/@theonepercentdoor] https://www.linkedin.com/in/theonepercentdoor [https://www.linkedin.com/in/theonepercentdoor] Fast Five Questions: 1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “First I figure out how long that five hundred's gonna last me.” “The step two is always the intermediate step. You don't go for the big goal. You don't go for the hit or miss. You go for the stability to get you in a place where you can start building.” “You don't stop. That's the whole thing. And if you don't stop, end with the money you make, turn it into streams again, which we talked about, you'll have the money again.” 2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “The biggest mistake was probably contractual. It's believing that the contracts have my best interest in mind.” “You need to know what's on the bad side of the contract. You have to read it for your worst day.” 3.What is a book that you would recommend? “The Wisdom of Psychopaths.” “The 4-Hour Workweek, Choose to Be Rich, anything from Tony Robbins.” “Good to Great, Made to Stick.” 4.What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “My favorite tool right now is Claude.” “I use Claude as my researcher.” “I also like Indeed.” 5.What is your definition of freedom? “It's what you're uncommitted to.” “When you can drop everything and do something in life that you never thought possible. That's freedom.” About Jeff: Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/ [https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/] Connect with Jeff: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/] Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel [https://twitter.com/JeffKikel] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/] Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

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aflevering Build Income, Not Just a Retirement Account | Neil Solomon on Business Ownership and Freedom artwork

Build Income, Not Just a Retirement Account | Neil Solomon on Business Ownership and Freedom

Many mid-career professionals work hard, earn more, and save for retirement, yet still feel trapped. Their time belongs to their employer. Their income depends on showing up. Their lifestyle is built around commitments they cannot easily leave behind. Even a strong salary can become a set of golden handcuffs. The traditional plan tells people to work for decades, build a large retirement account, and hope it lasts. But what happens when your compensation does not match your results? What happens when your business cannot run without you? And what happens when you finally have money but no freedom over your time? Without systems, cash flow, and a business that can operate without the owner, entrepreneurship can become another job. In this episode, Jeff Kikel talks with Neil Solomon about his journey from corporate technical sales to business ownership, global travel, and location-independent income. Neil shares how a disappointing bonus helped him rethink the corporate path, why buying an existing profitable business can be a practical entry into entrepreneurship, and how systems allowed him to step away from daily operations. They also discuss business acquisitions, franchise ownership, remote teams, AI tools, global living, and why freedom is not only about money. It is about having fewer commitments controlling your time. If you are building toward your Freedom Day, this episode will help you think differently about income, business ownership, retirement, and the life you want to create. Subscribe and follow the Freedom Nation Podcast for conversations on financial freedom, real estate, cash flow, business ownership, and multiple income streams. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Why Neil left the corporate world after realizing his results did not translate into meaningful financial freedom. * How he prepared for entrepreneurship before leaving his job. * Why buying an existing profitable business can be less risky than starting from zero. * How franchise ownership helped Neil build a business with nearly 300 employees. * The “shower test” for determining whether a business can run without its owner. * Why systems, measurements, delegation, and trust are essential to scaling a company. * How reviewing many business opportunities builds pattern recognition for acquisitions. * Why income streams can create more flexibility than relying only on a retirement account. * How living abroad can reduce costs while improving lifestyle options. * Why Neil defines freedom as being uncommitted enough to act on opportunities. About the Guest: Neil Solomon is an operator, entrepreneur, and author of The 1% Door. After spending 15 years climbing the Fortune 500 ladder, Neil left corporate life after realizing the system was not designed to reward the people creating the most value. He went on to build and operate businesses across restaurants, franchising, and real estate, employing more than 300 people across multiple industries and countries. Along the way, he has experienced major growth, significant setbacks, and two complete rebuilds. Today, Neil helps people see the hidden systems shaping their money, careers, choices, and lives. He speaks candidly about corporate compensation, inflation, hidden taxes, entrepreneurship, fear, family patterns, and the practical work required before taking a leap into business ownership. Neil currently lives between Mexico, Colombia, and the United States. Links: https://www.theonepercentdoor.com/ [https://www.theonepercentdoor.com/] https://www.facebook.com/TheOnePercentDoor [https://www.facebook.com/TheOnePercentDoor] https://www.youtube.com/@theonepercentdoor [https://www.youtube.com/@theonepercentdoor] https://www.linkedin.com/in/theonepercentdoor [https://www.linkedin.com/in/theonepercentdoor] Fast Five Questions: 1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “First I figure out how long that five hundred's gonna last me.” “The step two is always the intermediate step. You don't go for the big goal. You don't go for the hit or miss. You go for the stability to get you in a place where you can start building.” “You don't stop. That's the whole thing. And if you don't stop, end with the money you make, turn it into streams again, which we talked about, you'll have the money again.” 2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “The biggest mistake was probably contractual. It's believing that the contracts have my best interest in mind.” “You need to know what's on the bad side of the contract. You have to read it for your worst day.” 3.What is a book that you would recommend? “The Wisdom of Psychopaths.” “The 4-Hour Workweek, Choose to Be Rich, anything from Tony Robbins.” “Good to Great, Made to Stick.” 4.What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “My favorite tool right now is Claude.” “I use Claude as my researcher.” “I also like Indeed.” 5.What is your definition of freedom? “It's what you're uncommitted to.” “When you can drop everything and do something in life that you never thought possible. That's freedom.” About Jeff: Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/ [https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/] Connect with Jeff: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/] Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel [https://twitter.com/JeffKikel] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/] Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

Gisteren55 min
aflevering Gold vs Real Estate | Simon Popple on Wealth Protection, Inflation, and Long-Term Investing artwork

Gold vs Real Estate | Simon Popple on Wealth Protection, Inflation, and Long-Term Investing

Most investors spend years building wealth but never stop to ask one critical question: How do I protect it? Inflation quietly erodes purchasing power. Markets become volatile. Real estate can become illiquid. And many portfolios are heavily concentrated in stocks and traditional assets. When uncertainty strikes, investors often discover their portfolios aren't as diversified as they thought. Property can take months to sell. Stocks can experience significant volatility. Cash loses value to inflation every year. The challenge isn't just growing wealth—it's preserving it. In this episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with Simon Popple, gold investment expert, educator, and commodity investor, to discuss why gold continues to play an important role in long-term wealth preservation. Simon shares: * Why he transitioned from investment banking and real estate into commodities * The different ways investors can gain exposure to gold * Why physical gold remains an overlooked asset * How inflation impacts long-term wealth building * The relationship between gold, real estate, and portfolio diversification * Why many investors misunderstand risk and volatility If you're serious about achieving your Freedom Day, this conversation offers practical insights on protecting wealth while building financial independence. 👉 Subscribe and follow the Freedom Nation Podcast for more conversations about financial freedom, investing, cash flow, real estate, and multiple streams of income. KEY TAKEAWAYS • Why Simon left investment banking and property investing to focus on commodities • The different ways investors can participate in the gold market • Why physical gold can serve as both a store of value and a liquidity tool • How inflation impacts long-term wealth accumulation • Why diversification matters across asset classes • The difference between investing in gold bullion and gold mining companies • How gold miners can provide leveraged exposure to rising gold prices • Simon's MIDI framework: Market Uncertainty, Interest Rates, Debt, and Inflation • Why investors should think long-term when investing in gold • How social media can help build authority and business opportunities About the Guest: Simon Popple is a former investment banker and property company director who walked away from a six-figure career after discovering how inflation could devastate even a million-pound retirement fund. After years of research and real-world investing, he created The Gold Program System to help people protect and grow their wealth through precious metals and commodities. Today, he shares practical strategies for combating inflation, preserving purchasing power, and building long-term financial security. Links: https://goldprogram.co.uk/ [https://goldprogram.co.uk/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-popple-4a382a16/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-popple-4a382a16/] Fast Five Questions: 1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “I would use my computer to tell everyone in the world what I do and why they should speak to me. I would make sure people knew how to get hold of me if they wanted to learn about investing in gold. ” 2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Investing in the wrong company Taking a tip. So not doing proper research, taking a tip, putting a load of money into a company because someone said, ‘Hey, this is a good company to invest in.” 3. What is a book that you would recommend? “The Psychology of Money. Brilliant book. Absolutely brilliant.” 4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “I use social media. Personally I use LinkedIn.” 5. What is your definition of freedom? “My definition of freedom is doing what you want, when you want, how you want I think freedom means different things to different people.” About Jeff: Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/ [https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/] Connect with Jeff: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/] Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel [https://twitter.com/JeffKikel] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/] Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

19 jun 202650 min
aflevering The Commercial Real Estate Playbook | Ken Ashley on Mentorship, AI, and Building a Career That Lasts artwork

The Commercial Real Estate Playbook | Ken Ashley on Mentorship, AI, and Building a Career That Lasts

Many young professionals are worried about their future. AI is changing industries. Traditional career paths feel uncertain. And many knowledge workers are asking the same question: How do I build a career that remains valuable in a rapidly changing world? The challenge isn't just finding a job. It's finding a profession where your expertise, relationships, and judgment continue to matter. Many people spend years in careers that limit their growth, only to realize they've become replaceable. And in commission-based businesses like commercial real estate, the learning curve can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with Ken Ashley, a 30-year veteran of commercial real estate at Cushman & Wakefield, author of The Prescription, and founder of the CREI Summit. Ken shares: * How he built a successful commercial real estate career over three decades * Why mentorship is critical for long-term success * How AI is changing knowledge work * The importance of specialization and finding your niche * Why freedom ultimately comes from controlling your schedule Whether you're considering commercial real estate, building a professional services business, or navigating the future of work, this episode is packed with practical insights. 👉 Subscribe and follow the Freedom Nation Podcast for more conversations about financial freedom, entrepreneurship, and building a life on your terms. Episode Takeaways: • Why commercial real estate remains a high-opportunity profession despite technological change • The true cost of training and developing new commercial brokers • Why expertise and niche specialization create long-term success • The importance of mentorship early in your career • Why getting a second job is perfectly acceptable while building a commission-based business • How to manage rejection and stay focused on long-term success • Why AI will enhance top-performing professionals rather than replace them • The concept of identifying your "highest payback activities" • Why relationships remain the ultimate competitive advantage • How freedom comes from controlling your schedule and financial future About the Guest: Ken Ashley is a career guide and mentor for high-agency professionals, with nearly 30 years of experience in commercial real estate brokerage—one of the few careers where your skills, reputation, and income compound over time. He helps students and early-career professionals understand how to choose a career with real upside, build expertise from the ground up, and create long-term wealth by becoming indispensable to clients. Known for his practical, no-hype approach, Ken focuses less on transactions and titles and more on mindset, discipline, relationships, and turning your name into your most valuable professional asset. Links: https://creisummit.com/ [https://creisummit.com/] https://www.instagram.com/kenashley/ [https://www.instagram.com/kenashley/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenashleyatlanta/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenashleyatlanta/] Fast Five Questions: 1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “I'd get Karen and we'd go on an adventure. Maybe we would go to a fishing village in South America and see if we could make that bar and restaurant go.” 2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “I think my almost biggest mistake was trying to quit commercial real estate. I was eight and a half months in... and I walked in to quit.” 3. What is a book that you would recommend? “Story Worthy by Matthew Dicks.” 4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “I love Evernote. I think it's a great note-taking...” 5. What is your definition of freedom? “I think it's the ability to control your own schedule.” About Jeff: Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/ [https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/] Connect with Jeff: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/] Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel [https://twitter.com/JeffKikel] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/] Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

9 jun 202632 min
aflevering Retire in 10 Years or Less | Ryan Lee on Passive Income, Freedom Day, and Taking Control of Your Money artwork

Retire in 10 Years or Less | Ryan Lee on Passive Income, Freedom Day, and Taking Control of Your Money

Most people spend decades working hard, saving money, contributing to retirement accounts, and hoping that one day they'll finally have enough to retire. But hope is not a strategy. And many people discover too late that they've sacrificed their health, relationships, and time for a retirement plan that's still uncertain. Ryan Lee learned this lesson the hard way. After climbing the corporate ladder, sacrificing time with his family, and watching his net worth collapse during the 2008 financial crisis, he realized something shocking: The people he was modeling his financial life after were losing money too. They were following the traditional financial playbook—and it wasn't delivering the freedom they were promised. In this episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with Ryan D. Lee, author of Retire in 10 Years or Less, to discuss how he escaped the traditional retirement trap and built a life centered around cash flow, passive income, and freedom. Ryan shares: * The moment he realized the traditional retirement model was broken * How Rich Dad Poor Dad changed his financial future * Why cash flow matters more than net worth * How real estate and alternative assets accelerated his Freedom Day * Why financial freedom is only the beginning—not the destination If you're serious about achieving your own Freedom Day, this episode provides a practical roadmap to building financial independence faster than you thought possible. 👉 Subscribe and follow the Freedom Nation Podcast for more conversations about financial freedom, real estate, cash flow, and multiple streams of income. Episode Takeaways: • Why Ryan's first corporate paycheck was a wake-up call • How the 2008 financial crisis completely changed his view of money • Why net worth is a poor measurement of financial freedom • The impact of Rich Dad Poor Dad on Ryan's investing philosophy • How buying two rental properties per year transformed his future • The moment Ryan realized he could quit his corporate job • Why cash flow matters more than asset accumulation • The relationship between financial intelligence and freedom • How AI is accelerating wealth-building decisions today • Why financial freedom is the beginning of a purpose-driven life, not the end goal About the Guest: Ryan Lee is a leading voice in personal finance and the founder of Wealth Outside Wall Street, helping people break free from the traditional retirement model and build reliable passive income. After experiencing the 2008 financial collapse firsthand, Ryan developed his Passive Income Machine framework—combining real estate, tax strategy, and private capital systems to pursue financial freedom in under a decade. He has built a $250M real estate vault with over 3,000 deals completed, is the author of Retire in 10 Years or Less, hosts the Passive Income Machine Podcast, and has spoken on major stages including Funnel Hacking Live. Links: https://wealthoutsidewallstreet.com/ [https://wealthoutsidewallstreet.com/] https://www.facebook.com/ryan.d.lee.50 [https://www.facebook.com/ryan.d.lee.50] https://www.youtube.com/@WealthOutsideWallStreet [https://www.youtube.com/@WealthOutsideWallStreet] https://www.instagram.com/theryandlee/ [https://www.instagram.com/theryandlee/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-d-lee-31838b304/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-d-lee-31838b304/] Fast Five Questions: 1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “I'd go find the exact who, the person who's accomplished exactly what I want, and say, Man, how can I hang out with you for free? I will pick up your trash, I will get your coffee, I will hang out, I'll be your personal assistant, whatever. Let me hang out with you and let me absorb from you. And that's the fastest path to progression is find the who who's already done what you want to do and learn from them.” 2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Not going and finding the right who's fast enough. Trying to be the guy who does it all... I tried to do so much the hard way because I was unwilling to get good at hiring, training, and delegating.” 3. What is a book that you would recommend? “Once I got laser-specific, clear, and engaged my emotional senses... everything started to make sense.” 4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “I'm gonna tell you it's Claude right now... We use Claude on a multi-daily basis for a myriad of things.” 5. What is your definition of freedom? “Financial freedom is really simple. It's giving me the ability to have more control over my time and more options with what I do at that time.” About Jeff: Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/ [https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/] Connect with Jeff: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/] Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel [https://twitter.com/JeffKikel] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/] Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

4 jun 202643 min
aflevering Building GROAS from Scratch | David Porquery on AI, Bootstrapping, and Escaping Corporate Life artwork

Building GROAS from Scratch | David Porquery on AI, Bootstrapping, and Escaping Corporate Life

Many professionals spend years chasing prestigious careers, climbing the corporate ladder, and earning great money—only to discover they're trapped in a life they don't actually enjoy. The paychecks get bigger. The responsibilities grow. But freedom feels further away than ever. The longer you stay, the harder it becomes to leave. Golden handcuffs appear. Stock options vest. Lifestyle inflation creeps in. Before you know it, you've built a life that's difficult to escape—even when you know you're capable of something more. In this episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with David Porquery, founder of GROAS, an AI-powered platform helping agencies and businesses optimize Google Ads campaigns through autonomous campaign management. David shares how he walked away from a successful private equity career to build GROAS from the ground up, why he chose to bootstrap instead of raising venture capital, and how AI is changing the future of marketing. David shares: * Why he knew he had to leave before it was too late * How he built a business while working demanding private equity jobs * The realities of bootstrapping versus venture capital * How AI is completely changing marketing and software development * Why freedom comes from choosing who you work with If you're building toward your own Freedom Day, this episode is packed with insights on entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and creating a business that works for you—not the other way around. 👉 Subscribe and follow the Freedom Nation Podcast for more conversations about financial freedom, entrepreneurship, real estate, and multiple income streams. Episode Takeaways: • Why golden handcuffs become harder to escape every year • How David transitioned from private equity to entrepreneurship • The surprising lessons he learned from running e-commerce stores before launching GROAS • Why AI can outperform traditional campaign management in Google Ads • The advantages of bootstrapping versus raising venture capital • How venture capital incentives often conflict with founder goals • Why agencies became the ideal customer for GROAS • How AI is changing software development and programming forever • Why customer avatars are critical to business success • The future of AI-powered advertising and search marketing About the Guest: From a former Private Equity investor at HIG Capital who managed over $75 billion in assets to 7-figure e-commerce entrepreneur, David Pourquery is the founder of Groas AI ,creator of the world's first fully autonomous AI agents that outperform human Google Ads marketers. He has scaled groas to manage $35M+ monthly, zero VC funding and 100% ownership retained. Since launching, he has scaled the company fully bootstrapped whilst keeping 100% ownership of it. David's solution is not another "AI-powered tool." It is GROAS, fully autonomous AI agents that replace the need for human marketers entirely. They write ads, optimize campaigns, manage budgets, and drive conversions around the clock without supervision. David brings a unique perspective to the intersection of AI, advertising, and entrepreneurship, with hard-won lessons from both the operator's seat and the investor's chair. Links: https://www.groas.com/ [https://www.groas.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/ttttransformer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ttttransformer] Fast Five Questions: 1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “Try land a first client doing the exact same thing I'm now.” 2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Find your customer avatar and try service just them first.” 3. What is a book that you would recommend? “I think Richard Branson's autobiography is quite powerful.” 4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “Claude Code.” 5. What is your definition of freedom? “I think for me, freedom is, are you working every day with the people you're gonna work with?” About Jeff: Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/ [https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/] Connect with Jeff: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/] Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel [https://twitter.com/JeffKikel] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/] Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! 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2 jun 202634 min