From Rehab to Entrepreneur: Nick Barrett's Journey to Success

WEBVTT

00:00:00.641 --> 00:00:13.496
All right, and we are back with another episode of Life Changing Challengers, and I am very honored to have entrepreneur and actually he calls himself a serial entrepreneur and inventor Nick Barrett.

00:00:13.496 --> 00:00:19.870
Now, nick has just come up with this amazing fricking product called the Cord Brick.

00:00:19.870 --> 00:00:23.181
But we're going to hold off on that, but it is.

00:00:23.181 --> 00:00:27.246
I just have to tell you right that when we get to that part, you're all going to be freaking excited.

00:00:27.246 --> 00:00:29.788
So, nick, how are you doing today?

00:00:31.039 --> 00:00:31.862
Hey Brad, I'm doing.

00:00:31.862 --> 00:00:32.966
Great Thanks for having me.

00:00:33.649 --> 00:00:33.929
Awesome.

00:00:33.929 --> 00:00:36.209
No, I appreciate you coming on Life Changing Challengers.

00:00:36.209 --> 00:00:39.088
So I start out with the same question every single time.

00:00:39.088 --> 00:00:43.927
So can you tell us a little bit about your childhood, the complement of your family?

00:00:43.927 --> 00:00:48.234
You know, brothers and sisters where you grew up and what your environment was like.

00:00:49.701 --> 00:00:54.612
Sure, I was born right outside of DC and grew up there until I was about 10.

00:00:54.612 --> 00:00:58.329
I have two younger brothers Patrick and Austin are their names.

00:00:58.329 --> 00:01:00.887
I'm the oldest grandchild on both sides.

00:01:00.887 --> 00:01:03.247
My parents are both actually oldest children as well.

00:01:03.247 --> 00:01:05.804
I had aunts and uncles that were fairly close in age.

00:01:05.804 --> 00:01:08.228
My mom has four siblings, my dad has two.

00:01:08.730 --> 00:01:17.802
When I was about 10, 11, we moved to Philadelphia suburbs, so like mid-Atlantic suburbs guy Became like Philadelphia sports fan and ended up going to Penn State.

00:01:17.802 --> 00:01:18.625
It was in state.

00:01:18.625 --> 00:01:23.882
I was always definitely above average in math and so I started in engineering.

00:01:23.882 --> 00:01:31.694
I ended up switching majors to something a little more fun because I wasn't really enjoying calculus and all the work that was associated with it at the time.

00:01:31.694 --> 00:01:38.832
So I majored in recreation, park and tourism management because my thought was like I want to do fun stuff and sell fun.

00:01:38.832 --> 00:01:41.444
That was my thinking, my life and my job.

00:01:41.444 --> 00:01:46.379
My dad worked for corporate life IBM and then my mom was in nursing and her parents were in government.

00:01:46.379 --> 00:01:57.090
So actually both of them were kind of pointing me towards more stable careers, which is a great solution for many people, although I didn't really feel like I fit in any one single career.

00:01:57.090 --> 00:02:01.090
So I kind of had a tough time picking entrepreneurship and deciding what I wanted to do.

00:02:01.090 --> 00:02:06.784
But then when I went to college I figured out okay, I don't want to do the same thing all the time.

00:02:06.784 --> 00:02:14.230
So the recreation and fun and kind of experience was like okay, I know I'm going to enjoy this, so let's see what I can learn while I'm doing that.

00:02:14.230 --> 00:02:17.908
And what I engaged in in my first couple of jobs was marketing.

00:02:17.949 --> 00:02:21.103
But you asked about my childhood, so I'll kind of circle back to that.

00:02:21.103 --> 00:02:23.326
My parents are still together.

00:02:23.326 --> 00:02:28.402
They are just great people and have great values.

00:02:28.402 --> 00:02:29.485
I look up to both of them.

00:02:29.485 --> 00:02:31.008
They're different than me.

00:02:31.008 --> 00:02:38.032
I'm more of a creative type and both of them are more traditional and a little more opposed to change and doing things a new way.

00:02:38.032 --> 00:02:41.674
I'm always looking for what's a new, better way to do something.

00:02:41.674 --> 00:02:45.063
Try not to do it in a critical way, just try to do it in a very thoughtful way.

00:02:45.063 --> 00:02:56.895
But I'm always looking for new possibilities or trying to understand why something is happening, rather than just going always to the status quo or the reason that everyone says is the reason why something or another is happening.

00:02:57.317 --> 00:02:59.522
I had a little struggle in my teenage years.

00:02:59.522 --> 00:03:05.662
I've never been the best at making friends and so I'm not exactly sure where it started.

00:03:05.662 --> 00:03:13.014
But sometime in my teenage years and moving into college I started to experience some problems with emotional regulation and anger.

00:03:13.014 --> 00:03:21.455
Then, you know, I felt really comfortable when I would drink because it kind of relaxed some of my social anxiety and insecurities I had developed.

00:03:21.455 --> 00:03:25.426
That was kind of, you know, led me to alcohol as something that was very enjoyable.

00:03:25.426 --> 00:03:26.528
When did that start?

00:03:26.528 --> 00:03:27.030
Did that start?

00:03:27.050 --> 00:03:28.032
in your teenage years.

00:03:28.272 --> 00:03:37.527
I think you know I'm at least from a family where it wasn't uncommon to have a sip of an alcoholic beverage that your parent or someone was holding onto.

00:03:37.527 --> 00:03:40.521
At a younger age I started drinking around the age of 16.

00:03:40.521 --> 00:03:46.521
And as soon as I did, I pretty much knew like this is awesome, I see what everyone's talking about.

00:03:46.521 --> 00:03:47.425
You know this is great.

00:03:47.425 --> 00:03:49.697
It really makes me feel more like myself.

00:03:49.697 --> 00:03:58.128
I'm more comfortable in my own skin, so I think I had an abnormal enjoyment of it, just because of the inhibition loss that happens when anybody really drinks alcohol.

00:03:59.173 --> 00:04:00.195
Did you find?

00:04:00.195 --> 00:04:07.425
So you mentioned your creative type, so did you find that maybe did it open up some doors in your head?

00:04:07.425 --> 00:04:09.526
Basically, did you find you were more creative?

00:04:09.526 --> 00:04:17.632
Because that seems to be the thing, right, we look at some of our best artists out there and they're like some of them have drug issues, some of them had alcohol issues, but they've created this great work of art.

00:04:17.632 --> 00:04:22.935
Did you tend to find that your creative mind kind of opened up or did it?

00:04:22.935 --> 00:04:27.064
Did you just kind of, did it just move into a partying type of atmosphere?

00:04:27.704 --> 00:04:35.047
I mean, in my experience, I would say lots of things can allow you to open your mind up, and substances are absolutely one of those things.

00:04:35.047 --> 00:04:40.704
I mean alcohol is one of a number of drugs and substances that you know I've experienced.

00:04:40.704 --> 00:04:48.944
That definitely changes your perspective on situations and it affects the way that you think and behave in the moment.

00:04:48.944 --> 00:04:53.321
So I don't think that alcohol actually led to an increase in creativity.

00:04:53.321 --> 00:05:05.591
For me, though, it definitely led to an increase in being social and not having that social anxiety and the fear of approaching new people or creating new connections.

00:05:05.591 --> 00:05:12.093
So maybe my personality was more open, but I don't think my mind was necessarily more creative.

00:05:12.132 --> 00:05:24.370
I think, actually, it limited my ability to solve problems is what really happened, and so my creative potential of how can I manage my mind was extremely limited by alcohol.

00:05:24.370 --> 00:05:34.211
That became the solution for how I managed all the problems, instead of actually thinking of new ways, having an open mind, thinking of new ways to solve the problems that I have.

00:05:34.211 --> 00:05:42.122
And I think for me, and I think it's true for a lot of people who have addiction problems based on that, you're trying to change a feeling with a drug.

00:05:42.122 --> 00:05:45.471
That's the goal, and alcohol absolutely does the job.

00:05:45.471 --> 00:05:47.023
It totally works in the moment.

00:05:47.023 --> 00:05:59.485
But then, whatever the real problem is, I found myself unable to, when I really needed to lean on some other solution, like personal skills and development, to actually solve them, and that became a problem.

00:06:00.428 --> 00:06:20.793
So that's huge, and I really appreciate you being so honest with us about that, because just to know that, you know that's what you do, you are a problem solver and the fact that alcohol did one thing for you but actually turned off the thing that you are most passionate about, that's a gigantic lesson learned right there.

00:06:20.793 --> 00:06:25.355
So I really appreciate you being so honest with us about that, because I think it's a great takeaway.

00:06:25.355 --> 00:06:32.043
All right, so when did you figure it out and decide that you needed to get help, or where did that story go?

00:06:33.086 --> 00:06:36.452
I think a lot of that comes from my support system that I did have.

00:06:36.452 --> 00:06:38.386
So it took till I was 30.

00:06:38.386 --> 00:06:41.516
I had gotten in trouble a couple of times, drinking and driving.

00:06:41.516 --> 00:06:44.514
Luckily I hadn't gotten any accidents or hurt anybody.

00:06:44.514 --> 00:06:51.267
I got really lucky not to get in trouble earlier or sooner, because this really wasn't the first time that I had been drinking and driving when I was caught.

00:06:51.267 --> 00:06:57.129
And so then the legal consequences really got to me and I lost my license.

00:06:57.189 --> 00:07:04.968
So that was a real wake up call and the whole process then of kind of going to rehab and accepting I had known for a while that it was a problem.

00:07:04.968 --> 00:07:11.447
I had told people in my life that I knew I had a problem and it wasn't sustainable and I understood that.

00:07:11.447 --> 00:07:24.790
But I just couldn't find going back to kind of the last question a little bit, I just couldn't find the willpower and I really thought that I didn't possess it, and because alcohol showed me that this was the solution and I didn't have any other solutions.

00:07:24.790 --> 00:07:27.636
And what's interesting is now the amount of willpower.

00:07:27.636 --> 00:07:35.562
I have to do anything and I also found this is very common Alcoholics addicts are often marathon runners and people who start businesses as well.

00:07:36.062 --> 00:07:52.146
It seems like the willpower that I was able to put towards drinking and the forcefulness in which I determined that I was going to do that and not do anything else with my life, I've been able to kind of turn that 180 degrees and point that towards self-improvement and doing things that actually do add value to my life.

00:07:52.146 --> 00:07:59.872
And so that happened when I was 30 and I went to rehab, and it's been seven years now, so that's been quite a process of change since then.

00:07:59.872 --> 00:08:01.423
It certainly didn't all happen overnight.

00:08:02.005 --> 00:08:02.829
Oh, I'm sure it didn't.

00:08:02.829 --> 00:08:04.000
Congratulations, by the way.

00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:04.904
Seven years is huge.

00:08:09.521 --> 00:08:10.500
Yeah, absolutely.

00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:18.826
I mean I'm an advocate for rehab when the person that is going is going voluntarily and on their own volition.

00:08:18.826 --> 00:08:28.254
You have to want to change and you know it's sad that some people are so damaged that they never get to a place where they voluntarily choose to go.

00:08:28.254 --> 00:08:31.896
Do that if they're fortunate to have the opportunity, that if they're fortunate to have the opportunity.

00:08:31.896 --> 00:08:42.453
But it does have to come from what I've seen the individual themselves really believing that they have a problem, they really want to make a change and it's helped by other people in their life.

00:08:42.474 --> 00:08:51.605
At least for me, I had some family members that had gotten sober and had been able to stay sober and had successful and good lives and then had some wisdom to share with that.

00:08:51.605 --> 00:08:57.881
But I think that's kind of the thing that AA provided me in the beginning with was a lot of people who were telling my story, who explained it just like I felt.

00:08:57.881 --> 00:08:59.306
I thought I was totally different.

00:08:59.306 --> 00:09:00.349
Turns out I'm not.

00:09:00.349 --> 00:09:09.346
Lots of other people feel and experience the same thing, so that was really comforting to help me get through the beginning stages especially Great.

00:09:09.768 --> 00:09:12.441
I constantly tell my clients I'm an endurance coach.

00:09:12.441 --> 00:09:20.846
That's my big thing is I show people how to conquer the Ironman, triathlon, marathons, ultra marathons, marathon swimming.

00:09:20.846 --> 00:09:47.232
That whole thing was that you find a bigger goal and then you go after it and the rehab, the weight loss, the fitness, all that stuff comes in on the way and that's my biggest, biggest message to everybody is those things about?

00:09:47.232 --> 00:09:48.501
Okay, I just need to get sober.

00:09:48.501 --> 00:10:01.780
Well, shoot for this while you're in rehab or while you're going to aa, while you're doing that, and you've got this much bigger goal and you change on the way right you have to have something to shoot for.

00:10:02.081 --> 00:10:11.792
And you know, as, as you know, the destination is, the journey, right, I mean, the things that happen along the way are the magic, and it certainly doesn't happen overnight.

00:10:11.792 --> 00:10:12.873
And, as the journey is, it doesn't happen all at.

00:10:12.873 --> 00:10:14.568
And, as the journey is, it doesn't happen all at once.

00:10:14.568 --> 00:10:20.543
It's a long process and it's drawn out and the things that occur come in very unexpected spikes.

00:10:20.543 --> 00:10:22.368
Almost you start seeing results.

00:10:22.368 --> 00:10:34.749
Really all of a sudden, people start telling you that they have noticed things out of nowhere and you almost don't even realize, because you're so close with everything happening to you every day, that the change has to come.

00:10:34.749 --> 00:10:45.130
When you take a step back and kind of look at where you were at a period of time and then where you are, and then kind of do a side by side, and then you can really see a little bit better after some time goes by All right.

00:10:45.299 --> 00:10:50.712
So where you were was at 30, you were going into rehab getting in trouble.

00:10:50.712 --> 00:10:52.547
Where did your life go from there?

00:10:54.220 --> 00:11:01.586
Yeah, so I was going to three meetings a day, sometimes more of AA and we have a great local community where I live now in Naples.

00:11:01.586 --> 00:11:10.011
So I've stuck around and for a while it was basically just that and no work or anything like that, and I started to get some part-time jobs here and there.

00:11:10.011 --> 00:11:16.590
It did take two or three years to really start developing the other aspects of the self-improvement.

00:11:16.590 --> 00:11:19.921
At first it was just all I have to do is not drink.

00:11:19.921 --> 00:11:22.836
Today that is my only goal, it's the only thing I have to worry about.

00:11:22.836 --> 00:11:30.011
If I don't do anything else, if I just don't do that, then my day isn't a success and you think like man, how long do you have to do that for?

00:11:30.011 --> 00:11:39.631
So it's that critical really in the beginning to just have all your mind and effort and thought and everything you're doing focused on that one goal.

00:11:39.631 --> 00:11:45.442
Because what do you realize is, without being able to do that at least for me my life was completely falling apart.

00:11:45.442 --> 00:11:46.725
It was totally uncontrollable.

00:11:46.725 --> 00:11:50.142
Without that, everything else was gone all my family, relationships and everything.

00:11:50.142 --> 00:11:53.726
So that did take two or three years, I think too.

00:11:53.807 --> 00:11:55.950
And then the physical development came after that.

00:11:55.950 --> 00:12:19.811
Yeah, so I started really taking care of my body, just first by exercising, and then the diet and what I eat now, just what I consume and put in my body now is like I guess everyone's kind of learning these days about so much of the harms of our food supply, really, frankly, and what makes you feel better when you consume it, and so just things like that have just sort of stacked up along the way.

00:12:19.811 --> 00:12:33.148
And now if you look at the life that I'm living, the type of person that I'm trying to be, and then the results that are coming from that with business and then with other things, it's like wow, the comparison to year one, two, three is just so much different than it was.

00:12:33.148 --> 00:12:37.575
So it took about four years for me to actually start the business after I got sober.

00:12:37.575 --> 00:12:38.684
So here we are.

00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:42.028
So let's get into it then.

00:12:42.028 --> 00:12:46.770
So everybody and I'll put links and stuff and pictures and stuff so you can see this.

00:12:46.770 --> 00:12:49.020
But basically, nick has come up with an invention called Cordrick.

00:12:49.020 --> 00:12:51.562
Nick has come up with an invention called Chord Brick.

00:12:51.562 --> 00:13:00.769
For all of you that have to charge your phones and you've got a desk or a nightstand where you've got all these cords and they fall in the back.

00:13:00.769 --> 00:13:10.174
He has come up with numerous products based around the same idea that will hold your cords there so you have access to them without them falling anywhere.

00:13:10.174 --> 00:13:14.658
So how did you, how did that come about and where?

00:13:14.658 --> 00:13:23.331
How did you move to a point where you've been on Good Morning America and you've had an article in USA Today and some of these major publications?

00:13:25.461 --> 00:13:30.871
Yeah, and now we're going into 500 Lowe's stores, which is, you know, a huge retailer.

00:13:30.871 --> 00:13:35.630
So it's, you know we're on doing well on Amazon and our website, cordbreakcom.

00:13:35.630 --> 00:13:40.043
The issue was, as you very appropriately described, is the phone cords.

00:13:40.043 --> 00:13:45.408
You know the plug they're on the wall or they're somewhere, and then the cords kind of have a mind of their own right.

00:13:45.408 --> 00:13:51.065
The end's not very heavy and they just kind of are strewn about, they're a little ornery.

00:13:51.065 --> 00:13:55.403
You know the cable are strewn about, they're a little ornery.

00:13:55.403 --> 00:13:56.606
The cable just prevents them from being too bendy.

00:13:56.606 --> 00:13:57.991
You're able to string them where you need to.

00:13:58.653 --> 00:14:09.414
So I thought, okay, why can't I just invent a brick Very simple, right, tiny little brick, and I just put my cord in a little channel that I carve out for it and I just set it anywhere on my nightstand, on my desk.

00:14:09.414 --> 00:14:14.591
And there were adhesive cord holders that existed then and exist now.

00:14:14.591 --> 00:14:16.490
But I just didn't want something like that.

00:14:16.490 --> 00:14:29.485
I wanted to be able to put it right on my bed sheet and just grab my phone cord or move this device as well, because what you can do with it is you can just wrap your phone cord around it or other charger cords, take it with you and then it unwraps untangled snap wrap trap is what I say.

00:14:29.485 --> 00:14:32.471
And so we've been able to create a patent with this product.

00:14:32.471 --> 00:14:35.998
We just got our utility patent approved and it's going to be issued later this month.

00:14:35.998 --> 00:14:43.284
So that's very exciting for us and kind of protects not just the way that the product looks but actually the way that it works, so a lot more than just the design.

00:14:43.785 --> 00:14:57.272
And so with the success of that first product, cordbrick, we've launched our second product, deskbrick, which is another weighted silicone rubber device, but bigger in this case and has a little bit different design to kind of add some functionality more for your desk.

00:14:57.272 --> 00:15:03.511
So that's kind of another addition to our brick line of weighted holders, and so we'll be launching some more products next year.

00:15:03.511 --> 00:15:07.232
We've grown an extraordinary amount in the last four years.

00:15:07.232 --> 00:15:16.586
We five and a half X'd our revenue last year, we 10X'd it the year before, 10xed it the year before that, so we didn't start very big that first year, so that I did not too much.

00:15:16.586 --> 00:15:20.087
It's been great growth and it looks like we're building a sustainable brand.

00:15:20.087 --> 00:15:29.341
My goal now is brand acquisition and yeah, it's just amazing to kind of be where we're at now and on the trajectory of going here this next year.

00:15:30.245 --> 00:15:30.525
Yeah.

00:15:30.525 --> 00:15:36.547
So I'm one of those that uses the adhesive and I got to tell you it's still a pain in the butt and then the adhesive doesn't last.

00:15:36.547 --> 00:15:51.283
So for all of you out there you that are constantly hunting for cords and you've got different cords for different devices and especially for all of you, my clients out there and my fellow endurance athletes we have accords for our watches.

00:15:51.283 --> 00:15:55.710
We've got these new swim goggles that have a form thing in them that have GPS.

00:15:55.710 --> 00:16:05.404
If there's a totally separate cord, then your bike computer, your hydration monitor, all this stuff and they all have different cords in them and I've got all my cords there.

00:16:05.404 --> 00:16:10.264
So whenever I need to plug stuffing in, it's right there and I plug it in and I let it charge and I'm good to go.

00:16:10.365 --> 00:16:12.971
So check this out for all my endurance athletes out there.

00:16:12.971 --> 00:16:17.109
It is a godsend, and the nice thing about it is because it's not adhesive.

00:16:17.109 --> 00:16:22.027
You want to throw it in your bag when you're going on a distance race, which I'm doing Sunday.

00:16:22.027 --> 00:16:26.682
It's nice to have it and you just plug it in, you put this stuff in there and you know exactly where everything is.

00:16:26.682 --> 00:16:31.849
Then you wrap all those cords that you've got, just wrap them around and you're good to go.

00:16:31.849 --> 00:16:38.316
So yeah, definitely check that out and we'll put a link in the show notes so you can take a look at that.

00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:43.331
Then I forgot to mention also there's kind of a lot more to this product as well.

00:16:43.331 --> 00:16:53.376
Like you can even stand your phone, you can grab your AirPods, so no, and that's okay, I didn't kind of keep going on about it, but like it just adds additional uses for your phone.

00:16:53.376 --> 00:16:56.085
I mean, I think the thing that really set this product apart were two things.

00:16:56.085 --> 00:16:58.370
One, it's specifically made for phone cords.

00:16:58.370 --> 00:17:07.145
Other, the adhesive ones and the ones that are often sold are kind of more for bigger desktop cables and things that aren't going to move.

00:17:07.507 --> 00:17:19.303
But because of all the small devices that you mentioned I mean there's really been AirPods, the watches, the bracelets and different things like that monitoring devices, rings, whatever Bluetooth speakers I mean we can just go on and on right.

00:17:19.303 --> 00:17:27.779
There's tons of little devices now that there just weren't five or 10 years ago, and so you need a specific device that's designed to manage all of those cords.

00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:34.932
They're going to keep them all organized and keep your space clear and then add some other bonuses, like for your phone, for filming yourself, video calls and stuff like that too.

00:17:34.932 --> 00:17:40.190
So it just adds like a little bit of extra functionality, and I think that's what makes it so giftable too.

00:17:40.190 --> 00:17:44.212
That's where we've had some successes in that stocking stuffer keyword online.

00:17:44.334 --> 00:17:47.122
So you saw a spike, and you see spikes during Christmas.

00:17:47.782 --> 00:17:50.365
Oh my gosh, q4, we do about 60% of our business.

00:17:50.365 --> 00:17:51.667
It's just extremely giftable.

00:17:51.667 --> 00:17:58.143
If you look at the other competitors, they just do one thing and this thing we say eight plus uses, but really it's got even more than that.

00:17:58.143 --> 00:18:05.942
I mean it's cool because the person you give it to can kind of adapt it to whatever they need, like whatever their situation is and as their situation changes, because there's no adhesive boom.

00:18:05.942 --> 00:18:07.103
They can just change it.

00:18:07.103 --> 00:18:11.068
However they need to set it up so reusable, sustainable, all that.

00:18:11.068 --> 00:18:13.271
But you know, it's just a better product for a better price.

00:18:14.053 --> 00:18:15.635
Yeah, I know, I totally agree.

00:18:15.635 --> 00:18:20.050
So, everybody out there, this is the absolute epitome of life changing challengers.

00:18:20.050 --> 00:18:28.994
Nick had an issue with alcohol and he got over it, and that allowed him to do what he knows that he's good at, which is problem solving.

00:18:28.994 --> 00:18:37.483
He solved the problem that 90 percent of the people that use mobile devices have, and it changed his life.

00:18:37.483 --> 00:18:50.150
So, being that said, and being that we know that addiction is not something that ever goes away, can you give us an insight on what right now is a typical day in Nick Barrett's life?

00:18:52.941 --> 00:18:54.726
I'm not sure I'd recommend it to most people.

00:18:54.726 --> 00:18:57.143
I'm in what some people would call monk mode.

00:18:57.143 --> 00:18:57.544
Lately.

00:18:57.544 --> 00:19:02.242
This is my product development time of year, January through like May.

00:19:02.242 --> 00:19:05.080
We've kind of pushed it a little late this year because we got so much in development.

00:19:05.080 --> 00:19:10.401
We're trying to launch a bunch of new products for next year and get several in development and test them out and stuff like that.

00:19:10.401 --> 00:19:12.301
But soon I'll be going to trade shows.

00:19:12.301 --> 00:19:15.461
I think the great thing about being an entrepreneur is like you set your own schedule.

00:19:15.461 --> 00:19:17.728
So I'm mostly working at my computer.

00:19:17.728 --> 00:19:24.008
You know I've got a great setup and I'm communicating with all my freelancers from around the world who are doing all kinds of projects for me.

00:19:24.008 --> 00:19:34.925
My agency's managing our different channels and presences, I'm building sales programs for the various channels and we're just constantly iterating and tinkering very small things.

00:19:34.925 --> 00:19:41.218
So what does a typical day look like?

00:19:41.238 --> 00:19:42.863
looks like me getting up early and checking my messages with my chinese suppliers.

00:19:42.863 --> 00:19:46.656
That ends with me communicating or sending messages to them for the next day because we're on 12 hour differences.

00:19:46.656 --> 00:19:56.224
My most productive time of day is usually like 7 7 30 to like 2 ish or something like that, maybe 2 33, and I usually take like a late lunch.

00:19:56.224 --> 00:20:10.202
I'm on an intermittent fasting schedule so I usually don't eat too much before, like three four in the afternoon and that's pretty much my only meal a day, maybe like a bowl of yogurt or something later, but then I try to get a workout in either before or after that meal.

00:20:10.202 --> 00:20:18.865
I work on Saturdays and Sundays and have for the last several years and I certainly take some days for family and certain events.

00:20:18.865 --> 00:20:23.222
But it's been a grind and I have to say I'm enjoying it.

00:20:23.222 --> 00:20:26.885
One of the things about it is I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

00:20:26.885 --> 00:20:30.144
We're talking about that aim and that goal and where you're really going.

00:20:30.144 --> 00:20:31.661
I've had a very clear vision.

00:20:31.775 --> 00:20:41.784
I always try to tell other entrepreneurs two things you got to figure out when you first think of an idea what's the problem this product actually solves, or service or whatever right, and who's going to pay for it.

00:20:42.065 --> 00:20:45.837
That's one and one A, and then two is how are you going to exit, how are you going to get out?

00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:49.215
And people think why do I have to think about how I'm going to get out?

00:20:49.215 --> 00:20:53.244
Well, that's because it determines all the aims, that where you're going the whole time.

00:20:53.244 --> 00:21:06.186
It should determine all the actions actually that you do based on what your exit strategy is, because there's a number of different ways to get out of a business and most people don't want to have to be running their business their whole life.

00:21:06.186 --> 00:21:10.826
Their goal is to kind of set it and forget it eventually, just let it create residual income.

00:21:10.826 --> 00:21:43.157
For me, it's to sell it, and so I'm going to use it as a launching pad no-transcript or access to capital to begin, and that was part of the strategy to sell the business to then launch other businesses after that.

00:21:43.157 --> 00:21:56.396
So really it's all been part of a big goal, and so I think that's one of the reasons why it seems to be going so well is because we've been aiming towards that the whole time and every action that we've been taking has been oriented towards doing that and every action that we've been taking has been oriented towards doing that.

00:21:56.416 --> 00:21:58.397
Awesome, now, I like that exit strategy.

00:21:58.397 --> 00:22:03.202
So we do the same thing when we when I coach for racing do the same thing.

00:22:03.202 --> 00:22:04.123
How do you want to finish?

00:22:04.123 --> 00:22:05.443
What's your time?

00:22:05.443 --> 00:22:06.424
That's your exit.

00:22:06.424 --> 00:22:17.516
Now, everything prior to that, now the training, all aligns with that, all dependent, it's all dependent.

00:22:17.516 --> 00:22:19.701
So, yeah, yeah, and you know, and my day job is I'm a project manager, so it kind of helps.

00:22:19.701 --> 00:22:21.987
Do you find yourself still?

00:22:21.987 --> 00:22:24.903
Do you go to AA meetings anymore?

00:22:24.903 --> 00:22:26.186
Do you still find time to go?

00:22:27.555 --> 00:22:34.817
I do sometimes hesitate to say this because it's you know, you don't want to ever get too far away from things that have helped you.

00:22:34.817 --> 00:22:45.345
But I would say that I'm not the typical AA-er, if you will, from what I've seen and that's maybe judging myself and judging some others a little bit, I guess.

00:22:45.345 --> 00:22:50.326
But the 12th step of AA is about helping other people.

00:22:50.326 --> 00:23:14.989
Right, for those of you who don't, it's AA and other recovery programs and 12-step programs, and the point is to give up your own will and put your will on something else, like God or your higher power, and then learn, fix, do that and share with other people what you've learned.

00:23:14.989 --> 00:23:33.469
Then there's a good chance that you won't stay sober, because by repeating what you've learned to these other people, it actually helps you more than it helps them Really, and so it's almost a selfish way of doing things, but it totally works and it does help them too, because they hear what they hear their story in you and relate to different things that you say.

00:23:34.515 --> 00:23:36.137
So helping other people the 12 step.

00:23:36.699 --> 00:23:36.980
Okay.

00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:48.777
So what I try to do a little bit now with that, as opposed to helping other AAs, is I try to help other people who are starting their own business, so I'm trying to guide people through.

00:23:48.777 --> 00:24:11.599
If I go to FGCU and speak at the entrepreneurship school there, I want to kind of show them how rewarding this process of building something has been for me, so that maybe, instead of jumping around in different jobs or not being happy in their career, if they're really entrepreneurial, maybe there's something that I can share with them to help get them sped up down that path so that they could contribute their ideas and values to the world.

00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:22.645
Because I actually think that what's going to happen is we're going to see a lot more entrepreneurs created here with AI and the technology that's kind of right on the horizon, because it's going to allow people to start businesses for a much lower cost.

00:24:22.894 --> 00:24:32.756
Really, that's the limiting factor with starting a business is people need to make money to pay for their life and starting a business, you basically don't make money initially for several years.

00:24:32.756 --> 00:24:34.278
That's almost always how it works.

00:24:34.278 --> 00:24:36.604
You almost always need more investment to go into the business.

00:24:36.604 --> 00:24:39.148
So I think it gives younger people a chance.

00:24:39.148 --> 00:24:45.278
I see these young entrepreneurs and it's like you add these ideas but you don't have the experience, you don't have the money.

00:24:45.278 --> 00:24:52.499
So I'd like to try to share the 12th step of my experience, of the motivation and stuff a lot with those people too.

00:24:52.499 --> 00:24:59.268
I love sharing it with other alcoholics and people that you know have addiction and recovery problem.

00:24:59.268 --> 00:25:04.384
You know issues as well, but I've kind of shifted the focus a little bit too just to that.

00:25:04.384 --> 00:25:07.734
I find that it's very valuable and helpful for me too.

00:25:07.734 --> 00:25:09.836
I think it's helpful for these young folks as well.

00:25:11.218 --> 00:25:11.597
Awesome.

00:25:11.857 --> 00:25:12.637
Yeah, so I do.

00:25:12.637 --> 00:25:13.298
So I have a.

00:25:13.298 --> 00:25:15.660
It's more of a kind of a nonprofit idea.

00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:19.762
What I want to do is I want to create the build something initiative in each town.

00:25:19.762 --> 00:25:22.604
The idea is to get people physically together.

00:25:22.604 --> 00:25:38.320
Even though virtual reality and working remotely is great, manufacturing back With things like 3D printing technology, we are going to be making more stuff in the United States.

00:25:38.320 --> 00:25:41.012
We're going to reduce the shipments from across the sea.

00:25:41.012 --> 00:25:43.786
We're going to reduce waste, we're going to make it on demand.

00:25:43.786 --> 00:25:47.582
What I want to do is create a network of people who are actually building physical things.

00:25:47.582 --> 00:26:06.965
By creating networks in communities of entrepreneurs, it can attract other young entrepreneurs to join, get some mentors, learn from people who are just a couple of steps above them, maybe several steps past where they are now, and hopefully be able to build something together and to kind of create businesses and collaborate with people nearby.

00:26:06.965 --> 00:26:11.683
So it's a challenge and something that's down the road for us, but it's something I'd like to potentially pursue.

00:26:12.875 --> 00:26:23.714
Well, I hope you do, because that would be epic, absolutely, and I think it's definitely something we need today, because I feel like we've lost the connection.

00:26:23.714 --> 00:26:37.684
To have those spaces to physically look at each other and bring in your ideas even if it's not functional at the time, but just an idea that they can share with mentors and stuff, I think it's absolutely epic, I think it's absolutely needed right now.

00:26:37.684 --> 00:26:41.557
So I am going to pray that that's going to happen, because I think we need it.

00:26:41.557 --> 00:26:42.660
Thanks.

00:26:43.481 --> 00:26:50.445
I think that people who are nearby each other and who are physically meeting face-to-face, it also creates more of accountability and commitment too.

00:26:50.994 --> 00:26:56.488
When you're remote and you can just cancel Zoom, it's so easy and it just makes a huge out for you.

00:26:56.555 --> 00:27:08.859
But if you physically live in the town with people that you're seeing and you're saying you're going to do some stuff and then you don't do it or you're not showing up at meetings, people will give you a call because you're nearby, but if you're too far away, you might see them at the store or something like that.

00:27:08.859 --> 00:27:15.970
So I really do think that getting in person and then you ask more questions, you can touch and feel different products, especially for building products.

00:27:15.970 --> 00:27:20.459
This is very useful and you kind of see different aspects of you didn't notice before.

00:27:20.459 --> 00:27:22.826
So that hands-on approach for me has always been really helpful.

00:27:22.826 --> 00:27:43.025
I think if we could create a group like this that could just you know, because I think you want to stay away from people who are looking to profit off of these entrepreneurs and sell them services which is what always happens with the networking groups in my experience then it would be better for the actual entrepreneurs and then for the local economy to grow from what those people create, and right there.

00:27:44.407 --> 00:27:44.949
I believe it.

00:27:44.949 --> 00:27:50.925
So if somebody wanted to get in contact with you, what would be the best way?

00:27:52.189 --> 00:27:57.184
Sure, you can email me, nick at cordbrickcom C-O-R-D-B-R-I-C-K.

00:27:57.184 --> 00:27:58.667
Or just visit cordbrickcom.

00:27:58.667 --> 00:28:04.597
We've got contact forms on there, a little chat bot that you can ask questions to that I'll see send us a message.

00:28:04.597 --> 00:28:06.306
So, yeah, just reach out to us there.

00:28:06.306 --> 00:28:11.980
We're at cordbrick on all the main social medias X, instagram, facebook, all that.

00:28:12.521 --> 00:28:12.801
Great.

00:28:12.801 --> 00:28:19.020
So I am going to link all of those in the in the show notes so you'll have all of that.

00:28:19.020 --> 00:28:28.446
But if you want to ask Nick a question, or maybe you want to figure out a way to help out your own business, maybe Nick will be nice enough to share some of those secrets.

00:28:28.446 --> 00:28:31.523
Nick, I really appreciate you joining us today.

00:28:31.523 --> 00:28:35.586
I think this was a lot of wonderful information.

00:28:35.586 --> 00:28:38.636
You joining us today.

00:28:38.636 --> 00:28:39.800
I think this was a lot of wonderful information.

00:28:39.800 --> 00:28:49.359
The ability that we've got a ton of people out there that were in the same situation and to know that they can turn their life completely and become so successful is really important and really inspiring.

00:28:49.359 --> 00:28:50.359
Thank you so much.

00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:52.402
Thanks, All right.