In this episode, I’m thrilled to sit down with Austin Netzley, entrepreneur, author, and expert on scaling businesses while reclaiming your time. We’re diving into everything from building a self-sustaining business that thrives without you to creating systems that let you step away without everything falling apart. Austin shares hard-earned lessons on overcoming fear, staying focused, and why the simplest path is often the most effective. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. So, grab a coffee, hit play, and let’s get into it!
Guest:
Austin Netzley is an entrepreneur, author, and business coach who helps entrepreneurs scale their businesses to seven figures while achieving time freedom. After graduating with $81,000 in student debt, he broke free from the corporate grind by building successful businesses. He’s the author of From Six to Seven Figures and The Two-Week Vacation Test, which focus on scaling businesses and creating self-sustaining systems. Austin runs 2X Coaching and Atlas Assistants, emphasizing delegation, systems, and long-term vision. His work inspires entrepreneurs to build businesses that support both financial success and personal freedom.
[00:52] Introduction to Austin Netzley:
- Initially followed the traditional path: school, corporate job, and the pursuit of climbing the corporate ladder. And graduated college with $81,000 in student loan debt.
- By his mid-20s, achieved financial freedom by leaving the corporate world and starting his own business.
- Wrote From Six to Seven Figures: A playbook for scaling a business to $1 million+ while maintaining freedom.
- Latest book: The Two-Week Vacation Test: Focuses on creating a self-sustaining business that operates without the owner’s constant involvement.
- Advocates for building businesses that provide financial success, time freedom, and personal fulfillment. And emphasizes the importance of systems, delegation, and long-term vision.
[02:50] Challenge Conventional Paths:
- Success doesn’t always follow the traditional route of school, debt, and corporate life. Breaking away from societal expectations can lead to greater freedom and fulfillment.
- Realizing the weight of financial decisions early can help individuals make more informed choices about their education, career, and lifestyle.
- Starting adulthood with significant debt doesn’t have to limit your potential. With the right mindset and actions, it’s possible to climb out of financial holes and achieve freedom.
[04:44] The Turning Point:
- Observing the outcomes of others can provide valuable insights into whether a particular path aligns with your goals and values.
- Traditional or structured career paths often come with limitations that may hinder freedom, creativity, and fulfillment.
- Walking away from the corporate grind to start a business can be a powerful way to reclaim control over your time, income, and life.
- Entrepreneurship offers an alternative route to achieving freedom, control, and purpose.
- Fear of the unknown often keeps people on traditional paths, even when those paths may not align with their goals or values. Exploring alternative options requires courage.
- Success in any field requires deep focus, learning, and consistent effort.
- Aligning your work with your values and desire for impact can lead to greater fulfillment.
- You don’t have to quit your job immediately to pursue entrepreneurship. Starting a side hustle can be a practical way to test ideas and build confidence.
- Success in entrepreneurship requires constant learning, adapting, and refining your approach to stay ahead in a competitive landscape.
[09:21] Vision First, Action Second:
- Regularly ask yourself, Where do I want to be in six months? A year? Five years? Use these answers to guide your decisions.
- Focus on what truly moves the needle and delegate low-value tasks andeliminate distractions.
- Complexity doesn’t equal effectiveness, Look for the simplest, most direct way to achieve your goals.
- Stay flexible and adapt your goals as needed to reflect your current values and circumstances.
- Invest time upfront in planning and strategizing to make execution smoother and more effective.
[12:25] Great Entrepreneurs Envision the Future:
- Set shorter, more aggressive deadlines to increase productivity and avoid procrastination.
- Stay vigilant about what you allow into your schedule and focus on high-impact activities.
- The ability to envision a future that doesn’t yet exist is a hallmark of great entrepreneurs and innovators.
- Before diving into action, spend time planning and strategizing. This upfront investment will save time and effort in the long run.
[16:11] struggling to define your vision for the future?
- Write down the aspects of life or work you want to avoid, and use that as a starting point to shape your goals.
- Identify people you admire fully—their values, lifestyle, and achievements—and use them as inspiration for your own goals.
- For each goal or desire, ask yourself “why” until you uncover your core motivations. This will help you define your true priorities.
- While it’s important to have long-term dreams, break them down into smaller, achievable steps. Focus on achieving these milestones to build momentum and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- While financial success is important, Choosing a path that excites you, not just one that pays the bills, leads to long-term fulfillment.
- Surround yourself with people who embody the values and lifestyle you aspire to. Their guidance can help you avoid mistakes and accelerate your growth.
[19:10] Align, Master, Thrive:
- While some people achieve quick success, many more fail. The stories of success often overshadow the countless failures. And just because a strategy or industry works for someone else doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for you.
- Pay attention to how your work affects your physical and mental health. If it’s causing constant stress or burnout, it’s a sign to reevaluate. Walking away from a path that isn’t right for you isn’t failure, it’s a sign of wisdom and a step toward finding something better.
- Studying the strategies of entrepreneurs who’ve achieved financial freedom and built thriving businesses can provide a roadmap for your own success.
- Try different paths to see what resonates with you. Treat these experiments as learning experiences, not final commitments.
- Becoming an expert in your field allows you to create unique value, which is the foundation of sustainable success.
- While quick wins may be tempting, lasting success comes from patience, persistence, and mastery.
[20:30] From Passion to Paychecks:
- Invest in learning high-value skills that have broad applications and can generate income.
- Explore online opportunities to monetize your skills. Whether it’s freelancing, building a business, or creating content, the internet offers limitless potential.
- Mastery doesn’t happen overnight. Commit to consistent learning and practice to excel in your chosen field.
- Seek out mentors and coaches who can guide you and help you avoid costly mistakes.
[23:13] Fire Questions:
- What’s a book you’ve recently read that you recommend to those seeking financial freedom?
- What’s one thing you would change about our education system if you could?
- What’s the personal habit that you believe has significantly contributed to your success and autonomy?
- If you could offer one piece of advice to your younger self about achieving freedom, what would it be?
- What’s a skill you wish you had, but currently don’t?
- What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
- What’s the one app, tool or a resource that you simply can’t live without at this point?
[29:27] Austin’s Expertise:
- Austin can be reached via
- https://2x.co/
- https://atlasassistants.com/
- Austin’s Books:
- From Six to Seven Figures.
- The Two Week Vacation Test.
[32:18] Igor’s Book On Email Marketing:
- Visit www.igorsbook.com to learn more.