riverside_austin_& corey _ jul 22, 2025 002_the_deep specializa
===
[00:00:00] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: anybody listening in who's considering nicheing down within their marketing agency. [00:00:05] You need to look at your market's data and understand not only how many leads do
[00:00:09] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: you [00:00:10] need to generate,
[00:00:10] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: but then what happens further down that sales pipeline to ultimately dictate what [00:00:15] is a successful
[00:00:15] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: outcome for
[00:00:16] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: them.
[00:00:16] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: If you
[00:00:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: don't
[00:00:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: understand those numbers and you can't prove [00:00:20] that every time they invest a dollar
[00:00:21] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: in, they
[00:00:21] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: get $10 out. You don't own a marketing agency. [00:00:25] You own hope, and you can't build a marketing agency on hope. '
[00:00:28]
[00:00:41] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Welcome back to
[00:00:42] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: the Deep
[00:00:42] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Specialization podcast. [00:00:45] Today we have an incredible guest who has scaled his agency from a [00:00:50] startup
[00:00:50] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: to seven
[00:00:51] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: figures in just 11 months. I recently met him [00:00:55] at the Agency Freedom Live Conference in
[00:00:57] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: San Diego.
[00:00:58] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: He just got back [00:01:00] from Miami with seven figure agency. Today he's here to share his [00:01:05] incredible journey and insights into ma into managing a major health [00:01:10] crisis while scaling through specialization. Uh, [00:01:15] I'm really excited for this one, folks. His name is Austin Hauser. Welcome Austin.
[00:01:19] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Corey. Thanks for [00:01:20] having me here, man.
[00:01:20] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: So could you just give us a 10,000 foot overview of [00:01:25] who you are and the business that you run?
[00:01:27] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Uh, so my name's Austin Hauser. Uh, [00:01:30] I'm out of Wilmington, North Carolina. I have a team of 36 today. Uh, I run a company called [00:01:35] Base Coat Marketing. Uh, we are a full service digital agency, exclusive to [00:01:40] residential painting companies, commercial painting companies, and epoxy floor coating company. So if you got, if you got
[00:01:44] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: a
[00:01:44] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:01:45] coating and you wanna put that on a surface, we can help market you.
[00:01:48] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: That's
[00:01:49] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: awesome. [00:01:50] And tell us about the, the history of your, your [00:01:55] agency. Maybe the origin story. I know that, my understanding is that you started off maybe not as [00:02:00] specialized as you are today. So where, where did things begin for you?
[00:02:03] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Yeah,
[00:02:03] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: so like any poor [00:02:05] college kid, uh, I needed some beer money and I was going to school for a few degrees. [00:02:10] I was like the nerd that had some social skills. So I,
[00:02:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I, uh,
[00:02:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:02:15] went to school for computer science, computer security, math and business. So I spent a lot of time in the [00:02:20] library getting some shit done.
[00:02:21] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, and I identified that, hey, I can make some [00:02:25] money along the way. So I started up an LLC, got some [00:02:30] business cards from Staples and, uh, started making some websites for any business with some spare [00:02:35] cash. Um, and that kind of just was my side project for about a [00:02:40] decade. I mean, really, like I had that thing running on the side.
[00:02:42] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: It was producing income, but it really wasn't [00:02:45] scalable because every single client you brought on, you had a new marketing strategy behind them.
[00:02:49] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: so I'm, I'm [00:02:50] just curious because, you were in college and you, you had this
[00:02:53] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: business for 10 years
[00:02:54] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: and, and when, [00:02:55] what year did you graduate? College.
[00:02:57] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Uh, so I graduated in 2010. I started this in 20, [00:03:00] uh, 2008. So, um, uh, middle of the, the road through [00:03:05] college. Like, yeah, you know what? We, uh, we can make a business out of this. And I felt like I [00:03:10] had a business at the time, but really, like, honestly, I just owned a job.
[00:03:13] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: And so after [00:03:15] college, you went full-time into this web design business. Is that effectively what it was?
[00:03:18] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Yeah, so I mean, actually I [00:03:20] entered like the workforce because I had student loans and that was not paying the bills. It was a, like,
[00:03:24] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: don't get me wrong,
[00:03:24] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:03:25] it was some good money on the side. It was very little effort and e energy outta my day at that time. But, [00:03:30] um, it, it's difficult to scale a job. So, uh, I joined the [00:03:35] workforce, worked my way up through the corporate ladder.
[00:03:37] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Uh, I worked as director of e-commerce for a large online [00:03:40] brand.
[00:03:40] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Gained
[00:03:41] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: a lot of experience on the marketing and sales side. And, uh, over the [00:03:45] years, I, I identified like, Hey, if I was gonna turn this thing on the side into a business, [00:03:50] which I always had that itch, like, I, I call it the entrepreneurial curse, right?
[00:03:54] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: It's [00:03:55] like, you know, you can do something more than you're doing today. And you've seen other people [00:04:00] do that, so it's like, why can't I do it too? And I, I just had that itch of like, I've seen these other [00:04:05] guys do this stuff. I, I think I can do it. Um, so I really just decided to pull the, the trigger, trigger one [00:04:10] day and take a step back and identify how I can scale this thing.
[00:04:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:04:15] And, uh, that was around, uh, 2021.
[00:04:17] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: So,
[00:04:18] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: uh, I personally, I can [00:04:20] relate to
[00:04:20] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: that. I helped scale a big agency. Um, I'm not the founder of the [00:04:25] agency. I'm not the CEOI was working my tail off. It was an amazing experience, a career [00:04:30] making experience for me. But, I also had that itch, I imagine similar [00:04:35] to you, where I was like, I love helping this entrepreneur, like working for this entrepreneur, helping [00:04:40] them make, bring their dreams to life. I'm ready, I'm ready to do that for myself. That's [00:04:45] actually when I left Scorpion and I decided
[00:04:47] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: to
[00:04:47] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: invest in myself instead of going and working for [00:04:50] another entrepreneur. So I've always had that itch. I had to like, you pay the [00:04:55] bills, get a job, wife, kid, you know, that whole, the whole reality. So, um, I, [00:05:00] I know, I know what that must be like, and, and.
[00:05:03] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: As it relates to, [00:05:05] so you're working on a big e-comm business. You had this website design and marketing company on the [00:05:10] side. At what point did you realize, hey, I can actually go all in on this what was happening in the
[00:05:14] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: [00:05:15] business?
[00:05:15] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Yeah, so I had a, just a really cushy job at the time, like it was [00:05:20] paying the bills and then some, and, um, I had a small team under me. We were working on a big [00:05:25] platform migration at the time. And, um, around that time I actually picked [00:05:30] up, uh, Josh Nelson's book over at the Seven Figure Agency. It was, um, you know, how, how to create a [00:05:35] seven figure marketing company.
[00:05:36] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, and I listened to that audio book as I [00:05:40] was driving my kids to school every day. And it was funny 'cause I had listened to, uh, [00:05:45] grant Cardone's 10 x book right before that, and he had narrated that book on an audio book. [00:05:50] And his energy is,
[00:05:51] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: is
[00:05:51] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: outrageous, right? So then transitioning over to Josh's [00:05:55] book, I almost turned off that podcast or the, uh, the audio book.
[00:05:59] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: The very first time I [00:06:00] was listening to it, I'm like, I need something more high energy than this. But I'm glad I didn't '
[00:06:03] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: cause it literally
[00:06:04] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: changed my [00:06:05] entire life. he gave me, he basically took a mountain and gave me a roadmap, and it helped me [00:06:10] identify how I can take what I'm doing today, the skills and the, the mindset behind [00:06:15] that and implement it into a scalable business model, which just really comes down to focusing on [00:06:20] one thing
[00:06:20] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I.
[00:06:20] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: And uh,
[00:06:21] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: it's interesting. So backstory with,
[00:06:22] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: with,
[00:06:23] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: uh, Josh, uh, I used to [00:06:25] work at an agency called Scorpion and we were originally in
[00:06:28] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: law firms
[00:06:28] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: and we went into home [00:06:30] services and of
[00:06:30] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: course we were
[00:06:32] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: curious about who the maj major
[00:06:34] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: competitors [00:06:35] were. And at
[00:06:35] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: the time, Josh Josh's company, um, I think it's called Plumber, SEO, I [00:06:40] think he's got a couple companies now.
[00:06:41] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: It's an
[00:06:41] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: agency. And he was
[00:06:42] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: a force in
[00:06:43] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: the space.
[00:06:43] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: We had to get into [00:06:45] the space. We were new to home services and figure, figure out, uh. [00:06:50] How to, how to build an agency around, uh, around home services. And so [00:06:55] that was
[00:06:55] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: my original,
[00:06:57] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: uh, exposure to him. And then years later, I left [00:07:00] Scorpion and, uh, I still knew about him and he was, he was gracious [00:07:05] enough to invite me onto his podcast, and that's how I began a relationship with him.
[00:07:08] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: So he is a, he's a great [00:07:10] guy. I know he's on a mission
[00:07:10] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: to
[00:07:11] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: help, I think, you know, a thousand agency owners reach, [00:07:15] uh, seven figures and,
[00:07:16] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: and uh,
[00:07:17] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: you know, he's just got such a, a great group there. So, uh, [00:07:20] it's great to hear you what came up through, through his
[00:07:21] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: program.
[00:07:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Fantastic group. Highly recommend it. Um, [00:07:25] and it's funny, I I actually saw you on stage for the very first
[00:07:28] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: time at
[00:07:28] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: his event last [00:07:30] July, and I, I didn't connect the
[00:07:32] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: dots until after
[00:07:33] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: you got off stage [00:07:35] at Chris's event the other week. Like,
[00:07:36] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: damn it,
[00:07:37] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I knew I've seen you somewhere before. So, um, [00:07:40] yeah, great message.
[00:07:42] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I love everything that, that you're, uh, pitching up there
[00:07:44] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: on stage, man.[00:07:45]
[00:07:45] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Thank
[00:07:45] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: you. I appreciate that. so you're, you're in 2021 [00:07:50] and you decide you is that when you were listening to Josh's program, you were kind of leveraging his [00:07:55] program and the, and the roadmap that he was laying out. That was the sort of the path that you led you to [00:08:00] leave the, the full-time gig?
[00:08:01] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Yeah, so actually this was during the same time at this point, [00:08:05] uh, during this big platform migration at this nine to five that I had, uh, the teams working away. [00:08:10] We were ahead of schedule, we were under budget, like we were doing well. So I felt pretty good about everything. [00:08:15] Uh, this is like, I think around August, so sometime in Q3 and I [00:08:20] purchased, uh, the domain base coat marketing.com.
[00:08:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Around that time I'm like, you know what? I think I can make this work. [00:08:25] Um, so at that time, I just started building behind the scenes for a couple months. And, um, fortunately I [00:08:30] have the skills to be able to do a lot of that stuff, like the foundation laying of a
[00:08:34] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: business. [00:08:35]
[00:08:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um. And I got the framework in place.
[00:08:37] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And then towards the end of that year, that nine to [00:08:40] five ended up consuming all of my time. As that platform migration came due, we had some [00:08:45] additional QA and some things to button up, but I mean, at the end of the day, we delivered that thing on time and [00:08:50] under budget. Um, now at that time, uh, again, this is heading into 2022, [00:08:55] I had, uh, put the entire side business on hold 'cause I was working [00:09:00] like a hundred hours a week at that time.
[00:09:01] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: It was eating up a lot of my time and it was very stressful. [00:09:05] Um, and then 2022 hit and January 3rd, right [00:09:10] after New Year's, I had these, um, monthly check-in calls with the CEO at the [00:09:15] time. And, um, I very vividly remember getting on this call and [00:09:20] being really proud of my team. I'm like, Hey, we just completed this like six month platform migration.
[00:09:24] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:09:25] Like we delivered it all like, to every single possible definition of success, we're good here. I'm gonna [00:09:30] get a bonus, a raise, or at the very least
[00:09:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: a high five. And, uh,
[00:09:34] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: before the end of that [00:09:35] call, or within about the first 30 seconds before I even had a chance to ask him how his Christmas went, I [00:09:40] was thankful for all my hard work and told 'em that they were eliminating my entire team.
[00:09:43] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Uh,
[00:09:43] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the
[00:09:43] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: entire platform migration was [00:09:45] designed to outsource our team. So we literally worked ourselves out of a job. So I had [00:09:50] a lot of regret about all the Christmas gifts I had got the couple weeks before that. Um, [00:09:55] and, and then I was left hanging with the decision. I'm like, alright. So I got, I have an [00:10:00] opportunity to either, uh, generate some income by testing out this new model that I [00:10:05] hadn't even launched yet, or go get another job and another nine to five.
[00:10:09] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And,
[00:10:09] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:10:10] um, you know,
[00:10:10] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: after talking
[00:10:11] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: through with
[00:10:11] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: my wife, I'm like, Hey, I think there's an opportunity here that I can leverage. [00:10:15] Um, let's test it out. I had some money
[00:10:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: in the
[00:10:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: bank. I'm like, let's give it three months and [00:10:20] see where this goes. After three months, if I need to pull the ripcord, I'll go find another job.
[00:10:23] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And that's the [00:10:25] what I call the push that ultimately got the momentum going for me to be able to launch this whole thing, [00:10:30] which I launched on February 1st, 2022.
[00:10:34] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: [00:10:35] So what about
[00:10:39] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: [00:10:40] this
[00:10:40] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: opportunity? You were laid off unexpectedly.
[00:10:42] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: I I, I
[00:10:44] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: can't imagine what that [00:10:45] must have felt like to learn that you literally were killing yourself and putting, you [00:10:50] know, putting work first for a hundred hour weeks to, you know, work yourself out of a job, [00:10:55] which is, which is absolutely nuts.
[00:10:56] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Uh, I would be pretty upset, uh, as I'm sure you were. [00:11:00] But at that point, you looked at this January 3rd. You started February 1st. [00:11:05] What about this opportunity? Like what, what about it [00:11:10] told you that yeah, there's, there, there's, this is worth pursuing, at least putting three hard months into it. Like [00:11:15] what about it
[00:11:16] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: was, was
[00:11:16] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: attractive?
[00:11:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: All right. So I, I look at [00:11:20] anybody and anything that they do and, and the ultimate thing that determines success, like [00:11:25] those that put
[00:11:25] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: in
[00:11:25] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the reps versus those that actually lift the weight is [00:11:30] focus, right? And if, if you have a business and you're generating [00:11:35] volume,
[00:11:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: but you
[00:11:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: wanna scale it, you need to be focused.
[00:11:37] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: You need to become an expert in the [00:11:40] one thing that you can then push on
[00:11:42] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: to its
[00:11:42] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: fullest extent for me. [00:11:45] Marketing was something that I, I was very passionate about, right? Like, I had been in the [00:11:50] development world of being a number on a board with 60 other developers in
[00:11:53] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: a sweatshop,
[00:11:54] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:11:55] and that just wasn't for me.
[00:11:56] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Marketing was a way to build relationships. It's making [00:12:00] connections. So I had fun doing that, but the marketing for
[00:12:03] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: a bank
[00:12:03] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: is very different than a [00:12:05] restaurant
[00:12:05] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: versus an online
[00:12:06] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: brand. And for you to have to relearn that strategy every single time, it's difficult to [00:12:10] scale. Whereas if you find one particular industry that you enjoy [00:12:15] working for, working with, and that you ha have the strategy behind it to [00:12:20] scale it well, then it's just a copy and paste model.
[00:12:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And then you're no longer selling a service. You're selling a product. [00:12:25] And that was the unlock for me, was, I can do everything I'm doing today, but instead [00:12:30] for, uh, for everybody, which I will say it's scary, pulling back and [00:12:35] saying no to people. Um, around that time, I actually refunded a client [00:12:40] $14,000 because I, I, I had the.
[00:12:43] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Mental foresight [00:12:45] to say this will inhibit me long term, even though it's a fun short [00:12:50] term money grab. And I refunded all $14,000 to focus on this new model.
[00:12:54] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Why [00:12:55] did you choose
[00:12:55] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: this industry
[00:12:56] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: or this
[00:12:57] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So we, yeah. So
[00:12:58] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I had acquired
[00:12:59] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: a [00:13:00] number of painting companies over the years. I had worked with some of the big.
[00:13:03] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Uh, franchise [00:13:05] brands and it just kind of fell into it. Like, I had no intention of serving the painting
[00:13:09] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: industry. I
[00:13:09] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:13:10] get asked all the time, like, yeah, did you own a painting company? Like, I would never recommend a painter [00:13:15] do your marketing.
[00:13:15] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Like it's, they're two different things, right? So, um, no, [00:13:20] I, I don't, I don't know anything about running a painting business. I mean, I, I shouldn't say that I know more than I, I I [00:13:25] did three years ago, but I, um, at the time they were just another, you know, notch on the
[00:13:29] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:13:30] belt. Like, I
[00:13:30] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: had a few of them under the belt, and at the time it's very different now.
[00:13:34] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:13:35] It was a blue ocean, it was a very underserved industry and we were just really good at generating results. [00:13:40] So that just looked at, uh, I looked at what, what we were already doing and determined what can we
[00:13:44] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: scale [00:13:45] up,
[00:13:45] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: based on historical
[00:13:46] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: data.
[00:13:46] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: So
[00:13:47] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: historical data, um, what kind of historical [00:13:50] data helped, helped to inform
[00:13:51] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: this decision?
[00:13:52] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So, uh, the big thing is effort. [00:13:55] How much effort do we need to put in to generate an output that was economical for the client? [00:14:00] So this is where I really, like anybody listening in who's considering focusing on an [00:14:05] industry or, or really, nicheing down within their marketing agency. You need [00:14:10] to look at your market's data and understand not only how many leads do
[00:14:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: you need to [00:14:15] generate,
[00:14:15] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: but then what happens further down that sales pipeline to ultimately dictate what is a [00:14:20] successful
[00:14:20] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: outcome for
[00:14:20] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: them.
[00:14:21] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: If you
[00:14:21] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: don't
[00:14:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: understand those numbers and you can't prove that [00:14:25] every time they invest a dollar
[00:14:26] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: in, they
[00:14:26] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: get $10 out. You don't own a marketing agency. You [00:14:30] own hope, and you can't build a marketing agency on hope. 'cause at the end of the day. [00:14:35] Everybody can generate leads. I can generate $5 leads all day long.
[00:14:37] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I can tell you right now, that's not gonna be economical for [00:14:40] our clients. So get to know your industry's data. We just, uh, had all the data [00:14:45] available. I knew exactly how many leads I needed to generate on average each month for them to have a [00:14:50] successful outcome. And I was looking for the lowest effort, highest reward industry,
[00:14:54] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and [00:14:55] for
[00:14:55] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: us that just happened to be painting.
[00:14:57] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: I love that. Low effort, high reward. That sounds like a [00:15:00] good business.
[00:15:01] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Yeah, I mean, look, I mean, you can do marketing for, let's
[00:15:04] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: say
[00:15:04] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:15:05] restaurants, right? But their, their margins are tight and you need to be able to track that data, which is [00:15:10] difficult. So make sure that you fall into an industry that you have the data
[00:15:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: you,
[00:15:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: but [00:15:15] like, make sure you enjoy working with them. Like go spend some time with your clients if you have some, [00:15:20] just take 'em out to lunch and make sure that this is an industry that like you get excited about.
[00:15:24] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Yeah, [00:15:25] that's, that's advice that I share all the time, which is you could choose a great
[00:15:28] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: industry off of the
[00:15:29] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: [00:15:30] spreadsheet. Yeah, they, it's a lot of 'em. They have, you know, good, good ad budgets for ad spend,[00:15:35]
[00:15:35] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: but to
[00:15:35] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: truly be successful, especially today, like you got started a handful of years ago, but today
[00:15:39] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: it's [00:15:40] more
[00:15:40] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: competitive than ever, I think.
[00:15:42] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: And so to
[00:15:43] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: make it in the long run, [00:15:45] I
[00:15:45] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: think the, the care
[00:15:46] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: factor, like you actually have to give a damn to be successful because [00:15:50] you're gonna be spending a lot of time with
[00:15:51] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: these folks. You're gonna be speaking from their stages. You're gonna be interviewing
[00:15:54] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: them on your [00:15:55] podcast, you're gonna be writing content for them, you're gonna be coaching them, all of these things.
[00:15:59] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: And if you [00:16:00] don't have any level of connection or affinity or even that you care about this industry, it's [00:16:05] gonna be much more difficult to be successful, I
[00:16:07] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Absolutely. And
[00:16:08] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: you know,
[00:16:08] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I think a lot of us get [00:16:10] into business looking at the cash grab. Like, Hey, this is gonna be an industry I can make money off of. And then we [00:16:15] fail to understand that passion is eventually gonna be something that really becomes a priority in [00:16:20] your life. Like, what gets you excited to get outta bed
[00:16:21] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: each day?
[00:16:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I
[00:16:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: honestly think that's why most businesses fail in under five [00:16:25] years. It's not because they run outta money, it's because they become less passionate about what they're doing.
[00:16:29] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Right. [00:16:30] They lose, they lose interest
[00:16:31] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: or they decide to do something else because they can't see themselves continuing to do this.[00:16:35]
[00:16:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Correct.
[00:16:36] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: All right, so it's February [00:16:40] 1st, 2022,
[00:16:42] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: is
[00:16:42] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: that right? And you started this agency. What happened
[00:16:44] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: [00:16:45] next?
[00:16:45] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So I launched some Google ad campaigns
[00:16:47] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and, uh,
[00:16:48] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: launched the website. I remember like big [00:16:50] launch date, February 1st. I was super proud, I was excited. Um, and I acquired [00:16:55] my very first client that very first month.
[00:16:56] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I, I
[00:16:57] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: was like, I, I told my wife, I'm like, I think I [00:17:00] did a
[00:17:00] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: thing. I
[00:17:00] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: think I like unlocked. That's a scalable business
[00:17:03] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: model. Um, [00:17:05] and I, yeah, so
[00:17:06] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I, I
[00:17:06] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: was really excited at that time and I felt like I wasn't gonna have to pull that [00:17:10] ripcord. Now I was still investing, I don't know, a couple thousand dollars a month into ad campaigns. That first [00:17:15] client, I think it was like a thousand dollars a month fun story. That first client that I acquired was still with us [00:17:20] today.
[00:17:20] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, so, uh,
[00:17:23] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: but yeah,
[00:17:23] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: so we, we migrated, [00:17:25] um, the old clients that I had under the previous business model, under, um,
[00:17:28] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: base coat marketing, put the [00:17:30] old marketing
[00:17:30] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: agency completely on ice. Um, and, you know, those clients were still paying some [00:17:35] bills, but overall I was still investing in a negative [00:17:40] recurring asset.
[00:17:40] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So this business model was not profitable at that time.
[00:17:43] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and it was around
[00:17:44] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: this time, actually, it [00:17:45] was a couple months leading up to Christmas, uh, that I
[00:17:47] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: had these
[00:17:48] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: like recurring ear infections that, [00:17:50] um, they just kept popping up
[00:17:51] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and.
[00:17:52] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Like anybody who's busy, like when you [00:17:55] have some sort of an annoying health problem that's not like enough to drive [00:18:00] you to the doctors, you just kind of ignore it.
[00:18:02] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I'll equate it to like, I dunno, like an ingrown toenail or something. [00:18:05] Like, it, it hurts, it, it, you know, it kind of comes and goes, but it's not painful enough to go seek advice. Right? [00:18:10] So after a few months of these like recurring ear infections, I finally went to go see a doctor and [00:18:15] he checked
[00:18:15] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: me out and
[00:18:16] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: every single time it would be the same thing.
[00:18:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Like it would last for a week. And I do a [00:18:20] lot of like spear fishing and I'm in the water a lot with my boys fishing and, and
[00:18:24] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: um, [00:18:25]
[00:18:25] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: surfing and all that kind of stuff. So I always just kind of chalked it up to like, I'm just [00:18:30] in the water a lot. Um, and so did our doctors. So, um, they just always [00:18:35] sent me home and said, Hey, just come back if it happens again and we'll, we'll
[00:18:37] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: run
[00:18:37] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: some more tests.
[00:18:38] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, and then [00:18:40] finally push came to shove, um, it was early March of that year, so a [00:18:45] couple weeks later, I was finally referred to an ENT and they stuck me in an. [00:18:50] MRI machine and the doctors made it seem like very optional. Like, [00:18:55] Hey, we're just gonna roll out the super rare thing. You probably don't have it, but we're running out of options because right now we're chalking [00:19:00] up all of these symptoms that you're having to stress.
[00:19:03] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And at that time, uh, [00:19:05] towards the, uh, March I started developing, uh, ver vertigo, which is where
[00:19:09] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:19:10] the room spins
[00:19:10] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: while you're just kind of sitting there for no reason. Uh, I had tinnitus, which
[00:19:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: is that,
[00:19:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:19:15] that ringing in your ear
[00:19:16] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and
[00:19:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: it just started to develop these really weird [00:19:20] symptoms and they chalked it up, um, to
[00:19:21] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: like an autoimmune disease,
[00:19:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: to the point they actually [00:19:25] prescribed me meds for that I hadn't started taking them yet.
[00:19:28] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And I
[00:19:28] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: told my wife, I'm
[00:19:29] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: like, Hey, look, the [00:19:30] doctors are pretty confident this thing, I'm just gonna start taking these meds. And she's like, no, you go to the [00:19:35] doctor and you get that scan done. So I
[00:19:37] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: got, I got the scan and then I forgot about it, and I just got back to work. [00:19:40] And
[00:19:40] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I think during March I
[00:19:41] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: acquired another client or two.
[00:19:42] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So again,
[00:19:42] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I felt
[00:19:43] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: pretty good about everything. and, and [00:19:45] then finally, I, I remember this day very vividly. It was March 28th, 2022. It [00:19:50] was my 34th birthday.
[00:19:51] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um,
[00:19:52] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I had plans to go
[00:19:53] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: golf that day, uh,
[00:19:54] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: tend to go [00:19:55] golf on my birthday. It's just usually a nice sunny time of the year. and before I had a [00:20:00] chance to get outta bed, my wife comes walking in the room and, and she's crying.
[00:20:03] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, and she drops an [00:20:05] MRI scan on my lap and, uh, proceeds to tell me that I was diagnosed
[00:20:08] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: with a
[00:20:08] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: 1.5 centimeter brain tumor. [00:20:10]
[00:20:10] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um,
[00:20:10] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and it's growing next to my brainstem. And
[00:20:13] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the
[00:20:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: ironic [00:20:15] part about this story is my wife works in the radiation oncology field. [00:20:20] So my first thought was like, I'm married to a pretty smart woman, smartest person I know.
[00:20:24] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:20:25] She knows how to
[00:20:25] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: fix me. Yeah, so my panic level was like, pretty low
[00:20:29] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:20:30] at that point. I'm like,
[00:20:30] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: all right,
[00:20:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: babe, let's talk
[00:20:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: through this. Like, there's gonna be an outcome here that, that, that we can all live with. [00:20:35]
[00:20:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And,
[00:20:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: um, she did not seem to agree with that assessment and I couldn't [00:20:40] figure out why. So I don't know.
[00:20:42] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I never asked her like
[00:20:43] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: if she knew why or [00:20:45] if
[00:20:45] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: she was just afraid to
[00:20:45] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: tell me. But, um, the, the next week
[00:20:48] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: we booked, uh, a [00:20:50] meeting at the local hospital with like a dream team of specialists that she pulled together from her network of [00:20:55] doctors.
[00:20:55] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And, uh,
[00:20:56] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: we talked through like all available treatment options at that point.
[00:20:59] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:21:00] And, uh, I
[00:21:00] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: like
[00:21:00] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: to say like, based
[00:21:02] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: on the fact that we live in
[00:21:03] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the most advanced country in the world [00:21:05] with all of our medical technology, like they gave me two options. Um, the first was [00:21:10] radiation, which is what my wife does,
[00:21:12] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and
[00:21:13] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: it's like going to the dentist. It's a
[00:21:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:21:15] very.
[00:21:15] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Uh, like a high level
[00:21:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: procedure, they stick
[00:21:18] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: you in a machine that looks like a [00:21:20] cat scan machine and they shoot you full irradiation. And, um, the risks [00:21:25] were, uh, relatively mundane until you get to the bottom of that list, which was like, you know, [00:21:30] 20% chance of fa facial paralysis, 50% chance, I'm sorry, a hundred percent [00:21:35] chance of guaranteed hearing loss in that year. Uh, it's all tied to your auditory nerve. [00:21:40] Um, and at the very bottom of that list was a, um, I
[00:21:44] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:21:45] think it
[00:21:45] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: was a 5% chance or a 10% chance of me dying of brain cancer before my kids graduate high school.[00:21:50]
[00:21:50] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Uh, because at my age, radiation, while it may kill [00:21:55] the tumor, it, um, it also has a chance of developing brain cancer on top of that. [00:22:00] So, um, the, the second option was surgery. [00:22:05] And surgery was basically stacking all of the risks of something like [00:22:10] that into one day. Where you go in and they, you either [00:22:15] come out the other side tumor free, or you come out the other side and you're dead or a vegetable.
[00:22:19] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:22:20] And
[00:22:21] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I, I knew at my age, I couldn't live the rest [00:22:25] of my life with a ticking time bomb in my head. Waking up each day wondering is today the day that [00:22:30] I have to go see the doctor and they're gonna gimme bad news. So at that
[00:22:34] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: point in
[00:22:34] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:22:35] time,
[00:22:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I
[00:22:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: was left with a very, very tough decision. And I remember sitting in this [00:22:40] conference room with the local surgeon and like all the other doctors were talking amongst themselves.[00:22:45]
[00:22:45] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And I remember leaning over, I was like, Hey man, if this were your head, what would you do? [00:22:50] And he, without missing a beat, said, I've seen the consequences of this surgery, so I [00:22:55] would choose radiation. And at that point I, I, I knew that like I was in deep [00:23:00] shit,
[00:23:00] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: but I didn't
[00:23:00] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: have a really good option. And there was a lot of uncertainty behind all of this.
[00:23:04] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: at that time in my [00:23:05] life, I had, um, I had just started developing our sales [00:23:10] process under this new business model. I had a few clients under my belt and I had launched this [00:23:15] business
[00:23:15] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: like a month
[00:23:15] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and a half before that.
[00:23:16] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And, um, then I was left with the prospect [00:23:20] of having a gun to my head without any state safety net. There was [00:23:25] nobody that
[00:23:25] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: was gonna hire me at that time, not with a
[00:23:27] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: brain tumor and an uncertain outcome. And [00:23:30] I, I could barely drive at that time
[00:23:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: because the vertigo was so bad.
[00:23:33] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And, um, then I needed to figure [00:23:35] out what
[00:23:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: was next.
[00:23:36] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And that was the one of the most challenging [00:23:40] times of my life. Uh, April of 2022.
[00:23:43] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: And that's when you had the surgery.[00:23:45]
[00:23:45] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So it was a couple weeks of me in between [00:23:50] client calls and sales calls. I was interviewing doctors from around the world. 'cause like, this [00:23:55] isn't like an arm or a leg where like you
[00:23:57] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: break your
[00:23:57] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: arm, you go to the hospital, they're gonna
[00:23:59] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: stick some,
[00:23:59] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:24:00] you know, screws in you and, and piece it back together. It's pretty mundane stuff, even if they happen to mess up.
[00:24:04] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Like worst case [00:24:05] scenario, you
[00:24:05] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: have a, a weird
[00:24:06] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: arm. Your brain,
[00:24:08] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: your head
[00:24:08] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: is not really meant to be opened [00:24:10] up. So when you look at the risks and if you really wanna make your head spin, [00:24:15] go sit in a doctor's office and have 'em talk to you about brain surgery, there is a ton of [00:24:20] risks that they have no idea what the outcome's gonna be.
[00:24:21] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: When they throw around numbers like 10, 20, 30, 40%. [00:24:25] What they're really telling you is they don't know and that these are
[00:24:28] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the risks.
[00:24:29] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So. [00:24:30] I was calling around trying to look at the best doctor in the world for a procedure like [00:24:35] this. And again, I would literally hang up the phone from a sales call immediately, get on the phone with a doctor.
[00:24:39] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And [00:24:40] that was my life for about two and a half, three weeks. And I found, uh, two [00:24:45] doctors out of San Diego, California, Dr. Friedman and Dr. Schwartz. And, [00:24:50] um, these guys are the best of
[00:24:51] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the
[00:24:51] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: best. Like if you have this type of tumor, you [00:24:55] go to these guys, they train doctors from around the world. People fly in from like Hong Kong to go see these guys.
[00:24:59] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:25:00] Like they are the top of the line surgeons for this. So I remember [00:25:05] being on an intake call with them after I decided that I was gonna pursue that route.
[00:25:09] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And [00:25:10] their,
[00:25:10] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: um, intake nurse, um, told me that I needed to book a one-way trip out to San [00:25:15] Diego because recovery times vary. And to be expecting to be out there
[00:25:18] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: for at least two
[00:25:19] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: weeks.[00:25:20]
[00:25:20] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, and then you can park a return flight home once you're fully recovered. So. [00:25:25] Um,
[00:25:25] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: it was around
[00:25:26] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: that time that we, we
[00:25:27] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: booked a
[00:25:27] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: flight and I just then proceeded to [00:25:30] try to get in like the best physical and mental condition of my life
[00:25:33] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: because I wanted to
[00:25:34] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: set myself [00:25:35] up for success. I knew if I went into that surgery
[00:25:38] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: with like a
[00:25:38] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: strong mind and a [00:25:40] strong body, that
[00:25:40] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I had
[00:25:40] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: a pretty positive chance
[00:25:42] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: of coming
[00:25:42] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: out with a positive outcome.
[00:25:44] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:25:45] And, um, I, uh, decided to do that. And over the course of the next month, I, I [00:25:50] did, I, I accomplished that goal. I got in the best physical condition of my life, meditated every day. Like I felt [00:25:55] like I was going into that pretty good. And then three days before
[00:25:58] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: takeoff,
[00:25:59] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: um, [00:26:00] our, our dog died, uh, unexpectedly. he was nine years old.
[00:26:04] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: He
[00:26:04] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: was a
[00:26:04] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: bulldog. His [00:26:05] name was
[00:26:05] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Dozer.
[00:26:06] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And you know,
[00:26:07] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I, I
[00:26:07] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: like to tell the story in the sense that like,
[00:26:09] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: losing a
[00:26:09] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:26:10] pet is like losing a family member. Like it sucks. And, um, It's the [00:26:15] unexpected nature of it didn't
[00:26:16] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: help. But
[00:26:16] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: what hurt me the most was having to [00:26:20] look my kids in the eyes, which they were
[00:26:21] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: three and
[00:26:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: six years old at the time, and they had never
[00:26:23] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: experienced loss [00:26:25] before.
[00:26:25] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And having to explain to them that, uh, both their mom and dad were not [00:26:30] gonna be there to help support them through this. I had never experienced a low point like that in my entire [00:26:35] life. And, um, I thought that was like as low as I was ever gonna get. Um, [00:26:40] I did not see any possible way that anybody in my life could possibly relate to what I was [00:26:45] going through, and that I
[00:26:46] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: just felt
[00:26:46] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: pretty alone and hopeless.
[00:26:48] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And again, I had a [00:26:50] business on the side at this point, which at this point in time we're talking about. Um, middle [00:26:55] of May, uh, of that year, I had put everything on ice. I had called every [00:27:00] single client I had, I think I had like six clients at the time. I told 'em like, Hey guys, I have to do [00:27:05] this thing that
[00:27:05] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I don't know how I'm gonna
[00:27:06] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: come out on the
[00:27:07] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: other side.
[00:27:07] riverside_austin_houser_raw-video-cfr_the_deep specializa_0223: side.
[00:27:08] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And [00:27:10] I, um, I put all of their accounts on pause and '
[00:27:12] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: told em,
[00:27:13] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I'd give 'em a call after that [00:27:15] procedure. And
[00:27:15] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: if everything
[00:27:15] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: went well, we'd get everything back up and running.
[00:27:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um,
[00:27:18] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: so at that point, that was
[00:27:19] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the [00:27:20] last
[00:27:20] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: straw for me. I had put everything on ice and we, um, [00:27:25] and you know, it was funny
[00:27:26] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: at, at that time
[00:27:27] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: in my life, I, I considered, [00:27:30] like, I wasn't afraid of death.
[00:27:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I wasn't afraid of dying on an operating table. I think my wife had a pretty good [00:27:35] insurance policy outta me at the time. But, um, I, I hadn't considered [00:27:40] coming out like a vegetable and like
[00:27:41] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: what that
[00:27:42] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: would do to my family and the burden that would put on them. [00:27:45]
[00:27:45] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And that's where I identified that I was either going to, [00:27:50] uh, overcome this mental challenge or I was not.
[00:27:52] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And I specifically remember telling my wife at [00:27:55] that point in time that I would rather die than be a burden. And I, I like to, [00:28:00] um. You know, to point out, when we look at running a business as business owners, [00:28:05] and this is something
[00:28:06] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: that I
[00:28:06] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: can relate to this time in my life, we're not afraid of [00:28:10] failure, right?
[00:28:11] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Like in this case, failure would have been dying on an operating table. [00:28:15] We're afraid of the uncertainty,
[00:28:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: we're afraid
[00:28:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: of the unknown. And [00:28:20] at this time in my life, I didn't know what that looked like on the other side. And, and
[00:28:23] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the uncertainty to go along with [00:28:25] that
[00:28:25] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and how powerful that can be. Like, right?
[00:28:27] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: As entrepreneurs, we, we [00:28:30] like being in control. We
[00:28:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: like
[00:28:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: knowing the, the outcome to a problem. And if we [00:28:35] can't solve that problem, it feels like our freedom is being ripped away.
[00:28:38] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So
[00:28:39] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: it was around that [00:28:40] time that I have never felt more uncertain in my entire life. Um, so my [00:28:45] wife and I, we got on a plane, flew across
[00:28:46] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the country
[00:28:47] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: to California,
[00:28:48] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and um,
[00:28:49] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:28:50] I, uh, I proceeded, I. So I'll, I'll, I'll tell this quick [00:28:55] story. Um, I think I mentioned it at the, the last event that I was at with ya, Corey. [00:29:00] Um, but I remember sitting in the courtyard outside of this, uh, it was called the La Jolla [00:29:05] house. And, um, I, at the time I was, uh, I was [00:29:10] sitting on a little bench outside beautiful California weather, right?
[00:29:13] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And, um, there was this guy [00:29:15] sitting a few tables over from me, like listening to the sales pitch that I was on because I was on [00:29:20] a sales call. I was literally on a sales call the day before my surgery. 'cause I was like, [00:29:25] I, I need to serve my family. And it's either this is gonna work or it's not. So like you wanna talk [00:29:30] about the grind and the hustle culture.
[00:29:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Like I was living it, I was, everything Alex [00:29:35] Hormo would've been proud of, right? Um, and I remember sitting on this bench the day [00:29:40] before my surgery,
[00:29:40] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I had all
[00:29:40] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the post or the, uh, pre-op work done on a sales call with somebody. [00:29:45] And, uh, the sales call ended and this guy who
[00:29:47] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: was
[00:29:47] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: just like. Sitting on this park bench.
[00:29:49] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:29:50] Um, a a few tables over from me smiled and walked over after I was off the call [00:29:55] and, uh, and said, now why don't you go spend time with your, your, your wife? And like, I, this, [00:30:00] this moment stood out to me so much because I'd never met this guy in my entire life. And it pissed me off. I'm like, [00:30:05] who would just come up to a random stranger and say, now go spend time with your wife.
[00:30:08] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: How did he know my wife was [00:30:10] here? Like, why would
[00:30:10] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: he even say that?
[00:30:12] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And I got talking to my wife, uh, later on that [00:30:15] day.
[00:30:15] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Uh, I guess she was talking to
[00:30:16] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: him. He was on this campus with his family for [00:30:20] three months leading up to that day. Uh, he had gone through a heart transplant three [00:30:25] months prior to that where he had three heart attacks on the operating table and he was lucky
[00:30:29] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: to be [00:30:30] alive.
[00:30:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And it was in that moment after I had closed up my [00:30:35] laptop and I was talking to my wife about that experience, that it occurred to me like. I [00:30:40] just spent, could possibly have spent an hour of my life today, which could be the last day on my on earth, [00:30:45] talking to a stranger about digital marketing
[00:30:47] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: services
[00:30:49] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and
[00:30:49] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:30:50] just the weight that put on me of how, how regretful that might make me [00:30:55] if I don't make
[00:30:55] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: it
[00:30:55] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: outta here.
[00:30:56] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And the fact that I could have spent that hour with my wife instead. [00:31:00] So it, again, whenever I talk about in a dark place, that was, I felt like [00:31:05] I was there. Um, unfortunately, life had some other plans.
[00:31:09] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: [00:31:10] I guess what I'm curious about was what was your mindset when you're going into that operating room? Because you had [00:31:15] this experience with dozer who passed away, your boy, your boys, I think they're both boys, right? They [00:31:20] had
[00:31:20] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: to
[00:31:22] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: wrestle with the grief and not, you know, as children, [00:31:25] you know, without guidance from their family.
[00:31:27] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: You had a
[00:31:28] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: growing business,[00:31:30]
[00:31:30] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: uh, that you really wanted to invest in. You saw a path about
[00:31:32] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: that.
[00:31:33] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: you know, all these [00:31:35] crazy.
[00:31:36] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Experiences
[00:31:37] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: converging. What was sort of your mindset as you,
[00:31:39] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: as you were
[00:31:39] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: [00:31:40] going in, what were you, what were you visualizing? What were you expecting to happen as you were going into that operating [00:31:45] room?
[00:31:45] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: my childhood was like extremely stable and certain,
[00:31:49] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: like [00:31:50] I had
[00:31:50] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: no hardships in my life. I grew
[00:31:52] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: up in
[00:31:52] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: a middle class family. I went to college, I one [00:31:55] does. Uh, I met the love of my life. Like I had a very stable upbringing. [00:32:00] So when you wanna talk about challenges, sure.
[00:32:03] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I face some challenges, but. [00:32:05] Nothing that I would rather like stand up on stage and talk about,
[00:32:08] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: um, [00:32:10] because there's
[00:32:10] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: others out there that have suffered and gone through the pain and uncertainty of life in a much [00:32:15] greater manner. ~Um, up until this point in my life when there wasn't anybody that I could point ~
[00:32:16] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: ~to and ~
[00:32:16] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: ~say, this is gonna be the certain outcome that I was expecting.~
[00:32:16] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Now
[00:32:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I'm
[00:32:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: inherently a positive [00:32:20] person. I tend
[00:32:20] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: to see the positive
[00:32:21] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: things in life, even when life gives you lemons, right? [00:32:25] Um, but in this particular case, I wasn't a hundred percent certain
[00:32:29] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: that that
[00:32:29] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: was gonna be a [00:32:30] positive outcome. I didn't know what the outcome that I could even expect was gonna be. Um, [00:32:35] they, they warned me about some of
[00:32:37] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the risks
[00:32:38] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: involved, and you [00:32:40] literally sign your life away going into this where you have a dictionary full of paperwork [00:32:45] and on one of those pages is you signing your life away saying, if you die on the operating table, they are not [00:32:50] liable.
[00:32:51] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So I. I didn't have a good mindset [00:32:55] at that time, like my body was there. Um, but leading up to that, I [00:33:00] was concerned about my boys. I was concerned about being a resource for my [00:33:05] family and what that would look like on the other side if I was incapable of working and supporting them. [00:33:10] Because we had a conversation about why we might have to sell the house [00:33:15] and I didn't know
[00:33:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: where we
[00:33:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: were gonna live.
[00:33:18] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, because [00:33:20] our area that we bought into along the beach,
[00:33:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: there
[00:33:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: isn't many affordable houses around here. [00:33:25] So we would literally have to pull our boys outta school and move somewhere else. Like
[00:33:28] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: we had these very, very challenging [00:33:30] conversations
[00:33:30] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: leading up to this time
[00:33:32] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: that I felt
[00:33:33] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: like my only option [00:33:35] was to make this business
[00:33:36] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: work
[00:33:37] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: for better or for worse.
[00:33:39] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: So how would you, [00:33:40] how, how would you describe your mindset? Like, conflicted, nervous, un[00:33:45]
[00:33:45] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-video-cfr_the_deep specializa_0224: un
[00:33:46] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: unsure. Uncertain.
[00:33:47] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I was absolutely terrified.[00:33:50]
[00:33:50] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I,
[00:33:50] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I had no idea whether or not I was gonna be able to come out the other side [00:33:55] and kiss my wife again or look at my boys again. Um, again, your head's [00:34:00] not
[00:34:00] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: meant to be
[00:34:00] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: opened up. And regardless of what the risks are, the percentages are, you don't know what that [00:34:05] outcome's gonna be. So, uh, terrified would probably be a good way to describe that.[00:34:10]
[00:34:10] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: What was it like to open your eyes after the surgery?
[00:34:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So [00:34:15] after the surgery,
[00:34:16] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and, um, I will mention, uh, if anybody wants to [00:34:20] undergo surgery in UCSD, San Diego, California, [00:34:25] that, that.
[00:34:26] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: That hospital, those operating rooms, it's like a five star luxury [00:34:30] resort. It, I've never seen anything with so
[00:34:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: much
[00:34:32] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: medical
[00:34:32] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: You ever gonna have brain surgery?
[00:34:34] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:34:35] yeah.
[00:34:35] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: place.
[00:34:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Oh, it felt like I was on the Starship Enterprise, man.
[00:34:38] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: It was wild. [00:34:40] so yeah, I, I get into this operating room and,
[00:34:41] riverside_austin_houser_raw-video-cfr_the_deep specializa_0223: and,
[00:34:42] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: um, there's medical equipment everywhere [00:34:45] and, um, they, you know, put the mask on me. They made me count backwards from 10, and I woke up later that [00:34:50] afternoon. I got there around like four 30 in the morning, woke up around five 30 that [00:34:55] afternoon.
[00:34:55] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And, um, I always say it felt like I woke up
[00:34:58] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: with,
[00:34:59] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: um, [00:35:00] the worst hangover of my life after getting hit on the head with a side of a, or hit hit on the side of my head at the bat.
[00:35:04] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:35:05] Like
[00:35:05] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the entire world was spinning 24 7. I had no hearing [00:35:10] on the side, even though they said I did. I couldn't hear anything.
[00:35:13] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I
[00:35:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: had no [00:35:15] facial paralysis, which was another big risk associated with that surgery was basically half your face would go numb [00:35:20] forever. Um, and I couldn't see straight. I had double vision, [00:35:25] so my entire world was crossed and it would continue to cross like that. Uh, the vertigo was so
[00:35:29] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:35:30] bad that
[00:35:30] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: even whenever I was asleep, my, my dreams would spin.
[00:35:33] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And I, I didn't even [00:35:35] know that was a possibility. Um, so yeah. You wanna talk about, uh, [00:35:40] nausea, all of the, the bad things associated with a spinning room 24 7? I had that I couldn't walk.[00:35:45]
[00:35:45] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: sounds like hell,
[00:35:46] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Yeah. Um, I was on a fentanyl drip at that [00:35:50] point. I remember that very specifically. And I don't recall that doing much for me at all.
[00:35:53] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Uh, it was, it was a [00:35:55] world of pain. And, um, I was, I will say though, I had never been more happy in my entire [00:36:00] life. I was alive and, um, that very next day, I, I remember [00:36:05] smiling, my wife took a picture of
[00:36:05] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: me. I,
[00:36:06] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I felt like a big weight had been lifted off my shoulder at that time.
[00:36:09] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: was it [00:36:10] physical pain or just the, the pain of the, the vertigo and everything that's happening?
[00:36:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: it was a [00:36:15] combination of everything. I was hooked up to so many IVs at that time. And, um, [00:36:20] it's funny, I I, I remember, I, I don't remember it was the first day or the second day I [00:36:25] remember that they, they started to get me up and walking around and, um, I'd learned how to walk again. [00:36:30] So like they would do little walks to like, from the bed to the bathroom and then from the bed to the door [00:36:35] and then down the hallway a little bit and back.
[00:36:37] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: They had these little like styrofoam blocks they put out.
[00:36:39] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:36:40] And, um,
[00:36:40] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I met all the physical therapists the day before surgery, so knew exactly what I was gonna be doing. [00:36:45] Uh, they had like a ball they would throw back and forth and stuff. And um, I think it was like [00:36:50] day two, I remember texting one of my clients saying, we're good.
[00:36:54] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And I felt really, really [00:36:55] good about that 'cause I knew I'd be able to support my family again. And like that was the weight that was lifted off my [00:37:00] shoulders.
[00:37:01] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: So, uh, I, I had a cancer journey,
[00:37:03] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: um,
[00:37:04] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: [00:37:05] about three months, four months into my business here. Um, we don't have to go [00:37:10] into it, but I'm, I'm visioning what it was like to be on that operating table. I had, uh, lung [00:37:15] surgery, lung cancer. They had to take out a
[00:37:16] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: lobe of my
[00:37:16] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-video-cfr_the_deep specializa_0224: lung.
[00:37:18] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: And, uh, so I'm, I was [00:37:20] revisiting what it's like to be in the recovery room and then into, you know, [00:37:25] the, the halls where you're walking for the first time.
[00:37:27] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: It's crazy. It's absolutely crazy.
[00:37:29] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:37:30] Yeah,
[00:37:30] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: so you, so you made
[00:37:31] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: it through
[00:37:31] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: this uncertain,
[00:37:33] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: crazy time.
[00:37:34] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I
[00:37:34] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: did it.[00:37:35]
[00:37:35] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Got got all the way through. Yeah. You got
[00:37:37] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: all the
[00:37:37] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: way through to today. [00:37:40] The day or two after surgery, you text your client and what [00:37:45] happens? Like, what's the recovery like?
[00:37:46] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Yeah, so I, I felt like I was good. Like they, they [00:37:50] felt like the procedure went well. Um, I was up walking around a few days. They actually discharged [00:37:55] us for like this 10 day monitoring period, and
[00:37:57] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I never really
[00:37:57] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: understood why I needed to stick around. I'm like, I [00:38:00] can walk now, guys. And like by walk I mean like I had a, like a, like a [00:38:05] cane and everything.
[00:38:05] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Like, um, I, I was probably like, had the same stability as like a [00:38:10] 90-year-old man, but I felt pretty good.
[00:38:12] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I was like, Hey, I'm ready to go home now. And, uh, it was three [00:38:15] days later, um, I was lying in a hotel bed and it was around three in the [00:38:20] morning and they, they don't give you pain meds after a surgery like [00:38:25] that.
[00:38:25] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, after you leave the hospital, they just give you extra strength Tylenol. Um, and it's because like [00:38:30] at that point there's really not a ton of nerves on the side of your head. And, um, there's no [00:38:35] nerves or p pain receptors
[00:38:36] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: in your
[00:38:36] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: brain, right? Um, so there's no pain actual [00:38:40] sensation up there. Um. So I was eating these Tylenol [00:38:45] pills, trying to get this migraine to calm down, and it just kept getting worse and worse and worse [00:38:50] to the point where it was around six 30 in the morning.
[00:38:52] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: My wife got on the phone with the hospital [00:38:55] and they said, you need to immediately get back here. Um, they, I, [00:39:00] I remember them saying, you can wait on an ambulance or you can call an Uber. So we called an [00:39:05] Uber. Um, I was in the backseat of this Uber. Uh, I couldn't open up my [00:39:10] eyes. My head felt like it was just in a vice grip that was slowly getting tighter and tighter and tighter.
[00:39:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And,
[00:39:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:39:15] um, they stuck me in, its in a CT machine. They rushed me through this [00:39:20] massive line of people waiting to get into the er. Um, stuck me in a CT machine [00:39:25] and, uh, shot me full of Dilaudid, which is like a form of morphine they gave to soldiers on the [00:39:30] battlefield who were shot.
[00:39:30] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And,
[00:39:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: uh, they're like, we're, we're gonna get this pain under control.
[00:39:33] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I remember them saying that [00:39:35] and nothing happened. And, um, it was like five minutes later they came in and [00:39:40] diagnosed me with meningitis, which is, uh, the swelling of the, the lining around your brain. [00:39:45] And, um, I didn't know what that meant. Like at the time I'm like, okay, so what are we gonna do about [00:39:50] this?
[00:39:50] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Like, I was just in a lot of pain at that point in time. And, um, it [00:39:55] was a couple hours later that I remember them telling me that I was in brain aneurysm territory and [00:40:00] I had about a 40% chance of a brain aneurysm, which means that I had about a 40% chance of dying. [00:40:05]
[00:40:05] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um,
[00:40:06] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and they weren't sure if this was what's called bacterial meningitis, [00:40:10] where they'd actually have to open me up and go back in and start scooping stuff out, or if this was vi viral, [00:40:15] which they could probably get under control with meds.
[00:40:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So they, um, [00:40:20] over the next couple days, I couldn't open up my eyes. They put me on pain meds, nothing. Touch the pain [00:40:25] because again, your brain doesn't have pain receptors. So it's all phantom pain that your, your mind creates. [00:40:30] Um, and they shot me. I had, uh, over a dozen [00:40:35] IVs in me, which I didn't know you could stick an IV in between your toes, but apparently you [00:40:40] can, because when your veins start falling apart up here, they need other places to stick you with.
[00:40:44] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:40:45] So they stuck me with my toes, my legs, my arms, my neck. I had IVs sticking outta me everywhere. [00:40:50] They threw everything they had
[00:40:51] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: at this
[00:40:51] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and it. Yeah, they, they stuck with them
[00:40:53] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: everywhere
[00:40:54] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:40:55] and
[00:40:55] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: it to the point where it turned my veins brown, like I had green and brown veins. I've never seen anything [00:41:00] like it.
[00:41:00] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, I was bound to a hospital bed for about another 10 days at
[00:41:04] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: that
[00:41:04] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:41:05] point. they ended up getting everything under control. And like, they were shooting me full of steroids, which [00:41:10] I didn't realize how much energy that gave you. When you're bound to a bed, you just wanna run through a wall at that point.
[00:41:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Like [00:41:15] I, my body was full of the most crazy drugs you could imagine. Um, so [00:41:20] a couple days later they got everything under control and, uh, I convinced my doctors I was well
[00:41:23] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: enough
[00:41:24] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: to leave [00:41:25] and, um, we booked the first return flight home and I felt like, hey, at that [00:41:30] point I'm out of the woods, like, I'm good. I can get back to work.
[00:41:33] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um. And [00:41:35] then
[00:41:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I had to,
[00:41:36] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: uh, then push through a non-linear six month road to recovery. [00:41:40] So I would have weeks where I felt really, really terrible, and then I'd have a day [00:41:45] where I felt pretty okay, and then a month would go by. I wouldn't have a single good day, and then I'd have another good [00:41:50] day or two. And during that time, I was in and out of our local hospital [00:41:55] dealing with blood clots from all of the IVs they had me shot up with.
[00:41:58] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I had,
[00:41:59] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: uh, [00:42:00] sciatica from being bound to a hospital bed for so long. I'd learned how to walk again for a second [00:42:05] time. I had double vision,
[00:42:06] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: uh, that lasted about three months.
[00:42:07] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I had to wear special glasses just to look at my [00:42:10] laptop. Um, I had severe muscle loss just because I couldn't [00:42:15] move. Um, I, it took me about four months to learn how to drive again.
[00:42:19] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: it was a [00:42:20] very long road to recovery. And, and during that time. I was still working on this [00:42:25] business. Um, I, I was still attempting to make this work because it was my only [00:42:30] option. I, again, I literally had that gun to my head. and it was around that time I made my first hire and decided to make [00:42:35] this business, um, potentially a thing.
[00:42:38] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And that was like the first big risk that I [00:42:40] made other than launching the company in and of itself,
[00:42:42] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Up
[00:42:43] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: until that point, through all this
[00:42:44] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: [00:42:45] physical,
[00:42:46] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: you know, issues you were dealing with, how did you, and I know you mentioned you [00:42:50] would put some, some of your clients on ice, but how did you actually physically do the work? I mean, I know you
[00:42:53] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: have a
[00:42:54] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: [00:42:55] background in CS
[00:42:55] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: and computers
[00:42:56] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: and website design. Were you
[00:42:57] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: doing all
[00:42:58] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: the work at this time or are you
[00:42:59] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: working with [00:43:00] freelancers, or how are you executing on the,
[00:43:02] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: sort of the, the
[00:43:02] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: promises you were making to your clients at this point?[00:43:05]
[00:43:05] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I was doing a hundred percent of the work.
[00:43:07] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Wow,
[00:43:08] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Austin.[00:43:10]
[00:43:10] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Yeah. It's, um, again, there's, I think we're all capable of more [00:43:15] than we think we are. And it's not until you are put in a position where you have no other option [00:43:20] that you really see how far you can push yourself. I think the,
[00:43:23] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the,
[00:43:23] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the, uh, Navy cos have a good [00:43:25] mindset around this is like they're gonna stick you in cold water.
[00:43:28] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: They're gonna keep you up for a week on straight on, [00:43:30] on, on end. And you're either gonna make it or you're not. And I didn't have any other [00:43:35] choice. I was either going to make it or I was gonna die trying, like, those are my only [00:43:40] two options. I was not gonna show up to my family and say that, Hey, sorry I just got [00:43:45] tired this day and um, sorry we couldn't make this work.
[00:43:47] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: We need to sell the house.
[00:43:49] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: was [00:43:50] the, the, the impact of all of this surgery and the recovery, did that begin to [00:43:55] sort of take, was that, was that very much a central part of your [00:44:00] life, or at what point did it become less, less of a focus.
[00:44:03] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Uh,
[00:44:04] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: so you could focus [00:44:05] on other areas of your business and life.
[00:44:07] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: It was around the time that I made my first [00:44:10] hire. So I had always worked with contractors in the past, right? Um, [00:44:15] but I'd never hired a W2 employee before.
[00:44:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, that
[00:44:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: was up to that point in my, my life, [00:44:20] a relatively new concept of, Hey, I can manage a team, but I'm gonna put [00:44:25] somebody else's financial future in
[00:44:27] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: my hands
[00:44:28] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and I'm gonna bring them [00:44:30] on.
[00:44:30] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I'm gonna pay 'em a salary that they're gonna expect to see every single month, regardless of how [00:44:35] the business does.
[00:44:36] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And.
[00:44:37] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Uh, at the time
[00:44:38] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I didn't have a
[00:44:39] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:44:40] large network of people that I could reach out to and say, Hey, you wanna take this risk
[00:44:44] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:44:45] with me? After I
[00:44:45] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: just got through with brain surgery and I couldn't even see straight.
[00:44:49] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, but [00:44:50] I did have somebody that I took
[00:44:51] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: a gamble on.
[00:44:52] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Uh, his name is Nick. He actually worked for [00:44:55] me, at that
[00:44:55] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: previous job
[00:44:56] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: that I had,
[00:44:57] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: uh, from the prior year. and he had [00:45:00] gone on to do other things at that time. But, um, I reached out to him. I'm like, Hey, Nick, do you, [00:45:05] are you interested in a, in another job?
[00:45:06] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Like, I have this opportunity. I don't know if it's gonna work. [00:45:10] I, but
[00:45:11] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: it's going well right now and I need help. And, uh, he stopped [00:45:15] everything he was doing and came on board like a week or two later. And in that week or two timeframe, [00:45:20] I figured out how to pay a W2 employee and how to get payroll [00:45:25] set up and, and do all of the hard things.
[00:45:27] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And, um. It was at that point in [00:45:30] time where my priorities started to become bigger than just myself and my family. It [00:45:35] was then involving other people, not just my clients. And, um, that's whenever I [00:45:40] started to get a little more energy back in my life to look at it from the standpoint of, alright, I got this business.
[00:45:44] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:45:45] I'm now employing people to support and serve clients and my family. Let's make this thing [00:45:50] work.
[00:45:50] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: What was happening in the business that
[00:45:54] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-video-cfr_the_deep specializa_0224: caused you to
[00:45:54] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: caused you to realize you [00:45:55] needed to make
[00:45:55] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: that first hire? Why not just work with freelancers?
[00:45:58] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Yeah. Um, [00:46:00] I, alright, my theory about running a business is [00:46:05] it being a learning experience. You can learn how to make [00:46:10] money and make revenue. Sure. But if you really, really, really care about [00:46:15] business, *the underlying principle of a business is to serve others. Whether it's your clients, *[00:46:20] *your team, your family, you're serving other *
[00:46:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: people, right?
[00:46:23] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And yeah, you're gonna make money along the [00:46:25] way, but at the end of the day. I look at it as, I wanna build a team, I [00:46:30] wanna learn how other people do this thing that I couldn't do in the past. So [00:46:35] if I look at some people that I know who I would consider maybe [00:46:40] missing a few brain cells, maybe a few more than I'm mi missing, but are way more successful than I [00:46:45] am, that that whole concept of like, they can do it, so why can't I do it too, [00:46:50] has always just been, yeah, it's just been like the forefront of my life of like, I know these people [00:46:55] can do it, so somebody else has already proven it can be done.
[00:46:57] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Why can't I do it too? So [00:47:00] that's why I decided to make a hire and not just continue down the contractor route, [00:47:05] is I wanted to build a team. I wanted to understand how to build a culture and how to scale that up
[00:47:08] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: effectively. And that's why
[00:47:09] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: we [00:47:10] now have 36 team members today.
[00:47:12] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: That's awesome. What was Nick's role in the [00:47:15] company?
[00:47:15] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: At the time he was an account manager because I did not have the energy to talk
[00:47:19] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: to
[00:47:19] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:47:20] clients at that time. I had the energy to
[00:47:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: crank out
[00:47:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: some websites late at night or spin up some ad [00:47:25] campaigns and get those optimized. That was on my time, but I didn't [00:47:30] have the physical
[00:47:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: energy
[00:47:32] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: to sit on the phone with a [00:47:35] client for an hour long.
[00:47:37] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And remember everything that they said at the beginning of the [00:47:40] call, like it was like,
[00:47:41] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: uh, my
[00:47:41] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: head was in the clouds, right?
[00:47:43] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Yeah.
[00:47:44] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So I hired [00:47:45] Nick as an
[00:47:45] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: account manager. Yeah,
[00:47:47] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I hired Nick as an account manager. I told him, Hey man, you're gonna talk to [00:47:50] clients and uh, I'm gonna tell you what to say. And he did a great job at that.
[00:47:54] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, [00:47:55] it was about six months later, I promoted him into operations director and he is still our ops [00:48:00] director today.
[00:48:01] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Oh, I love it. with a greater focus on building the business at this [00:48:05] point, what did you do to acquire customers? Like what were
[00:48:07] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: the things that
[00:48:08] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: you did that were successful [00:48:10] and, and maybe less successful in growing the business?
[00:48:13] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Yeah, so [00:48:15] I, I knew that, um, I knew that it didn't have a ton of runway to invest
[00:48:19] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:48:20] into ad
[00:48:20] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: campaigns early on, and my background was always in organic growth [00:48:25] on Google, so the world of search engine optimization. And I [00:48:30] knew how to rank a website. That's what I like, what my clients always paid me how to do.
[00:48:33] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So I figured, hey, I [00:48:35] need to prove to them that I can do this if
[00:48:36] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I'm gonna, you know.
[00:48:38] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Do it for myself, or if I'm gonna do it for them, I need to be [00:48:40] able to do it for myself as well. So early on I started investing in content. I started [00:48:45] just really investing my time into developing new high, you know,
[00:48:49] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: high impact
[00:48:49] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: blog [00:48:50] posts, for instance.
[00:48:50] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And this is all before chat, GPT. So I was handwriting [00:48:55] each and
[00:48:55] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: every one
[00:48:55] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: of
[00:48:55] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: these blog
[00:48:56] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: posts. Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. So, [00:49:00] um. Early on, that was my, my strategy. Now, at the time, Google still had my website in [00:49:05] a sandbox because that domain was only purchased a few months before actually launching the, the business.
[00:49:09] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So [00:49:10] I had no chance of getting on page one of Google. Um, I started leveraging partnership [00:49:15] opportunities that were out there by just simply mass emailing at a very personal [00:49:20] level, one by one different industry partners,
[00:49:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: prospects that were out there that I might
[00:49:24] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: be [00:49:25] able to provide value to, and they might be able to give me a platform to speak on top of.
[00:49:29] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, so I would, [00:49:30] I would very much say organic growth and networking were a long play short term. [00:49:35] I had three months worth of runway for ads. I kept those ad campaigns going. That gave me enough momentum [00:49:40] to wait on the other results that take impact.
[00:49:43] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: What would be an example of a [00:49:45] partnership that would, that works for you? Like
[00:49:46] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I call it, uh, I call them JV partnerships. And [00:49:50] um, I'll give you a great example. Um, early on we used high level, [00:49:55] um, for our clients. We gave
[00:49:56] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: them access to
[00:49:57] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: it. We showed 'em how to use it. And, you know, it [00:50:00] was, it was fun, but it was also a, a burden. It, [00:50:05] like we literally became a CRM management company. And I, I told my team at the
[00:50:09] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: time,
[00:50:09] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: like, Hey guys, [00:50:10] that's not what we do here.
[00:50:11] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: We're a marketing agency.
[00:50:12] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So I pulled back
[00:50:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: on that early [00:50:15] on and just said, Hey, we're gonna partner with those that already do this thing that we're offering for our clients, [00:50:20] but
[00:50:20] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: better.
[00:50:21] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, so there's a company out there called Drip Jobs. Shout out to Tanner [00:50:25] Mullen. Um. If you are serving the home service space, highly recommend reaching out to [00:50:30] them.
[00:50:30] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: They have a two-way sync. You can put data in, pull data out, and they have a whole [00:50:35] network of like pre-typed up follow up sequences. So just made it really plug and [00:50:40] play for our clients, no learning curve. And what that allowed us to do was partner with [00:50:45] somebody that we can refer people to and they can refer people back to us.
[00:50:48] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And that [00:50:50] mutually, uh, beneficial relationship is really what
[00:50:53] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: you're after
[00:50:53] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: in any partnership. Now, [00:50:55] the one thing I will mention, if, if you're listening to this and you're looking to develop an industry partnership, [00:51:00] always lead with value. Do not
[00:51:02] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: ask for anything in return.
[00:51:03] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So for [00:51:05] instance, Corey, I would approach you and say, Hey Corey, I have some clients.
[00:51:07] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I serve this industry. So do you, [00:51:10] what value can I add to your audience today? What can I do for you? And then [00:51:15] usually on the backside of that, that
[00:51:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: will
[00:51:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: come around in some benefit to you. But [00:51:20] do not expect that. Do not lead with an ask.
[00:51:22] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: that's right. But it's [00:51:25] building, it's long term relationship building,
[00:51:27] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Exactly. Yeah.[00:51:30]
[00:51:30] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-video-cfr_the_deep specializa_0224: I'd
[00:51:30] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: say so you got the,
[00:51:31] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: the ad
[00:51:31] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: campaigns to sustain you.
[00:51:33] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: You got these partnership [00:51:35] opportunities, building relationships there, building value. You got the SEO working. Was there anything else, [00:51:40] looking back
[00:51:40] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: now
[00:51:42] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: that's
[00:51:42] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: been in
[00:51:42] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: influential in, uh, your ability to grow the [00:51:45] agency to 30 people and so on, so forth or,
[00:51:47] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: so our number one lead source, and [00:51:50] number two lead sources are unpaid channels. So it's going to be, uh, if you go on Google and type in [00:51:55] Facebook ads for painters, Google ads
[00:51:56] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: for painters, like we're position one, page
[00:51:58] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: one for that. We also invest in [00:52:00] ads still. Um, the second most popular channel for us is email [00:52:05] marketing.
[00:52:05] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I think it's an under-leveraged channel, but I also think a lot of people, um, [00:52:10] don't
[00:52:10] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: provide
[00:52:11] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: enough value to make it work, and they don't understand the long-term [00:52:15] brand awareness play that you need to implement there. So. Email marketing, you'll typically [00:52:20] see something very similar to like a partnership ask, which is like you ask them for something, Hey, would you like to [00:52:25] book a call?
[00:52:25] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Is there, you know, are you interested in marketing services? Nobody's [00:52:30] opening up their inbox for that. What they are opening up their inbox for
[00:52:32] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: is value.
[00:52:33] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: You need to provide them with [00:52:35] value before you ask for anything. In fact, I've never sent a single email to a
[00:52:39] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: single [00:52:40] prospect
[00:52:40] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: asking for anything in return,
[00:52:42] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and it
[00:52:42] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: is our number two lead source and it's because we're [00:52:45] providing them
[00:52:45] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: with value.
[00:52:46] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I can't tell you how many people book a call with us and
[00:52:49] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: say, [00:52:50]
[00:52:50] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I've been following you for years. I'm ready to buy in. Just tell me how much that makes [00:52:55] the sales process extremely easy.
[00:52:57] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: totally get it. So what would be an [00:53:00] example of a value focused email? Like what, what type of content is this specifically?
[00:53:04] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:53:05] Uh, it's very,
[00:53:05] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: very simple.
[00:53:06] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Ask yourself, what are the greatest pain points of my audience? [00:53:10] What do they suffer from the most today? Sure, it might be marketing. It could also be [00:53:15] something completely unrelated to whatever it is that you do. I remember typing up an article, [00:53:20] uh, about the best looking
[00:53:21] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: business cards
[00:53:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: or how to format a business card for the painting space [00:53:25] because our clients kept asking about it like, Hey, do you have a good business card design?
[00:53:28] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I'm like, no, but I can write [00:53:30] an article about it.
[00:53:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um,
[00:53:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I wrote an article about how to take good before and after images because [00:53:35] our clients sucked at before and after images. Uh, we actually interviewed an interior [00:53:40] designer and she talked through her process of how she goes and foot photographs houses for real estate agents, [00:53:45] again, we're providing value without asking anything in return.
[00:53:47] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, so I just recommend identifying [00:53:50] the pain points straight up. Ask your clients what, is there something that we could do today that would [00:53:55] make you happier about sticking around with us that we're not currently doing, and then write some content around that.[00:54:00]
[00:54:01] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: And, uh, how often are you sending an email.
[00:54:04] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Early on, [00:54:05] it was once a week. Um, it was a smaller list. We needed more
[00:54:08] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: volume
[00:54:09] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:54:10] today, it really depends on our need. And what, what I mean by
[00:54:14] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: that [00:54:15] is if
[00:54:15] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: we're booked up, uh, if our onboarding calendar is completely booked up for 30 or 60 [00:54:20] days, right? Um, we may only send out one article each month, or we may only do one or [00:54:25] two podcasts that month.
[00:54:26] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, I recommend if you can do at least twice a month, [00:54:30] preferably four times a month. But again, lead with value.[00:54:35]
[00:54:35] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Do you have a CTA or a call to action in the email?
[00:54:38] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: We have a the [00:54:40] smallest call to action, and it is just describing who we are. Hey, are you new to
[00:54:43] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: basecoat Marketing? [00:54:45] Here's a
[00:54:45] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: one sentence elevator pitch about who we are. And then below that, we have more value. [00:54:50] We have, uh, a free SEO audit. We have a link to our Facebook community. [00:54:55] Um, you know, we just provide value, value, value, value.
[00:54:58] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Uh, I cannot recommend
[00:54:59] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: that enough.[00:55:00]
[00:55:00] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: So SEO
[00:55:01] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: is number one. Uh,
[00:55:02] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: as far as lead source
[00:55:03] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: emails two. What about number [00:55:05] three? What's the third most
[00:55:07] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So then it comes down to our paid channels, which [00:55:10] is going to be things like go, like paid search and paid social. Now, I'll [00:55:15] be completely honest with you, we didn't start running a single social media ad until we hit about [00:55:20] $2 million, which was last year. And um, that's whenever I was like, all right, [00:55:25] we've already maxed out Google for what it sounds like we're seeing some diminishing returns over there.
[00:55:29] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Let's spin things [00:55:30] up on social media. So that to me is more of a brand awareness, top of funnel
[00:55:34] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:55:35] play. Um,
[00:55:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: it's getting people interested knowing that you're available and that you're there. Um, you do [00:55:40] need a stronger offer and a better call to action over there to really get people to move. Um, so [00:55:45] it's a slightly different play, but at the same time, you need that omnipresence approach, especially in [00:55:50] our day and age with AI and everything else.
[00:55:51] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: You can't just be focusing on one channel.[00:55:55]
[00:55:55] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: There's a
[00:55:55] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: study that, that, uh, came out that says you have to be your, your buyers before they're ready to have [00:56:00] a sales conversation. They need to interact with you 11 different times across four different [00:56:05] platforms.
[00:56:05] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Right.
[00:56:06] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I, I hear that, I hear that.
[00:56:08] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I hear
[00:56:08] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: that stat like with [00:56:10] different, like, varying degrees of
[00:56:11] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: how many times
[00:56:12] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and how many channels. But I would, I would argue that like, [00:56:15] if you're not hitting 'em at least 10 times, they, they hear your name from other people, from, you know, [00:56:20] multiple platforms. Like you're, to your point, you're
[00:56:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: not gonna
[00:56:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: get them on the phone.
[00:56:24] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Yeah. [00:56:25] And in, in your ads, in your, uh, just curious, in the, in the Facebook and the, and the [00:56:30] other ads, are you driving towards an appointment
[00:56:32] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: or are
[00:56:32] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: you driving towards some other value or what, like what has [00:56:35] worked for you?
[00:56:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Uh, uh, it depends on what stage of the marketing funnel they're in. So, [00:56:40] for
[00:56:40] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: instance, if they're on Google, we're gonna,
[00:56:41] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: we're gonna try to get 'em with a discovery call, right? Like, see if we're available in your [00:56:45] area. We do lockdown markets.
[00:56:47] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, if it's on. Yeah, if it's on meta, [00:56:50] um, we're gonna be more top of funnel, in which case, you know, we're gonna be hitting 'em with maybe a lead magnet [00:56:55] or some additional value, uh, where we're not actually making an ask.
[00:56:58] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: But then we're gonna drip out that [00:57:00] email sequence over the course of six to 12 months, and they're eventually gonna
[00:57:03] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: bite.[00:57:05]
[00:57:05] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Awesome. We live in a world where all of a sudden the secret of
[00:57:09] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: a [00:57:10] vertical
[00:57:10] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: specialization is out. There's probably some competitors in your space. How do you [00:57:15] differentiate in this world?
[00:57:16] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: We do have com some competitors. Um, the one thing that I [00:57:20] have found that we do exceptionally well is we don't put all of our [00:57:25] eggs in one basket. So this, I've had this existential crisis a [00:57:30] number of times, um, off of scaling this company where I look at what our competition does, [00:57:35] and they're generally like a single channel agency.
[00:57:37] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Like, think about like a social media marketing [00:57:40] agency or an SEO agency. They do one service for one industry really, really well. [00:57:45] And they have, they just have it easy. Like, and I say that as an outsider, I'm sure they cry [00:57:50] in the closet too, but I, I wish we could simplify our operations and become more [00:57:55] profitable.
[00:57:55] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: But at the same time,
[00:57:56] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: our biggest
[00:57:57] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: point of differentiation is we are the only [00:58:00] full service in-house agency dedicated to painters. A lot of people outsource their work, [00:58:05] um, or they specialize in one channel. So we have very much positioned ourselves as the [00:58:10] industry expert from
[00:58:10] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: across the
[00:58:11] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: board. We do not put all your eggs in one basket.
[00:58:13] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: We treat marketing like the stock market. You [00:58:15] need to
[00:58:15] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: diversify.
[00:58:16] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: I love it.
[00:58:18] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: I think that's a great positioning. By
[00:58:19] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: the way,
[00:58:19] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: [00:58:20] just from my familiarity with the market overall. Um, [00:58:25] we're in a period of sort of the, the economy and the world where AI is [00:58:30] becoming, uh, much more prevalent. It definitely has, uh, potential to make a, a big impact [00:58:35] in agency world providing sort of marketing services.
[00:58:38] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: I think it already has. What [00:58:40] is your perspective on what's going on with ai and how are you [00:58:45] maybe thinking about AI as a, um, from a strategic perspective
[00:58:48] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: as a
[00:58:48] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: business owner?
[00:58:49] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [00:58:50] All right. So I see two main categories or two main buckets of people whenever [00:58:55] it comes to AI right now. Um, those that have
[00:58:58] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: their blinders
[00:58:59] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: off [00:59:00] and they are looking at every shiny object out there. They're testing out every tool, figuring out
[00:59:03] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: how they can leverage AI the [00:59:05] best, right? Um, and then you have those with the blinders on, and they're not even thinking about ai.
[00:59:09] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: They're just [00:59:10] running in the opposite direction because they're afraid. Um, I tend to follow, [00:59:15] follow somewhere in the middle. Meaning, like I, I wanna make sure we're looking at [00:59:20] tools that aren't just the fly by the night type of companies that we can actually grow into. We can [00:59:25] leverage. Um,
[00:59:26] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and
[00:59:27] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I'm not gonna keep my blinders on, um, [00:59:30] knowing that this is going to impact our, our agency, the products that we offer in a [00:59:35] very large way.
[00:59:36] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Now, when I look at how we're leveraging it [00:59:40] today, uh, one of our core values is be the 20%. So there's that 80 20 rule. [00:59:45] 20% of your efforts generate 80% of your results. Uh, it's why we don't offer organic [00:59:50] social posting, for instance, uh, there's a lot of marketing agencies that will do some organic social posts for their [00:59:55] clients.
[00:59:55] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: They'll do that typical
[00:59:57] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: 4th of July.
[00:59:58] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: You know, like, we wish you a happy 4th [01:00:00] of July post. Like, that's not generating results for your clients, right? But they're paying you to do that [01:00:05] thing. So I, I just look at that as a waste of time and a waste of money. So we just don't do it. [01:00:10] Um.
[01:00:10] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Yeah.
[01:00:11] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: As such, I will not invest any time into AI if it doesn't [01:00:15] move, if it doesn't move the needle in a significant measurable way.
[01:00:18] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Uh, one of the best [01:00:20] ways that I have found to leverage AI is for
[01:00:21] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: quality
[01:00:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: assurance checks. So a [01:00:25] human's in the loop, we need to verify based on hard data from our client, whether or not the [01:00:30] output of our human is up to our client standards. AI is very, very [01:00:35] good at picking that apart. So that's one thing that we've implemented across the company at every level is [01:00:40] ai, QA processes.
[01:00:41] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: That's immediately impacted our quality, which is a good thing.
[01:00:44] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: I love [01:00:45] it.
[01:00:45] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, AI is very good at auditing data. We leverage it. Every single [01:00:50] team has their, their use cases for it. Um. I do think it's going to impact some [01:00:55] channels more than others. So I, I think SEO organic growth on Google, that's gonna be [01:01:00] number one to go paid search, maybe number two, paid social.
[01:01:04] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Even [01:01:05] though Zuck keeps talking about replacing all marketing agencies with AI over there, [01:01:10] I don't think he's gonna have, uh, a
[01:01:11] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Go. Google said
[01:01:12] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: that about their, their platform
[01:01:13] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: maybe 15 years ago,
[01:01:14] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: [01:01:15] so I didn't see that happening.
[01:01:17] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, it's funny, I was talking to another agency owner last week [01:01:20] and he brought up a really
[01:01:21] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: interesting concept,
[01:01:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: which is these platforms like Google and [01:01:25] Meta, they still need to hold somebody accountable. They're, they're not gonna be the marketing agency [01:01:30] because who's gonna come complaining? They're gonna come complaining to Google or Meta.
[01:01:32] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: They don't have the
[01:01:33] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: resources for that.
[01:01:34] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: at that at [01:01:35] all.
[01:01:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: No.
[01:01:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So there's still gonna be a time and a place for agencies. Um, I just think what's [01:01:40] gonna happen is unless you differentiate yourself enough, provide additional [01:01:45] value outside of just being a button pusher, lever puller, your cost that you're gonna be able to
[01:01:49] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [01:01:50] charge
[01:01:50] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: for those services are gonna go down.
[01:01:51] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: When did
[01:01:52] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: you hire
[01:01:52] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: your first salesperson?
[01:01:53] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So [01:01:55] relatively recently. And I, I will say that because our greatest [01:02:00] challenge is the fact that we work in a seasonal industry.
[01:02:03] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And anybody listening in, if [01:02:05] you're considering niching down, consider not just the fact that you wanna work with these [01:02:10] people and that you can generate the returns for them relatively easily, but also whether the fact that your [01:02:15] industry is seasonal.
[01:02:16] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So a seasonality curve looks like your [01:02:20] prospects are extremely busy. Okay? This time of the year, our, our prospects [01:02:25] aren't thinking about marketing 'cause they're booked out two months. Um, and as such, our lead [01:02:30] volume drops by 75% and that is difficult to support for a sales team [01:02:35] now.
[01:02:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So
[01:02:36] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: we're exploring all options over here, outbound, inbound, um, to keep [01:02:40] that all steady.
[01:02:41] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And, um, we do recognize that we are very much gonna have to, you know, [01:02:45] um, not just hunt, but also farm. Um, so yeah, to answer your [01:02:50] question more directly though, that was, um, about this year that we started hiring sales reps.
[01:02:54] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: *And *[01:02:55] *so what was happening that caused you to realize, Hey, I*
[01:02:57] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: *need to*
[01:02:57] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: *hire a salesperson, because why?*[01:03:00]
[01:03:00] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: *'cause I still own a job. If I, if I went on vacation with my family, the company would still *[01:03:05] *run, but it wouldn't grow. It'd probably die because I wasn't bringing in new business. *[01:03:10] *So until you get yourself outta sales, you own a job. *[01:03:15] *That's the number one reason.*
[01:03:17] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: And so, uh, you [01:03:20] hired this person recently. How's it going?
[01:03:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Uh, well, so we have been [01:03:25] working with, um, several industry consultants. So I, I like to say I invest about six, [01:03:30] um, a six
[01:03:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: figure
[01:03:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: salary a year into business coaching [01:03:35] consulting. And it is something that, um, has really helped us get to where [01:03:40] we're at today. Um, I still do sales calls. Uh, I'm like, I'm still on [01:03:45] there, but at the end of the day, I have a support system in place.
[01:03:47] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So if I go away for two [01:03:50] weeks,
[01:03:50] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the, the
[01:03:51] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: business will still grow. There's still opportunities flowing in. There's still a [01:03:55] pipeline to be filled. Um, but those consultants have helped us
[01:03:58] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: dial in
[01:03:59] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: our [01:04:00] operations behind the sales process Now to say it's perfect or it can't be better, I [01:04:05] would be lying to you, right?
[01:04:06] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: But, uh, I think that's why we always want to have that continuous growth [01:04:10] mindset
[01:04:10] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: around
[01:04:10] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: what you're doing today, what's right, and then what's
[01:04:12] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: actually possible.
[01:04:14] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: I'll
[01:04:14] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: tell you [01:04:15] at Scorpion,
[01:04:15] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: uh, we had 60 salespeople and by no [01:04:20] means was it perfect. We
[01:04:23] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: had
[01:04:23] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: a hundred person sales organization, [01:04:25] we had sales enablement, we had um, [01:04:30] sales admins, we had project managers, we had this whole infrastructure. And
[01:04:34] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: it [01:04:35] was,
[01:04:35] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: you know, messy would
[01:04:36] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: be a
[01:04:36] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: compliment compared to where it was.
[01:04:38] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Oh, LA Corey,
[01:04:39] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I, I,
[01:04:39] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I say this all the [01:04:40] time, man. Like, I don't, nobody has it figured out. I
[01:04:43] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Nobody, IBM, [01:04:45] Google, no
[01:04:45] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: one has it figured out, you know?
[01:04:47] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: yes,
[01:04:47] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: NASDAQ businesses, they still don't have their shit [01:04:50] fit figured out. So don't put people on a pedestal.
[01:04:52] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Exactly. [01:04:55] Alright, well, Austin, this has been fantastic. I have just a couple of.
[01:04:59] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-video-cfr_the_deep specializa_0224: [01:05:00] of
[01:05:00] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Other questions. There's probably a thousand questions that we can go into, but, uh, for, for from a [01:05:05] time, uh, perspective, I'm gonna wrap, wrap it up, ask you just a couple more
[01:05:08] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: questions.
[01:05:08] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Yeah.
[01:05:09] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Um,[01:05:10]
[01:05:10] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: the first one, we'll start with the vertical market specialization. Uh, [01:05:15] what are the biggest negative aspects of taking a [01:05:20] vertical market approach in your mind?
[01:05:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So, I mean, really it's saying no to [01:05:25] the opportunities that are out there, but
[01:05:26] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I, I
[01:05:28] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: would argue that that [01:05:30] is a very, very small problem to have when, uh, sales [01:05:35] becomes like shooting fish in a barrel. When you focus on one vertical, [01:05:40] it allows you to become
[01:05:41] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the industry
[01:05:41] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: expert. You can talk their language, you can, um, get to [01:05:45] understand their business and their pain points, so that way whenever they come to you, when most agency owners have heard [01:05:50] and said, Hey, all the leads suck, you can look into the data and it
[01:05:53] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: determine
[01:05:54] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: why.[01:05:55]
[01:05:55] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And being able to answer the why behind why something's not working is [01:06:00] extremely important to be able to scale a business.
[01:06:02] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Yes. And [01:06:05] uh,
[01:06:05] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: your competitors are not doing that, so it is
[01:06:07] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: a competitive
[01:06:08] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: advantage when you can provide that [01:06:10] value
[01:06:10] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: That is without a doubt, it's anytime we are up against a generalist agency, [01:06:15] we'll win 10 times outta 10. Um, now you, yeah, you are gonna have, uh, [01:06:20] competitors that specialize in your industry, and that's usually who you compete with. But again, have a [01:06:25] differentiating point. Understand where the market gap is, fill that gap, and then more so, and this is [01:06:30] the thing that I really want everybody to hear.
[01:06:32] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Competition, I, I do pay attention to them, [01:06:35] but pave your own path. Nine times outta 10, your competition's paying attention to you more than [01:06:40] you're paying attention to them. So be the industry leader. Do things that other people aren't doing. Be willing to [01:06:45] fail. Be willing to try something new.
[01:06:46] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Keep
[01:06:47] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: innovating and keep leading with the mindset of how much [01:06:50] value can I provide?
[01:06:51] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: At the end of the day, that's what's gonna help you succeed the most.[01:06:55]
[01:06:55] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Wow. I
[01:06:56] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: love that.
[01:06:56] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Uh, that almost answers, completely answers my second, my
[01:06:59] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: second to last question
[01:06:59] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: [01:07:00] for you, which is, given the journey from being
[01:07:03] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: a full-time employee, [01:07:05] e-commerce, having the entrepreneurial itch stepping out,
[01:07:08] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: and then months into [01:07:10] this entrepreneurial journey, you have a health challenge that literally like rocks your [01:07:15] world.
[01:07:15] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Uh, having been through that experience, been
[01:07:18] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: able to rebuild and then
[01:07:19] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: [01:07:20] have this wonderfully successful agency and continuing to grow,
[01:07:23] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: what would your advice be
[01:07:24] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: for [01:07:25] maybe
[01:07:25] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: agency founders who are just starting out and they're, you know, they don't, they don't, [01:07:30] they're maybe overwhelmed. They don't know what to do.
[01:07:34] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Maybe they're a little [01:07:35] stuck. Like, what would you, what would you say to those folks?
[01:07:37] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Yeah. All right. There's um, [01:07:40] four simple things you need to focus on in this order. Your body, your mind, your [01:07:45] relationships are the first three. Those three things have one thing in common, and that's [01:07:50] that you need to focus on. You. So it,
[01:07:53] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: it took
[01:07:53] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: a world of pain and [01:07:55] uncertainty for me to be able to understand what's most important in my life, where I need to dedicate my time, [01:08:00] and more importantly, my attention.
[01:08:02] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: See, I think a lot of people, uh, um, look at their time as their most valuable [01:08:05] asset, but it's not. I can't tell you how many times I've sat at the dinner table with my wife and she has [01:08:10] had a conversation for about five minutes, and I walked away from that conversation not hearing a single word that she said, [01:08:15] right?
[01:08:15] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Like, that's your attention. And for you to be present and active in [01:08:20] your life, whether it's with your wife, your kids, your, your partner, um, that is the [01:08:25] most important asset that you have in your life. So prioritizing your body, your mind. So I'll give [01:08:30] you guys examples. Uh, working out every single day or just, uh, keep it simple.
[01:08:34] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Walk [01:08:35] after every meal. Go to bed early, wake up early. Get your day started sooner. [01:08:40] meditation, reading a book are all great for your mind. Uh, but anything that just kind of quiets your mind, I do [01:08:45] this, uh, crazy thing called cold plunging, and I tell a lot of people, like, there's a lot of physical [01:08:50] benefits behind it, but really it's the mental challenge of getting at a cold body of water each day.
[01:08:54] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [01:08:55] And I'm stressing
[01:08:55] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: out my mind
[01:08:56] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: on purpose because that release a
[01:08:58] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: cortisol as the
[01:08:59] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: same [01:09:00] sensation
[01:09:00] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: that your mind
[01:09:00] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: goes through when you have an unhappy client. And if you can train your mind to deal [01:09:05] with that cortisol release
[01:09:06] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: during a controlled environment,
[01:09:08] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: you become much [01:09:10] better at, at, um, you know, taking control of that situation when things become [01:09:15] stressful in your business.
[01:09:16] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I call it the, the chimp mind. If you guys wanna read a good book, uh, it's called the [01:09:20] Chimp Paradox. Uh, and it explains
[01:09:21] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: all of
[01:09:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: that. and then your relationships. Like you, you [01:09:25] need to focus on your, your relationships, your friends, your family. They are the [01:09:30] most important thing in the world to you. Um. I like to use the analogy like, I'm sure you've heard, [01:09:35] nobody's gonna remember how hard you worked as much as your kids.
[01:09:37] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Um, but really, like, I [01:09:40] would argue that most of our clients won't even remember our name five years from now, let [01:09:45] alone how hard we worked. And the fact that we sacrifice our time and attention for [01:09:50] strangers who aren't gonna remember our name in five years for spending time with those that we love most is [01:09:55] absolutely crazy to me.
[01:09:57] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: So
[01:09:57] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: prioritizing those three things. I like [01:10:00] to spend time on each of those three things every single morning before I start
[01:10:03] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: my workday.
[01:10:04] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [01:10:05] And then the last thing is your business. You focus on your business last. That gives you the energy [01:10:10] to power through every other, every other challenge that you're gonna face throughout your life.
[01:10:14] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: [01:10:15] I love it.
[01:10:16] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Last question, Austin, what's your motivation?
[01:10:19] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [01:10:20] Oh my family, hands down. Um, I would do anything for them. They are [01:10:25]
[01:10:25] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: the biggest
[01:10:25] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: joy of my life. I, um, I get so excited [01:10:30] to
[01:10:30] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: see my boys
[01:10:31] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: smile. Um, the other day they wanted to go fishing
[01:10:34] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: and [01:10:35] um,
[01:10:35] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: they, uh, they, they've never fished off the beach before we usually got
[01:10:38] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: on our boat.
[01:10:39] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [01:10:40] So I, I take him out fishing along a little beach out here.
[01:10:43] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And, um, [01:10:45] I texted my wife like two minutes after we got there. I'm like, they're not gonna catch anything here. It was like
[01:10:49] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: a boat [01:10:50]
[01:10:50] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: basin.
[01:10:51] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: And,
[01:10:51] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: um, two minutes after him casting a rod out, he pulled in a fish. I'm like.[01:10:55]
[01:10:55] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: No way.
[01:10:56] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: P prove me wrong. So, but like seeing the joy on his face, [01:11:00] knowing that like, this is a su a Sunday afternoon.
[01:11:01] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: I just got back from travel. I had, I got in at like three o'clock that [01:11:05] morning. I was exhausted, but I put out a beach chair, I let them fish. I was out there just hooking the rods the [01:11:10] whole day. So that experience, there's nothing, there's nothing in my [01:11:15] life that brings me more, uh, joy. Um, serving my team and my clients, I would say is a [01:11:20] close to, um, se second to that.
[01:11:22] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: But absolutely my family comes be, above [01:11:25] all else.
[01:11:26] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: Beautiful. I love it. So where can people [01:11:30] who want to reengage
[01:11:31] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: with you learn
[01:11:31] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: more about you? Where can people find out,
[01:11:33] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: uh, and
[01:11:33] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: connect with you?
[01:11:34] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: [01:11:35] Yeah, so, uh, the best way is just to go to base coat marketing.com. If you're interested in how we can [01:11:40] serve you as a professional painter or epoxy floor coating company, just go grab a spot on our calendar [01:11:45] and talk to our team. Um, for any agency owner that wants to reach out to me, if they're having challenges in their [01:11:50] business and wants to just discuss like how I might be able to help, or any of my challenges that I've gone through that [01:11:55] might be able to benefit them, shoot me an [email protected].
[01:11:59] riverside_corey_quinn_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0224: [01:12:00] Beautiful. Thanks so much for joining Austin.
[01:12:02] riverside_austin_houser_raw-audio_the_deep specializa_0223: Thanks for having me here, Corey.
[01:12:03]
