The Action Academy with Brian Luebben
Nov 05, 2024Today, Shannon and Brian Luebben explore what it means to be successful in business while maintaining a balanced life. The episode, titled "The Action Academy with Brian Luebben," delves into topics from innovative business models and pricing strategies to the freedom of location independence, offering insightful advice for aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs alike.
Shannon begins by sharing her journey from providing basic bookkeeping and accounting services to developing a high-value monthly subscription model that eventually reached $1,200 per month. Realizing that her work had become merely transactional, Shannon transitioned to offering “fractional CFO” services, focusing on data analysis, business trends, and strategic financial coaching. This shift allowed her to deepen year-round client relationships and deliver superior results by focusing on a smaller, more invested client base. Shannon's decision to "fire" 80 clients to align with her new model underscores her commitment to quality over quantity, ultimately enabling her to maintain a healthier work-life balance and prepare for scalable growth.
Both hosts discuss the necessary mental shift from a corporate calendar mindset to a more flexible and intentional daily routine. Shannon describes her balanced work-life schedule in Costa Rica, where she starts her day with a beach walk and then works intensively from 9 AM to 2 PM. Despite managing an almost half-million-dollar business, Shannon insists that it's possible to balance work and personal enjoyment by designing your day around productivity peaks and leisure activities. Brian highlights the importance of flexibility, reevaluating priorities, and breaking away from the over-scheduled corporate life.
Reflecting on her initial days as a CPA, Shannon recounts how she took on all client requests to explore potential business avenues before recognizing the need for specialization and strategic pricing. She learned to value quality over quantity, honing her services for business owners willing to financially commit to their financial health. Brian shares his own journey with Action Academy, explaining how his business evolved from offering free coaching calls to paid courses and a Mastermind group. By adapting to client feedback and needs, he managed to elevate his business model and attract better clients.
One of the most compelling parts of the episode is Shannon's description of her lifestyle in Costa Rica. Initially motivated by her partner Jason’s parents, she was captivated by the country’s relaxed pace and health benefits, such as a stable circadian rhythm due to consistent sunrise and sunset times. Shannon’s extended stay in Costa Rica, initially meant to support her partner’s family, evolved into a long-term lifestyle choice. This narrative underscores the potential for personal and professional rejuvenation by embracing location independence, highlighting the concept of geographic arbitrage—earning in U.S. dollars while enjoying a lower cost of living abroad.
Brian echoes this sentiment, discussing how different countries prioritize lifestyle differently. They note that places like Italy and Japan place a strong emphasis on work-life balance and community, providing insightful comparisons to the U.S. Shannon and Brian's discussion busts the myth that substantial wealth is necessary to achieve such a lifestyle. Brian argues against the binary mindset that sees significant wealth as a prerequisite for relocating or redefining work-life balance, suggesting that there are many feasible options and encouraging listeners to consider interim steps.
In the end, Shannon and Brian's conversation is a rich source of insights for entrepreneurs, reminding us that success isn't solely defined by financial milestones but also by the quality of relationships, personal fulfillment, and a balanced lifestyle. Their journeys and strategies offer a roadmap for anyone looking to transform their business and life, emphasizing that real value lies in intentional choices and meaningful connections.
Brian Luebben is a dynamic business leader renowned for his innovative approach to scaling companies. Known for his compelling framework that has helped numerous businesses transition from six to seven-figure revenues, Brian emphasizes the importance of adaptive pricing strategies. He believes in continuously increasing value and output, thereby justifying price hikes. This forward-thinking approach encourages businesses to communicate their growth and value assertion clearly to their customers, creating a sense of urgency and scarcity—a concept rooted in the psychological principles of persuasion outlined by experts like Robert Cialdini. Brian's methodologies inspire businesses to elevate their game, ensuring they stay ahead in an ever-changing market landscape.
Visit Brian’s website here!
What you'll hear in this episode:
04:34 CPA and fractional CFO managing own practice.
08:21 Diminishing returns on energy, sacrifices personal life.
10:03 Questioning life's purpose and career goals.
15:41 Prioritize family time; redesign life-business balance.
18:01 Kept house, stayed majority of year there.
21:51 Reduce costs to escape never-ending work cycle.
25:13 Enjoying flexible work-life from anywhere, embracing possibilities.
28:12 Business offers more diversity and creativity than real estate.
31:25 Limited self by time, not valuing expertise.
33:02 Elevated value, skills, networks, revenue, clientele, learning.
36:58 Increase value and prices; invoke scarcity, urgency.
39:33 Transitioned from free coaching to online course.
43:24 Focus on serving 10 clients with dedication.
47:16 Ensure easy refunds to attract ideal customers.
50:58 Investing in Costa Rica real estate projects.
54:16 Free content criticized due to perceived truth.
If you like this episode, check out:
3 Ways to Become a Better Small Business Customer
Don't Make This Huge Mistake with Goal Setting
Don’t Stop Playing the Long Game
Want to learn more so you can earn more?
5-Day Financial Mindset Refresh: https://www.keepwhatyouearn.com/refresh
Visit keepwhatyouearn.com to dive deeper on our episodes
Visit keepwhatyouearncfo.com to work with Shannon and her team
Watch this episode and more here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMlIuZsrllp1Uc_MlhriLvQ
Connect with Shannon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/shannonkweinstein/
The information contained in this podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not individual tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional before implementing anything you learn.
