As an engineer, developer or other IT professional, are you sick of meetings and managers?   And you dream of starting your own business so you can escape your cubicle?

Michael Frew has a unique perspective - after 18 years working as an engineer and architect for top tech companies, he made a big shift to acquire online businesses instead of starting them. 

In this interview, he shares why IT professionals may be better suited to buy (instead of start) an online business, and takes us through his 8-step framework to find, finance and acquire successful online companies.

We also talked about:
Why it can be hard for IT professionals to make a career change due to "golden handcuffs"
Tips for building relationships with sellers when acquiring a business
How to finance an online business acquisition
Managing teams when transitioning from employee to business owner
Key steps in the online business acquisition framework

Want to hear more? Tune in to the full conversation with Michael Frew. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Want regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here.

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Newsletter:  newsletter.michaelfrew.com
Learn:  videos.michaelfrew.com
Website:  https://www.michaelfrew.com
Book on managing a business:  Traction: Get A Grip On Your Business(affiliate link)
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfrew/

As an engineer, developer or other IT professional, are you sick of meetings and managers?   And you dream of starting your own business so you can escape your cubicle?
Michael Frew has a unique perspective - after 18 years working as an engineer and architect for top tech companies, he made a big shift to acquire online businesses instead of starting them. 
In this interview, he shares why IT professionals may be better suited to buy (instead of start) an online business, and takes us through his 8-step framework to find, finance and acquire successful online companies.
We also talked about:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why it can be hard for IT professionals to make a career change due to "golden handcuffs"</li>
<li aria-level="1">Tips for building relationships with sellers when acquiring a business</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to finance an online business acquisition</li>
<li aria-level="1">Managing teams when transitioning from employee to business owner</li>
<li aria-level="1">Key steps in the online business acquisition framework</li>
</ul>
Want to hear more? Tune in to the full conversation with Michael Frew. And don’t forget to <a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/">subscribe</a> so you never miss an episode!
Want regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up <a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/">here</a>.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li>Newsletter:  newsletter.michaelfrew.com</li>
<li>Learn:  videos.michaelfrew.com</li>
<li>Website:  <a href="https://www.michaelfrew.com">https://www.michaelfrew.com</a></li>
<li>Book on managing a business:  <a href="https://geni.us/tractionbyginowickman">Traction: Get A Grip On Your Business</a> (affiliate link)</li>
<li>LinkedIn:  <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfrew/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfrew/</a> </li>
</ul>

This podcast is for new and emerging online business owners who are determined to do what it takes to reach their financial goals, help people along the way and learn a bunch of useful new skills. Have a love/hate relationship with the tech? We talk about that. Not sure you have what it takes to achieve success? We talk about that, too, plus how to deal with mindset challenges. Trudy Rankin, Founder of the Online Business Program, shares actionable tips that will help you really get your business growing, as well as interviews with experts and inspiring stories so that you can grow your online business with confidence.

This podcast is for new and emerging online business owners who are determined to do what it takes to reach their financial goals, help people along the way and learn a bunch of useful new skills. Have a love/hate relationship with the tech? We talk about that. Not sure you have what it takes to achieve success? We talk about that, too, plus how to deal with mindset challenges. Trudy Rankin, Founder of the Online Business Program, shares actionable tips that will help you really get your business growing, as well as interviews with experts and inspiring stories so that you can grow your online business with confidence.

Online Business Launchpad | Start An Online Business | Online Business Growth

The Online Business Launchpad podcast shares tips, techniques and stories from small business owners who have solved problems and challenges like the ones you face.  This podcast is for you if you want to increase revenue and profits without burning out so that you can have more time for yourself and your family and more choices in how you live your life.

The Online Business Launchpad podcast shares tips, techniques and stories from small business owners who have solved problems and challenges like the ones you face.  This podcast is for you if you want to increase revenue and profits without burning out so that you can have more time for yourself and your family and more choices in how you live your life.

How Engineers, Developers and other IT Professionals Can Become Business Owners Without Starting From Scratch With Michael Frew

Have you ever thought about turning your personal stories or opinions into a profitable side hustle? Even in a world dominated by AI and shifting economies, if you can string together sentences that get people wanting more, it's absolutely possible. 

In this episode, we're diving deep into the secrets of getting started as a freelance writer with Lindy Alexander, an award-winning freelance travel writer who turned her writing passion into a successful career.

With her rich background that includes social work, sign language interpretation, and a Ph.D., Lindy brings a unique and holistic approach to freelance writing. 

We Also Talked About:
How Lindy transitioned from social work to full-time freelance writing.
The importance of networking and community in sustaining a freelance writing career.
Practical tips for pitching and landing high-paying writing gigs.
How to leverage personal essays and opinion pieces to get published quickly.
The impact of AI on the writing industry and how to stay relevant.
Overcoming mindset blocks and building confidence as a writer.
The value of having a diverse portfolio, including both content writing and feature writing.
Strategies for managing the business side of freelance writing.

Don’t miss this episode packed with actionable tips and inspiring stories. Listen now and sign up to be notified about upcoming episodes. Sign up here: Newsletter

Resources Mentioned
Website:  https://thefreelancersyear.com/
Lindy's Free Guides:  
10 Successful Magazine Pitches (affiliate link)
5 Easy Magazine Features (affiliate link)
Paid Short Course on Travel Writing:  Get Started With Travel Writing In Under 2 Hours

Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here: Newsletter

Have you ever thought about turning your personal stories or opinions into a profitable side hustle? Even in a world dominated by AI and shifting economies, if you can string together sentences that get people wanting more, it's absolutely possible. 
In this episode, we're diving deep into the secrets of getting started as a freelance writer with Lindy Alexander, an award-winning freelance travel writer who turned her writing passion into a successful career.
With her rich background that includes social work, sign language interpretation, and a Ph.D., Lindy brings a unique and holistic approach to freelance writing. 
We Also Talked About:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">How Lindy transitioned from social work to full-time freelance writing.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The importance of networking and community in sustaining a freelance writing career.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Practical tips for pitching and landing high-paying writing gigs.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to leverage personal essays and opinion pieces to get published quickly.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The impact of AI on the writing industry and how to stay relevant.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Overcoming mindset blocks and building confidence as a writer.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The value of having a diverse portfolio, including both content writing and feature writing.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Strategies for managing the business side of freelance writing.</li>
</ul>
Don’t miss this episode packed with actionable tips and inspiring stories. Listen now and sign up to be notified about upcoming episodes. Sign up here:<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> Newsletter</a>
Resources Mentioned
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Website:  <a href="https://thefreelancersyear.com/">https://thefreelancersyear.com/</a> </li>
<li aria-level="1">Lindy's Free Guides:  </li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/Successful-Magazine-Pitches">10 Successful Magazine Pitches</a> (affiliate link)</li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/easy-magazine-features">5 Easy Magazine Features</a> (affiliate link)</li>
</ul>
<li aria-level="1">Paid Short Course on Travel Writing:  <a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/break-into-travel-writing">Get Started With Travel Writing In Under 2 Hours</a></li>
</ul>
Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here:<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> Newsletter</a>

From Social Worker to Six-Figure Freelance Writer With Lindy Alexander

At just 24 years old, Greg Berry was elected as a city councilor and quickly spotted a major problem: government organizations were struggling to get fair value for their surplus items when they sold them.

Determined to find a solution, Greg leveraged his IT expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to create Municibid, an online platform that has since revolutionized government auctions.

His innovative approach not only solved a persistent issue but also transformed the way surplus items are bought and sold in the US and some parts of Canada.

Greg joined me on the show to talk about his journey as well as share what he’s learned along the way.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT:
Greg's journey from city councilor to entrepreneur and the challenges he faced.
The inefficiencies in government auctions and how Municibid addresses them.
The development and scaling of Municibid, including marketing strategies and technological integration.
The importance of data analytics in optimizing auction sales and identifying trends.
Greg's new venture, Surplus.com, and its potential for global expansion.
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on finding mentors and leveraging life experiences.

Tune in to hear Greg's interesting story and get inspired to tackle your own business challenges! 

Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up here.

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Government auction website:Municibid.com
B2C surplus goods auction website:  Surplus.com
Customer engagement platform:Customer.io
AI customer service platform:Intercom.com
Self-service business intelligence platform:Holistics.io
 Google Cloud’s enterprise data warehouse:  BigQuery

Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business?  Sign up here.

At just 24 years old, Greg Berry was elected as a city councilor and quickly spotted a major problem: government organizations were struggling to get fair value for their surplus items when they sold them.
Determined to find a solution, Greg leveraged his IT expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to create Municibid, an online platform that has since revolutionized government auctions.
His innovative approach not only solved a persistent issue but also transformed the way surplus items are bought and sold in the US and some parts of Canada.
Greg joined me on the show to talk about his journey as well as share what he’s learned along the way.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Greg's journey from city councilor to entrepreneur and the challenges he faced.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The inefficiencies in government auctions and how Municibid addresses them.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The development and scaling of Municibid, including marketing strategies and technological integration.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The importance of data analytics in optimizing auction sales and identifying trends.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Greg's new venture, Surplus.com, and its potential for global expansion.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on finding mentors and leveraging life experiences.</li>
</ul>
Tune in to hear Greg's interesting story and get inspired to tackle your own business challenges! 
Want to be notified when new episodes come up? <a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/">Sign up here</a>.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Government auction website:  <a href="http://municibid.com">Municibid.com</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">B2C surplus goods auction website:  <a href="http://surplus.com">Surplus.com</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Customer engagement platform:  <a href="http://customer.io">Customer.io</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">AI customer service platform:  <a href="http://intercom.com">Intercom.com</a> </li>
<li aria-level="1">Self-service business intelligence platform:  <a href="http://holistics.io">Holistics.io</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"> Google Cloud’s enterprise data warehouse:  <a href="https://cloud.google.com/bigquery">BigQuery</a></li>
</ul>
Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business?  <a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/">Sign up here</a>.

How a 24-Year-Old Entrepreneur Turned a Government Dilemma into a Booming Business With Greg Berry

Ever wondered if your emails are disappearing into a digital abyss, never to be seen or read by the people on your list? Imagine how bad that would be for your business if your carefully crafted messages never reach their destinations. 

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of email deliverability with tech expert MV Braverman to ensure your emails not only send but also land exactly where they should.

MV Braverman is not just an expert on email systems; she's a seasoned warrior in making sure digital communications hit their mark. With extensive experience in IT support and a deep understanding of email marketing, MV joins us to demystify the often confusing world of email deliverability and the recent changes that could be affecting your communications.

We also talk about:
The key differences between email delivery and deliverability.
The importance of setting up proper email authentication to avoid being marked as spam.
How setting up DMARC reporting can reveal issues you might never notice otherwise.
Real-world consequences of poor email practices and how they can silently impact your business.

Tune into this episode to ensure your email strategies are up to date and effective. And remember, if you want to stay ahead with the latest insights and tips from successful online entrepreneurs, subscribe and get notified about upcoming episodes. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Online Business Launchpad podcast, Episode 149:  Useful Ways To Use Zapier To Automate Boring Repetitive Tasks With MV Braverman
MV’s DIY Email Authentication Guide  - https://diyguide.inboxwelcome.com
MV’s Website:  https://inboxwelcome.com/
Google Workspace:  https://workspace.google.com/
Brevo:  https://www.brevo.com/
Email management tools:
ConvertKit (affiliate link)
MailChimp

Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here: Online Business Lift Off Newsletter

Ever wondered if your emails are disappearing into a digital abyss, never to be seen or read by the people on your list? Imagine how bad that would be for your business if your carefully crafted messages never reach their destinations. 
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of email deliverability with tech expert MV Braverman to ensure your emails not only send but also land exactly where they should.
MV Braverman is not just an expert on email systems; she's a seasoned warrior in making sure digital communications hit their mark. With extensive experience in IT support and a deep understanding of email marketing, MV joins us to demystify the often confusing world of email deliverability and the recent changes that could be affecting your communications.
We also talk about:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The key differences between email delivery and deliverability.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The importance of setting up proper email authentication to avoid being marked as spam.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How setting up DMARC reporting can reveal issues you might never notice otherwise.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Real-world consequences of poor email practices and how they can silently impact your business.</li>
</ul>
Tune into this episode to ensure your email strategies are up to date and effective. And remember, if you want to stay ahead with the latest insights and tips from successful online entrepreneurs, <a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/">subscribe and get notified about upcoming episodes</a>. 
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Online Business Launchpad podcast, <a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/project/ep-149-useful-ways-to-use-zapier-to-automate-boring-repetitive-tasks-with-mv-braverman/">Episode 149:  Useful Ways To Use Zapier To Automate Boring Repetitive Tasks With MV Braverman</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">MV’s DIY Email Authentication Guide  - <a href="https://diyguide.inboxwelcome.com/">https://diyguide.inboxwelcome.com</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">MV’s Website:  <a href="https://inboxwelcome.com/">https://inboxwelcome.com/</a> </li>
<li aria-level="1">Google Workspace:  <a href="https://workspace.google.com/">https://workspace.google.com/</a> </li>
<li aria-level="1">Brevo:  <a href="https://www.brevo.com/">https://www.brevo.com/</a> </li>
<li aria-level="1">Email management tools:</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="http://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/convertkit">ConvertKit</a> (affiliate link)</li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://mailchimp.com/">MailChimp</a></li>
</ul>
</ul>
Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here:<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> Online Business Lift Off Newsletter</a>

How Engineers, Developers and other IT Professionals Can Become Business Owners Without Starting From Scratch With Michael Frew

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