Remote First Podcast

Hamza Baig, known as Hamza Automates, joins Athar Siddiqui for episode 9 of the HighLevel Speaker Series on The Remote First Podcast.Hamza found HighLevel on a random viral TikTok in 2021. Before that he was in a call center making 300 dials a day, which taught him objection handling and how to get a point across fast. He white labeled HighLevel as his own software, went door to door when nobody wanted a CRM, and built one of the first ChatGPT chatbots on HighLevel in 2022. Today he has about 250,000 followers, has helped more than 1,500 businesses and 40,000 students, and won HighLevel's Platinum award in 2024 and Diamond the year after.He explains why talking to your customer is the new moat, what an AI automation agency actually is, and why businesses don't buy AI, they buy outcomes (plus the rise of "AI fatigue"). He shares his niche method: ticket size, lead flow and how reachable the decision maker is, and why you should play the field before you commit to one niche.Then the twist: why he says AI is making us dumber, why he feels "kind of like Oppenheimer", and how to keep your own thinking as your edge. Athar shares RepStack's rule, use AI but don't trust the AI, and how roles are being redesigned. Hamza closes with a preview of his HighLevel Summit talk: how he runs a Diamond SaaS with one full-time employee and AI agents.Chapters0:00 Highlights0:27 Intro0:37 Welcome to the Remote First Podcast2:05 Finding HighLevel on a viral TikTok3:28 From 300 dials a day to his own software company4:52 One of the first AI chatbots on HighLevel6:19 How HighLevel changed since 20217:46 Talk to your customer: the new moat9:38 What is an AI automation agency?10:50 Businesses don't buy AI, they buy outcomes13:40 Which businesses are ready for AI16:13 How to pick your niche20:49 Is AI making us dumber?23:19 Use AI, but don't trust the AI25:45 New AI roles at RepStack28:00 Hamza at the Summit: a SaaS run by AI agentsHire pre-vetted remote talent: https://repstack.co#RemoteFirst #RepStack #HighLevel #GoHighLevel #HamzaAutomates #AIAutomation #AIAgency #RemoteWork #AgencyGrowth

Dakota Routh, the team behind Agency Support for HighLevel and White Label Suite, joins Athar Siddiqui for episode 7 of the HighLevel Speaker Series on The Remote First Podcast.Dakota started with a HighLevel SaaS in 2020, did his own client onboarding, and was asked by another agency owner to white label it. A few clients later someone asked for support too, and a team of four or five people taking night shifts turned into 24/7 white label support for HighLevel agencies, now about 70 people across several countries.He explains where onboarding ends and support begins, the 10 to 14 week onboarding program, how they train clients without breaking the white label, and how Wally, their AI agent, handles 67% of support chats before handing off to a human. On culture: "one team, one dream", an eight-week internship that grows their own talent (30 to 40% of interns get an offer), trusting people first and then verifying, and why you often hire 8 to 10 VAs to find one good one.His view on AI: it won't replace a good employee, it will enhance one, and it is replacing the lazy ones. Plus the biggest mistake new agency owners make, why in-person events still matter, and a preview of his HighLevel Summit talk: the nine steps to closing any deal.Chapters0:00 Highlights0:21 Intro0:31 Welcome to the Remote First Podcast1:25 From SaaS founder to HighLevel support2:28 How onboarding turned into 24/7 support3:50 Where onboarding ends and support begins4:53 A 10 to 14 week onboarding program5:54 Training clients without breaking white label6:51 Wally, the AI that handles support chats9:07 When the AI hands off to a human9:55 One team, one dream11:40 Growing talent with an eight-week internship15:00 Trust first, then verify17:05 AI won't replace good employees20:07 The biggest mistake new agency owners make23:08 Why in-person events still matter25:52 His Summit talk: nine steps to close any deal27:54 See you at the SummitHire pre-vetted remote talent: https://repstack.co#RemoteFirst #RepStack #HighLevel #GoHighLevel #DakotaRouth #AgencySupport #WhiteLabel #RemoteWork #AgencyGrowth

Whitney Bonds, YouTuber, top 10 HighLevel affiliate and founder of SiteMaster Pro, joins Athar Siddiqui for episode 6 of the LevelUp speaker series on The Remote First Podcast.Whitney shares how HighLevel found her by accident after one AI video, how she runs a big affiliate business with a small part-time remote team (including her mom, who edits her reels), and why she still reads every video off a teleprompter. She is honest about working with family, and Athar explains how the three RepStack brothers keep a one-hour call every Monday so nothing builds up.Then the story: a 9 to 5, a second baby on the way, a blog for moms that made $5,000 in its first year and over $200,000 the next. Her rule through all of it: trust the process, not the progress. She also explains how a $30,000 January from one YouTuber got her on camera, how an interview with Andy Audate turned into a coaching relationship, and why a four-year-old video about dog treats still ranks first.Both Athar and Whitney will be at HighLevel's LevelUp summit in Dallas. Whitney will be on stage talking about YouTube content that lasts for years.Chapters0:00 Highlights0:23 Intro1:18 Welcome to the Remote First Podcast2:35 How HighLevel found Whitney by accident5:05 A small, part-time remote team6:48 Still reading off a teleprompter8:00 Working with family: I don't recommend it9:54 Remote culture runs on flexibility12:40 Kids, plaques and the YouTube life13:58 From a 9 to 5 to a blog for moms17:37 Losing Pinterest and finding YouTube19:09 Small targets, then scale slowly20:23 Interviewing Andy Audate, then hiring him as a coach21:50 AI receptionists and a $997 client23:25 Why sharing your wins helps others24:05 Her Summit talk: YouTube content that lasts25:20 Workshops and final wordsHire pre-vetted remote talent: https://repstack.co#RemoteFirst #RepStack #HighLevel #WhitneyBonds #YouTubeTips #RemoteWork #AgencyGrowth

Andy Audate, founder of GHL Engine and Progreda, joins Athar Siddiqui for episode 5 of the LevelUp speaker series on The Remote First Podcast.They talk about how one training webinar brought in 150 job applications, how Andy's team turned 40 recorded onboarding calls into a 10-step checklist that any team member can run, why a small vision loses you your best people, and why "remote first" no longer means anything now that the playing field has leveled. Andy also shares how his remote team sells $20K to $40K deals on their own, how an accountant from a nine-figure company rebuilt his finances from the Philippines, and why he flies out every year to give back with his team.Both Athar and Andy will be at HighLevel's LevelUp summit in Dallas. Andy will be on stage talking about selling one to many with webinars.Chapters0:00 Highlights0:33 Intro1:28 Welcome to the Remote First Podcast2:32 Meet Andy Audate and GHL Engine3:56 Why webinars, and why live5:11 150 job applications from one training8:30 Getting new hires up to speed10:32 340 buyers and a 10-step onboarding14:55 Confidence comes from a clipboard16:11 A vision big enough for your team19:42 Remote first doesn't mean anything today21:52 The $120K hire vs. the $40K hire23:28 What I wish I knew about remote teams25:36 A nine-figure accountant, hired remotely29:22 Why we give back in the Philippines33:33 LevelUp 2026 and final wordsHire pre-vetted remote talent: https://repstack.co#RemoteFirst #RepStack #HighLevel #GHLEngine #RemoteWork #AgencyGrowth

Declan O'Reilly, the GHL Wizard, joins Athar Siddiqui for episode 4 of the LevelUp speaker series on The Remote First Podcast.Declan started out recording GoHighLevel training videos for his own team. Those videos grew into a 42,000 subscriber YouTube channel, a community of 5,000 affiliates and the number one spot as a GoHighLevel affiliate. They talk about turning a team from mercenary to missionary, why he still shows up live for his students every week, how he keeps every training up to date, and why automation and AI should come last, not first.Both Athar and Declan will be at HighLevel's Level Up summit in Dallas, October 26 to 29.Chapters0:00 Highlights0:17 Intro1:12 Welcome to the Remote First Podcast1:53 Meet Declan O'Reilly, the GHL Wizard2:39 From mercenary to missionary3:51 One team, one time zone4:56 Incentives that keep a team driven6:55 Becoming the #1 HighLevel affiliate8:28 The one thing: student results10:32 Who earns the free clients12:10 Why he still shows up live15:06 Keeping trainings up to date18:05 Workshops and the daily cycle20:04 A community of 5,000 affiliates21:44 AI vs. humans24:18 Automation and AI come last27:00 The robe and final wordsHire pre-vetted remote talent: https://repstack.co#RemoteFirst #RepStack #GoHighLevel #GHLWizard #AIAutomation

Yesenia Nelson, co-founder of 7 Figure Agency and Plumbing HVAC SEO, joins Athar Siddiqui for the second episode of the HighLevel speaker series on The Remote First Podcast.They talk about running two multi-million dollar businesses with her husband Josh, moving a whole company from an office to fully remote, hiring people who are obsessed with what they do, what agency owners really worry about when hiring overseas, and why AI is empowering teams rather than replacing them.Both Athar and Yesenia will be at HighLevel's Level Up summit in Dallas, October 26 to 29.Chapters0:00 Highlights0:25 Intro1:19 Welcome to the Remote First Podcast2:13 Meet Yesenia Nelson3:42 Working with family7:48 From office to remote11:21 Culture across the globe15:34 Trust and tracking remote teams17:29 Hire people who are obsessed21:05 What agency owners worry about23:20 Growth paths for global teams24:59 Why in-person events matter26:50 English, drive and A players28:51 AI vs. humans33:32 AI has to tie to profit34:28 Level Up Dallas36:05 Final wordsHire pre-vetted remote talent: https://repstack.co#RemoteFirst #RepStack #7FigureAgency #DigitalMarketingAgency #RemoteWork

Chris Dillon wrote HighLevel's official WhatsApp course, has spoken for HighLevel in India and the Philippines, and is back on stage at Level Up in Dallas (October 26-29). On The Remote First Podcast, Athar Siddiqui sits down with Chris to talk about what 20 years as a football referee taught him about people, why automation should support humans rather than replace them, the detail most people miss in Alex Hormozi's speed-to-lead story, and why you should sell the outcome, not the software.The Remote First Podcast is RepStack's LevelUp Speaker Series: conversations with the people speaking at Level Up about culture, building teams, client relationships and honest sales.Chapters0:00 Highlights0:24 Intro1:20 Welcome to the Remote First Podcast2:41 Chris Dillon, HighLevel & WhatsApp4:58 A lifelong QPR fan7:51 What refereeing taught Chris about people10:47 Leads are real people12:32 You're one conversation away14:26 Business is person to person16:11 Automation should support humans17:21 The London Underground lesson19:54 Be detached from the outcome23:15 The 5 or 10 minute train23:47 The flaw in the speed-to-lead story26:28 Chris's book: No One Gives a Sh*t About Your Business29:03 What hospitals get right31:29 Open the floodgates32:55 Airport toilets & honest feedback34:58 Desire paths36:29 GaryVee's wine shop37:48 Where attention lives: WhatsApp39:34 Sell the outcome, not HighLevel40:47 Believe in your product41:51 Chris's Level Up Dallas talk44:22 Networking without the sales pitch46:44 Three days of sales pitches48:28 Ethical sales & the 5 W's51:56 Final wordsABOUT THE GUESTChris Dillon: author of HighLevel's official WhatsApp course, of Marketing Autopilots, and author of "No One Gives a Sh*t About Your Business".ABOUT REPSTACKRepStack (Inc. 5000, 2025 and 2026) builds remote teams for agencies. https://repstack.co#RemoteFirstPodcast #RepStack #HighLevel #GoHighLevel #WhatsAppMarketing #LevelUp2026 #AtharSiddiqui #ChrisDillon #SalesTips #AgencyGrowth

Lisa Catto, CEO of The Business Catalyst and known as the Queen of Automations, joins Athar Siddiqui for the HighLevel Speaker Series on The Remote First Podcast.Lisa's first tech business in the mid 1990s put brands inside computer games: Coca-Cola over the Olympic stadium, Adidas stripes in FIFA and Gran Turismo, and a role-playing game for Unilever's Peperami. She retired to the south of France in her mid-30s, came back in 2011, trained on Infusionsoft and moved to HighLevel in 2022.She walks through her ideal customer journey: three phases (prospecting, conversion, fulfilment), nine steps and 54 checkpoints, and why "prescription without diagnosis is malpractice". Her advice: start simple, build in Lego blocks, and fix the broken sales process before you push new leads into it.On team and culture: a team of seven, a daily 9 a.m. drop-in so she is never the bottleneck, two hours of training every Monday, and a hiring process built on Geoff Smart's book "Who" that tests how people think, not which software they know. Athar shares why the number one reason new hires leave RepStack in the first 90 days is overwhelm, and how clarity fixes it.Both Lisa and Athar will be at the HighLevel Summit in Dallas, October 26 to 29.Chapters0:00 Highlight: fix the broken sales process first0:28 Intro0:38 Welcome to the Remote First Podcast1:34 Putting brands inside 90s video games3:17 Retiring in her mid-30s, then automation4:25 Digital marketing before the internet5:58 The Lara Croft pitch Adidas turned down7:31 What The Business Catalyst does8:24 Be a specialist, not a generalist9:52 The ideal customer journey: 54 checkpoints13:33 Prescription without diagnosis is malpractice15:14 Don't scale chaos, scale clarity16:50 Corporate brands vs small business: know the outcome17:43 Snapshots, Lego blocks and documentation18:50 Start simple: fix the broken sales process first20:05 Why new hires quit in the first 90 days21:06 Hiring for how people think, not skills22:34 The "Who" hiring method and AI in applications24:34 Daily drop-ins: culture is a routine26:24 Training the team so she can step back28:13 An autonomous team with clear rules29:02 American vs British clients31:10 Thanks, and see you in DallasHire pre-vetted remote talent: https://repstack.co#RemoteFirst #RepStack #HighLevel #LisaCatto #Automation #CustomerJourney #AgencyGrowth

In this episode of The Remote-First Podcast, Yawar sits down with Salahuddin, a high-performing media buyer at RepStack, to talk about his journey from Pakistan to the UAE, his decision to return home for family, and how he found RepStack through Instagram.Salahuddin opens up about the reality of remote work, from adjusting to night shifts and working with US clients to navigating performance expectations, time tracking, AI adoption, and professional growth. He also shares what makes remote work different from traditional office environments, why integrity matters more than ever, and how working with the right client can completely change your career trajectory.This episode is a grounded, honest look at what it really takes to succeed in a remote-first environment. It is not about shortcuts. It is about professionalism, consistency, adaptability, and being honest with yourself, your CV, your interviews, and your work. In this episode, we discuss: Finding RepStack Remote Meet Salahuddin Early Life and Education Digital Ads Spark Agency Career Path UAE Move and Return Adjusting to Remote Nights Work Setup and Culture US Client Work Differences Professionalism and Integrity Transparency and No Toxicity Hiring and Learning Mindset Learning GHL Fast Time Tracking Debate Remote Work Lifestyle Home Boundaries Media Buyer Toolstack AI In The Workflow Remote Work Myths Five Year Vision RepStack Growth Stories Integrity And Shoutouts Advice For New Hires Closing Thoughts 00:00 Finding RepStack Remote01:08 Meet Salahuddin01:21 Early Life and Education02:52 Digital Ads Spark03:15 Agency Career Path03:48 UAE Move and Return06:39 Adjusting to Remote Nights07:56 Work Setup and Culture09:43 US Client Work Differences10:10 Professionalism and Integrity11:55 Transparency and No Toxicity13:21 Hiring and Learning Mindset14:42 Learning GHL Fast15:36 Time Tracking Debate17:56 Remote Work Lifestyle“Be honest to yourself. Be honest to your CV. Be honest when you are interviewed.”🔗 Connect with RepStack:📍 www.linkedin.com/company/repstackco📍   / repstackco  📍 www.facebook.com/repstackco📍 www.tiktok.com/@repstackco

Discover how to build, scale, and sustain a multi-million dollar remote business in today’s digital-first world. In this episode, we dive deep into the strategies, mindset, and systems behind building a $50M remote business.Our guest shares real insights on scaling operations, leading global teams, and navigating the challenges of remote entrepreneurship. From early struggles to massive growth, this conversation breaks down what it truly takes to succeed at a high level.🚀 What You’ll Learn:How to build and scale a remote business from scratchKey systems behind a $50M operationHiring and managing global teams effectivelyThe mindset required for long-term successMistakes to avoid when scaling fast🔗 Connect with RepStack:📍   / repstackco  📍   / repstackco  📍   / repstackco  📍   / repstackco