Most businesses will combust because of too many opportunities

In this motivating episode of Steve’s Rants, Steve Sims dives into the game-changing power of building your own “A Team.” Drawing on a standout moment from his experience as a keynote speaker alongside Magic Johnson at Traffic and Conversion, Steve unpacks the lesson that even top performers need top teams behind them. He recounts Magic’s pivotal realization: being an A player means intentionally surrounding yourself with other A players—not just sticking with old friends or convenient connections, but building a circle of excellence across every facet of your life and business. Steve uses Magic’s story to challenge listeners to examine the standards they set—not just for themselves, but for everyone in their orbit. He stresses that your results and your growth depend on the quality of your team, from mentors and coaches to business partners and advisors. This isn’t just about talent, but about the standards you uphold in every area, whether that’s who manages your finances or who handles your PR. Steve shares his own approach to curating a stellar support system, making it clear that the commitment to surrounding yourself with the best lifts everyone to new heights. Packed with practical takeaways and Steve’s signature no-nonsense wisdom, this episode is a wake-up call for entrepreneurs and business owners to audit their inner circles, raise their standards, and start thinking like Magic Johnson. If you want bigger results, build a better team, and don’t settle—your standards, and your squad, will dictate your success.

In this thought-provoking episode of Steve’s Rants, Steve Sims dives deep into a surprising reason why so many companies stumble—not from a lack of opportunities, but from too many. Drawing on his experience working with entrepreneurs, Steve highlights how early business success often leads to an overwhelming flood of new possibilities, collaborations, and ideas. The danger, he argues, is that entrepreneurs are naturally wired to say “yes” to opportunity, but this can actually cause businesses to implode under the weight of endless options and distractions. Steve shares a refreshing, practical system for managing this opportunity overload without ever having to say the dreaded word “no.” He introduces a simple three-column approach—“now,” “not now,” and “not me”—to help prioritize ideas, stay focused, and avoid burnout. Through real-world examples and his signature straight talk, Steve reveals how moving ideas between these columns can keep your business on track while still allowing space for creativity and growth. He stresses the value of knowing your strengths, outsourcing weaknesses, and focusing on what you do best. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and business owners seeking clarity amid chaos. Discover why being selective with opportunities is crucial to long-term success, and learn how a disciplined approach to innovation can keep your business thriving—even in the face of constant temptation to chase the next big thing. As always, Steve encourages listeners to take action: disrupt, connect, and grow, because life’s too short to play it safe.

In this thought-provoking episode of Steve's Rants, Steve Sims dives into the role of data, logic, and magic in building a successful business, challenging the conventional wisdom that data-driven decisions should rule every move. Steve unpacks the truth about data—how it’s inherently backward-looking, keeping your focus anchored in the past even if it’s just by a second. Drawing on real-world examples from iconic innovators like Edison, Henry Ford, and Kodak, he illustrates how logic and data can lead to incremental progress, but rarely to real disruption. Steve passionately argues that true innovation and game-changing success come from making space for "magic": creativity, spontaneity, and bold ideas that aren’t always rooted in logic or past trends. From the unexpected rise of the Sex Pistols and Elvis to the cultural impact of films like The Matrix, he shows how breakthroughs happen when you’re willing to break away from what data and logic deem possible. With his signature no-nonsense style, Steve encourages entrepreneurs to stop playing it safe, disrupt the norm, and use data as a guide—not a cage. This episode is a must-watch for any business owner ready to move beyond the status quo, tap into their creative side, and create something that truly stands out in the marketplace. Learn why the future belongs to those who make space for magic, not just metrics.

In this revealing episode of Steve's Rants, Steve Sims opens up about a pivotal moment in his entrepreneurial journey—how the media, despite its glamorous allure, nearly destroyed his business. Drawing from his days running an exclusive private concierge service for high-profile clients like Elon Musk, Richard Branson, and Elton John, Steve shares the critical role anonymity played in his success and recounts how a single major feature in Forbes led to an unexpected downfall. Steve candidly describes the backlash he faced after being thrust into the spotlight: instead of attracting more wealthy clients, he lost 60% of his business practically overnight. His core clientele, who valued discretion and secrecy, could no longer be seen working with the man known as the “wizard of Oz.” Instead, he attracted attention from those looking for quick access to the glamorous lifestyle—clients that added little value and much hassle. With his original business model in ruins, Steve gets real about the myth that “all media is good media.” But in true entrepreneurial spirit, he explains how he transformed this crisis into a new opportunity. The media attention ultimately propelled him to publish his bestselling book, Bluefishing: The Art of Making Things Happen, and launch a new career as a speaker and corporate consultant. Through personal stories, blunt honesty, and practical advice, Steve urges fellow entrepreneurs to understand that while attention and media coverage can open doors, it’s what you do with that attention that defines your path. Instead of passively waiting for success to roll in, Steve encourages using every bit of attention as a tool to pivot, grow, and shape your future. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and business owners who want to leverage media attention the smart way—learning from Steve’s hard-earned experience that sometimes, the worst moments can lead to the greatest reinventions. Discover why—not all media is created equal—and how taking control of your narrative can transform disaster into your next big break.

In this episode, Steve Sims distills 38 years of brutally honest business experience into just five minutes, delivering straight-shooting advice every entrepreneur needs to hear. Drawing from decades of hard-won lessons, Steve shares the three key truths that every business owner should know—and prepare for—if they want to succeed in the real world. Steve kicks things off by tackling the inevitability of screw-ups in business. Whether it's human error, shifting algorithms, or unexpected industry changes, something will go wrong, and Steve stresses the importance of expecting problems and planning for them before they hit. This mindset shift, he says, allows you to respond strategically rather than get caught off guard. Next, Steve flips the script on the classic hustle trope, insisting that entrepreneurs value time over dollars. Reminding us that while money can be replaced, time cannot, he emphasizes the need to evaluate opportunities not just by the payday, but by the time, stress, and effort required to get there. Finally, in a refreshingly cynical yet practical twist, Steve urges listeners to approach every new contract and relationship with skepticism—not starry-eyed optimism. By deliberately looking for potential pitfalls and being willing to walk away if things don't add up, he explains how he's avoided the costly mistakes that once tripped him up, using a memorable story with the Elton John Foundation as an example. Packed with candid insights, tough love, and practical strategies, this episode offers a survival kit for anyone navigating entrepreneurship. Steve’s honest advice will help you spot trouble before it starts, value your most precious resource, and make deals with your eyes wide open. If you’re ready to disrupt, connect, and grow with lessons from someone who’s truly been there, this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

In this episode of *The Art of Making Things Happen with Steve Sims*, Steve sits down with Emma Rainville, a systems and operations expert. Emma discusses her passion for being an exceptional "number two," mastering the art of systems and processes to unleash creativity and ultimately keep more money in the business. Emma shares insights from her new book, *Scope*, which stands for Setting your vision, Creating processes, Operational excellence, People development, and Execution. Together, Steve and Emma explore the journey of how systems can transform an entrepreneur's chaotic world into streamlined success. Emma dives into the intricacies of working with visionary entrepreneurs and how systems can save both time and money, urging listeners to embrace these tools for a more impactful and efficient business operation. Tune in for a conversation that will motivate you to implement systems in your own business and gain more time to enjoy your success. If you're ready to shift from chaos to calm and make your business processes work for you, this episode is a must-listen! Don't forget to check out Emma's book, *Scope*, at readscope.co, to further explore the magic of systems in your entrepreneurial journey.

In this thought-provoking episode of Steve's Rants, Steve Sims delves into a common entrepreneurial question: "What would you do if you were broke tomorrow?" Steve explores this scenario from two angles—what you could do if you have existing assets and relationships versus starting from scratch with nothing but your determination and curiosity. He emphasizes the importance of relationships as the true currency in today's world of distrust and misinformation. Steve advocates for leveraging these relationships in times of need, highlighting that real equity may not lie in your bank account but in your ability to reach out and request help from your network. For those who may find themselves without established connections, Steve advises embedding yourself into environments and circles that align with your aspirations, even if it means starting at the bottom. He shares the journeys of notable figures like Mark Burnett and Simon Cowell, illustrating how entering the right "sandpit" can lead to powerful growth and opportunities. Throughout his discussion, Steve underscores the need to continually assess and adapt your skillset in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, warning against complacency as industries face disruption. His message is clear: stay aggravated, stay curious, and harness that drive to create momentum toward your goals. This episode offers invaluable advice for entrepreneurs navigating uncertain times and highlights the critical role of adaptability and relationship-building in achieving lasting success.

In this engaging episode of Steve's Rants, Steve Sims delves into the often-confused realms of branding and marketing. With his characteristic directness, Steve clarifies the distinction between the two, illustrating how true branding evokes an emotional response at the mere mention of a name—think Nike, Tesla, or SpaceX. Branding, according to Steve, is about creating a genuine connection, a cult-like following where the community wholeheartedly believes in the brand's message. Steve contrasts this with marketing, describing it as the relentless pursuit of attention, a costly exercise of shouting at consumers to notice and buy. He emphasizes that without a clear, decisive brand identity, marketing efforts lead to confusion rather than commitment. Through this insightful analysis, Steve underscores the importance of brevity and clarity in branding—what problem do you solve, and for whom? He urges business owners to be impossible to misunderstand, making sure their message is both concise and impactful. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs eager to fortify their brand's foundation, ensuring it stands out amid today's cacophony of market noise. Steve offers no-nonsense advice on why the essence of successful branding lies not in marketing dollars but in building a community that believes and engages, naturally fostering loyalty and preference.

In this refreshing episode of Steve's Rants, Steve Sims flips the traditional productivity script by examining our calendars and how they often fail to reflect the life we aspire to live. He critiques how packed schedules brim with undesirable tasks like dental appointments and client meetings, overshadowing much-needed moments of joy and personal connection. Steve passionately urges listeners to transform their calendars by intentionally blocking time for life’s pleasures, such as a breakfast date with your partner or a football game with your kids. He stresses that life is meant for living, not just surviving in a cycle of productivity without personal fulfillment. By adding activities and time with loved ones to our calendars, we not only break the cycle of monotony but also create a weekly routine we can look forward to. The episode encourages entrepreneurs and business owners to take control of their time, ensuring that amidst the non-negotiable tasks, they prioritize activities that align with their personal happiness and values. Steve’s candid commentary is a reminder that the true wealth lies in filling our calendars with moments that matter, energizing us to live a life enriched with joyful connections and fulfilling experiences.

In this thought-provoking episode of Steve's Rants, Steve Sims delves into the one defining trait of a successful entrepreneur that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers: the power of "I Can." Steve draws from his experiences with influential business figures worldwide to explain why the willingness to take action often outweighs intellectual prowess. He illustrates how half-baked ideas backed by passion and momentum can succeed more readily than flawless plans that are never executed. Through the fascinating example of Elon Musk's journey with rocket landings, Steve emphasizes the critical role of learning from failure and persistence in entrepreneurial success. He shares the cautionary tale of overthinking induced by high IQs, which can lead to inaction and missed opportunities. Instead, Steve advocates for starting even if the circumstances aren't perfect and adapting along the way, capturing the essence of moving forward despite unforeseen challenges. This episode provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs aspiring to prioritize a proactive and resilient mindset over mere intelligence. Learn why embracing the power of "I Can" can propel you past obstacles and towards success in your entrepreneurial ventures.