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.