Build Your Business Podcast: Embracing Remote Work – How Founders Build Freedom & Output
Hosts: Matt Reynolds & Chris Reynolds
Release Date: April 25, 2025
Introduction
Matt and Chris Reynolds kick off this episode by sharing their extensive experience in business ownership, totaling nearly 40 years between them. They emphasize their mission to help business owners transition from fear to freedom by navigating the challenges of modern entrepreneurship.
Notable Quote:
“We have a little bit less than 20 years of business ownership experience. You got a little more than 20 years. And so we kind of balance out about 40 years of business ownership experience.”
— Chris Reynolds [01:07]
Transition from In-Person to Remote Businesses
Both Matt and Chris discuss their shift from traditional, in-person businesses to fully remote, online operations. They highlight the unparalleled freedom and flexibility that remote work offers, allowing them to manage their businesses from any location without being tied to a specific office.
Key Points:
- Freedom and Flexibility: Remote work provides unparalleled freedom for both founders and employees, allowing for work from any location and flexible schedules.
- Global Talent Pool: Access to a global pool of talent, enabling the hiring of top-tier professionals regardless of geographical constraints.
- Digital Office Concept: Transitioning to remote work involves creating a "digital office" using tools like Slack and Basecamp, which centralize communication and streamline operations.
Notable Quotes:
“The number one reason for me why online is better in person is freedom. It's freedom for everybody.”
— Chris Reynolds [02:29]
“It's not that there isn't an office anymore, it's that the office has become digital.”
— Matt Reynolds [04:23]
Hiring for Remote Work
Matt and Chris delve into the nuances of hiring in a remote-first environment. They discuss the importance of selecting employees based on output rather than hours worked and the necessity of high initiative and ambition in remote workers.
Key Points:
- Output Over Hours: Compensation and expectations are based on the deliverables and output rather than the number of hours worked.
- Self-Motivation: Remote employees must be self-driven, capable of managing their time and maintaining focus without constant supervision.
- Cultural Fit: Emphasis on hiring individuals who are a good cultural fit and can thrive in a remote setting, often leading to a culture of high accountability and performance.
Notable Quotes:
“You cannot expect [employees] out of everyone that is in your business.”
— Matt Reynolds [07:06]
“The most limited thing that you can get, you know that you can get is attention because there are, you know, there's only a finite amount of it and everybody's competing for it.”
— Matt Reynolds [07:38]
Managing Remote Teams and Ensuring Output
The discussion moves to strategies for managing remote teams effectively. Matt and Chris emphasize the importance of clear communication, setting precise expectations, and utilizing systems to track engagement and performance.
Key Points:
- Clear Responsibilities: Defining clear responsibilities and expectations for each team member to ensure accountability.
- Communication Tools: Leveraging platforms like Slack and Basecamp to maintain continuous and organized communication.
- Performance Tracking: Monitoring engagement and output through digital tools to ensure team members are contributing effectively.
Notable Quotes:
“You pay based on output, which means there has to be clear responsibilities and expectations of the output for every single employee.”
— Matt Reynolds [08:50]
“So when you hover over that, it does their engagement.”
— Chris Reynolds [09:20]
Leveraging Time Zones for 24-Hour Productivity
Matt and Chris explore the concept of utilizing different time zones to create a seamless, around-the-clock workflow. They acknowledge the initial challenges but highlight how strategic hiring across time zones can lead to increased productivity and continuous business operations.
Key Points:
- Time Zone Advantages: Hiring globally can cover different time zones, enabling work to progress even when the founder is offline.
- Handoff Systems: Implementing effective handoff protocols to ensure smooth transitions between different time zones and maintaining workflow continuity.
- Management Layers: Introducing intermediary management layers to handle communication and task transitions across time zones.
Notable Quotes:
“There is nothing that feels better in business than when you go to bed and then you wake up the next morning and shit got done.”
— Chris Reynolds [23:13]
“You can create a world with the best talent from. You don't care where. It gets done.”
— Matt Reynolds [27:31]
Setting Boundaries and Maintaining Work-Life Balance
The hosts discuss the critical need for setting personal boundaries to prevent burnout in a remote work environment. They share personal anecdotes about setting strict work and personal life separations to maintain mental health and productivity.
Key Points:
- Intentional Boundaries: Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life to ensure time for relaxation and family.
- Role of Founders: As business owners, founders must consciously make decisions about when to work and when to disconnect.
- Systematic Support: Utilizing systems and processes to manage business operations, allowing founders to take necessary breaks without disrupting workflow.
Notable Quotes:
“You have to create those boundaries because in an in-person environment the boundaries are created for you.”
— Chris Reynolds [14:44]
“You have to decide. And as a worker, there is still often a finite amount of work to do. But as an owner or founder, there's an infinite amount of work to do.”
— Matt Reynolds [15:44]
Overcoming Challenges of Remote Work
Matt and Chris acknowledge the potential drawbacks of remote work, such as communication delays and the need for impeccable organization. They offer practical solutions to these challenges, emphasizing the importance of thorough communication and robust systems.
Key Points:
- Communication Delays: Addressing time zone differences by providing comprehensive information in single messages to minimize back-and-forth delays.
- Organizational Systems: Implementing strong Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and systems to maintain efficiency and prevent work from falling through the cracks.
- Adaptability: Encouraging adaptability and continuous improvement in remote work practices to overcome initial disadvantages.
Notable Quotes:
“Time zones begin to really matter. So you do things like there's a time zone that's actually pretty hard to cover for most companies in the United States.”
— Matt Reynolds [21:02]
“It's difficult to run. Things get lost in translation. There's some communication needs to be freaking on point if you're going to do this.”
— Matt Reynolds [22:15]
Success Stories and Real-World Applications
The episode includes real-world examples of how remote work has been successfully implemented, showcasing the benefits of accessing global talent and maintaining high productivity levels.
Key Points:
- Project Delivery Example: Matt shares a story about successfully delivering a large project without directly handling the technical work, relying on a globally distributed team.
- Effective Management: Highlighting the importance of choosing top-tier talent and maintaining clear communication to ensure project success.
- Economic Efficiency: Discussing how remote work reduces overhead costs, such as office rent, allowing businesses to offer competitive pricing and reallocate resources effectively.
Notable Quotes:
“The people that I picked, these are not subpar. Like these are top.01% engineers that I can hand something to and know it's going to get done.”
— Matt Reynolds [27:31]
“There is no rent, there's no mortgage. How expensive is an office building? ... The overhead, all of those things pass along to your customers and that, you know, you end up being able to outprice other people that can't.”
— Matt Reynolds [32:39]
Conclusion
Matt and Chris wrap up the episode by reiterating the immense benefits of remote work, including freedom, access to a global talent pool, and cost efficiency. They encourage listeners to embrace remote work by implementing strong systems, hiring the right talent, and maintaining clear communication to transform their businesses from fear to freedom.
Final Takeaways:
- Embrace Remote Work: Recognize the strategic advantages of remote operations in modern business.
- Focus on Output: Prioritize deliverables and output over traditional metrics like hours worked.
- Strategic Hiring: Invest in high-quality talent and ensure alignment with company culture and expectations.
- Maintain Boundaries: Set and respect personal and professional boundaries to sustain long-term productivity and well-being.
Closing Remarks:
“We love online businesses. We both run online businesses. That allows us the freedom to travel, often for business, sometimes for pleasure, and continue to do work as needed.”
— Chris Reynolds [28:09]
Matt and Chris encourage listeners to implement the discussed strategies to build a sustainable, thriving remote business that offers both freedom and high output.
Final Thoughts
This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to transition to or optimize their remote work strategies. By sharing personal experiences, practical tips, and real-world examples, Matt and Chris Reynolds provide invaluable insights into building a successful remote business.
Whether you're just starting out or aiming to scale your existing business, embracing remote work can lead to greater freedom, access to top talent, and enhanced productivity. Implementing the right systems and fostering a culture of accountability and clear communication are key to transforming your business from fear to freedom.
Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube to gain deeper insights and actionable strategies for embracing remote work in your business.