Podcast Summary: "Nick Ford Explains the Exact Side Hustles That Let Him Quit Law Enforcement"
The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex
Host: Paul Alex Espinoza
Guest: Nick Ford
Date: December 25, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into the journey of Nick Ford—military veteran, former law enforcement officer, and now entrepreneur. Ford discusses his progression from public service to building side hustles (like ATM businesses and merchant services) that led him to financial freedom and, ultimately, to building a lifestyle more aligned with his values and family life. The conversation is candid and resourceful, covering tactical strategies, mindset shifts, the reality of passive income, and how Nick now leverages AI automation to help small businesses and fellow first responders exit the traditional 9–5 grind.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Nick’s Journey: From Military & Law Enforcement to Entrepreneurship
[02:38 – 05:48]
- Transition Timeline: Left active military duty in 2007; began law enforcement in 2012 after persistent effort (taking the civil service exam twice due to high competition).
- Law Enforcement Experience: Five years on the job, mostly as a Field Training Officer (FTO), academy instructor, and Narcan trainer—no specialized units, but loved influencing new recruits.
- “You get out of the police academy, you get into the department. And to me, that’s really where the rubber meets the road.” (Nick, 05:19)
Advice for Aspiring Officers
[05:48 – 07:51]
- Top 3 Tips from Nick:
- Examine your why: Make sure you’re getting into policing for the right reasons.
- Stay above drama: Prepare well, show up professionally (e.g., wear a suit to interviews), and avoid station gossip.
- Enjoy the ride: Appreciate each day; build your own opinion and experience.
- Paul’s Perspective: Emphasizes the customer service aspect of policing and the scrutiny officers face today.
- “You are providing customer service to the citizens and to the suspects, right?” (Paul, 07:51)
First Step into Business: The ATM Hustle
[11:28 – 15:44]
- Genesis: Inspired during midnight shifts to explore how ATM surcharges worked.
- Business Model: Started a veteran-owned ATM business, donating a portion of surcharges to veteran charities and targeting veteran organizations for placements (VFW, American Legion).
- Mindset Shift: The confidence boost came less from income and more from successfully building, selling, and operating a business.
- “It wasn’t the income that gave me that added boost of confidence... it was the fact that I actually created a business, got customers, made sales, brought in revenue.” (Nick, 11:28)
Tackling the Skepticism
[15:26 – 16:16]
- Workplace Reactions: Faced skepticism from colleagues (“pyramid scheme?”), but chose to be open about his business.
- Support Network: Openness led to actual business—colleagues provided referrals; supportive spouse was another key.
- “Your net worth is your network, right?” (Nick, 16:16)
Scaling & Transitioning: Overtime vs. Passive Income
[17:16 – 18:14]
- Paul’s Calculation: ATMs producing $4–5K/month can replace grueling overtime hours.
- “I call [overtime] blood money... working 30-40 extra hours a week for the same as what those machines do in a couple hours.” (Paul, 17:16)
- Nick's Confirmation: “Correct. Yep. That’s passive income right there.” (Nick, 18:14)
Branching Out: Merchant Services
[18:24 – 19:51]
- Synergy: Many “cash-only” businesses would benefit from accepting credit cards; pitching merchant services became a natural, lucrative extension.
- Keeping it a Side Hustle: Never scaled large; part-time effort, part-time results— and that was okay for Nick at the time.
Building Financial Freedom
[20:14 – 21:30]
- Timeframe: Achieved enough passive income in about 3–4 years to confidently leave law enforcement.
- Key Lesson: Understood the products but lacked marketing knowledge—crucial for scaling:
- “That is where scaling starts coming into play.” (Nick, 21:30)
The Leap: Leaving Law Enforcement
[23:03 – 24:27]
- First Step: Left for a temporary IT contractor role in a Fortune 100 company. The move was risky—a $30K pay cut with a pregnant wife and 2-year-old at home.
- “For all of you looking for the right time to make a move: there is no right time, believe me.” (Nick, 23:03)
- On Motivation: Bet on himself; went all-in and eventually turned temp role into a full career.
AI Automation: The New Chapter
[25:03 – 27:44]
- Entry Point: Began with a general digital agency a year ago, pivoted to AI automation about six months prior to the episode.
- Value Proposition: Loves seeing the real-world impact on small businesses (e.g., automating spouse’s travel agency).
- “I didn’t get into ATMs because I was passionate about ATM machines... I need a bigger purpose.” (Nick, 25:03)
- Fulfillment: Finds true purpose and enjoyment in helping businesses operate better with AI.
Ideal Clients for AI Automation
[28:39 – 30:13]
- Target: “Boomer businesses”—traditional, high-touch operations (barbers, salons, mom-and-pops) overwhelmed by calls and outdated manual tasks.
- “Those are the kind of ideal clients: the less digital clients, much more traditional, brick and mortar.” (Nick, 28:39)
How Nick Gets Clients
[31:41 – 33:27]
- Strategies: Heavy social media (primarily Facebook), in-person outreach (“walking through the door sets you apart from online-only ‘experts’”), and referrals.
Vision for the Future
[33:56 – 35:54]
- Personal Vision: Financial abundance and maximum freedom—possibly running businesses full time, possibly still working his corporate job (which he genuinely enjoys).
- “My vision...is to have so much money that I can do whatever I choose to do.” (Nick, 33:56)
- Unconventional Path: Embraces both entrepreneurship and a fulfilling corporate role.
Advice for First Responder and Law Enforcement Side Hustlers
Keys to Success
[36:19 – 39:41]
- Priority #1: Learn marketing; it applies to building any business or even advancing your own career.
- “Learning marketing is number one...You can apply the concepts of marketing to anything, any industry, yourself.” (Nick, 37:19)
- Best Vehicles: ATM business, merchant services, or anywhere that can drive passive income.
- AI Is the Future: Any industry not using AI will fall behind. “The differentiator is going to be who is using AI and who isn’t.”
How to Get Started with AI
[39:44 – 41:23]
- Self-Taught: Take advantage of Youtube, Google, books, and online resources; be patient and consistent.
- “People underestimate big time things like YouTube, things like Google.” (Nick, 40:14)
- “We want immediate results...Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. You have to put the work in.” (Nick, 41:14)
How to Connect with Nick Ford
[41:41 – 42:14]
-
Instagram: @ExitCommand (specifically tailored for first responders)
-
Paid Community: School (skool.com)—group coaching, weekly live sessions for personalized mentorship, translation of law enforcement skills to private sector.
- “My goal with Exit Command is to work with police officers who have already made the decision that they want to leave, but they just don’t know what to do or how to do it.” (Nick, 42:14)
Notable Quotes
- On mindset in law enforcement: “The biggest component that can determine success or failure is the why, right?” — Nick Ford [06:05]
- On business pivots: “I put part time effort into something, I’m going to get part time results and that’s ok. But I also know that now I have that skillset.” — Nick Ford [11:28]
- On the leap of faith: “For all of you looking for the right time to make a move: there is no right time, believe me.” — Nick Ford [23:03]
- On scaling up: “I knew the ATM industry, I knew merchant services, and I knew the problems I was solving, but what I didn’t know was marketing. That is where the scaling comes into play.” — Nick Ford [21:30]
- On finding fulfillment: “I didn’t get into ATMs...because I was passionate about ATM machines...I’m emotionally high maintenance when it comes to how I spend my time.” — Nick Ford [25:03]
- On advice for 2025 side hustlers: “The biggest skill is marketing...The vehicle? Anything you can do to learn about AI, do it, because in five years from now there’s going to be businesses that are great at AI and then there’s businesses that aren’t.” — Nick Ford [37:19]
Key Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 02:38 | Military to law enforcement transition | | 05:48 | Tips for aspiring police officers | | 11:28 | Starting ATM business, lessons and confidence | | 15:26 | Peer skepticism and importance of support | | 17:16 | Passive income vs. policing overtime | | 18:24 | Merchant services as natural side hustle extension | | 21:30 | Power of marketing in scaling | | 23:03 | The leap: leaving law enforcement | | 25:03 | Entering AI automation | | 28:39 | Ideal clients for AI automation agency | | 31:41 | Sales strategies: social, referrals, in-person | | 33:56 | Vision: freedom, fulfillment, and enjoying day job | | 37:19 | Advice: Skills and vehicles for first responders (2025) | | 41:41 | Contact & mentorship channels |
Memorable Moments
- Nick’s analogy: “Law enforcement, it can be dramatic...Dude, it’s almost like high school, right?” (Paul, 15:26)
- The power of transparency: Nick credits his openness about side hustles with landing clients through coworkers.
- No perfect timing: Nick made the leap with a toddler and pregnant spouse, reiterating, “There is no right time.”
- Rooted in purpose: Nick’s fulfillment shifted as he moved toward work (AI) that tangibly improved business for others.
- Support system: The recurring theme—success as an entrepreneur is almost always intertwined with familial and network support.
Closing Thoughts
Paul Alex and Nick Ford offer a roadmap for first responders, veterans, and anyone feeling stuck in a demanding 9–5:
- Start a manageable side hustle
- Build confidence in your entrepreneurial skills
- Learn and apply marketing
- Move toward technologies (like AI) that offer scalable solutions
- Most importantly, connect with fellow travelers and mentors who’ve already walked the path
Reach out to Nick at @ExitCommand for resources, mentorship, and a supportive community tailored for those looking to “level up” and live on their own terms.