Big Talk About Small Business begins with a powerful statement that sets the tone for our entire conversation: "We don't deserve anything, we earn everything." This fundamental truth about entrepreneurship frames our reflections on what it takes to succeed in business today, especially in a world increasingly obsessed with comfort and instant gratification.

Mark and I dive deep into how modern work culture has shifted over our careers, from the days when a personal phone call at work was practically taboo to today's hybrid environments with frequent breaks and distractions. We explore how this shift affects not just businesses but the individuals themselves, potentially robbing them of growth opportunities. As Mark poignantly observes, "Getting comfortable, feeling like you've achieved—it's a disaster. It's the beginning of death."

Between colorful stories about Dr. Buck's fake teeth (a hilarious consultant test), my disastrous carrot cake celebration after selling my business, and Mark's unconventional dietary habits, we extract valuable business lessons. We discuss how nothing on Earth remains in a steady state, you're either growing or declining, and how this applies to entrepreneurship. Simple principles like being responsive, following through on promises, and continuous improvement remain the bedrock of business success despite technological advances.

Our conversation takes meaningful turns through family histories spanning generations, providing perspective on resilience and the evolution of expectations. We reflect on what we call "business karma", how genuine effort, honesty, and ethical behavior tend to yield positive results over time, creating the support network that helps weather inevitable storms.

Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or looking to reignite your passion, this conversation will remind you why the challenges of business ownership are worth embracing.

Ever wondered what happens when you combine the grit of Latin American talent with the innovation needs of US companies? Brian Samson's journey from San Francisco tech executive to nearshoring pioneer offers a fascinating roadmap for businesses seeking alternatives to traditional outsourcing.

Nearshoring—the practice of outsourcing to nearby countries rather than across the globe—emerged for Brian as a solution to the exorbitant costs of building tech teams in Silicon Valley. What began as a cost-saving measure in Buenos Aires, Argentina, quickly revealed deeper advantages that transcended mere financial benefits. The economic turbulence that forced restaurant menus to be written in chalk (due to hyperinflation requiring frequent price updates) had created a workforce that was inherently adaptable, resilient, and creative in finding solutions.

Unlike traditional offshoring to Asia, where hierarchical structures often separate clients from actual workers, Latin American professionals engage directly with US companies, offering unfiltered feedback and collaborative problem-solving. This cultural alignment, combined with conversational English fluency rather than scripted responses, creates partnerships rather than just service relationships. As Brian explains, "You're talking directly to the software developer... they have an opinion and they're very comfortable sharing it with you."

After scaling his Argentina-based development team to 80 people, Brian expanded his nearshoring vision to include a Recruitment Process Outsourcing business with 55 Latin American recruiters supporting US tech companies, and now Plug Technologies, employing approximately 85 developers distributed throughout Latin America. More recently, he's diversified by acquiring local home service businesses in Hawaii, applying business modernization principles to traditional industries.

Whether you're struggling with traditional outsourcing models, seeking to scale your technical capabilities, or simply curious about alternative business strategies, Brian's insights demonstrate how looking south rather than east might be the strategic direction your business needs. Ready to explore how nearshoring could transform your operations? Connect with Brian and discover the untapped potential of Latin American talent.

Meet the team revolutionizing American drone manufacturing at a critical moment in the industry's evolution. Tobin Fisher founded Vantage Robotics on Christmas Eve 2013, combining his mechanical engineering background with software expertise to create drones that rival foreign competitors while meeting stringent security requirements for government clients.

What began as a consumer-focused venture took a pivotal turn when CNN approached the company seeking drones that could fly over crowds. This challenge led to groundbreaking innovation in safety testing methodology. Using simple foam from Home Depot, the team developed a testing protocol that translated impact measurements into medical risk assessments, ultimately securing the first FAA waiver for commercial flight over non-participants and establishing what became an industry standard.

Today, Vantage serves defense, first responders, and critical infrastructure inspections with two primary products: the Trace drone (2.2 pounds with 50-minute flight time) and a smaller 150-gram model featuring thermal imaging and capabilities that rival much larger competitors. Both are manufactured in America with NDAA compliance, making them eligible for government procurement at a time when Chinese alternatives face increasing restrictions.

The real-world impact is profound. From locating missing children with thermal cameras to clearing potentially dangerous buildings before officers enter, these drones save lives while keeping first responders safer. Vladimir Goforth, who leads sales efforts, recently completed demonstrations for multiple law enforcement agencies across multiple states, showing captains and chiefs how the technology addresses critical operational challenges.

Manufacturing sophisticated technology domestically presents significant challenges, especially competing against countries with lower labor costs and fewer regulations. Yet Vantage has survived both a global pandemic and supply chain crisis through constant innovation and adaptation. Their commitment to American manufacturing positions them perfectly as regulations increasingly restrict foreign-made drones in sensitive applications.

Curious about American-made drone technology or want to explore how these tools might serve your organization? Visit https://vantagerobotics.com/about/ to learn more and connect with the team behind this remarkable success story in domestic technology manufacturing.