In this episode, Alex and Karla Booth break down the real lessons behind growing from zero to a steady $20K a month in online business revenue. They share the mindset shifts, daily habits, and systems that took them from uncertainty to consistency, and why most people give up right before it starts to work.

Alex opens up about leaving corporate life at Microsoft and Amazon to build his own business from scratch, while Karla reflects on how staying consistent with lead generation and storytelling built her outsourcing company into a long-term success.

Together, they reveal the six core lessons that helped them reach financial stability and freedom without losing their sanity.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why it’s okay to “build the plane while flying it” and how to adapt fast without losing focus
  
  
• The one task founders must prioritize daily to keep revenue steady
  
  
• How community and mastermind groups can accelerate your growth and confidence
  
  
• Why retention matters more than new leads in your first scaling phase
  
  
• How to use your personal story to attract clients and stand out in your industry
  
  
• The mindset that keeps you going when the results feel far away
  
  

Alex and Karla also share stories of their early struggles, from endless lead generation hours to learning the power of consistent storytelling and human connection. Their advice is honest, simple, and designed for entrepreneurs ready to take their income and independence seriously.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to hit your first $20K month without burning out, this episode will show you the blueprint.

Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/RichandRemote

Follow Alex and Karla:
Alex Booth: LinkedIn: Alexander Booth - Huckleberry Consulting | Facebook: GetCSM
Karla Singson: Instagram: @karlastefan | Facebook: Karla Singson | LinkedIn: Karla Singson

Big thanks to our sponsors ​Proximity Outsourcing​, ​Huckleberry Consulting​, and ​GetCSM​ for making this episode possible!

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review and share it with someone chasing freedom, too.

Got a topic you want us to unpack, business or not, send us a message and tell us why it matters to you.

See you next week, and remember, freedom is built one smart move at a time.

In this episode, Karla sits down with Pete Scott, creator of the Peaceful Sales method, to talk about how selling online can feel calm, natural, and even enjoyable, whether you’re an introvert, an expert, or someone who hates “selling.”

Pete breaks down the psychology behind why people buy, why most coaches and creators overcomplicate the process, and how shifting your energy can transform your sales calls, your content, and the way clients respond to you. He shares the real reason people freeze up when it’s time to talk about their offer, and why emotional regulation, not scripts, is the secret ingredient behind effortless sales.

Karla and Pete dive into the biggest misconceptions about selling online, the hidden fears that stop people from making money, and the simple framework that helps you sell authentically without pressure or pushiness.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why sales feels scary for most people: How old stories, nervous system responses, and fear of rejection show up on calls and in your content.
• The Peaceful Sales principle that makes closing feel easy instead of stressful: Why clients say “yes” when you’re grounded, calm, and connected instead of trying to impress.
• How to stop sounding like every other coach or creator online: The subtle shift that helps you speak in your real voice and attract people who want exactly what you offer.
• Why being overly prepared can backfire: How overthinking and over-scripting disconnect you from the person you're trying to help.
• The one question that instantly uncovers what your client actually needs: And why listening deeply is more effective than trying to “pitch.”
• How to sell high-ticket offers without feeling like a fraud: Pete breaks down the mindset, confidence, and emotional clarity required to sell transformational results.

Pete also shares powerful insights from his years of coaching sales professionals, including real examples of how small emotional shifts changed not just their business results but their confidence, presence, and relationships. His approach is simple, grounded, and refreshingly human, making sales feel accessible even for people who think they’re “not good at it.”

If you’ve ever felt anxious before a sales call or unsure how to talk about your offer online, this episode will give you the tools, clarity, and peace of mind to start selling with confidence.

Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/RichandRemote

Follow Pete Scott & Resources:

Join the Community: Explore his methodology in the Peaceful Sales Community with Pete Scott.

Deep Dive: Buy his book to learn the complete Peaceful Sales framework.

Connect with Pete:

• Facebook: Pete Scott
• Instagram: @petejscott
• YouTube: Pete Scott
• Website: Peaceful Sales with Pete Scott

Follow Karla:

• I...

In this episode, Alex and Karla Booth open up about the side of success no one talks about: what it feels like to finally get the dream job, the dream income, the dream city, and still feel completely stuck.

Alex shares his journey from Microsoft to Amazon, where he had everything he thought he wanted (a great salary, a beautiful Seattle life, a prestigious role, and a clear path upward), but inside he felt trapped. He talks about the exact moment he realized he loved his job but hated his life, and why staying on that path would have cost him more than it gave.

Karla reflects on watching Alex’s inner shift happen in real time, why so many "high achievers" hit this invisible wall, and what it really takes to admit that something isn’t working, even when it looks perfect on paper. Together, they break down the emotional, psychological, and practical turning points that pushed them toward remote work, freedom, and a life designed intentionally.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The illusion of the dream job.
• How achievement, promotions, and prestige can mask deep dissatisfaction and loneliness.
• Why so many people love their work but hate the life attached to it: The commute, the weather, the isolation, the burnout, and the cost of living that slowly wear you down.
• The pivotal moment that made Alex walk away from corporate life: What happened on that bus ride home and why it changed everything.
• How to recognize when it’s time to leave, even if everything looks "good enough": Signs your lifestyle is draining you even when your career is thriving.
• Why freedom isn’t about quitting your job, but about choosing your life: The mindset shift that helped Alex and Karla rebuild their careers on their own terms.
• The unexpected clarity that comes from stepping away from a path that no longer fits you: How Alex finally understood who he was outside of corporate identity and why that changed how he works today.

Alex and Karla also share intimate, raw moments from this season of transition (from burnout weekends to long commutes to feeling like life only existed on Saturdays). Their stories offer an honest look at what it’s like to outgrow a life you worked so hard to build, and why choosing yourself isn’t selfish but necessary.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really feels like to look successful on the outside while struggling internally, this episode will feel like a deep exhale.

Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/RichandRemote

Follow Alex and Karla:
Alex Booth: LinkedIn: Alexander Booth - Huckleberry Consulting | Facebook: GetCSM
Karla Singson: Instagram: @karlastefan | Facebook: Karla Singson | LinkedIn: Karla Singson

Big thanks to our sponsors ​Proximity Outsourcing​, ​Huckleberry Consulting​, and ​GetCSM for making this episode possible!

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review and share it with someone chasing f...

Well, the title says it all. Check out this episode for the Top 10 that Founders make when they Outsource on their Own.

I’ve been in this industry for almost a decade and I’ve seen Founders make these mistakes over and over again when they choose to do DIY outsourcing. Of course, before they come to us.

There’s tons of nuances that go into it, and in this podcast, I share it all. This is a juicy behind-the-scenes episode, brought only by someone with our experience of hiring 500+ VAs, managers, and team members, and helping hundreds of clients over the years.

I love talking about this topic because it helps me help Founders in our pursuit of living life and doing business on our own terms. That’s my vibe, always. And I’ll always root for you!

When you’re ready for some pros to get you out of this rut though, check out how you can grow your online business fast and easy with managed outsourcing here.

Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/RichandRemote

Follow Alex and Karla:
Alex Booth: LinkedIn: Alexander Booth - Huckleberry Consulting | Facebook: GetCSM
Karla Singson: Instagram: @karlastefan | Facebook: Karla Singson | LinkedIn: Karla Singson

Big thanks to our sponsors ​Proximity Outsourcing​, ​Huckleberry Consulting​, and ​GetCSM for making this episode possible!

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review and share it with someone chasing freedom, too.

Got a topic you want us to unpack, business or not, send us a message and tell us why it matters to you.

See you next week, and remember, freedom is built one smart move at a time.

• Virtual assistant agency
• Design agency
• Tech agency (Wordpress, Web Development, Ecommerce builds)
• Accountant services
• Customer Support agency

• (00:00:01) - Remote Rockstars
• (00:01:05) - How to start a business online?
• (00:05:15) - Mental Meditation Soundscapes
• (00:07:58) - 5 Stupidly Simple Ways to Get B2B Clients for
• (00:13:32) - How to Make a Good Elevator Pitch
• (00:17:12) - How to Find B2B Clients for your Online Business
• (00:26:22) - 5 tips for making your website conversion optimized

In this episode, Karla Singson pulls back the curtain on how outsourcing really works: beyond the hype, beyond the buzzwords, and beyond the unrealistic expectations many founders have when they hire their first remote professional.

Karla takes you behind the scenes of Proximity Outsourcing’s systems, explaining why most outsourcing relationships fail not because of skill issues, but because of poor onboarding, unclear expectations, and zero communication structure. She breaks down the exact processes, forms, scorecards, and communication frameworks that have helped hundreds of founders scale faster, manage less, and avoid the classic “VA nightmare” stories that flood the internet.

Whether you’re hiring your first remote professional or scaling your 10-person offshore team, this episode gives you the mindset and infrastructure needed to make outsourcing work smoothly from Day 1.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why onboarding determines 70% of your success with an outsourced hire How most companies skip this step entirely, and how Proximity structures it so both sides hit the ground running.

• The three documents that make or break your hire:

  • The Job Description + Success Metrics

  • The Client Chemistry Form

  • The Customer Avatar Form

  Karla explains how each one prevents misalignment, misunderstandings, and unnecessary headaches.

• How to set deadlines realistically, and why most founders unknowingly set their RPs up to fail Plus: When to use time-tracking tools and when to absolutely avoid them.

• Why urgent tasks need explicit communication, not just a Trello card drop And how to insert surprise tasks without destroying your RP’s workflow.

• How to give clear instructions that produce better results with less back-and-forth Karla shares simple tweaks, like using Loom, giving templates, and describing the “ideal outcome,” that instantly improve output.

• The real role of your CSM (Client Success Manager) They’re not just support; they’re the advocate for both you and your remote professional. Karla explains how they can prevent issues, fix problems before they escalate, and save your relationship with your hire.

• Why positive reinforcement works better than pushing harder, especially with Filipino professionals Karla explains cultural nuances many Western founders miss, and how small acts of acknowledgment lead to massive loyalty and performance.

This episode is quick, practical, and built to help you avoid the common pitfalls founders face when outsourcing for the first time. If you want your hire to feel aligned, supported, and successful, instead of confused, overwhelmed, or underperforming, this is the episode to listen to.

Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/RichandRemote

Follow Alex and Karla:
Alex Booth: LinkedIn: Alexander Booth - Huckleberry Consulting | Facebook: GetCSM
Karla Singson: Instagram: @karlastefan | Facebook: Karla Singson | LinkedIn: Karla Singson

Big thanks to our sponsors ​Proximity Outsourcing​,

• (00:00:01) - Remote Rockstars
• (00:02:29) - Onboarding
• (00:05:36) - 5 tips for task management on Outsourcing
• (00:08:23) - What is a CSM and Do Filipinos Need Them?

Karla Singson walks you through the real-world truth about hiring and working with Filipino teammates. Based on her years growing up in the Philippines and building Proximity Outsourcing, Karla explains how Filipino culture shows up at work, what to expect from communication and management, and how to get the best from an outstanding talent pool.

Karla starts with background about the Philippines and the BPO industry, then moves into practical advice for hiring, onboarding, giving feedback, and creating a culture that helps Filipino remote professionals thrive. This episode is perfect for founders, hiring managers, and team leaders who want to work respectfully and effectively with Filipino talent.

In this episode you will learn:
• Why the Philippines became a global outsourcing hub and what that means for your hires
• How English is taught and why many Filipino teammates write and speak in a more formal style than you might expect
• Which roles Filipinos commonly fill and why you will often find solid corporate experience and degrees on their resumes
• How Filipinos communicate: why they avoid confrontation, how that looks in practice, and how to encourage directness without causing discomfort
• Practical onboarding and feedback tactics that get results, including using clarity, purpose, and praise to build psychological safety
• How to train for critical thinking and initiative so teammates stop following checklists and start solving problems proactively
• Cultural nuances that matter: family obligations, Holy Week, holiday expectations, and small gestures that build loyalty
• Employee care that actually matters: benefits, team care, and small gifts that increase retention and productivity

The most intriguing part
Karla explains how a simple shift in onboarding and feedback changed her whole team: when you repeatedly tell Filipino teammates you value honesty and intelligence, and then show it through how you act, they begin to speak up, take initiative, and treat the job like their own. That shift turns polite compliance into real ownership and drives faster, safer growth for remote teams.

Why listen
If you are hiring remotely and want a team that is loyal, English fluent, and deeply service oriented, this episode gives the cultural context and the exact management moves that work. Karla’s advice is practical, specific, and easy to apply on day one.

Resources and links
Proximity Outsourcing: proximityoutsourcing.com
Proximity Placements: proximityplacements.com
Proximity Projects: proximityprojects.com

Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/RichandRemote

Follow Alex and Karla:
Alex Booth: LinkedIn: Alexander Booth - Huckleberry Consulting | Facebook: GetCSM
Karla Singson: Instagram: @karlastefan | Facebook: Karla Singson | LinkedIn: Karla Singson

Big thanks to our sponsors ​Proximity Outsourcing​, ​Huckleberry Consulting​, and ​GetCSM for making this episode possible!

• (00:00:01) - Work with a Filipino Team
• (00:08:27) - How English Does Filipinos Speak?
• (00:12:15) - What to Look For In Hiring the Philippines
• (00:15:09) - Management and Communication styles of Filipinos
• (00:25:07) - Filipinos: Character Highlights
• (00:26:45) - What are the US Holidays vs. Filipinos' Holidays
• (00:31:31) - Filipino Bosses

What Makes Us Different at Proximity Outsourcing

In this episode, Karla Singson opens up about something most outsourcing companies never talk about: what truly separates a great outsourcing partner from the dozens of agencies offering quick hires, generic VA pools, and low-cost labor.

Karla pulls back the curtain on the philosophies, systems, vetting practices, and cultural foundations that make Proximity Outsourcing radically different, and why those differences directly impact the results founders get. She shares the behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped the company, from hiring only in stable regions of the Philippines to designing white-glove onboarding experiences that match each client’s goals.

This episode is a rare transparent look at what it takes to hire and develop world-class remote professionals, and why so many founders struggle when they work with agencies that focus on speed instead of quality.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why being an all-Filipino team is a strategic advantage How cultural intelligence, shared backgrounds, and deep contextual understanding create better communication, higher retention, and stronger performance.

• Why Proximity is extremely selective about clients The surprising reason the company rejects “bad bosses,” unstable businesses, and anyone who threatens team morale, and how this protects both the client and the talent.

• What makes Proximity’s hiring system different from traditional VA agencies Including multi-step vetting, software proficiency tests, English assessments, background checks, and hiring only in cities with stable internet and low calamity risk.

• How custom recruitment transforms outcomes Why Proximity never hires from a pre-existing pool of VAs, and why each search starts from scratch to match the exact skills, personality, and goals needed for a role.

• Why their onboarding experience feels ‘white-glove’ A look at the personalized kickoff process, success metric mapping, and the unique role of the Client Success Manager (CSM) who stays involved long after onboarding ends.

• The ongoing development plans that elevate remote professionals From B2B communication coaching to Six Sigma certifications, accent training, and continuous improvement frameworks that help every RP grow in their role.

• What no other outsourcing company is doing with benefits Karla breaks down Proximity’s industry-leading benefits program, from private life and accident insurance to health care, telemedicine, mental health counseling, gifts, workshops, and open-to-the-public learning events.

• The core values and everyday philosophies behind the company culture How principles like “love and protect the customer,” “love and protect your teammates,” “winners not whiners,” and “your purpose is bigger than your ego” shape the team’s mindset and performance daily.

Karla’s honesty and passion shine through as she shares the philosophy that built Proximity Outsourcing into a trusted partner for founders worldwide. Whether you’re hiring your first VA or scaling an entire remote team, this episode will give you a clear understanding of what great outsourcing should look like.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes some remote talent teams succeed while others collapse, this episode will give you clarity, standards, and inspiration.

Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/RichandRemote

Follow Alex and Karla:
Alex Booth: LinkedIn: Alexander Booth - Huckleberry Consulting | Facebook:

• (00:00:01) - What Makes Proximity Outsourcing So Different?
• (00:04:11) - Onboarding the Remote Professional
• (00:08:14) - What is your company's benefits program?
• (00:09:21) - Amazon's Core Values and 10 Everyday Philosophy