Real Business Owners

Hosted by Trevor Cowley and Rick Trimmer

Business

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374

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Trevor Cowley and Rick Trimmer are on a mission to help business owners at any level develop personally and professionally by sharing his past experience building several successful business ventures. It's his goal to convey effective techniques and strategies that any business owner can implement TODAY.

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60 recent

September 1, 2026Episode 3791 hr 7 min

Fail To Plan, Plan To Fail | Episode 379

If you are ready to level up personally and professionally, go to joinrbo.com Most people have an idea of the life they want, but very few actually build a plan that gets them there. In this episode, Trevor Cowley and Rick Trimmer break down what real planning looks like and why saying you want something means nothing if your daily actions aren't aligned with it. They discuss how to design your life around long-term goals, turn massive ambitions into measurable daily actions, make sacrifices in the present for a better future, and create non-negotiable standards that eliminate the need to constantly make decisions. They also dive into the mindset behind Trevor's pursuit of a world record and why pushing yourself beyond what's comfortable can reveal what you're actually capable of. From business and finances to fitness and personal growth, this conversation is about creating a life by design instead of leaving your future to chance. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why success has to happen by design, not by accident. How to turn massive goals into specific daily actions and measurable benchmarks. Why "want" shows up in conversation, but commitment shows up in action. How small expenses, habits, and compromises can quietly destroy long-term progress. Why extraordinary results require doing more than what is ordinary. How non-negotiable standards can eliminate decision fatigue and keep you on track. Why humility, mentorship, and proximity to the right people can accelerate your growth. How to recognize when your current habits aren't producing the life you say you want. Why every season of life eventually requires a new goal and a new challenge. How to build a business that serves the life you want instead of simply building a bigger business. The question isn't whether you want more. The question is what you're willing to change to get it.

August 25, 2026Episode 37827 min

Right People, Right Seats, Better Business | Episode 378

If you are ready to level up personally and professionally, go to joinrbo.com The people you surround yourself with can either accelerate your growth or hold your business hostage. In this solo episode, Rick Trimmer breaks down one of the biggest challenges business owners face: building the right team. He explains why keeping the wrong people can cost you far more than money, how to identify the right employees, and why sometimes the best decision you can make is moving someone into a different seat—or helping them find a different bus entirely. Rick also shares how he has built teams capable of operating without him, why giving employees a path toward ownership can help you retain your best people, and why building a great team requires thinking far beyond the next 90 days. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why keeping the wrong employee can be more expensive than replacing them. How to qualify potential employees faster and identify the right people. The difference between having the right person and having them in the right seat. Why great employees need opportunities to grow. How to identify the people who belong on your personal bus. Why your team should be built around where you want to be 10 years from now. The four questions every business owner should ask about their team. How ownership can help you attract and retain high-level employees. Why building your team is an ongoing process, not a one-time decision. When it's time to make difficult changes to protect the future of your business. Your business is only as strong as the people helping you move it forward. Get the right people on the bus, put them in the right seats, and stop being afraid to make changes when something isn't working.

August 18, 2026Episode 3771 hr 12 min

8 Kids And The Courage To Step Into Opportunities | Episode 377

If you are ready to level up personally and professionally, go to joinrbo.com Most opportunities don't come when you're ready. They come when you're willing to become ready. In this episode of The Real Business Owners Podcast, Rick Trimmer sits down with Kayla Brown, the newly appointed CEO of Real Business Owners. After spending more than four years helping build RBO behind the scenes, organizing events, supporting members, and strengthening the community, Kayla is stepping into a much bigger role and taking ownership of the organization's future. This conversation goes beyond business leadership. Rick and Kayla discuss what it takes to step into an opportunity before you feel fully qualified, overcome self-doubt, delegate effectively, and balance ambitious goals with family and personal responsibilities. They also explore why relationships and community can become some of the most valuable assets you build along the way. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why the biggest opportunities often come before you feel ready. How Kayla went from working behind the scenes to leading Real Business Owners. The importance of recognizing the value you bring to the table. Why delegation and trusting your team are essential to effective leadership. How to balance motherhood, marriage, and building something meaningful. Why relationships and community are critical to long-term success. How to overcome fear and self-doubt when stepping into a bigger role. Why growth often requires saying yes before you have everything figured out. How taking ownership can change the trajectory of your career and life. Why becoming the next version of yourself starts with taking action before you feel ready. Whether you're building a company, leading a team, raising a family, or preparing for your next big opportunity, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to feel ready to take the next step. You just have to be willing to take it.

August 11, 2026Episode 37634 min

From Homeless At 31 To Retired At 36 | Episode 376

If you are ready to level up personally and professionally, go to joinrbo.com Everyone wants freedom. Very few are willing to pay the price for it. In this solo episode, Rick Trimmer shares the complete story behind how he went from losing everything during the 2008 recession to retiring just six years later and spending the next nine years traveling the world with his wife and four kids. This isn't a story about luck. It's about math, sacrifice, discipline, and building businesses that create freedom instead of dependency. Rick breaks down the exact mindset, decisions, and financial strategy that made it possible—and why almost anyone can do the same if they're willing to commit. If you've ever wondered what it actually takes to build a life on your own terms, this episode gives you the blueprint. In This Episode: * How Rick recovered from $640,000 in debt * The 10-year plan that became a 6-year reality * Why passive income starts with disciplined spending * The role mentors played in changing his life * Building businesses that don't depend on you * The sacrifices most people refuse to make * Why financial freedom is simply a math problem * How to design a life around freedom instead of retirement

August 4, 2026Episode 37540 min

The Process Behind Elite Results | Episode 375

If you are ready to level up personally and professionally, go to joinrbo.com Everyone wants elite results, but almost nobody is willing to pay the price that comes with them. In this solo episode, Trevor Cowley shares lessons from his world-record running journey to explain why discomfort isn't the enemy—it's the path. Whether you're building a business, improving your health, or pursuing a bigger vision for your life, the obstacles you face aren't roadblocks. They're the training ground that prepares you for the results you say you want. Trevor breaks down why motivation is unreliable, why consistency always wins, and how embracing the process transforms not only your results, but your identity. If you're tired of looking for shortcuts or wondering why you keep starting over, this episode will challenge you to stop avoiding the hard things and start becoming the person capable of achieving extraordinary outcomes. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why meaningful growth always requires discomfort. The difference between chasing results and committing to the process. How consistency builds confidence and reshapes your identity. Why discipline—not motivation—is the true foundation of success. The mindset shift that makes difficult challenges easier over time. How daily habits compound into extraordinary results. Why resistance is often a sign that you're moving in the right direction. How to stop relying on motivation and build lasting momentum. The connection between personal standards and long-term achievement. Why the person you become is more valuable than the goal you accomplish. The people who achieve extraordinary results aren't the ones who avoid discomfort—they're the ones who learn to embrace it every single day.

July 28, 2026Episode 3741 hr 26 min

Become A Person Capable of Extraordinary Results | Episode 374

If you are ready to level up personally and professionally, go to joinrbo.com Everyone wants the results, but very few people are willing to pay the price. In this episode, Trevor Cowley sits down with longtime friend Andrew Ammons for a candid conversation about discipline, suffering, consistency, and what it actually takes to build a life most people only talk about. They discuss why success isn't reserved for the most talented—it's earned by those who are willing to embrace discomfort, honor their commitments, and show up every single day. From endurance challenges and personal standards to faith, family, business, and leadership, Trevor and Andrew share how the hardest moments often become the greatest catalysts for growth. If you've been waiting for motivation to strike or for life to get easier, this episode is a reminder that the path to becoming your best self starts by doing what others won't. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why discomfort never goes away—you simply become stronger. The difference between wanting success and earning it. How consistency builds confidence more effectively than motivation. Why your daily standards determine your long-term results. The importance of keeping promises to yourself. How suffering develops stronger leaders, parents, and entrepreneurs. Why discipline creates freedom in every area of life. The role faith and purpose play in navigating difficult seasons. How focusing on today's actions builds tomorrow's opportunities. Why extraordinary results require ordinary actions repeated over time. The life you want isn't built by avoiding hard things—it's built by becoming the kind of person who willingly embraces them.

July 21, 2026Episode 3731 hr 9 min

The Exit Strategy Most Business Owners Never Consider | Episode 373

If you are ready to level up personally and professionally, go to joinrbo.com Most business owners want freedom, but very few build companies that can actually run without them. In this episode, Rick Trimmer sits down with his longtime business partners—Nick Rosato, Joshua Woodbury, and Spencer Brooksby—to share the story behind building multiple successful companies together and creating partnerships that go beyond traditional employer-employee relationships. They discuss why ownership creates a different level of commitment, how to identify the right people to grow with, and why trust, alignment, and shared values matter more than individual talent. From navigating difficult conversations to transitioning employees into owners, this conversation reveals the mindset and strategies required to build businesses that can scale beyond the founder. If you're trying to grow a company, build a leadership team, or create a business that gives you back your time, this episode will challenge the way you think about ownership and partnership. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why the right business partner can be more valuable than owning 100% yourself. How to recognize when someone is ready for ownership. The biggest mistakes founders make when giving away equity. Why ownership changes the way people think, operate, and lead. How trust and shared values create stronger partnerships. Why accountability is the foundation of successful teams. The importance of having a shared vision for long-term growth. How to build a business that doesn't depend entirely on the founder. Why trying to do everything yourself can limit your company's potential. What it takes to create freedom through strategic partnerships. Great businesses aren't built by one person doing everything. They're built by finding the right people and building something bigger together.

July 14, 2026Episode 3721 hr 14 min

Create Your Identity, Change Your Life | Episode 372

If you are ready to level up personally and professionally, go to joinrbo.com Most people don't fail because they're incapable. They fail because they've accepted limits that were never actually theirs. In this episode, Trevor Cowley and Rick Trimmer challenge one of the most destructive beliefs holding people back: "I can't." Through stories, personal experiences, and hard-earned lessons, they explain why your current circumstances don't determine your future, why adversity is required for growth, and how the identity you build ultimately dictates the results you achieve. Whether you're trying to grow your business, improve your health, or become a stronger leader, this conversation is a reminder that your greatest limitations are often the ones you've convinced yourself are true. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why your mind gives up long before your body does. The dangerous mindset behind saying, "I'm just not built that way." How your priorities—not your abilities—determine your results. Why statistics and averages don't define your potential. The importance of building an identity that refuses to quit. How adversity develops confidence and resilience. Why discomfort is the price of meaningful growth. How the stories you tell yourself shape your future. Why personal responsibility unlocks greater opportunity. How to stop limiting yourself and start living up to your potential. The life you're capable of building is almost always bigger than the one you've convinced yourself is possible.

July 7, 2026Episode 37130 min

Why Building Alone is Costing You More Than You Think | Episode 371

If you are ready to level up personally and professionally, go to joinrbo.com Most entrepreneurs think they need more information. The truth is, they need the right people in their corner. In this episode, Rick Trimmer shares what the Real Business Owners community is really about and why the people you surround yourself with will have a greater impact on your success than any book, podcast, or course. From accountability and mentorship to networking and meaningful relationships, Rick explains why transformation happens through proximity—not just information. He also gives an inside look at where Real Business Owners is headed, including new opportunities for members, expanded mentorship, live events, and the vision for helping entrepreneurs build stronger businesses while becoming stronger leaders. If you're looking for a community that challenges you to grow, this episode is for you. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why community is one of the greatest competitive advantages in business. The difference between consuming information and creating transformation. How accountability dramatically increases your chances of success. Why mentorship and proximity accelerate growth. The value of building relationships with entrepreneurs who have already solved the problems you're facing. The vision behind Real Business Owners and where the community is headed. New opportunities, live events, and ways to get involved with RBO. Why long-term success is built through relationships, not isolation. How surrounding yourself with high-level entrepreneurs raises your standards. Why success is rarely a solo journey.

June 30, 2026Episode 37035 min

Rearranging Your Life to Match Your Ambitions | Episode 370

If you are ready to level up personally and professionally, go to joinrbo.com Most people don't need a new strategy. They need a new conversation with themselves. In this solo episode, Trevor Cowley explores the power of internal dialogue and how the way you speak to yourself shapes your identity, your decisions, and ultimately your results. Drawing inspiration from the book Best Self, But Better , Trevor explains why lasting change doesn't come from becoming someone else—it comes from becoming a better version of who you already are. From overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome to building mental toughness through intentional friction, Trevor challenges entrepreneurs to stop blaming external circumstances and start mastering the one thing they can always control: themselves. If you want bigger results, it starts with changing the voice in your own head. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why your internal dialogue determines your identity and future. How your thoughts create the emotions driving your actions. The difference between having big goals and being unrealistically delusional. Why friction and discomfort are necessary for personal growth. How to stop letting negative self-talk dictate your decisions. The power of developing an internal locus of control. Why mastering yourself is the highest form of leadership. How changing your identity transforms every area of your life. Practical ways to replace destructive thought patterns with empowering ones. Why the life you want begins by looking inward instead of outward.