Unleash Your Power: Integrating Life & Work with Tim Rexius

[00:02] This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. [00:05] Do you ever think about switching insurance companies to see if you could save some cash? [00:09] Progressive makes it easy to see if you could save when you bundle your home and auto policies. Try it at com. [00:16] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states. [00:22] As many times as I think I sat back in my early journey praying, God, come on. I got the Powerball ticket. I'm telling you, I'll use this for good.

[00:31] I wouldn't have developed the skill set I needed had any of that happened anyway. I would have squandered it. I would have screwed it up. I'm thankful for all the prayers that were unanswered. [00:41] turn me into who I am. [00:50] - Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another exciting episode of Mick Unplugged. And today's guest is an unstoppable force in entrepreneurship. He's a visionary leader who's built an empire across nutrition. [01:03] fitness, and mentorship. He is a force to be reckoned with. He is Omaha, Nebraska's finest. We're talking to my guy, Mr.

Tim Rexius. Tim, how are you doing today, brother? Fantastic. Glad to be on the show. Honored to be here. [01:17] I'm honored to have you on, man. And, you know, I'm a huge fan of you. We're going to talk about the work that you do, the products that you have. [01:26] But... [01:27] I want to talk about Tim, the human first, man. And I always ask my guests this question. [01:33] What's your because? [01:38] that thing that's deeper than your why. I call it like your true purpose. And it changes, you know, from time to time as we mature and do other things.

So if I were to say, Tim, in 2026, [01:48] What is your because? Why do you keep doing all the amazing things that you do, bro? [01:53] I want to be a page in as many people's storybook as I can possibly be. [01:58] You know, I want to be that. [02:00] for other folks that I didn't have, [02:02] And, um, I mean, the, the struggle of entrepreneurship and the journey is what it is. And it's supposed to be hard for a reason. Um, but I think I spent a lot of time in my beginning being like, man, can somebody just open a door?

Just, just, just, just a smidge or even better. Show me which door. [02:20] you know, I'll open it myself. And I didn't have that. And so if I get to do that for as many people as I meet as possible, that's really my, my, why am I? Because right now, like I, [02:31] You know, it's, uh, and now that my kids are getting into those ages, you know, I'm like, um, I hope obviously I'm getting them to the right doors, but I'm hopefully instilling in them, Hey, open door for the guy next to you.

Yeah. Cause, um, that's how we succeed as a group, as a society. [02:48] I love everything about that, brother. When did you realize... [02:53] that that was the core of who you are when when you realize that that's a core value of you [02:58] Was it an early age? Was it as you got older? Has it continued to evolve that that's who you are? [03:03] Honestly, I think it came more prevalent when I got older. After I had gone through, had my tail kicked and my humility dished up to me.

[03:14] And full platefuls, buffet style for years. And when I brought on my first partner in my first company when I was 29, I was a, I [03:22] Um, [03:23] and gave him an opportunity. And honestly, it was out of necessity. Um, at the time I needed help. And, uh, I said, you know, he wanted to go start another store. Um, [03:33] And I said, well, how about you just take that money, invest with me and let's partner up. I'm going to bonus you this and that. I'm going to give you this opportunity.

And I really, it was, it was partially, it was, [03:42] Nice for me to do it. And partially because there's necessity and bringing Shane, it was his name, on as a partner was the greatest decision I ever made at that, especially at that stage of my life. Because all of a sudden what I saw was, even though I still own the vast majority of that company at the time. [03:58] I never put titles on anybody. Nobody knew that he didn't own 50-50. It doesn't matter what percentages or what, but I gave him equal say in everything we did.

And what I had was somebody else out there sweating and grinding at the same level I was who cared as much as I did. [04:16] Because I always say this, owners... [04:18] Don't take days off. [04:19] We, uh, we watched the water bill. We watched the light bill. Uh, you know, we don't let that toilet run all weekend. Cause that bill comes next month and it's like, wow, that's a big bill. And I needed more of that. And I kind of saw a spark and I saw a spark in him too.

You know, him being a few years younger than me. [04:34] And that pride, you know, everybody knows that little swagger in your walk when you get to put owner on your business card. Yeah. And I'm like that feeling for me. [04:45] God, I was addictive, man. It just... [04:48] And then that pride and getting to be that page and for him. And I'm like, and as things progressed and we got busier and we realized we can only stretch ourselves so thin. I was like, you know, I don't think the answer is having more employees.

I think the answer is having more partners. [05:03] I love that, man. And that kind of segues me to the next part I want to do. And I call this like, [05:09] The Unplugged Truth. [05:13] And Tim, you give me a lot of [05:15] great, I don't even want to say one-liners or mic drops, but you give me a lot of inspiration because you're right. When you talk about [05:23] Entrepreneurs. [05:24] literally have no days off. And I try to explain this to people [05:29] The mindset of an entrepreneur is you're not doing it for yourself.

[05:33] You have people that rely on you and the decisions that you make. [05:36] that determine if they're going to put food on their table that day. It's going to determine can they go on a vacation. [05:42] that dream vacation that they have in life. And so a lot of folks don't understand that. [05:47] I don't even want to call it stress, but just the mindset that we have as entrepreneurs. I'd love for you to take us through that mindset today. [05:55] In the eyes of Tim Rexes. Well, you know, entrepreneurs, everything makes a difference.

Everything matters. The little things to the big things. We don't forget the little things because when we first started, most of us, it's just us. We are retail. We are the janitor. [06:11] uh, we are the account receivables payable. We do all of it. And HR, HR, yeah, you can meet your own HR. Hey, be nicer to yourself. You know, I'm going to get written up. And, uh, [06:22] And I think for me, it makes the greatest environment for businesses that do get to the levels of mine because I've done every job and I don't ask a staff member to do something that [06:34] I'm not willing to do or still don't do.

And so we had a, we had a, one of the gyms we own, we had a bathroom incident, right? Toilet broke, waters everywhere and all the things that come with that. And one of my managers, uh, Noah Kajinga, great guy. I mean, he's new, um, he's new to the country too. Um, but he, he's like, I'm heading over there. Cool. I'll meet you there in five. [06:57] And then he's sitting there just looking at me while I'm running my mop bucket. And he goes, I've never seen this. I go, what?

He goes, why is the owner here mopping? I'm like, man, we're all on the same level for the same mission. [07:07] And the thing is, once they see you do that, [07:11] you see them step their game up. [07:13] Because you have set a level and a precedent. And so for me, it's, you know, that's the thing about entrepreneurship and understanding that, you know, we've signed up for something different than others. And now when it comes to, [07:26] entrepreneurship in that point where you don't get days off, I found that the [07:31] The solution to that, there is no work-life balance.

It doesn't exist. It's a myth. Correct. But I've made my life my work, and I've brought my kids and my family into every step of the process. And I got this from an old pastor a couple years back, actually. I'm not going to take credit for it. But my wife and I were at service. And I'm going to go to that. [07:52] And, you know, [07:53] He talked about having family meetings. [07:55] And so we started doing this. And to be real with you, about five, six years ago, none of my kids worked in the companies at all.

[08:03] And I told my wife, I'm like, I mean, I'm building this for them. [08:07] And none of them want to work here. Now I get that. I mean, I'm, I'm a passionate person and I work, I work hard. And, and after doing that, what happened is we started having a quarterly meeting. My wife's a phenomenal cook, which is why I have to work out so much. Um, cause you know, she's good. I don't turn down anything. She made everything. She's good. So we bring them, their significant others, boyfriends, girlfriends, whatever, all the kids give them, we cook a meal.

And then we kind of talk about all the things that we're doing right now, why we're doing them, what the end goal is, what as a family, what we want to do. [08:37] hit a certain levels of wealth. [08:39] And for us, it's about giving back. You know, I read this thing about a church in Florida. My wife and I read this, it's probably 15 years ago. [08:47] Wow. Where they had been raising money for a building fund. If you haven't been, I mean, every church I've been in has a building fund.

Building fund, absolutely. And they finally had enough money, so many millions, and they prayed about it as a church. And they said, you know, I think what we want to do to impact our community is bigger than building a building. So they went down to the hospital and they got the 100 most outdated, largest medical bills, paid them all off. [09:14] Then walked up to every person's door and said, you know, God loves you. Here's your paid bill. [09:18] And to this day, like right now, it just makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

So I told my kids, that's what we're going to do. If we sell the Omaha Protein Popcorn Company, we get XYZ. [09:27] We're going to go as a family and the kids bought into this mission. It's not about materialistic possessions. It's about being able to impact your neighbor and what that does for you. Cause all this stuff, we can't take into this with us. I'm very well aware of, of my humanity that, you know, [09:43] We're mortal, okay? We're all leaving. [09:45] And how do you want to go out? [09:46] And so ever since now, now all my kids work in the companies.

[09:51] And just because of that switch. And so now work-life balance isn't so much about [09:57] taking time away from work, it's, you know, like, Hey, we all work together already. All right. For the next couple of hours, let's not talk about anything business related. Let's just enjoy each other. Let's go do this. And now they get to come with me on the international tours and all that kind of stuff. And they understand what I do to a different level. So, um, entrepreneurship, it's, yeah, there's no days off, but at the same point you can make it.

[10:18] so that your family enjoys the ride with you. [10:22] That's it. You know, and I call it, and I got this from Damon John, so it's not like I even came up with this term, work-life integration. [10:31] Yeah. I like that. There's no such thing as balance. Like you've got to be able to integrate. And to me, and this is where I'm going to applaud you, right? I love giving Tim as flowers when I can. [10:42] It's having the right [10:43] I don't even want to call it support system, but the family that understands...

[10:47] your vision. It's one thing when you're [10:50] employees, maybe your business partners, [10:53] in your friends, your close circle, they understand your vision. [10:57] It's another thing when your family gets it. [11:00] Right? Because... [11:01] It makes it tough. I'm not going to lie. It makes it tough when you've got a vision that, [11:06] But if you don't have that support, [11:08] Right. Like you're never going to be able to fully be yourself. And then the businesses you have will never be able to fully be what you wanted them to be either.

Yeah. Well, it was like we've done trips in their business trips where my family got to enjoy about a bit more time off than I did because I have to be on point. And one of my daughters had made a comment to my wife that I was a little more absent than they would have particularly appreciated. And at first, you know, I'm not going to lie, kind of. [11:33] pissed me off. So, but then, you know, I sit back, okay, what are they not understanding about the process? [11:38] And so that gives you, it's a learning opportunity.

Everything's a learning opportunity. And I could, I've done things a little bit different. Sure. Can I admit my faults? Well, my kids do admit theirs. You got to admit yours too. Um, and I said, I go, do you understand how many people rely on me to do what I do to make sure that they can pay the mortgage, pay the light bill and put food on the table for their kids? It's a huge responsibility. And it's a responsibility that I take personally. [12:01] Because I'm not going to go explain to Sean and Alejandra that, you know, they don't get this bonus.

They don't get this check because I didn't do what was required for me to do. Because they didn't sign up for that and neither did their kids. And if you want people to cohabitate around you and buy into the mission and buy into your thing, you have to give them as much respect as you would anyone else, if not more. [12:24] Wholeheartedly, brother. Yeah. Wholeheartedly. You know, Tim, I also believe in... [12:30] Hot takes. [12:34] Right? [12:36] And so this is going to be a hot take from me, not from Tim.

I'm just going to say it. [12:42] I don't know five people that are better at building and expanding. [12:47] than Tim Raxias. I don't know five that are better than you. [12:51] I'd love for you to take us... [12:54] in that mind of [12:56] your business strategy, [12:58] visionary just leadership that you have. Like walk us through that, man, because you have [13:05] You have this thing that most people don't, which is why you are who you are, right? But [13:10] Walk us through that, brother, because I take notes. I study things.

[13:14] how you do growth and expansion. And I'm enamored by it, man. Well, you know, I've focused on businesses that primarily allow me to use my skillset [13:27] of creating relationships and making friends, no matter what, that if I don't have the money for a huge marketing boost, if I don't have, you know, you start me back 20 years ago, it was radio and TV, right? I mean, that's. [13:40] I knew what I was doing back then. And now it's into social media. But even if you're not doing paid ads, I can still utilize that tool to project my brand, my personality, my ability to cultivate relationships and make friends.

And if push comes to shove and the budget's tight, if I stick to businesses where it's relational building, whatever it might be, product, membership, service, retail, whatever, I can win. [14:05] Because I understand that key skill set that I have, that I have developed and harnessed over time, that without a budget, I can still make it successful. And sometimes, you know, budget's tight. You know, we got through COVID and we're like, man. [14:20] Cost went up. Okay. And, but I can still do this. I can still go out and do the basics.

I can do the guerrilla marketing if it's necessary. I can utilize social media as a tool to, to project that personality. I mean, it's Gary Vee says call calls it putting in your two cents. [14:37] Okay, so put in a buck 80 a day. Find 10 different hashtags, nine different people, go into nine different posts and put two cents of comments. That's 90 touches in a day. It takes 10, 15 minutes on your phone. It's just work. It's not hard. You just have to do it. And I think, honestly, for me, it's just the discipline to do the things that I necessarily don't want to do but I know are necessary to be successful.

And it's just what you have to do. There's no out-thinking or out-smarting hard work. [15:07] And the sooner people figure that out, [15:09] the sooner you can get past it and just find a way to enjoy it or find a way to get it done efficiently. And I think the vast majority of entrepreneurs who struggle and get stuck at that plateau level, it's because they're spending all their time trying to outthink hard work and realizing that [15:24] There is, it's not possible. I don't know anybody who's super successful who doesn't really, you know, work hard and then put dedication to it.

And yeah, do I want to, [15:34] Pay taxes now. [15:36] But do I also not want to go to prison? That's right. So, I mean, pick and choose your evil, you know, pick and choose the lesser. And so I think for me, um, and then, you know, part of it is too, is as I've had success, as I haven't got addicted to the materialistic possessions, I just, I just didn't, uh, I saw, um, [15:53] too many times. And it's happened to me when I was younger. When you buy that car, [15:58] All right.

And then the market turns and you have a choice. [16:01] suck up your pride and take the car back or make the car payment let the business suffer [16:07] And most people choose the latter, unfortunately, because they're so busy with putting up a certain portrayal to society around them of success that may or may not be at that moment in time. I didn't. And I actually prided myself for quite a long time on driving the oldest vehicle in the fleet. [16:24] My wife made comments. She's like, you drive the oldest ride.

We have 100 and some odd employees, all between the ages of 16 and 25, and your car is at least 10 years older than all theirs. I'm like, yeah. She goes, you can't keep putting logos in your car to cover up rest spots. I'm like, yes, I can. She goes, you look like a NASCAR. I'm like, okay, that's fair. And so for me, I was able to give up a lot of the ego-driven things in my 20s and 30s. [16:53] The nice vacations, the nicer house, those things that a lot of my friends were enjoying.

[16:58] Um, so that now I can do things that none of them could possibly dream up because I was willing to make that sacrifice. Um, and I think that's allowed me to keep the businesses fluid. So when I see an opportunity, because I'm not chained to a certain debt load. [17:13] that a lot of them are, I'm able to make a quick lateral move and seize an opportunity that a lot of people couldn't. And I think it's because I've kept myself fiscally cheap. [17:24] Hey, but that's the way that... [17:27] Every successful wealthy person I knows.

[17:31] That's their mindset, right? Like that's what it is. One of the things, this other hot take, [17:37] that I have for Tim. And I'm going to give you this acronym, Tim, because I put it together for you just based on who you are. So you can have it. This is my, I can't give you a lot, Tim, but this is the one thing I am going to give you. All right. [17:51] when, [17:52] I think of Tim. [17:54] I think of dad. [17:56] But I don't mean father. Tim's a great father.

[17:59] But... [18:00] You talk all the time about [18:02] Discipline. [18:03] Action. [18:04] Dedication. [18:06] And what's crazy is you've said those things, you've said those words, you've [18:11] Almost in every question I've asked you, those words have come up. And that's why I created that, because when I watch you on social media, [18:17] when I see your previous interviews, when I follow you, I look at your websites. [18:21] That's who you are. Like, I would say that is your brand, right? Like it's the discipline, it's the action behind it, and it's the dedication.

And again, me giving you your flowers about what separates you from others is, [18:34] are those three things, bro. Talk to the entrepreneur that's watching or listening right now. [18:40] About why dad... [18:42] is so important. [18:44] And it's important because money comes and goes. I mean, if you're basing all your business and your struggle just based on monetary acquisition or lack thereof, you're already defeated. It's going to happen. I went from being the most easily loanable guy on the planet to... [19:02] you know, post COVID like, oh, his credit score sucks.

So, you know, because I'm co-signed to everything. And so when those things happen, um, it, and it's, it's nice when you have access to those funds. And I know I hear the entrepreneurs like, if I just had to get this loan, if I could just get this and [19:17] And I, and I get that, you know, we've been there, um, but there's a will, there's a way. [19:21] There's a way around everything. You know, if Colonel Sanders can start Kentucky Fried Chicken and all he had was a recipe in his pocket and walked around to a thousand and nine doors and got told no until he got his first yes, then all we're giving ourselves is excuses.

As soon as you put those down and be like, okay, well, this would be a lot easier if I had this, this, and this, but I ain't got that. So... [19:42] Let's go over here. [19:43] And, you know, it only ends when you finally give up. [19:47] And if you're not willing to give up, you'll find a way. I mean, all the greatest heroes in society that I look up to are people who, you know, a lot of them didn't start into their forties and fifties, you know, like, and it's, and so I always say this, cause my kids call me old and I get, I'm old to my kids and I got a lot of gray hair and I'm a grandpa now.

So like, you know, I'm totally rocking the grandpa vibes. Um, but I'm in my prime. [20:11] I'm in my prime. I mean, I'm starting 20 years before Colonel Sanders did. [20:14] So like, you know, I got 20 years on that guy. I mean, we're not, we're not even close to that. And so I think a lot of the, in the entrepreneurs who are maybe even their mid forties to late forties being like, you know, I, I think I want to give this a go. Cool. Do it. [20:27] Do it. If you have the drive and the discipline, [20:31] You can do anything.

And I'll give it to my mom, my mother. I mean, she said a lot of things. She's like, if you ever use your mouth for sales, instead of getting in trouble, you'll be really wealthy. I was like, all right. Thank you, mama. And if you believe in yourself enough, you can accomplish anything. Said it to me repetitively. And it's the cute things we say to our kids, but it's actually true. [20:51] And you just got to believe it. And you got to believe it to the point that sometimes you're going to get told no and you're eating crow for weeks on end.

But the people who are dedicated and disciplined enough to go through that action all the way to the end are the winners. They always are. And I think if. [21:07] And for me, I've had those times in my life where... [21:12] Okay, I felt bad for myself, feel a little sorry for myself. And then, [21:16] It doesn't lead to anything positive. [21:19] You know, the only person ever feels bad for you is your mama. Yeah. Yeah. [21:22] Ain't nobody else does. I just tell him my 13 year old this playing baseball.

Right. And, [21:27] And granted, he's way better than I ever was. I ain't going to tell him that yet. But, you know, he strikes out, shaking his head. I'm like, and listen, the only person who feels bad for you is your mom. The other team don't feel bad for you. They're not going to throw you lighter pitches. They're not going to, you know, not throw you out at first base if you have a short hit. [21:45] No. What's it for? Are you getting any enjoyment out of that? He's like, well, no.

I'm like, cool. Well, nobody feels bad for you. And especially as men. [21:52] In a world, ain't nobody feeling bad for you. You look like [21:55] You know, like an easy target when you do that. [22:25] cash back on your Chime card in a category you choose, like gas or groceries. Spot Me covers up to $200 overdraft, fee-free. My younger self would have killed for an account like this. Chime is not just smarter banking. It is the most rewarding way to bank. Join the millions already banking fee-free. Head to com slash mick.

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[23:47] give me that power. I got the Powerball ticket. I'm telling you, I'll use this for good. I wouldn't have developed the skill set I needed had any of that happened anyways. And I don't, I would have squandered it. I would have screwed it up. I mean, honestly, so I'm thankful for all the prayers that were unanswered because it turned me into who I am. [24:03] And bro, I'm thankful for who you are. And I want you to know that from the bottom of my soul. And that's why I wanted to spend a lot of the podcast talking about [24:12] Tim the human.

[24:13] Tim the leader because again I'm not a man [24:16] I don't think publicly you get enough credit for just all the great things that you do. Because we know about the brands. We know about the products. And that's where I want to shift to. [24:27] I want to give you the floor. Let's talk about the brands that Tim owns overseas, has owned, man, because... [24:36] But I'm going to give you kudos after you talk about them. Okay. But there's a couple of products that I can't live without. And you are the owner of those products, brother.

Well, we started out with the Rexies Nutrition Stores. That was my first. I'm leaving corporate America. This is what I'm going to do. And that was the truest of all entrepreneurship hustles because I had no money. [24:58] I mean, every dime I had left, [25:00] was on the walls of that shop. [25:02] And so I've always explained to my staff, even to this day, 18 years later, I'm like, imagine every dime you had in your bank account. I want you all to write it down. I do this with my high schoolers.

I do this with my college kids. I write it all down in that piece of paper. [25:14] I said, okay, cool. I don't care if it's a thousand bucks. I don't care if it's 10,000. I hear it's 500 bucks. Imagine that was gone. And that was now represented by the products on the walls of this store. Now, how has that changed your approach to every person you meet, every person that walks in this door or walks by the front doors that doesn't come in, you know, change your approach to how you deal with people.

And that's how serious it was. And, you know, for me, it's like, okay, well, nobody's going to let me come meet, you know. [25:42] do a sampling table or I don't have any free marketing. So, but I can go to three gyms a day, every day for three years. [25:49] And I did. I met every person who worked out at any gym anywhere and just knew that, hey, this ability to make friends and shake hands and be authentic and organic and mean what I say and it'll work. [26:00] And it did.

It worked very well. And then, you know, um, fast forward into 2014, uh, this very good looking blonde girl shows up my store, AKA my now wife. Um, [26:12] And in one year, we went from one state to five states operations. [26:17] Wow. And it just shows you how powerful and important it can be, the partner you choose. And when somebody else says behind you that you're not crazy. [26:26] you can do this, you actually need to go harder. [26:29] And that had never been told to me in my life.

[26:32] Everybody else said I was crazy. You're nuts. They have a backup plan. Where's that safety net? Don't do this. Don't do that. That's what I heard from everyone, including my parents. [26:40] And God love them, you know, my brothers. And when Brittany came in, she was like, [26:44] oh no, you can do way more than this. I'm like, you know, I was kind of feeling pretty proud of myself at that point. [26:50] a little bit, you know, cause I'd come through and, um, [26:53] Moved out of the hood and into at least a more decent neighborhood.

And, uh, and, uh, she's like, no, you can go way harder. [26:59] And I needed that. [27:01] you know, and then my wife's an accountant by trade. So, which means now when I have a crazy idea, I actually have to bring the numbers to prove my idea, not just the crazy thing I thought of. So it's a great dynamic. And, and, uh, [27:13] It's great. Then we got into the gyms. I was bodybuilding and I got kicked out of the local health club system here. [27:19] for intimidating other guests, which is absolute

A. I talk more than I lift. I am a salesman. But it was more or less I sell supplements. The gym chain wanted to sell supplements. They wanted me out of the way. Yeah. [27:30] Um, and so two weeks later, we, uh, signed a lease on an 8,000 square foot bay and started our first Iron Heaven gym. And now we have three of them and they're massive. And, um, I love it. It's so much fun. And, uh, and now that I'm more in the retired space of the bodybuilding, um, I'm not doing it hard like I was before.

Um, being that big in my forties is not exactly the healthiest thing on the planet. When I was in my thirties and I was indestructible walking around 320 off seasons, one thing. But in my forties, I'm like, no, I'm just trying to keep heart healthy. [28:00] I want to be that obnoxious, embarrassing grandpa for a very long time. There it is. You know, I, and, uh, [28:06] And at the same point, we started a nutraceutical brand just because, you know, as a CEO, I started identifying different health concerns that just happen when you get into your late 30s, you get into your 40s.

And the CEOs and entrepreneurs, the lack of sleep, because we stress. We all do it. We can't. We try to turn it off. Yeah. [28:23] Man, it's hard, you know, and if you're worried about stuff and getting that good sleep and reducing that cortisol and then most of the nutrition industry is focusing on copying each other stuff and just giving it a new fancy label and a new name and charging you more for it. That's kind of the song and dance. And I'm like, let's focus on sleep. Let's focus on stress.

Let's focus on health concerns. [28:43] Specifically, and I've always had an adage this, I'm not trying to be everybody's everything. [28:48] I'm trying to be somebody something. Don't try to fix the whole world's problem. Fix, you know, be like, hey, here's who I am. There's got to be people like me who look like me, who think like me, who maybe have the same struggle as me. Let's fix that problem. Let's just do it, do a stick to our niche and what we're good at. And there's nothing wrong with that. I mean, yeah, I mean, we, yeah, we'd be all trillionaires if we could fix everyone's problems.

And trust me, if I had a solution for that, I probably would have tried it already. But I'm doing that. [29:18] And that's the one that, you know, out of nowhere, I mean, out of nowhere, I mean, [29:22] And had doing some diet plans from some pro athletes at the same time trying to convince us. Well, he's now seven, but at that time trying to convince my little ones to eat protein that didn't come in the form of a chicken nugget or chocolate milks like negotiating with Al Qaeda. So, um, yeah, it was like, okay, let's start goofing around the one, you know, around our house.

The one thing that they'll all uniformly eat is popcorn. [29:44] Right. I can't, I mean, I get the bars for free, brother. They won't touch them. You know, and because they opened it up, looks like a chocolate cake on the outside of the package, looks like a brick on the inside of the package. I go, yeah, you know, but when you're in bodybuilding, [29:57] That's a treat, but for the average person, it's not. And, you know, 600 batches. Do you realize the first batch of the caramel corn from Omaha Protein Popcorn took 600 batches until we figured it out?

[30:09] It's a year. I mean, three batches a night, my wife and I goofing around, just trying to figure out a way to, and some really bad ones. [30:16] My wife says I'm dramatic when I say this, but I bled for this company. She forgot to take the seeds out of one batch and I cracked a tooth. But most of them were really, we finally hit a eureka moment and we're like, we're not going to do lower quality. That's the thing that's dominated, especially here, is everyone uses the lowest quality ingredients because it maximizes profit.

I said, let's make this for like, we're going to give this to our kids and my parents. [30:38] Let's make it as high quality as we can. And that's really the secret to our sauce. It's sort of like, it doesn't taste like protein. It doesn't, you can't tell. And it doesn't hurt my stomach. It's like, cause I use the highest grade in the world. I mean, the average protein snack can take two hours to digest this popcorn six minutes. [30:53] so um and my grandparents could eat it you know and so then we launched optimal performance popcorn in 2018 and [31:01] we had some pro sports teams buying it for pre and post workout nutrition for athletes.

And, um, and you know, always some gyms and some stores started picking it up. I had some international contacts just cause I keep up with everybody and got it in Australia and New Zealand. And that's kind of where it went, you know? And, and, uh, [31:19] In about 2022, and I had probably lost a significant level of money into this particular venture. And I'm like, I don't get it. Like, it tastes great. Everybody who likes it, who buys it, likes it. But I just... [31:32] This is where one of those times where I got to eat humility, my platefuls of it.

[31:37] Um, [31:39] I became the president of the Chamber of Commerce. [31:44] I got voluntold into that one. I'll never do it. [31:48] And, you know, if that's my taste of politics, they can keep it. And Hy-Vee Foods grocery chain here in the Midwest is in my chamber. And one of the locations my mom shops at actually was like, hey, let us sell that popcorn. And I literally, my friend, I go. [32:04] It's not going to work. [32:05] I've tried that route and I tried to talk him out of it.

[32:08] And so we made a deal for consignment. I said, don't even pay me because that way I don't have to give you money back. And that's how much my belief in that particular general public had dropped. Yeah. They all sold my own retail stores 50 to one in a month. [32:24] And so I sent my daughter down there, my oldest daughter. Now, oldest daughters have a special place for a dad. [32:30] They turn you gray faster. [32:32] Okay. They challenge you in ways that you're arresting your kids. Just won't.

And so I sent her down and I said, go spy for me. Cause I, at this point I'm still bodybuilding. I stick out like a sore thumb. Right. Little old ladies and little kids are buying your popcorn. Like it's their job. [32:47] So I go down there and talk to the dietician and they're like, yeah, it's the only snack we can get our elderly patients and our youth patients to actually eat. So I went into 10 IVs, same thing. [32:57] And this is where the big dose of humility comes. [32:59] um the hyvee the corporate corporate headquarters over in iowa was like you should go to sweets and snacks conference and i'm like they have snacks conferences that's a thing brother if we haven't been to a snacks conference we have missed out on life because i went in chicago in may of 22 her she's got like a 6 000 gallon chocolate fountain i'm like i told my wife i think i'd rather be fat and just jump in there um because that just you know because it looked delicious [33:29] Optimal performance popcorn was what it was called at the time.

And I'm like, here we go. [33:34] And not a single person stops by my booth the first day. I'm out like 10 grand and I'm like, I'm, I'm upset, you know, and my wife, [33:42] She's like, what do you want to do? I'm like, I kind of want to go to the bar. That's kind of what I want to do. I forget this day ever happened. And then this is where eureka and humility hit you at the same time. [33:51] She goes, do you think it hurts us that it doesn't say protein or healthy anywhere on our label?

[33:56] Now, mind you, this is after four years. [33:59] and probably half a million dollars. [34:01] I go, oh, [34:02] My God. [34:03] Because everything I do in gyms and nutrition stores is all this related. I was so in my own field. I never thought. [34:11] about asking people, [34:12] you know, [34:13] Yeah. Outside the box. And so here we are at midnight at a Staples in Chicago getting a 10 foot banner. This is protein popcorn on it. The next day we safety pin it on top of my brand new backdrop.

We had a line of 400 people for two days. [34:28] And it was on the flight home. My wife was like, you do realize you haven't gone grocery shopping in 10 years. I'm like, yes, I have. She goes, no, you haven't. We don't let you go. Last time I sent you out for a box of rice, you went to Sam's Club, bought the 50 pound bag for 20 bucks. And it's been sitting in our pantry collecting dust. I'm like, all right, because I'm still operating on broke entrepreneur dad. Right. You know, and so I realized at that point I have three daughters and a wife.

[34:55] And my daughter seemed to think a credit card limit is a challenge. The amount of TikTok, shop, Amazon... [35:02] Facebook meta packages that show at my house. I still don't know what it is. And I don't know why that guy's at my house six times a day dropping off 11 packages, but these girls are my key demographics. So they designed the package. They, you know, Omaha protein popcorn stick with the [35:16] same acronyms, the mascot, little popcorn flexing kernel, as my daughter call it, aesthetically pleasing packaging. And launched in 23, and we're up 25,000%, currently selling in 16 countries.

And we're opening them up as fast as we possibly can. And [35:33] Um, you know, it was, [35:35] a great dose of humility that led to, um, you know, to massive success. And it goes back to our former point when I talked to doing family meetings, it's around that time that we started doing that. Um, and realizing that, um, [35:50] Your kids and your family, they may not be your exact skill set. They may not be exact clones of your work ethic, but understand that every one of them [36:00] represents a customer base.

[36:02] Yeah. That their uniqueness to them. I mean, I made fun of TikTok, brother, for years. [36:07] I'm like, that's kid stuff, you know, Snapchat. I ain't doing none of that garbage. Yeah. And then I started looking at my kids as a test plot. [36:15] I started asking questions instead of ridiculing because I didn't get it. I'm like, why do you watch that? [36:20] What is it about YouTube shorts? Like, why are you doing that? Why did you buy that? What about that ad? I just started looking at my six kids who span 20 years apart in age as the ultimate test plot.

I don't have to pay for market research. It's right in my house. It's right in my neighborhood. It's my neighbors. It's my parents. And looking at every one of my family and circumference in my circle as information that I should be a student to learn from versus sitting around boasting my ego about the three other companies I built. [36:49] And I got back to that eager student mindset. [36:52] And asking my daughter is no longer like, hey, quit buying that stuff on my credit card, which I still say that because I'm still on debt.

Of course. I'm like, why'd you buy that? Why that ad? What about that got you to buy this? And all of a sudden it's critique this company into something that's growing at leaps and bounds because- [37:09] I became a student again, back to like I was when I started the first company. And that's been really fun now. [37:16] And, you know, I still don't understand TikTok, but I'm selling there. Um, and you know, I'm learning. [37:24] You have to, bro. And that's the crazy thing. And, you know, I talk about this.

I was on stage a week ago. [37:31] Talking about. [37:33] buying and buying signals and buying habits and how, you know, [37:37] We just buy differently now, right? Like, your kids are like mine. [37:41] They don't watch TV, bro. They don't listen to the radio. [37:45] But they still buy things, right? Traditionally, you and I growing up, it was, if it's in a magazine, a newspaper, TV, radio, that's how we heard about something, right? [37:55] Fast forward to the early 2000s, if it's not on the internet, right? [38:00] You don't buy it.

[38:01] People buy so differently and you can't be stubborn. So if you're a business owner, if you're an entrepreneur right now, [38:08] And Tim is exactly right. You can't be stubborn. [38:11] And you can't, [38:12] Think from your lens. [38:14] Right. Like Les Brown told me you can't read the ingredients when you're inside the box. Right. But you've got to be able to. [38:21] to get other perspective and be willing to be uncomfortable because just like you, like I, I'm still not really on TikTok, but like my executive assistant runs that page for me.

And I'm like, Chris, I don't understand it. I'm not trying to understand it, but we got to be there. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. [38:40] Well, and that's a lot of what it is. And like I said back in 04, 05, you want to talk to me about a radio ad campaign. You want to start talking about print. [38:49] Um, I'm your guy, like a TV, you know, I was like, Oh, you know, now you've elevated TV. And, and then as I progressed into this and we're doing now, we're, we're running ads pretty heavy for popcorn for a year across, I mean, like in six different languages.

And, and so it's this whole, whole monstrosity. And I, I started looking at data and I, and so thank God my marketing company, they're fantastic. [39:10] I'll ask questions. I go, talk to me like you're talking to a fourth grader and just bring it down to my level. Just, just, and I started, cool if I asked, cause I really want to understand it. Not because I'm trying to replace you just because I want to make better decisions. And I said, why is it like this on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok? Whereas Google and YouTube, it's different.

And they said, well, people who search on Google or on YouTube, they're searching for it. That's an active, interested person. Because when you're on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok with an ad, you're interrupting them. [39:39] I said, okay. And so I took that as... [39:42] Because my kids, my wife will laugh. If I got a sporting event on TV, [39:47] And they start asking me stuff. I do this angry pause. What? Because I'm into the game. Like I'm there. As far as I'm concerned, I'm in the stadium. I'm such a sports fanatic.

You paid to be there. Yeah. Yeah. So at that point, they're going to interrupt me. I'm like, you better be bringing me some money or it better be funny. [40:06] And so that kind of changed our tune with what we're doing on social media. I'm like, [40:11] Guys, if we're going to interrupt people, we better be showing how to save a bunch of money, make a bunch of money, or entertain them. [40:16] Not just put an ad for our benefit. What are we doing for their benefit? So it kind of changes your mindset because I start to understand things and it took one of their people to explain that to me.

I was like, okay, cool. And I think just taking this different approach of I'm a student again, in a space that I'm not terribly comfortable with, but is necessary. And realizing that the 18 year old, [40:37] who spent way more time on this and grew up with this than you and I did, they're gonna have significant more insight that's completely valuable. [40:45] to us because they're buying demographic. [40:48] I want them to buy it. I want them to like it. And then I started asking my mom, you know, they're in their 70s.

She could kill me when she hears I said that out loud. But, you know, yeah, I'll take it. And I'm like, okay, what are you watching? What are you doing? Like, what are you listening to? Like, you know, and she's like, I'm on podcast. I'm like, really? Fantastic. Okay, what are you listening to? Like, what brought you to that? And just start asking questions inquisitively. [41:11] Um, and it's fun being a student again, man. Like it's, and every time I feel like I learned something new, I'm like, I got another inch, another link in the armor.

[41:20] Yeah. And that we can go battle with. And I think that, you know, that dose of humility is the best thing that's happened to me in the last decade. [41:27] Absolutely, brother. Absolutely. You've been really gracious with your time, man. I have... [41:33] One question before I get you my rapid fire hot fire, right? [41:36] Yeah. [41:38] Are you overpaying on your property taxes? [41:40] Many homeowners are, and OwnWell can help. [41:43] OwnWell's team of local tax experts combine cutting-edge technology and deep expertise to help you appeal your property taxes at no upfront cost.

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Enrollment required. Terms apply. And I call this question The Room. [42:28] Every great leader, every great entrepreneur that I know, [42:32] There was a room, a meeting, a dinner, an introduction that changed their lives. [42:37] Was there a room, a meeting or anything that changed the trajectory of your life, your business, career, anything? [42:44] uh yeah i mean it was back when i wasn't and i took the break from entrepreneurism [42:49] Um, and was working in corporate America and, uh, I won the rookie of the year and I won the sales awards and I got brought in the room by the CEO.

[42:57] along with these guys who've been in sales for 30, 40, 50 years. [43:01] Not realizing that I just broke most of their records. And I was just excited. And they spoke some life into me. They're like, you're not going to be here long. And at first I was like, what do you mean by that? And they go... [43:13] If you did this at this age, if you're still here in 20 years, [43:17] And I'm still alive. I'm going to kill you. That's what one guy told me. He goes, you need to go out.

You need to be at the helm. You need to have boundless opportunity. And the only way you can do that is to run your own ship. [43:28] And that was from the CEO himself. [43:31] I'm like, so I just made you a bunch of money and you told me if I'm still here, you're going to kick my butt basically. And it's what an honor to be spoken to be, to have that kind of truth spoken into you at such a young age. Um, and you know, unfortunately he, he passed away about five years after that very stroke, very suddenly at 59, which taught me two things.

One, um, [43:54] None of us, no matter how much money you got, we don't know when that day's coming. [43:57] So we need to appreciate every day. And two, we, [43:59] That's the big guy upstairs telling me, he's like, all right, time to fly. [44:03] And, you know, so that, that was a room that I was in that I, you know, and, and thank God I was present for that moment. [44:10] You know, I was present and I learned and I listened. [44:13] And what they said shocked me so incredibly much.

I don't know if I'd be sitting here without those words being spoken into me. So I always make sure that I invite people into the room myself, the rooms that we're in, and I try to speak something into them that makes them believe more in themselves than probably they ever have. [44:34] There it is. I love it, man. I love it. Tim, again, you're gracious of your time. I know how busy you are. I call this the Unplugged Five. Rapid Fire. [44:46] I don't know if you're ready. [44:47] I'm ready.

Let's do it. [44:50] Deserted Island. You can only bring one snack with you. What snack are you bringing? [44:55] Oatmeal cream pies. [44:58] Okay. Didn't see that one coming. I thought I was going to get a popcorn. So that's going to lead me to my next one. What's your favorite? I have an oatmeal cream pie obsession since I was like this big. That's my jam. So yeah, it's my dirty jam. That and some peanuts. That's the breakfast of champions for me. Yeah. Uh, [45:13] Your favorite popcorn. I'm a nacho cheddar Omaha protein popcorn.

I eat a bag of that stuff every other day. [45:21] every other day. That is my favorite. Yeah, it's so good. So when I said, there's something I can't live without, [45:26] The nacho cheddar, bro. [45:27] Yeah. It's fire. It's fire. Dude. Absolutely. Every night. [45:32] Like literally every night. That's what I have. [45:36] What's one... [45:38] Tip of advice or piece of information that you want to give on Supplemental Nutrition? [45:46] for, let's just say, men over 40. [45:49] Oh, start taking creatine now. Take it every day. Never stop taking it.

It's cheap. The commodity has lowered in price so dramatically. And, you know, I spent... [46:01] 35 years ago, explaining to people that, no, this is not ruining your kidneys because that was the thing that happened in the 90s because all the moms against creatine. Now they're finding that doses of 15 to 20 grams a day literally stops Alzheimer's and dementia in their tracks. [46:16] And if you take that, [46:17] you're going to see a 70% reduction of Alzheimer's and dementia across this country. The health benefits are astronomical. No nasty side effects.

Just the cheap, unflavored stuff. Add it to whatever drink you want. Take 15 to 20 grams a day. Your brain, your mind, you'll stay just as sharp at 75 as you were at 30 bucks. [46:35] Can I order some from you now? [46:37] Oh yeah, I got you. It's cheap. It's a great product and you can get it everywhere now. And that's why I'm so happy because 30 years ago it was premium priced, but now you can get it in bulk and it's great. [46:49] Okay. What's one book you're reading right now?

[46:54] Oh, actually, this is not a soapbox thing. I have a moments for men. [47:02] It's a, it's a daily devotional literally for men in business that I picked up and, um, [47:09] I've just been reading it, just trying to get myself back into the word more because I find myself using a lot of excuses about the busyness of my schedule, my travel schedule, not to be doing things from my faith. And also focusing specifically from a man's standpoint. And so it's a book I picked up that right now I'm going through.

And then Eric Oberam has a book I've been starting to pen through that a little bit more right to the throat for entrepreneurs that I've just picked up. Yeah. [47:34] I dig it. I dig it. And then the last one, [47:38] Because I gifted you dad, so you can't say dad. [47:42] well [47:42] When the story of Tim is being written, [47:45] What's one or two words that you want to make sure in there that define you? [47:50] Ah. [47:53] Gratitude, extreme levels of gratitude. He was very, very, had a lot of gratitude for the blessings in his life.

[48:01] That to me would mean everything. And I hope that [48:04] Someday. [48:06] If my kids are told you're just like your dad... [48:09] That makes him smile. [48:12] that they have that heart on their sleeve like I do. And yeah, some people might call me a sucker, and that's fine. I'm good with that. But I'd like the guy to give a thousand chances. I'm fine with that title. [48:24] I love it. [48:25] I love it. Well, if you are watching this, if you're listening to this, do me a favor.

[48:30] Follow Tim. [48:32] on social, [48:34] Go check out his many websites. If you're watching this, there's a QR code right behind his head. Go ahead and flash your phone on that QR code. See what pops up. [48:44] But... [48:44] I can promise you this. [48:46] I'm not going to lie to you. I'm not going to dissuade you. [48:49] the popcorn, [48:51] It's probably the best thing you're ever going to have in your life. I promise you. And when you come out with papaya flavored popcorn, you got to let me know.

I think that should be the next one. I got you, brother. [49:03] Tim, I appreciate it, man. Where do you want people to find and follow you personally? [49:07] If you go to com, that's com, that leads to all the socials. It leads to all the brands, all the businesses. I'm mostly active, like personally active on Instagram. And it's just Timothy D. Rexius on Instagram because I understand it. Eventually, I mean, we're posting on TikTok, but I'm going to be real. That's my daughter. That's the team. I don't. Yeah, that's the team.

But I'm very active on Instagram myself personally. But if you go to the website, at least all the businesses and the emails in there, go