How I Learned to Maintain Progress by Taking Responsibility for My Story with Ben Humble

Today’s is PACKED with wisdom and phrases to live by as host Katie Richardson invites Ben Humble to share his incredible story, starting with an escape from communism into a camp at age four. Rather than feeling victimized by that pivotal life experience and many others to come, Ben decided to view himself as running toward progress, transitioning from master musician to humble house cleaner to the thriving business founder that he is today.

Ben openly shares the secrets he learned along his journey about the necessity of identifying your core purpose, remaining authentic (even during the grind times of life), and adjusting your mindset during “bad chapters” without letting them overtake your potential. Learn with Katie why “it’s your story,” and how not to let anybody else write it for you!

3 Key Takeaways

• Why everyone should write a book
• Why investing is a MYTH
• Why everyone should have to work in a service-based job before founding their business

Listen to the Full Episode

Show Notes

[0:22] Katie introduces Ben

• Ben is a refugee who escaped communism when he was four years old
• Dropped out of music school to become a businessman
• Expert in Canadian off market real estate deals

 [1:15] A moment that shaped who Ben is today

• Going on a drive with his dad
  • Walking through an empty house
  • His friends from Romania to work for their family
  • His dad covers a man in a blanket
    • “Sometimes we just need to cover people, and bring food to the table. Because it’s the right thing to do.” -Ben Humble

[6: 25] “Come with me”

• The definition of leadership
• Use humility to explore
• Leaving music to go clean and explore
• “I was just moving forward and never really being fearful of just moving into something in the unknown, even though there’s problems and stakes and challenges.” -Ben Humble

[10:00] What got Ben through his temporary jobs that weren’t the goal

• It was tough, but he developed that he just needs to figure it out
• Serviced-based businesses teach you how to be humble and what to do with others

[12:40] What it looked like going from a world of scarcity to one of abundance

• Living in a false identity for many years to match his customers
• Understand that there has to be a season of cultivation
  • “I’m okay with doing stuff I don’t want to do. Because…doing good produces the result NOT feeling good.” -Ben Humble
• Finally getting his first house
  • Cleaning at night, thinking in a business context

[15:10] Being an “underground millionaire”

[16:50] The purpose that drives Ben through what he’s doing

• Stewardship!
  • A sense of responsibility over your own life 
  • Watching his dad take his life into his own hands
    • Honoring his dad’s sacrifice and family legacy

[19:22] Have love and respect for the sacrifices made for you instead of having survivor’s guilt

• Don’t challenge your father when he tells you to go
• The most important thing you have is your story
  • Are you using your adversity as a weapon?
  • “It’s your story. Don’t let somebody else write it for you. And don’t stop halfway through.” -Ben Humble
    • Your circumstance doesn’t define you!

[24:29] You are responsible for making your life better

[25:10] Why Ben isn’t in Canada

• Ben’s advocacy for moving/travel with the purpose of connecting
• Doing a six month hiatus to get to know people and allow his employees to run the business without him
• The fear of the pandemic nationwide similar to the fear he saw in his camp at age four
• Being present with the mobility of life

[29:30] Entering the real estate investing space

• Separate two things
  • The idea of investing in real estate
  • The idea of building a business in real estate
    • Treating real estate like a business is the only way to succeed!

[32:53] Exciting opportunities that Ben sees working now in his industry

• Everybody has equity
  • Can you get educated and use what you built to build a better business?
• “People are richer today than they realize if they simply are willing to look at all the equity buried underneath their property.” -Ben Humble

[34:45] Ben explains his business and its operations

• Pushing forward on the Canadian side into the US
• Equip, train, and send out Canadians to create their own wealth

[38:47] Something that Ben does consistently every day

• Spending time thinking about where he’s headed 
  • Eustress over distress
• Grab a coffee and give yourself space to ask questions in a quiet space
• Keeping a journal for good thoughts
• “Inspiration has to be followed by due diligence.” -Ben humble

[42:25] A book that Ben keeps on his nightstand

• The Four Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss
  • If you engineer any outcome, you can get that result

[43:35] Pivotal advice Ben has been given

• “What do you want?”

Connect with Ben Humble

Ben’s world: humble.ceo