38 years of brutally honest business advice in 5 minutes

The Art of Making Things Happen (Bluefishing) Steve Sims

In this episode, Steve Sims distills 38 years of brutally honest business experience into just five minutes, delivering straight-shooting advice every entrepreneur needs to hear. Drawing from decades of hard-won lessons, Steve shares the three key truths that every business owner should know—and prepare for—if they want to succeed in the real world.

Steve kicks things off by tackling the inevitability of screw-ups in business. Whether it's human error, shifting algorithms, or unexpected industry changes, something will go wrong, and Steve stresses the importance of expecting problems and planning for them before they hit. This mindset shift, he says, allows you to respond strategically rather than get caught off guard.

Next, Steve flips the script on the classic hustle trope, insisting that entrepreneurs value time over dollars. Reminding us that while money can be replaced, time cannot, he emphasizes the need to evaluate opportunities not just by the payday, but by the time, stress, and effort required to get there.

Finally, in a refreshingly cynical yet practical twist, Steve urges listeners to approach every new contract and relationship with skepticism—not starry-eyed optimism. By deliberately looking for potential pitfalls and being willing to walk away if things don't add up, he explains how he's avoided the costly mistakes that once tripped him up, using a memorable story with the Elton John Foundation as an example.

Packed with candid insights, tough love, and practical strategies, this episode offers a survival kit for anyone navigating entrepreneurship. Steve’s honest advice will help you spot trouble before it starts, value your most precious resource, and make deals with your eyes wide open. If you’re ready to disrupt, connect, and grow with lessons from someone who’s truly been there, this is the episode you don’t want to miss.