From Microsoft to Military Decals: How Tim Built Freedom Through Buying Businesses - Tim Lewis

What happens when a former Microsoft exec trades the corporate fast track for small business ownership? In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with long-time friend and client Tim Lewis to explore his journey from tech giant to serial entrepreneur. Tim shares how he left a thriving career at Microsoft, launched a consulting firm, built and scaled a web design agency using international talent, and ultimately found financial freedom by acquiring a niche e-commerce business serving veterans and military families.     Timestamps:  02:10 – Early career at Microsoft and discovering business ownership   05:00 – Leaving corporate life for Arizona and small business consulting   05:50 – Launching a web design agency without knowing how to code   08:15 – Scaling using offshore talent and building a global team   11:30 – Acquiring a business to grow fast   13:00 – Burnout, customer service issues, and quality-of-life tradeoffs   16:00 – Selling the web company and taking time off   17:00 – Evaluating businesses and what made him say no   19:30 – Buying the military decal business and scaling it   21:00 – Why reviews and customer service mattered more than tech   24:10 – Using automation and AI to streamline production   25:44 – Starting vs. buying a business: which is better?   27:50 – Advice on higher education and surviving AI's impact   30:00 – Work-life balance, flexible hours, and redefining success   34:40 – Who helped him most in his career   38:00 – His #1 rule for success: say yes and figure it out later   Resources & Links   Military Grapics - https://militarygraphics.com   Want to be a guest on the show, or have a deal that you would like for us to evaluate? Apply here   Follow Us on Social Media   Instagram: @AmpedSuccess   LinkedIn: Amped Success   Tiktok:  @Ampedsuccess   YouTube: @AmpedSuccess 📧 Contact Us: For inquiries, reach out at [email protected]