How Smart Business Owners Use AI & Virtual Assistants to Buy Back Their Time | Andrew Hathaway

EPISODE NOTES Andrew Hathaway is Co-Founder of Freedom.AI and operates out of Cherry Creek, Denver — right in the heart of the private equity and M&A world. His three-part framework for business owners: Executive Assistants for time freedom → AI automation for operational efficiency → Life insurance strategies for financial freedom. The "Become Your Own Bank" concept: using a permanent life insurance policy's cash value to finance major business purchases (trucks, equipment, bonuses) while your money keeps compounding — effectively making one dollar work in two places. Why virtual assistants (VAs) from the Philippines remain a competitive advantage — Andrew says he'd never go back to hiring Americans for admin roles, given the cost difference and quality of talent. AI phone answering and overflow call handling is already working for home service companies — Andrew admits he was skeptical but is now a believer. Private equity is aggressively acquiring home service companies right now, including roofing, fire safety, HVAC, and plumbing. Andrew recommends always using an M&A advisory firm before engaging PE — going in alone can drop your multiple from 7-8x down to 4-5x. Ken shares Potomac Custom Remodeling's 2025 revenue goals ($20M minimum, shooting for $30M) and expansion into Delaware and Pennsylvania. Baden Consulting is pivoting to serve the roofing/retail roofing consulting niche with a community-based model after strong demand on social media. Andrew's closing legacy thought: beyond business, he wants to be remembered as someone who helped blue-collar entrepreneurs become spiritual leaders and positively impacted lives in the marketplace. TIMESTAMPS 0:18 – Welcome & Introduction 1:00 – Andrew's world: Private equity, M&A, and home services in Denver 3:00 – The fire safety industry and PE acquisition frenzy 5:00 – Andrew's business model: EAs, AI, and life insurance strategies 6:00 – The "Become Your Own Bank" concept with life insurance 10:00 – Virtual assistants vs. AI automation — what's still worth hiring a human for 13:00 – The private equity opportunity for home service owners 15:00 – Why you need an M&A advisor before talking to PE firms 18:00 – Ken's growth goals: Potomac Custom Remodeling's 2025 plan 20:00 – Staffing challenges in scaling a roofing company 23:00 – Baden Consulting and the roofing community pivot 26:00 – Andrew's 2025 business goals: targeting $10M per company 29:00 – How to contact Andrew Hathaway 31:00 – Andrew's legacy: faith, family, and marketplace leadership   🔗 Connect with Andrew Hathaway:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anhathaway/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theandrewhathaway/  Website: www.hathawaydashcompanies.com 🌐 The Kitchen Table Podcast: thekitchentablepodcast.net  🏢 Baden Consulting www.badenconsulting.net 🏢 Potomac Custom Remodeling: www.potomaccustomremodeling.com #BlueCollarBusiness #AIAutomation #HomeServicesBusiness #PrivateEquity #BusinessFreedom #TheKitchenTablePodcast