Ral West

And I think one thing that might be relatable is that our business involved taking reservations for our air service over the phone. So we had reservations agents who would answer the phone and take a booking by using our in-house computer reservation system. And No booking was taken without somebody being on the phone to take that booking.

And I think one thing that might be relatable is that our business involved taking reservations for our air service over the phone. So we had reservations agents who would answer the phone and take a booking by using our in-house computer reservation system. And No booking was taken without somebody being on the phone to take that booking.

So as time went on, we were realizing that this was not a very efficient system and we invested a huge amount of money and almost two years to develop an automated reservation system. And that system, once we pulled the trigger on it and it went live, it was able to take the bookings 24-7 without any of our reservation agents talking on the phone at all.

So as time went on, we were realizing that this was not a very efficient system and we invested a huge amount of money and almost two years to develop an automated reservation system. And that system, once we pulled the trigger on it and it went live, it was able to take the bookings 24-7 without any of our reservation agents talking on the phone at all.

Whether you are a travel agent or a customer, you could go online and book your trip entirely online. That was a huge transition for our company and it made a gigantic difference in our revenue. by being able to automate that reservation system.

Whether you are a travel agent or a customer, you could go online and book your trip entirely online. That was a huge transition for our company and it made a gigantic difference in our revenue. by being able to automate that reservation system.

So just like what you're talking about in terms of your podcast, the more you're able to automate some of your processes so that you can repeat your systems over and over again in less and less time, that enables you to increase your productivity and hopefully your revenue as well.

So just like what you're talking about in terms of your podcast, the more you're able to automate some of your processes so that you can repeat your systems over and over again in less and less time, that enables you to increase your productivity and hopefully your revenue as well.

I think I'm a bit different than a lot of people. Financially, we could have retired when we sold our business to Alaska Airlines, and that was like 16 years ago. But we had still a lot of energy and ideas, and we didn't want to retire. So I think our decision to not retire was based on just our own motivation and desire and interest.

I think I'm a bit different than a lot of people. Financially, we could have retired when we sold our business to Alaska Airlines, and that was like 16 years ago. But we had still a lot of energy and ideas, and we didn't want to retire. So I think our decision to not retire was based on just our own motivation and desire and interest.

So we're, particularly I am, continuing to work just because I love it. And I don't feel the need to sit back and I do love to travel. My definition of living the dream is being able to travel the world. We take long trips. I recently got back from a six week trip in Europe and I plan to do a lot more of that.

So we're, particularly I am, continuing to work just because I love it. And I don't feel the need to sit back and I do love to travel. My definition of living the dream is being able to travel the world. We take long trips. I recently got back from a six week trip in Europe and I plan to do a lot more of that.

I love cruising and I don't intend to give that up, but I also don't intend to give up my business. So I have to figure out a way to have the businesses run very smoothly and with these processes and systems going, whether I'm around or not. And so my definition of retirement is just living the life that I want and having whatever business I want to have. I don't need it for monetary reasons.

I love cruising and I don't intend to give that up, but I also don't intend to give up my business. So I have to figure out a way to have the businesses run very smoothly and with these processes and systems going, whether I'm around or not. And so my definition of retirement is just living the life that I want and having whatever business I want to have. I don't need it for monetary reasons.

I just want it because it's my passion. It's my joy. And I don't see that age has any bearing on whether or not I continue to work. You know, as long as I love it and I can do it, I'm going to.

I just want it because it's my passion. It's my joy. And I don't see that age has any bearing on whether or not I continue to work. You know, as long as I love it and I can do it, I'm going to.

I think that people need to be able to pivot and that the pivot will depend on what their inner desires and motivations are. And I think that I personally am an advocate of people following their heart and following their passion. If they love what they do, why not keep doing it? Financially, I think it's great to make sure that you have

I think that people need to be able to pivot and that the pivot will depend on what their inner desires and motivations are. And I think that I personally am an advocate of people following their heart and following their passion. If they love what they do, why not keep doing it? Financially, I think it's great to make sure that you have

a consistent source of income whether that be some kind of retirement account that's generating some income for you or you have passive investments like our real estate they are considered passive investments because they earn money while we're sleeping so that's an important aspect of being able to be financially independent

a consistent source of income whether that be some kind of retirement account that's generating some income for you or you have passive investments like our real estate they are considered passive investments because they earn money while we're sleeping so that's an important aspect of being able to be financially independent