How This Founder Built a 7-Figure Business Working Just 1 Hour Per Day (Using Systems) | The Nathan Newberry Show 067
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Ari Meisel's OAO (Optimize, Automate, Outsource) framework helps entrepreneurs build self-running businesses. By optimizing processes first, automating repetitive tasks, and only then outsourcing remaining work, business owners can reduce their active involvement while increasing productivity and profitability.
🎧 Key Timestamps:
2:07 - High Performance Definition
4:35 - The Power of Asynchronous Work
8:31 - The One-Hour Workday Origin Story
15:22 - The OAO Framework Explained
27:21 - The Four Question Interview Process
35:14 - AI Integration Strategy
From 18-Hour Days to Freedom: A Transformational Journey
At age 23, Ari Meisel faced a devastating diagnosis: Crohn's disease, an "incurable" inflammatory condition. Forced to reduce his workday from 18 hours to just one hour, he discovered something remarkable. This limitation wasn't a curse – it was the catalyst for a revolutionary business system that would transform how entrepreneurs work.
The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything
"When you only have one hour a day to work, you're forced to think differently," Meisel explains. "There was no productivity system that existed to answer the question: How do you get everything done in just one hour?"
This constraint led to the development of his groundbreaking OAO (Optimize, Automate, Outsource) framework, now used by entrepreneurs worldwide to build self-running businesses.
The Three Pillars of a Self-Running Business
1. Optimize First
Before making any changes, analyze current processes:
Document every step in your workflows
Identify and eliminate unnecessary steps
Streamline remaining processes
Create clear, repeatable systems
2. Automate What You Can
Once processes are optimized:
Implement automation tools strategically
Focus on error-prone manual tasks
Eliminate repetitive work
Preserve human touch for high-value activities
3. Outsource What's Left
Only after optimizing and automating:
Create clear process documents
Hire for specific, well-defined roles
Train based on documented systems
Monitor and adjust as needed
The Power of Asynchronous Work
One of Meisel's most controversial recommendations? Eliminate most meetings. "99% of synchronous communication is unnecessary," he argues. His business operates entirely asynchronously, allowing him to:
Take his kids to school every day
Never miss a soccer game
Serve on multiple boards
Run a volunteer EMT service
The Four-Question Interview Process
Meisel's hiring success comes down to just four questions:
"Why you?"
"Why us?"
"Tell me about a time you screwed up at work and how you handled it."
"If I don't hire you, why do you think that will be?"
This simple process has resulted in less than 2% turnover across multiple organizations.
Implementation Strategy: Your First 30 Days
Week 1: Process Audit
Document all current workflows
Track time spent on each activity
Identify bottlenecks and pain points
Week 2: Optimization
Eliminate unnecessary steps
Streamline remaining processes
Create standard operating procedures
Week 3: Automation
Research automation tools
Implement basic automations
Test and refine systems
Week 4: Strategic Outsourcing
Define roles based on remaining tasks
Create training documents
Begin hiring process
The Freedom Paradox
Meisel introduces a crucial distinction between two types of freedom:
Freedom From: Escaping the daily grind
Freedom To: Building something meaningful
"True freedom isn't about working less," he explains. "It's about having the choice to work on what matters most."
Real-World Impact
Entrepreneurs implementing the OAO framework report:
70% reduction in working hours
40% increase in revenue
90% decrease in operational errors
Improved work-life integration
Next Steps: Transform Your Business
Ready to build a business that runs without you? Schedule a free strategy session to learn how to implement the OAO framework in your business.
Key Takeaways
Optimize before automating or outsourcing
Embrace asynchronous communication
Use constraints to drive innovation
Focus on systems over hours worked
Build for replaceability from day one
Share this post with an entrepreneur who needs to hear this message about business harmony!
About the Author: Nathan Newberry helps elite business owners implement AI in sales, marketing, systems, and models to build rapidly successful brands. He specializes in helping founders implement Sell By Chat strategy to buy back their time and double their revenue within 6 months using his Elite Sales Model.
