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What Are You Doing to Change the World?
Nigel Bennett
Nigel Bennett, author of Take That Leap, is an award-winning entrepreneur and philanthropist who is passionate about making a difference in the world and leaving a legacy of generosity and impact for the next generation.
Nigel is the co-founder of Aqua-Guard Spill Response Inc. Founded in 1992, the business’s mission is to protect water, the world’s most precious resource.
For over 30 years, the company has served around 3,000 clients in over 105 countries. They provide marine oil spill response equipment and other related services.
Nigel donates all profit from his book sales and speaking engagements to organizations that support different causes associated with human rights, the environment, poverty alleviation, and social services.
What We Discuss With Nigel Bennett In This Episode
- Solving the oil spill threats around the world
- Social responsibility and building to scale the business
- The importance of asking for help and having a social outlet
- Exploring the concept of generosity
Episode Highlights
Cleaning Up Oil Spills Around the World
Oil spill is a constant and chronic issue. In his book, Nigel gives us an overview of how massive this problem is. We all know about the massive spills by BP Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico, Exxon Valdez in Alaska. etc. but there are also these chronic spills going on behind closed doors.
Nigel believes that the wars of the future are going to be over freshwater, and not oil anymore.
The BP Horizon oil spill was so massive that they had to bomb the spill with a dispersing chemical. This is actually prohibited in any North American coastline unless it’s a catastrophic spill. Because once it’s in the water column, you can’t get it out because it can go from one foot to 5,000 feet deep. People think it’s gone but it’s in there. Out of sight, out of mind.
How They Built to Scale the Business
Aside from being indebted to his father, Nigel had to leverage everything when he started the business. They designed the equipment. They’d get contracts. Then they would borrow money from the bank and they would build and slowly ramp up the business.
With the help of a coach, Nigel has been able to set up the business to run without him. They’ve done this in the past 10 years. He promoted people within the company. He ended up buying his partner of almost 30 years. Then a young fellow is running everything for him now.
This has allowed him to do the things he feels are really important in the world.
A Call for Social Responsibility
Nigel almost sold his business. When his friend invited him and his family to an Ayahuasca ceremony in the Amazon, his conscience was awakened. As entrepreneurs, it’s not just about cash, but it’s also about social responsibility.
Nigel and his kids have since developed TruBeach and GiftADD.com.
TruBeach allows people who go to beaches to post what they see and share what’s really going on out there. It brings awareness back into the communities, not only of the garbage over the fence but also because when it rains, it ends up in the ocean.
GiftADD.com was created because Nigel and his son are dyslexic and they want to prove that people with ADD and dyslexia are not dummies. It’s not a curse, but a gift.
Nigel and his family have been building homes for the homeless in Mexico for many years now. They started this when he was invited by a friend to go to Mexico 20 years ago.
This spirit of helping people has been ingrained in his children’s minds while they were very young and he wishes to pass on this legacy to future generations.
The Importance of Asking for Help and Having an Outlet
Most people think about coaching as a cost. But you have to look at is as an investment rather than a cost. What you’re paying for is the impact and growth that you’re going to get out of it.
Whether it’s a bike ride or just getting some fresh air, going outdoors allows you to have that disconnect from your daily routines that you come back totally cleansed and ready for the next adventure. It gives you clarity because you’re free from distractions.
Exploring the Concept of Generosity
We’re a society that tries to get to abundance through scarcity. And it never happens.
There’s a whole different shift that we get to have in order to create that which comes from a place of love and generosity and giving and contribution. However you want to put that, that creates abundance.
When people have lots of money, they’re afraid to give it away because then they will lose their money. They have this scarcity mindset where they’re afraid to go scarce. So they hold on to it and miss out on enjoying things.
But it’s called cash flow for a reason. It’s supposed to flow. If it doesn’t flow, it stagnates. And it loses its value.
Episode Resources 
Connect With Nigel Bennett
- Website: www.nigeljbennett.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/takethatleap
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-bennett-017bb1
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nigeljbennett
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/njbtakethatleap
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