I help people start their first local business…and run it remotely.
I'm Chris Schwab. Over the past decade, I've built, scaled, and exited businesses—including Think Maids, an award-winning national cleaning company I built in the U.S. while running it remotely from Japan, and Inova Local, a virtual assistant agency I founded and later sold to private equity. Now I teach others how to do the same.
The model is simple
I’ve taught hundreds of students worldwide to do the same through my flagship program, The Local Business MBA.
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What i do
I teach people how to start and grow local service businesses using clear systems, calm execution, and long term thinking.
Local businesses are the oldest, most stable business model in the world. Think about your neighbourhood house cleaning company, junk removal specialists, landscapers, handyman services. They don't need venture capital, complicated tech, or trend-chasing...just real customers, real problems solved, and reliable cash flow.
Back in 2016, I pioneered the remote local business model to prove you could serve a local community without being physically present. I started with a cleaning business from Japan. The model worked. Others noticed so I started showing them exactly how I did it publicly. Now thousands of businesses operate this way across the globe, and the movement is accelerating.
My work focuses on the following principles
Building businesses you can run from anywhere, with systems that replace your physical presence.
Building businesses you can run from anywhere, with systems that replace your physical presence.
Building businesses you can run from anywhere, with systems that replace your physical presence.
Building businesses you can run from anywhere, with systems that replace your physical presence.
Ways to work with me
Start from scratch
The Local Business MBA is my flagship program for people starting or early in theirjourney. Launched in 2018, it’s helped hundreds build their first local business in more than 12 countries.
Already operating
I work with existing owners through advisory and strategic support. Whether you’reburned out, stuck at a plateau, or ready to scale, I help you rebuild your foundation andimplement the systems that made my own businesses sellable and owner-light.
Book Club
I host a monthly business book club where we read impactful books, discuss keyinsights, and actually implement the ideas in real-time together (rather than justconsuming content and moving onto the next book). Depth over breadth.
Learn in public
My newsletter, Building Quietly, is where I share ideas, frameworks, and reflections onbuilding businesses that last.
Building Quietly
Notes on building businesses that last. Clear thinking. Practical systems. Long-term perspective.
No hype. No noise.
Just thoughtful writing, sent occasionally.
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