building a freedom business
I’ve worked 12 hour days, 6 or 7 days per week, for the past decade.
This work ethic kinda runs in my family.
We can’t sit still.
But last year I went to Europe for 2 weeks and something in me broke.
Those 2 weeks were some of the happiest, most memorable weeks I’ve had in a long time.
Not because of a big business win or hitting some new revenue milestone, but because I was actually present with my family and making memories.
We ate gelato on the streets of London, drove narrow country roads through the Cotswolds, and heard sheep bleating in the hills.
We touched centuries old stone monoliths, hiked alongside wind-rippled lakes, and ate world famous bacon baps.
I love entrepreneurship, but I’m realizing there are two kinds of businesses:
Growth traps and Freedom businesses.
Growth traps suck the life out of you as they grow. The shackles get tighter, the demands increase, and your time gets devoured.
Freedom businesses do the opposite. They create freedom for the entrepreneur, the employees, and the customer. The nature of freedom looks different at each level, but it’s there.
Here’s how I see it:
Freedom for the owner to use leverage strategically to focus on the areas they enjoy the most, and are good at, without trading time for money.
Freedom for employees to have autonomy, purpose in the mission, and to develop mastery in a skill. After growing, they can springboard into other opportunities or their own businesses.
Freedom for customers to benefit from the unique products and services created as a result of mission and purpose aligned business.
The internet and AI have changed everything.
We have leverage our parents couldn’t even dream of:
Access to global markets
Automation
Systems that can work while you sleep
If you’re building a print on demand business right now, you get this.
You’re probably working a day job and carving out time on nights and weekends to make it work.
You’re time-poor and exhausted. I know, I’ve been there.
Here’s the thing:
We’re less than 100 days from Q4.
That’s the window.
Right now is the PERFECT time to be testing new products, finding your winners, and preparing to scale when everyone starts their shopping.
Don’t wait until October to wake up.
I can’t promise your print on demand business will be your “freedom business,” but it can be your first step to building something that gives you the freedom to be the person you want to be.
For me, that’s being a Husband and Dad that’s more present with my family.
What is it for you?
Hit reply and let me know.
-Michael ✌️