Building a Business You Love
This topic hits home for me. It got me thinking about how important it is to build a business that you love—and how important it is to build freedom into that business. These two concepts are so interlocked.
Let me start with my story. When I started over 20 years ago, I had over 100 primary schools across the London region, multiple venues, and a couple of gyms.
I had created what looked like a successful business but it wasn’t scalable, and, more importantly, I didn’t love it. I had built a business that felt hard. And when business feels hard, that’s a major red flag.
I remember going to Turkey for a week, and when I came back, it felt like I had been gone for months!
My team was overwhelmed, fires needed putting out, and I thought to myself, "This isn’t sustainable."
So, I stripped my business back. I took 10 steps backwards to move 30 steps forward. It was tough, but it was the right decision.
Now, I’ve built a model that works without me. And that is what I can call freedom.
What Does Freedom Look Like for You?
It’s different for everyone, depending on whether you have a family, if you’re single, or if you’re in a different season of life.
For me, freedom means spending time with my kids, taking them to school, picking them up, having holidays off, and being present for the things that matter. So, think about what it looks like for you.
At Gold Medal Business, one of our biggest values is to make sure you have a business that puts family first.
I never want anyone to come to me and say, “Katie, I’ve built an amazing business, but I never see my family.”
That’s not success in my eyes. You’re building a business around what matters most to you.
The Three Pillars of Freedom: Time, Income, and Flexibility
To create freedom in your business, there are three things you need to focus on: time, income, and flexibility. Let’s break that down.
1. Time
What does time mean to me? For some of you, time might mean being able to travel freely. For others, it might mean having afternoons off or being available for your kids' school events.
For me, time means taking my kids to school every morning, picking them up in the afternoon, and taking all holidays off. It means spending time with my baby, Josh. This is my time, and I’ve designed my business around that.
What does time mean for you? Take a moment and write it down, because this is one of the most important pillars in creating freedom.
2. Income
What income do you need to support the lifestyle you desire?
Everyone’s needs are different. If you’re looking at private education for your kids or want to take four lovely holidays a year, you’re going to need more income than someone who doesn’t. It’s about being clear on what you need, right now, based on the season of your business.
If you’re in the early stages, maybe it’s £3,000 a month while you reinvest in growth. As your business scales, that number will change. But the key is knowing what that looks like for you so you can design a business that supports that.
3. Flexibility
What does flexibility mean to you? Do you want to take Fridays off? Do you prefer working late at night and sleeping in during the mornings?
This is your business and one of the biggest freedoms we have as entrepreneurs is creating a schedule that fits our lifestyle.
Passion + Purpose = Success
Here’s the thing: if you don’t love what you do, none of this is going to work.
You can have the best systems, income, and team in place, but if you don’t have passion, you’ll burn out.
I see it all the time—people starting businesses just for the money. They don’t last. You need that passion to fuel you through the hard days because, trust me, there will be hard days.
But if you love your business, you’ll ride through those ups and downs with a longer-term vision.
You know that it’s all worth it because you’re building something that serves you, your family, and your lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
Seven years ago, I was stuck in a business I didn’t love. I had grown it to multiple six figures, but it was hard, and I wasn’t enjoying it. So I made some massive changes. That’s why Gold Medal Business exists today—to help you create a business you love, one that works for you, not the other way around.
If you’re feeling stuck, or if you want more freedom in your business, I’d love to help.
If you’re ready to create more freedom in your business, now’s the perfect time to take action. I’ve been where you are—overwhelmed, stretched too thin, and feeling like your business is running you. But with the right guidance, you can build a business that not only thrives but gives you the freedom to live life on your terms.
Join me, Katie Cannon, CEO of Gold Medal Business, in our exclusive mentorship program designed specifically for children's activity entrepreneurs. We’ll map out a clear path to success, helping you build the systems, team, and business structure that allow you to take control of your time, income, and flexibility.
to learn what's the best next step for you!
Katie 🌟
Commentaires