Time And Location Freedom: Are You Building the Right Business?

Running a business sounds like a dream come true.

But for many entrepreneurs, it quickly becomes a never-ending grind that ties them down. The allure of running a bustling restaurant, a cozy hotel, or a local cupcake shop promises success, independence, and a steady income.

Yet, reality is often a very different picture. I know this because I’ve lived it.

Pulling back the curtain, you find 80-hour work weeks, poor cash flow, and mountains of stress. Business owners who have sacrificed time with their families, hobbies, and even their health to keep the dream alive.

So, what went wrong? And how can you avoid it?

The answer lies in building a business that truly gives you time and location freedom.

My Journey Through Hotels and Restaurants

I’ve been there. I have run hotels and restaurants in a ski town. Initially, it was thrilling. I felt proud seeing guests walk through the doors, knowing they were about to have a great experience. But as time passed, I began noticing a troubling pattern.

I was the one making sure everything ran smoothly. Every problem, big or small, fell directly on my shoulders. I managed staff, handled bookings, coordinated with suppliers, and dealt with customers’ needs—all while trying to find time to work on the actual growth of the business. It was a constant juggling act that left little room for anything else.

What fell to the wayside? Time with family and friends. As much as I loved living in a ski town, it was clear that this wasn’t sustainable.

I thought I was building a business, but in reality, I had built myself a job—a job that didn’t stop when I closed the door at night and one that didn’t allow me to step away without things falling apart.

The Hidden Cost of Being the System

My biggest mistake was thinking I could do it all myself. The idea of “if you want something done right, do it yourself” drove my daily routine. I became the business system, managing every process. While it worked for a while, it was unsustainable. I was burning out, and any slight deviation from the routine—like taking a day off—could make the whole operation chaotic.

I thought I was saving money by not hiring more staff or implementing systems, but I was creating a business that couldn’t grow without my constant input. I had become the bottleneck, and it was only a matter of time before something gave out.

The Shift to Scalable Systems

After years of running on fumes, I knew something had to change.

I made two changes:

1 – A Different Vehicle

I started building an online business that solves real-world problems. Using the knowledge I gained from marketing my own businesses, I built an online marketing agency.

2 – Systems and Automation

When my business got traction, I took my expertise and created scalable systems for my clients. I turned my service into a product. Instead of delivering a result one-to-one, I can provide the same result one-to-many.

The shift wasn’t easy—it took time, effort, and a lot of trial and error—but it was worth it.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Your time is your most valuable asset: You can’t grow your business when you’re stuck in the weeds. Creating systems doesn’t limit you; it creates freedom.
2. Automate repeatable tasks: Technology can handle many of the routine aspects of running a business. Automate as much as possible and free up your time for strategic work.
3. Build for scalability: If your business relies solely on your physical presence or input, it can only grow so much. Scalable systems allow you to multiply your efforts without multiplying your workload.
4. Empower your team: Give your staff the tools and authority to manage operations without consulting you for every decision. Trusting them is a game-changer.

Don’t Make the Same Mistake I Did

The lesson I want to share is that there is a better way. It’s possible to run a business without becoming the business. By building scalable, repeatable processes and leveraging automation, you can create a company that works for you, not the other way around.

You don’t have to sacrifice your freedom to be successful. With the right systems, you can build a business that supports the lifestyle you want. Time and location freedom aren’t just buzzwords—they’re achievable goals, but only if you stop being the system and start building one that works without you.