You didn’t start your business to work 14-hour days.
You started it because you had a vision, a passion, a problem you knew you could solve.

Yet somewhere along the way, most business owners fall into the trap of wearing every hat — until their schedule is full, their energy is drained, and their joy is gone.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

The Smarter Way to Build

What if you approached your time and energy the way an investor approaches money?
With intention. With strategy. With design.

That’s what I call:

Thinking by design.

And here’s the framework I use — the same one I teach to clients:

🚦 1. Automate First

If a system or a tool can do it better, faster, or with less risk of human error — automate it.

🤝 2. Outsource Second

Don’t build internal complexity when someone outside your business can get the job done.

👥 3. Delegate Last

Once you’ve stripped away everything that can be automated or outsourced, delegate what remains to someone on your team (or better yet, a VA — ...

The first 6 years of my professional career I sold premium products working for someone else. 11 years I have been running my business offering value adding services.

The latter can be difficult and stressful. There are many 'tests' to challenge our determination and resilience as business owners. Many ups and downs.

When I recently thought about who I easily relate to, it is business owners that are in the market of offering valuable experience, knowhow and insights to the benefit of other people and organisations.

Call it the services-based business owners.

I see many of them wanting more time, more money, more freedom and less stress. Trust me... I fully get it!

The reality is that many don't succeed in this area. It's the reason why so many businesses fail or don't live past the 10 year mark. It's the reason why so many business owners are stuck working long hours.

I wanted to so something about this. Reflecting on my learning lessons from 17 years in business, I have created...