
Episode 492: Building a Lifestyle Business - Fun, Freedom, Flexibility, and Financial Success
Above The Business
The Dichotomy of Lifestyle and Performance Businesses
This chapter examines the distinction between lifestyle businesses that prioritize personal values like freedom and fun, and performance-driven businesses focused on aggressive revenue goals. It also hints at future discussions about contrasting business philosophies, including the concept of the 'swamp.'
This episode explores the concept of a lifestyle business versus a performance business, introducing the "Four F's" framework for building a business that serves your life rather than consuming it.
Lifestyle Business vs. Performance Business
Performance Business: Revenue-focused ($10M-$100M+), built to sell, often requires outside investment, 30+ team members.
Lifestyle Business: Built around the Four F's, $1-3M profitable revenue range, small team, owner-controlled.
How can you define your lifestyle business? Find a quiet space (coffee shop recommended) and journal on:
- What does fun look like in your business?
- How do you define freedom for your life?
- What flexibility do you need?
- What's your personal financial success number?
Join Bradley for The Quarterly September 23rd, 2025...
The Quarterly is a business planning workshop. We help business owners make plans for the next three months. Our goal is to help you go from doing all the work yourself to building a business that runs without you. Save your seat here: https://quarterly.blueprintos.com
Thanks to our sponsors...
BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks. Register to join us at an upcoming WebClass when you visit www.blueprintos.com!
Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.
Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we’re just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we’ve got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Make sure you mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast to get 50% off your one time onboarding fee!
Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions.
More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.
Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees.