When Andy and I discussed the lifestyle we’d want as business owners there was a clear goal of “work 3 days, have a 4 day weekend”. I’m chuckling about it now, but at the time that was the hope.
We’d work 3 full days and then have a long weekend as a family.
Only: it doesn’t work like that because – who would have thought! – in addition to client delivery (coaching for me, teaching for him) there’s also those other necessary activities like marketing, PR, sales, finance and admin, business planning and so on.
I was totally prepared to work intense days, but I completely underestimated the time I would spend working ON my business compared to working IN my business.
So let me share what the reality looks like since going “all in” on my business in early 2024.
Gradual growth
From February to June 2024 I worked a few hours on two days a week. Our daughter was still at home with me and we had a nanny for a few hours a week so I could return to more structured work.
From June 2024 to September 2025 I had 3 working days each week, while our daughter went to nursery.
Since September 2025 we use 3.5 nursery days each week, which are my working days. That’s about 25 hours a week, probably closer to 20 hours when you factor in making food, taking breaks, etc. Those 20 hours are my full time work.
Yes, I also work evenings and weekends. Not relentlessly, but when I want to or feel the need to.
For example, I may spend a bit of time on a Sunday evening getting the week prepped so I can use my available hours optimally. Or if I have an idea for an email just before going to bed, I write it down on a piece of paper. It’s work. It can happen at 10pm, but it doesn’t have to.
Biggest lesson learned
The biggest lesson I learned over the last 2+ years was that I spend significantly more time on Sales and Marketing than I expected. That felt difficult at first because I love working with clients and want to do more of it. I have come to really enjoy sales and marketing as well and they’re essential so that clients are there in the first place.
Plus, these other tasks create a good balance to the 1:1 work I do. Client calls need my full focus, creativity and listening. So even if I wanted to, I couldn’t do 5 client calls a day, because I want every person to get the best of me in our time together.
Get clear on what you want to get out of your business
Before I wrap up, I want to also make a comment about revenue and income. Working 20-30 hours a week as a business owner may seem outrageously low at a time when hustle bros preach working 12 hour days 6 days a week.
It depends on what you want.
In my business I’m not looking for investors. I’m not building a product. I’m not trying to sell to everyone. And I’m not looking for a 7 figure exit.
I have ambition, yes, and I also have a real sense of contentment. I believe there is a level of “enough”. More money is great, but more important is time with my family and in nature.
For now the focus is having a business that works for my family and me, is sustainable and takes care of me financially.
Making that fit into the time I have available is the goal, sometimes creates tension, sometimes creates stress but is a path worth pursuing.
As always, feel free to ask me anything about this topic and how I spend my time as a business owner. It’s definitely very different to my corporate life.