Let Go of Control

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of catching up with a seasoned entrepreneur who lives a life that few others in the business world can afford. This individual seems to be perpetually on the move, yet manages to run multiple businesses seamlessly. Until then, I had only seen such lifestyles portrayed on YouTube or social media, but here I was, face-to-face with someone who embodied it in reality.

Naturally, my first question was, “How do you plan your year?” Their response was surprisingly simple yet intriguing: “I am always traveling—at least five countries every year.” I followed up with, “How do you manage your businesses while traveling so much?” With a calm demeanor, they explained, “To me, business is a lifestyle. That means running my businesses doesn’t disrupt the kind of life I want to live. But to achieve this, I focus on building strong teams.”

This perspective struck a chord with me. They elaborated further, sharing that it took years of trial and error to develop a formula for forming great teams. According to them, the key to making business a lifestyle is delegation and trust—not attempting to do everything alone. “The moment you start a business and try to run it entirely by yourself, you’re not treating business as a lifestyle. Instead, you’re letting the business control you,” they advised.

The conversation left me pondering the essence of business as a lifestyle. It’s not merely about financial independence or the ability to travel; it’s about designing your life in a way that aligns with your passions and goals while ensuring your business thrives. This requires:

1. Building Strong Teams: Delegating responsibilities to competent individuals who share your vision.
2. Embracing Systems and Processes: Creating frameworks that allow the business to operate smoothly without constant micromanagement.
3. Prioritizing Work-Life Balance: Understanding that your business should enhance your life, not consume it.

Ultimately, treating business as a lifestyle requires intentional effort, patience, and a willingness to let go of control. But the rewards—freedom, fulfillment, and sustainable growth—make it a pursuit worth undertaking.

So, can business truly be a lifestyle? This inspiring entrepreneur showed me that it’s not just possible but also incredibly rewarding when approached the right way.

All this may not make sense until we take the first step—start implementing strategies to build great teams. It is through these teams that the vision of making business a lifestyle becomes achievable.

About the author

Dr. Jjuuko Derrick, is a pharmacist with a keen business acumen. Having dedicated much of his career to engaging with business owners and employees, he brings a unique blend of pharmaceutical expertise and business insight to the table. As an entrepreneur himself, he is passionately committed to leveraging his technical skills and entrepreneurial experience to foster the growth and development of multiple businesses. Driven by a mission to make a meaningful contribution to the business landscape, he stands ready to empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive.