A Book, A Conversation, and a Better Definition of Success

One of my favorite things about reading is discovering an idea that makes me pause and rethink something I thought I already understood.

That's exactly what happened while reading Freedom Based Business by Natalie Ellis.

I had already filled the pages with highlights, margin notes, and sticky tabs when I had the opportunity to join an intimate virtual book discussion hosted by Foundress. Hearing Natalie expand on the concepts from the book made the experience even more impactful.

One idea from the book, in particular, has stayed with me.

Success isn't about building the biggest business possible. It's about intentionally building a business that creates the life you want to live.

That may sound obvious, but it's surprisingly easy to lose sight of.

As business owners, we're constantly surrounded by messages telling us to scale faster, add more services, hire a bigger team, chase larger revenue goals, or always be thinking about what's next. Those things aren't inherently wrong, but they only matter if they're moving you toward the life you actually want.

During the discussion, Natalie talked about the idea of freedom through choice. Financial success isn't just about earning more money. It's about creating the ability to make decisions from a place of intention instead of necessity. Whether that's choosing the clients you work with, deciding when to take a vacation, being present for your family, or simply having the flexibility to say "no" to opportunities that aren't the right fit, freedom looks different for everyone.

That perspective resonated deeply with me.

As I recently passed my one-year anniversary of running my consulting business full time, I've spent a lot of time thinking about what success actually means to me. Of course I have financial goals and professional ambitions. I want to continue growing. I want to serve more clients and tell more meaningful stories.

But I also want to build a business that gives me room to attend my children's performances, enjoy slower Friday mornings with a cup of coffee, continue investing in my own education, and partner with organizations and businesses whose missions I genuinely believe in.

For me, those aren't distractions from success.

They are success.

Another point Natalie made that stuck with me was that every season of business doesn't require maximum growth. Sometimes the smartest decision is intentionally choosing a pace that aligns with the life you're living today rather than constantly pushing for the next milestone. That reminder felt incredibly freeing.

I also appreciated her reminder that businesses aren't built overnight, but they're built one intentional step at a time. It's easy to compare yourself to someone who has been building for ten or fifteen years while forgetting you're only laying today's “brick”. Progress doesn't happen all at once, and it doesn't need to.

One of the greatest gifts of entrepreneurship is that there isn't one definition of success.

We each get to write our own.

Reading Freedom Based Business challenged me to think differently, but participating in the Foundress discussion reminded me that some of the best learning happens in community. There is something incredibly valuable about hearing different perspectives, asking thoughtful questions, and realizing you're not the only one figuring it out as you go.

I'm grateful for books that stretch my thinking.

I'm even more grateful for communities that bring those ideas to life.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Summer!