To build a business around your life, decide what you want your week to look like before you choose what to sell.
Write down the days you want to work, the hours you want to work, where you want to work from and what you won't give up. Then test every business idea against that week.
That might sound simple. But it's the step I see people skip most often. They choose the idea first. Then they try to fit their life around it. This year showed me why this order matters.
Why your business needs to fit your life
When I left corporate at 50 to start my coaching business, I pictured going to the beach in the morning and taking Friday afternoon off.
This year, freedom looked more like moving my work around when Dad had an appointment.
A lot of this year has been spent working my business around Dad's treatment and doctors' appointments. Some weeks, I could move a few things around and get on with it. Other weeks, even when I found the time to work, my head was still with Dad.
My business moved slower than I'd hoped. I won't pretend it didn't. But if I'd had to ask for time off every time Dad needed me, this year would have felt very different.
I recently drove up the coast for a few days. Every day was long morning walks listening to Keith Urban's
Flow State album and ocean swims. It gave me time to think about what I want from my business in 2027.
I still want to grow it. But I came home with one very ordinary question.
If I say yes to this, what does it do to my week?
If you're still in your corporate job, this is the best time to ask. You can make those decisions while you still have the security of your salary.
How to build a business around your life in 5 steps
1. Write down your ordinary week
Don't start with your dream holiday. Start with a normal Tuesday.
What time do you want to start? What time do you want to stop? Which days do you want to work?
When I left corporate, my goal was to replace my corporate income working three to four days a week. That goal helped me make decisions, because I could see what would fit.
2. List your non-negotiables
These are the things your business can't take away. It might be school pick-up, caring for a parent, your morning walk or a free Friday.
Write them down. Be specific. If it isn't on the list, it's easy to give it away one yes at a time.
3. Work out how much money you need
Get clear on the income your business needs to bring in. Then work out how many clients or sales it would take to get there.
This matters because price and time are connected. A lower price usually means you need more clients. More clients can mean more hours.
To find how many clients you need to replace your salary,
download my free
Corporate Exit Calculator, it takes just 2 minutes.
4. Test every idea against your week
Hold each business idea up against the week you wrote down. Ask yourself:
- What days and hours would this need from me?
- Would I need to be available when customers want me?
- What would I need to give up to make it work?
- Could I still keep my non-negotiables?
An idea can be a good idea and still be wrong for your life. Say no to it now, not after you've spent a year building it.
5. Test it before you leave your job
You don't have to quit your job to find out whether an idea works. You can talk to potential clients, test your offer and find your first paying client while you still have the security of your salary.
Before you start, read your employment contract. Then keep your business work outside your work hours.
The mistake I see most often
The women I coach often tell me they want to work fewer days and have more time for their family. Then they describe a business that needs the opposite.
I don't believe that's a motivation problem. I believe it's an order problem. They chose the offer before they chose the life they want their business to support.
Start with your life. Then choose your offer.
Common questions
Can I start a business while working full time?
Yes. Start small and keep your business work outside your work hours. Check your employment contract first, then test your idea before you make any big decisions about your job.
Is 50 too late to start a business?
No. I left corporate at 50. By then, you may have years of experience and skills that people will pay for. The key is choosing a business that fits the life you want now.
What should I do first if I want a business that fits my life?
Write down your ideal ordinary week. Include your working days, hours, location and non-negotiables. Then use that list to test each business idea.
What if life changes after I start?
It probably will. Come back to your list and ask what each commitment does to your week. A business you've built around your life gives you more room to adjust.
Your Next Move
Take 10 minutes this week and write down your ordinary week. Then choose one idea or commitment and ask, "What does this do to my week?"
Want to see how many clients it would take to replace your salary? Try my free
Corporate Exit Calculator.
Michelle Crutcher is a Career Transition and Business Coach. She helps corporate women turn their expertise into a business that fits their life, built before they leave their job. She spent 25 years in corporate procurement and global finance before moving full-time into her business.
