The Entrepreneurial Freedom System – Book Introduction

Why This Book Exists

This book has been in the making for several years. The intention was to release it by 2022, yet my focus obviously wasn’t quite there. Initially, I thought it was all about my lack of drive, my lack of desire or even my lack of skill to get it over the finish line. I have learned that procrastination is actually inner wisdom. It is our subconscious telling us that for whatever reason, we are not quite ready to take on the task or project. This lack of readiness can be due to a lack of a real desire, in this case, do I want to want it or do I really want it? Am I going through the motions of writing a book or am I fully behind the goal? The second reason for procrastination is often down to the lack of skill. This could be linked to a lack of certainty, I haven’t written a book before so do I actually have the skill set to get it done?

I believe that all of this was probably true in my case although I have another reason which was the moment when it all made sense. I was not fully convinced about what I was writing! I was happy with my knowledge but the overall purpose of the book was not quite hitting the spot I wanted. It started as ‘The Story Of Your Numbers’ and then ‘The Accidental Entrepreneur’. I was stuck between wanting to educate business owners on how to better understand their numbers and also sharing my experiences of watching entrepreneurs start out in business, the mistakes they make and also some key learnings. I started questioning why I was writing this book. It wasn’t to teach you to be an accountant or finance director and it was also not about sharing lots of stories. 

The real reason that I wanted to write this book was born from the frustration of seeing so many business owners waste an opportunity. I took entrepreneurship seriously at the very start and dedicated myself to learning and growing. It started with growing myself before I could really grow CTA Accountants (my business). I learned so much in the first few years and wanted to share it with all of my clients and also start-ups. The problem was that not many people really wanted to listen! This was not due to my lack of trying or from my lack of tools and tactics to educate, it was purely from the mindset of the business owners themselves. We think that other people are like us when actually they are not! The stats for business owners are horrible. Around 80% of them are just getting by and surviving, 15% are making a good living and 5% are killing it. So by default, 8 out of 10 entrepreneurs I speak to are stuck in survival mode. They do not have the time, energy or money to pay attention to what I or anyone else that wants to help their business, have to say. 

This is understandable as running a business is hard! I get it. What I struggle with is the fact that most of these business owners feel that they need to figure it all out alone, that they need to find the answers. Of course, there may be a deeper issue here in terms of the ability to be vulnerable, but the crux of the matter is that they need help to break out of survival mode but don’t seem to even know it as they are stuck in the weeds.

We all hear about working on your business and in your business, I get bored of hearing it if I’m honest as it shouldn’t even be a topic of conversation. If you are a serious business owner then it’s just a matter of fact that you need to work ON YOUR BUSINESS.  Athletes do not need reminding that they should train or practice. Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t need Alex Ferguson to remind him that training between games was a good idea! He is a professional and that is the mindset that business owners need to take. 

The Entrepreneurial Freedom System

This brings me to the book you are now reading. The Entrepreneurial Freedom System (EF System). This was what I aspired to create, share and educate business owners with. A system that is designed and proven to help business owners graduate to an athlete-level entrepreneur but more importantly to reap the rewards of running your own business. It’s saddening to see so many people take the plunge to start their own business, full of passion and excitement only for it to fizzle out within a year or two. When you are working more hours now than you did as an employee, possibly even earning less per hour (if you are honest with yourself) and struggling to pay your bills including the overheads, wages and HMRC then it’s no wonder the enthusiasm wanes. 

In many cases, the business owner is paying themselves last! I get it, you have staff to pay or you are ‘investing’ in your business. I’m sorry though, this needs to stop now. It’s just not sustainable for your business longer-term and also for your family and own well-being. The Entrepreneurial Freedom System is a proven system that I have used in my own business. I run an accounting practice with around 14 team members as I type, I work fewer hours than I ever have, I earn more money than I ever have and business is more fun than it’s ever been. In the UK we don’t like to share how well we are doing as it may be seen as arrogant or could annoy someone. I have just taken a month out of my business to prove to myself that I can! I am not saying that I am the most successful business owner in the UK or even in my own Town. There are people out there that have done some truly remarkable things, some of which I have learned from myself. I am sharing a method, a system and a roadmap for you to follow that HAS WORKED FOR ME and I am now seeing work for others. Business is hard but it can be less hard if you have the right mindset, use the right tools and do the right things.

The EF System is a process that I have created using my 10 years experience of in building a business and lifestyle that I wanted. I am so excited to share it with you. I want you to change th story of your business starting today.

The EF System is built on 3 pillars.

1. Peace Of Mind With Your Finances – From having strong financial foundations
2. The Ability To Sack Yourself As An Employee –  By focusing on profit maximisation
3. Securing Your Family Future – By optimising your wealth strategies.

There are many different spokes to the wheel, these are the core foundations. This book will teach you all of the aspects of the EF System and also use some real stories to bring it all to life. I look forward to hearing about your growth.

EMAIL CHALLENGE

PS – If you are committed to the idea of sacking yourself as an employee in your business so that you can focus on the area in your business that you really enjoy and are good at, while working less and making more money than you have before then send me this email.

“I am going to sack myself as an employee and become a real business owner”

Send it to stephen@cheltenhamtaxaccountants.co.uk