Letting Go of Ego and Building a Business That Works

I’ve been thinking a lot about how ego gets in the way of entrepreneurs and creators. It sneaks into everything we do—especially when we’re building something. And one of the biggest traps? It makes us chase things that look impressive rather than things that actually work.

For me, this realization hit recently. I found myself trying to present myself as an all-encompassing marketer—someone who does it all, from branding to ad campaigns to social media strategy. Why? Because I thought “marketer” sounded more impressive than “designer.”

The idea of just being a “designer” never sat right with me. I didn’t want to be seen as just some creative kid who makes things look pretty. I wanted to be taken seriously. But in chasing that validation, I ended up overcomplicating my business. I was offering services I didn’t even want to do, confusing clients with my messaging, and stretching myself thin on things that weren’t my core strengths.

At its core, my real expertise is in design as a service—creating high-impact branding, websites, and investor materials that help startups raise millions. That’s where I shine. That’s where I can confidently charge high rates, deliver great work, and build a repeatable, scalable business.

But ego was pulling me in a different direction. I wanted to prove I was more than just a designer. The irony? By trying to be everything, I was actually diluting the one thing I was exceptional at.

You Don’t Need a Unique Idea—You Just Need One That Works

Building a business doesn’t need to be groundbreaking. It doesn’t need to be the most mind-blowing, world-altering concept. It just needs to be based on something that already works.

This is where so many entrepreneurs get lost. We want to create something so new, so innovative, that we forget a simple truth: reinventing the wheel takes an insane amount of resources—teams, funding, time, and effort. And most of us don’t have access to that.

When I built my design-as-a-service model, I didn’t start from scratch. I saw a successful business—DesignJoy—and thought, this model works. I didn’t need to guess. I just tested it. I set up a simple version, followed the blueprint, and within a short time, it was working better than I expected. No massive investment. No years of trial and error. Just a clear, functional system that I could make my own.

And that’s the thing: business isn’t about creating something that’s never been done. It’s about doing something better, more effectively, or in a way that fits your unique strengths.

Yet, so many of us get caught up in the idea of being disruptors, of building the next billion-dollar company, of making an impact so huge that we change the world. And while that’s great for some, most of us just want to build something that gives us a great life.

The Hustle Culture Trap

We live in a world where hustle culture has made burnout look glamorous. It’s sexy to be overworked. To grind for 80 hours a week. To constantly chase the next level.

And why? Because the big-name entrepreneurs we admire—Musk, Bezos, Zuck—are the new rock stars. They’re larger than life. Their influence is undeniable. And they make us believe that unless we’re building something massive, we’re not doing enough.

But here’s the reality:
Most of us don’t want to build a unicorn startup.
Most of us don’t want to grind away every weekend.
Most of us don’t want to sacrifice everything for a business.

What we do want is simple:
✅ A business that gives us freedom.
✅ A business that makes us good money.
✅ A business that allows us to live life on our terms.

And the way to do that? Let go of ego. Stop trying to be bigger than life. Stop chasing what looks impressive. Build something that actually works.

The Power of a Boutique Lifestyle Business

This is why I love boutique lifestyle businesses—businesses that don’t require endless growth, don’t need investor funding, and don’t force you into a cycle of stress and exhaustion.

Instead of trying to scale like crazy, what if you:
🔹 Got insanely good at one niche thing.
🔹 Created a system that runs smoothly.
🔹 Kept your overhead low.
🔹 Focused on doing excellent work for high-value clients.

This is how you build a business that’s sustainable. A business that pays you well, without consuming your life.

Plumbers, for example, are making serious money in the U.S. right now. Plumbing isn’t glamorous. It’s not Instagrammable. But it’s reliable, highly paid, and in constant demand.

Meanwhile, influencers and wannabe startup founders are burning themselves out trying to build something “sexy” that doesn’t even make money.

The takeaway? A boring, profitable business beats a flashy, failing one every single time.

Letting Go of Ego = Finding True Freedom

At the end of the day, I don’t want to build a company that demands 14-hour workdays. I don’t want to be the next tech billionaire.

What I do want is:
✔️ Freedom to spend time with friends and family.
✔️ Time to be creative, engaged, and human.
✔️ A business that supports my life—not the other way around.

And to get there, I need to strip away the noise. Ignore what looks impressive. Focus on what actually works.

If you’re feeling stuck, overcomplicating things, or caught in the trap of trying to “be more,” maybe it’s time to stop chasing the spotlight and start chasing what actually makes you happy.

The secret to success isn’t being the next big thing. It’s finding the thing that works for you—and making it your own.