What it Takes to Build a Business that Can Run Without You

What Business Owners Need to Know About Building a Self-Managing Business

One of the best parts of my work is getting to talk with people who are just as committed to helping business owners succeed as I am.

I recently joined Ryan Englin on the Titans of the Trades podcast to talk about recruiting, mindset, and what it really takes to build a business that can run without you.

Although our conversation centred on trades businesses – the ideas and insights can apply to any small business.

Listen or watch – or scroll down for a detailed summary.

The Truth About Business Coaching

Coaching isn’t about telling people what they should do. It’s about helping them figure out what’s right for them — so they walk away feeling confident and in control. That’s what makes the answers stick.

The name W5 Coaching comes from the Socratic method: using questions — who, what, when, where, why — to help people get clarity and explore their options.

It’s not just about giving advice. It’s about being a guide and a sounding board.

When I work with clients, we usually start by dealing with their biggest crisis — what I call a “burning bush.”

But over time, the relationship evolves into a true partnership. I become part advisor, part board member, part truth-teller.

Transactional coaching is about solving immediate problems.

Transformational coaching changes how you see the world.

Here’s a secret:

Most of the time, what’s holding someone back isn’t lack of technical knowledge — it’s mindset, fear, overwhelm, or lack of confidence. And most business problems turn out to be people problems in disguise.

One of the biggest mindset shifts I help clients make is this:

You don’t get the culture you want. You get the culture you deserve.

If you’ve got 20 people on the team and you’d only rehire 10 of them, that’s a problem.

Chances are, the bottom half is driving off your best people — or your best customers.

If you know it’s time to let someone go, don’t wait.

Every day you delay is costing you money, energy, and opportunity.

Which leads us to…

If you’re only thinking about hiring when someone quits, you’re already behind.

Recruiting IS Marketing

You need to treat recruiting like lead generation.

Build relationships with potential hires before you need them

You’ve probably heard the term “build a bench.”

Back when I was managing a retail store in Calgary, I was privileged to receive excellent training in management.

One of the most valuable things I learned was a proactive approach to recruiting.

My job was to identify the best people in the mall — even if they were working somewhere else — and build relationships before we had an opening.

Create job ads that speak to their pain points

Don’t post a boring “Wanted: Electrician” ad.

Instead, try something like:

“Working for a boss who doesn’t appreciate you? We’ve got a better way.”

And when someone applies, don’t wait three weeks to call them back. Would you let a hot sales lead sit for that long? Of course not.

And keep recruiting even after you make a hire!

Building a Self-Managing Business

Eventually, most business owners want freedom — time freedom and money freedom.

But very few have a business that could survive without them for three months. If that’s you, your business is too dependent on you — and that’s a big risk when it comes time to sell.

Buyers want two things:

• Growth potential
• Low risk

If you can’t step away from your business without everything falling apart, that’s a red flag. And it will lower the value of your company or force you into an earn-out — which means working under someone else’s rules, often for years.

You didn’t build a business to have a boss again.

If you want to build real value, you need to start thinking like the owner of a McDonald’s — not the manager of one. The goal is to own a business that runs well without you.

The most successful exits happen when:

• The business is ready to sell
• The owner is excited about what’s next

Because when you have something to look forward to, you’re not just ending something — you’re beginning something new.

Let’s Talk

If any of this resonated with you — whether you’re feeling stuck in your business, struggling with hiring, or thinking about your eventual exit — let’s talk.

Book a free 15-minute call with me. We’ll talk about what’s going on in your business and see how I can help.