It’s the end of another week—and a meaningful one.
On paper, things are going great:
- We’re onboarding a new finance lead from Mexico
- Our investment in a grassroots labor company is taking shape
- I’ve been invited to help a local school board navigate a real estate project
- We’re moving closer to our Digital Nomad Visa in Spain
But underneath all the traction is a deeper question I’ve been wrestling with:
What if the thing I’ve built is no longer the only thing I’m meant to build?
Elon Musk and the Exit From Influence
I saw a clip of Elon Musk this week where he basically said he’s done trying to influence government. He gave it a shot. He tried to bend the system from the outside. But even with all his wealth, all his access, and all his vision—he couldn’t move the political machine.
So what’s he doing instead?
He’s going back to what he knows best:
- Building great companies
- Creating meaningful work
- Solving real-world problems
- Serving people through business
That hit me.
Because while I’m nowhere near Musk’s level, I’m starting to feel the same tension:
I’ve built something meaningful—but maybe my energy is needed somewhere else, too.
It’s Not About Abandoning What Works
Let me be clear:
I’m not running from Canada.
I’m not exiting my business.
But I am asking the question: What’s the highest and best use of my life right now?
Because I’ve done the growth thing.
I’ve taken the hits.
I’ve fixed the broken pieces.
I’ve built culture, developed people, stabilized systems.
Now we’re financially healthy.
Now we’re team-strong.
Now I’m… ready to do more?
What Comes After the Exit (Even If You Don’t Exit)
This week, I was reminded of a conversation I’ve had with countless other entrepreneurs.
It goes like this:
“I hate this business. I want out. But I’m not selling because I won’t get what it’s worth.”
Let’s unpack that.
The truth is, you can sell your business.
You just don’t know who you are without it.
And that’s the problem.
If You Sold Your Business Tomorrow, Then What?
Would you:
- Golf more?
- Travel a bit?
- Sleep in for a few months?
Sure. But then what?
If you don’t know the answer to that question, your business might not be the anchor—it might be the cage.
And if you’re feeling restless, stressed, or burnt out… maybe it’s not more optimization you need. Maybe it’s more purpose.
The Only Goal That Doesn’t Run Out
Money? You’ll want more.
Growth? There’s always someone bigger.
Status? That game never ends.
But purpose?
Purpose doesn’t run out.
Especially when it looks like serving others in a way you’ll never see the end of.
That’s why I’m leaning into:
- A school project in Spain
- A Montessori expansion through our church
- Mentoring entrepreneurs
- Backing small teams who never had a shot at stability
And I’m still running my business. But I’m building beyond it, too.
Your Next Chapter Doesn’t Have to Be Distant
You don’t need to retire to find purpose.
You don’t need to sell to explore impact.
You just need to ask one question:
Where can I serve that no one else is willing to?
And then go try.
My Version of That Looks Like…
- Helping Spanish families find preschool options
- Supporting immigrants in our community through bookkeeping and labor ventures
- Leading a team that sees leadership as service—not ego
That’s my flavor of it.
Yours might be different.
But if you’re feeling stuck—maybe it’s not about what’s wrong with your business. Maybe it’s about what else you’re supposed to build.
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