Escaping the Creator Trap

Why I’m building a software business in my quest for freedom

May 20, 2024

Hello! I'm Pat, your guide to well-crafted tech and a rich creative life. New here? Join our supportive community to fuel your creative journey!

This week, writing felt like a struggle.

Hundreds of thousands of words into this journey, it's still challenging. Publishing weekly (or more) is tough, yet it's expected for a modern "Creator" business. While being prolific is important, the cadence can become a burden. I haven’t even productized my writing and the pressure has still been intense.

Over the last two years, I've grown wary of the popular "Creator" path. Many creators want to escape the corporate grind, but they end up with other demanding masters: their audience and patrons. Most Creator businesses hinge on the Creator's time and presence, leaving them with little real freedom even if they become financially successful.

Ali Abdaal recently shared his experience with this issue on his YouTube channel. Despite his success, he feels stuck because his business can't operate without him due to "key man risk" - the risk that a business will suffer if a key individual leaves or is unable to perform their duties. This dynamic puts his staff at financial risk if he decides to make less content. It also means an exit by acquisition is next to impossible. Simply put, the Ali Abdaal creator business can't function without Ali Abdaal. It’s a tricky position to be in.

Real business freedom lies in owning businesses that can thrive without you. That's why I'm dedicating myself to building a software business that's wholly unrelated to me. If I do my job well, the business won't depend on me, creating a valuable asset that others might want to purchase a stake in or acquire outright.

Software businesses offer a unique opportunity to create scalable, valuable assets that can operate independently of their founders. By focusing on building systems and processes that can function without you, you can craft a business that creates the potential for real financial and lifestyle freedom.

I'm not interested in simply trading one demanding job for another, even if it means being my own boss. I want to build and own an asset that continues to increase in value long after I'm actively working on it day-to-day. That's the path to true financial independence and the freedom to live life on my own terms.

What steps are you taking to build assets that create real freedom in your life?

Until next time,

Patrick