Gather ‘round, it’s story time. Today I want to tell you about Matt’s Great Escape.
He went from a place many owners find themselves—hating their self-built prison of a business, wanting to burn it to the ground—to taking a road trip around Australia.
The “Big Lap” as they call it. 9 weeks, with his family, and without a care in the world. A bucket list item checked off.
And he kept his business. And it ran smoothly without him.
Because do you know what the best move a business owner can make is? Having someone else run it for you.
Let’s rewind 4 months.
Matt was done.
He felt chained to his furniture company.
Yes, it was making money. But it was also sucking his life away.
No breaks. No weekends. No room to breathe.
He thought, “This must end.” And he almost sold the whole thing. But deep down, he loved his brand.
He just hated feeling trapped. Understandable. I did too.
Then he found us at BGB. Searching for answers online, he came across an article by Andrew that directly addressed a solution to his problem. And he reached out.
“I’m stuck. Should I sell?” He said.
I said, “Hold on. There’s another way.”
This is where Andrew and I excel, and the reason we started BGB.
We believe a business should give you life. Not eat you alive.
Matt had considered stepping back, but wasn’t sure exactly how to do it, or if he could.
I assured him that it was indeed possible.
Four Months of Hard Work
Matt rolled up his sleeves, and we got to work.
→ Every job, every task, we spelled it out. → We gave each accountability an owner. → And wrote simple checklists.
No vague theory. Just clear steps. That took about four months.
Not forever, but no quick fix either.
Matt’s team got used to it fast. They liked clarity.
They could see how to do their jobs well. And it put everyone on the same page.
Hiring the General Manager
The next leap was huge.
Matt needed someone else to run the show. So we created a GM role and trained him on our secrets of the Upside Down Recruitment Process.
We tested applicants—internal and external.
We gave them tasks, interviews, and a few lunches.
One stood out and earned the job. She was internal, and already understood some key parts of the business.
Suddenly, Matt wasn’t the go-to for everything. One big bottleneck solved, one life returned.
The GM, Ashlie, stepped up. She handled day-to-day dramas, and learnt the systems and processes Matt had created.
The Big Lap
Matt loaded up a caravan and his family. They drove around Australia for nine weeks.
No frantic calls. No daily panic.
His business didn’t burn down.
→ Sales kept flowing. → Customers stayed happy. → Staff felt empowered.
Matt had real rest for once. He got to take a holiday he’d been dreaming about, and one his kids will remember forever.
And he got paid while he did it.
Don’t Sell, Systemise
Before that trip, he was ready to walk away.
Now he’s keeping his brand. And he has his life back.
It wasn’t easy letting go. He worried no one else could do his job.
But with clear systems, they could. And Matt saw it happen right before his eyes.
What This Means for You
Feeling stuck isn’t a sign you must quit. But it is a sign to change how you run things.
Even a big, hands-on business can be free of you. You don’t have to be at the centre of every problem.
Build the right processes. Hire the right person.
Then, like Matt, head off on that dream trip.
Ready for a Taste of Freedom?
Matt’s story proves it’s possible. And he’s one of many. (One day I’ll tell you about Marco.)
He found a way to keep his business.
And get his life back.
If you’re at the edge, think twice.
Maybe you don’t need to sell.
Maybe you just need a plan.
And if you’d like help, you know where to find me.
—Stephen ‘Holidays rock’ O’Sullivan
P.S. whenever you're ready, here are 4 ways I can help you get unstuck and moving forward:
1. Want to escape the 80-hour rat race?
Grab a free copy of my book. I wrote it to show you how I built a business that runs without me. So I could get my time, my family, and my life back. → Get your copy here
2. Need more consistent cash coming in?
If you're a solo operator and want to grow fast, our Business Class program helps you double your revenue in 6 months, or you don't pay. → Learn more
3. Already making decent money, but the business still leans on you?
Our Elite Program helps you build a team and systems that take the weight off your shoulders. You get the full Black Diamond System, plus a business that works while you don't! → Find out how
4. Not sure what you need, but know something has to change?
Book a free call. We'll look at where you're stuck, find what's holding you back, and map out a simple next step to get you moving. Did I mention it's free? → Grab a time here
