Starting a business is tough. But transitioning from the 9-to-5 corporate grind to successfully running your own company—now that’s a different beast. When I sat down with Stephen Courson, founder of Courson Solutions, for a recent episode of Never Been Promoted, it hit me just how big of a leap that is. Stephen didn’t just leave his corporate sales job. He retired at 34, took two years off, and is now all-in on a new business. His journey is something we can all learn from, whether you’re still at your day job or running your own show.
This conversation reminded me that entrepreneurship isn’t just about quitting your job and launching a company; it’s about strategic lifestyle design, adapting to change, and keeping it simple. Stephen’s story really drives that home. Here are two big takeaways from our conversation that you can use in your own entrepreneurial journey.
1. Building a Business Isn’t Just About Passion—It’s About Lifestyle Design
When Stephen first left his corporate job, he didn’t just jump into another hustle. Instead, he took time to map out what he really wanted his life to look like. He calls it lifestyle design, a concept that’s becoming more popular, especially among entrepreneurs. Stephen took a break, thought hard about what he wanted, and then built a business that fit into his ideal life, not the other way around.
“I treat my life kind of like a business strategy,” he told me. “I map things out in a three-year roadmap, bring that back to what I need to achieve in twelve months, and then all the way back to what I’m doing this week.” This is something many of us overlook—planning your business around the lifestyle you want. It’s not about fitting life into work; it’s about fitting work into life.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Map Out Your Life First: Before building a business, get clear on what kind of life you want. Don’t just chase passion blindly.
- Think in Roadmaps: Break down your long-term goals into smaller, manageable steps. Stephen works backward from a three-year plan to figure out what to do today.
- Plan for Flexibility: The market will shift, life will happen, and you need to be ready to pivot like Stephen did when COVID hit his local cleaning business.
2. Courses, Coaching, and Community: The 3Cs of Building a Scalable Business
Stephen didn’t just set out to build a business—he designed one that could scale. His model is based on what he calls the 3Cs: Courses, Coaching, and Community. By offering a mix of digital products and personal touchpoints, he’s created something that can grow without relying on him being involved in every little detail.
He explained how his courses offer structured, bite-sized content, while his community and coaching provide ongoing support. “The courses are great, but the community is there for execution. And when you really need to tackle a big challenge, that’s where coaching comes in.” The beauty of this model is that it’s scalable—he can serve a lot of people without stretching himself too thin.
What I Learned from His Experience:
- Leverage Digital Products: Courses allow you to scale by reaching more people without your constant involvement.
- Create a Community: Don’t just deliver content—build a space where people can engage and learn from each other.
- Offer Coaching for Deeper Impact: Courses are a great starting point, but personalized coaching allows you to dive deeper into clients’ specific challenges.
3. Reflections from the Interview
Listening to Stephen talk about his journey made me think about my own approach to business. One thing that stood out was how intentional he was with every step he took. He didn’t just throw himself into entrepreneurship. Instead, he thought carefully about the lifestyle he wanted, and then built his business around that. There’s a lot we can all take away from this.
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- You Don’t Have to Follow the Traditional Path: Stephen retired young but came back into the business world on his terms. You can design your career around your life.
- Take Breaks, but Stay Strategic: Taking time off doesn’t mean you’re done. Sometimes, stepping back helps you think clearly about what you really want to build.
- Simplify Your Offerings: Stephen’s 3Cs framework shows the power of keeping things simple—offer a product, offer support, and build a community around it.
- Plan for Pivots: The cleaning business Stephen started with his cousin survived the pandemic because they were able to pivot. Be ready to change when the market does.
- Focus on Execution, Not Perfection: Stephen didn’t wait until everything was perfect to launch his business. He started, learned, and adjusted along the way.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing I learned from my conversation with Stephen, it’s that entrepreneurship isn’t about following a specific script. It’s about figuring out what works for you, designing your business around your life, and being ready to adapt when things change. Stephen’s approach is punchy, direct, and practical—there’s no fluff, just actionable steps you can take to build something meaningful.
For anyone thinking about making the leap into entrepreneurship, here’s my advice: Don’t rush it. Take the time to figure out what you really want, and then build your business around that. And remember, it doesn’t have to be complicated—start small, stay flexible, and focus on execution.
If you want to dive deeper into Stephen’s journey, check out the full episode of Never Been Promoted. Trust me, it’s worth a listen: Life-Changing Lessons from a Young Retiree with Stephen Courson
CONNECT WITH STEPHEN COURSON:
Website (Company): https://www.coursonsolutions.com/