While America celebrates Independence Day, I can’t help but reflect on what independence has meant in my own life, particularly when I started my first business back in the summer of 1989.
By that point, I’d already had 17 different jobs. I was restless, frustrated, and searching for something more meaningful—something I could call my own.
So I took the leap and launched a paper recycling business in London.
It was far from glamorous. One moment I was suited and booted, meeting potential clients in offices. The next, I was in a t-shirt and jeans, collecting stacks of used paper from loading bays. I’d race across town, changing clothes (and hats) several times a day. It was chaotic, messy, and utterly exhilarating.
That first year, I didn’t just start a business—I claimed my independence.
If you’re feeling stuck, bored, or undervalued in your job, I know how that feels. You don’t have to stay there.
But here’s the thing: freedom isn’t just a leap—it needs a plan.
The American founding fathers didn’t just walk away; they drafted a clear, deliberate Declaration of Independence before making history.
đź“ś So if you’re dreaming of something more—start by writing your own declaration. Be bold, but be prepared as well. Purpose and planning go hand in hand.
Because true freedom doesn’t just happen. You build it.
🇺🇸 How the 4th of July Reminds Me of My Own Bid for Freedom
