This is how you create freedom alongside your business

Working hard, steering for more customers, higher rates and scalable models. Understandable, but how sustainable is this? Both for your health and relationships, and also for staying relevant and growing forward. Because what happens if your health is not optimal to (be able to) work, what if the market changes? How strong are you if your business temporarily stops? Or if you yourself want to slow down or change, without your business or income collapsing?

This is where a strategy that too few entrepreneurs are consciously working on comes into play: value and wealth building. Not from the mindset of "I want more money," but from a vision: I want to create the freedom to make choices that are not dependent on my sales, my time or immediate presence. That's financial leadership. That's where many leadership programs, training and coaching for entrepreneurs fall short. Many focus on personal leadership or business leadership. Let alone the integrated approach to personal, business and financial leadership with a focus on value, power and freedom.

My own growing pains as a mirror

Over the past few months, I myself have been going through another growth phase. And every growth phase, I myself notice how confrontational and unruly it is when you're in the middle of it. You think you already know the game, that you're prepared and especially because that's exactly where you realize so much value and impact with my clients. And yet, as soon as you grow yourself again, there comes tension and friction on all levels: personal, business and financial. I had a tumultuous time this summer.

Personally, I had to meet myself anew. Old patterns returned: working hard and harder, ignoring my limits, wanting to speed up where slowing down was needed. Business meant that I had to tear down structures that had once worked well, but were getting in the way of my next phase. And financially, it felt like I had to sacrifice first: investing in new choices and directions, with no immediate results in return. It was an integral dip that shows up before each new phase of growth.

That feels uncomfortable. Sometimes even painful. Taking a temporary step back feels contradictory, even though you know that this is necessary to strengthen your foundation, position and proposition. Yet I have learned that this is precisely where the key lies: each phase of growth requires that you first deepen, enrich and realign your value so that you can continue to grow in capability.

This personal process shows me again and again: profits and sales are fleeting, but value and wealth remain.

Why turnover does not guarantee freedom

Many entrepreneurs believe that revenue growth equals freedom. And that is what is commonly proclaimed on social media as well. They take bigger steps, run impressive numbers and invest back into their business. But here's where the illusion lies:

• Turnover ≠ profit. You can turn millions and still have little left over.
• Profit ≠ ability. Without strategic choices, your profits flow directly back into costs or consumption.
• Power = freedom. Only when you use profits smartly to build assets separate from your business do you create true independence.

The harsh reality: if your business shuts down tomorrow, how long can you live and invest from reserves, returns or passive income? For most entrepreneurs, that answer is painful: hardly at all.

Financial strategic leadership is vision

Financial strategic leadership is not about bookkeeping or tax optimization. It is about vision, choices and positioning. It requires that you look beyond revenue goals, see profit not as an endpoint but as fuel, and consciously build a financial foundation that carries your future.

This is integral value creation and an important part of my Integral Growth Systems™: your business is an engine, to facilitate your healthy living in your own style. And you additionally build a portfolio that protects and nurtures you.

The three pillars of non-financial wealth strategy

1. Diversification of profits by assets
Every euro you keep in your business remains dependent on market, customers and trends. Freedom only arises when you translate profits into assets that give you cash flow or value appreciation, separate from your day-to-day operations. Think of virtual real estate (digital assets) and real estate, equity and index funds, private equity or innovative models in which you are an investor rather than an executor. 

2. Value creation beyond money
Not every investment is financial. Networks, reputation, knowledge and intellectual property (IP) are asset components that pay off in influence, control and opportunity. Methodologies, frameworks and licenses are assets that scale without your direct hours.

3. Freedom in time and energy
Assets without time and energy are worthless. Your time and energy/health are your most valuable assets. Because if you sacrifice your time or health then you want to Therefore, it is essential that you design a business and life in which you have space. That means systems that run without your constant presence, teams that add value rather than create dependency, and conscious choices for health and vitality.

The golden cage of success

I write about it more often. The golden cage and limiting your growth and freedom. Many women leaders end up in a paradox. They have accomplished a lot and are successful, but hold themselves captive, fixate on their current position. Their identity, status and ego is so intertwined with their work that they are afraid to let go. They have a good income, turnover, status and prestige, but no freedom (literally and figuratively). Their assets are not disconnected from their work and business. That's not independence. That's a golden cage.

The real question is: Do you have the courage to build something bigger than your current business and revenue model?

My approach: integral growth in wealth building

From a young age I have had an eye for organizing, collecting things and getting more in return. Through creations I made and someone else sold for me. Then by saving. Making money through the legion of side jobs I've always had and later of course in multiples during my career in corporate business.

Raised from a conservative lifestyle of saving, mortgage and good career. Got a good foundation, although from a "hoarding" and static mindset, control and driven to maximum security. Later in life I became interested in investing, in the energy of money and that money that is stagnant/stuck will not accumulate wealth. I started to read a lot, attended several workshop and trainings and delved into many strategies and possibilities of investing, wealth building and making the compound effect work for me.

Also, twenty years of experience in corporate business and healthcare have taught me one thing: profit is temporary, but value stays. And if you continue to create and build value from a healthy foundation, you will be stronger and healthier in all areas. Being personally, business and financially healthy and full of drive and energy to live and do profitable business on my terms. That's why I guide women leaders not only in their entrepreneurship, but in their whole system. With my Integral Freedom Growth Systems™ we work on three layers simultaneously:

• Health: your energy and vitality as the foundation.
• Business: scalable, profitable and future-fit.
• Finance: ability and freedom outside of your business.

This is not a quick-fix trick. This is leadership at the highest level. With vision and for the long-term.

 What about you? How healthy are you personally, professionally and financially?

• What percentage of my profits do I structurally set aside for wealth accumulation?
• Have assets that provide your cash flow without having to work (by the way I do not believe in passive income, because it is never completely passive, I do experience working more passionately and achieving more 😊)?
• If I quit my business tomorrow, can I maintain my lifestyle?
• Am I building an estate or just a revenue stream?

The answers can be confrontational, but they are also the starting point of true transformation.

The strategy of future-fit leadership and freedom

Freedom requires leadership and a forward-looking strategy that goes beyond growth today. It requires choices that protect and strengthen you, your family and your legacy. That's why in my strategic trajectories we work not only on revenue, positioning and scalability, but also on:

• Financial buffers and cash flow planning,
• Asset strategies that fit your ambitions,
• Wealth plan that transcends your business.

The result? You build a business that funds your healthy lifestyle, rather than a life in which you fund your business.

I'm not writing this to give you a sound financial lesson. I write this because I see women like you struggling with the hard work and outdated system: working harder, more clients, more visibility all with a focus on income and interest. While the real gain is in the freedom that comes from creating value both inside and outside your business. Compounding from multiple streams of money.

If you feel this is your next step, I invite you to a strategic discussion. In 30 minutes, we bring into sharp focus:

• Where you leave value untapped 
• How you now deploy your value, profit and wealth,
• What hidden opportunities and growth possibilities you are missing
• What your strategic roadmap is to an enriched life, strategic leadership and financial freedom alongside your successful business.

This is not coaching with vague advice. This is a business transformation in which you get a grip on your future.

One life. Lead it. Live it.

With enriched guts, love and quality of life,

Gerdi 

For women leaders who translate their value into integral growth

>>> Personal, business and financial impact, profit and freedom

When you want to achieve your "more. The movement for change, deepening and enrichment

In my premium route Scale to Freedom we work intensively together for six months on your complete transformation integral. We reset, redesign and rebuild your business and life. This is not superficial coaching, but a deep strategic partnership in which you learn to steer from peace, direction and vision.

In addition, for visionary women who want to build their legacy, there is ELLLE: Elite Life, Leadership & Legacy Empowerment. This is not just another business networking club, but a high quality and high value partnership with women who are willing to invest in their position, their legacy and the future of women's leadership.

This is a new phase and movement in your life where it is no longer just about being successful, but also living fulfilled and enriched from the inside out. And no longer being led and lived the other way around. Creating a change that is needed now and for the new women leaders and next generations.

ELLLE: Elite Life, Leadership & Legacy Empowerment

ELLLE is not a network, but a movement. ELLLE is a systemic change that reaches beyond and enriches. A collaboration with women who use their knowledge, influence and ability to redefine the standard of leadership.

• For established women leaders and entrepreneurs.
• For visionaries and forerunners who want to increase their impact.
• For women who want to consciously shape their legacy.

ELLLE requires guts, commitment and a willingness to invest. It is for women who bring movement, not wait and see.