Introduction: A typical day in the life of an entrepreneur

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to swap the predictable 9-to-5 routine for the dynamic, ever-changing world of an entrepreneur? Many imagine it as a leap into a life where you are the boss, not just of your business, but of your entire schedule. But what does that really look like on a day-to-day basis?

In this post, I’ll take you through a journey of my 12 years of entrepreneurial life, offering a peek behind the curtain at the freedoms and challenges that come with running your own business. 

We’ll explore three key aspects: the intoxicating freedom of the early days, the crucial structure that sustains long-term success, and the adjustments needed when major life changes, like becoming a mompreneur, redefine your daily routine.

From beachside meetings in Bali to structured schedules that balance work and personal life, my experiences shed light on the realities of entrepreneurship. Whether you’re a corporate professional dreaming of launching a side hustle, or you’re looking to transform your career into a portfolio of passions, these insights aim to inspire and guide you.

This article isn’t just about sharing my story; it’s about encouraging you to envision and create your own entrepreneurial lifestyle. By the end, you’ll see that while the entrepreneurial journey is as challenging as it is rewarding, it’s also adaptable and manageable with the right strategies—strategies that I’ll share from my own life.

Ready to discover how flexible and fulfilling the entrepreneurial life can be? Let’s dive in.

Part 1: Freedom

Imagine you could choose when and where you work every day. That’s what it’s like to be an entrepreneur. You get to make all the rules!

Personal Story: 

After I left my job in Bali, I started my own company, Le VPN. Our very first business meeting wasn’t in an office—it was on a beautiful beach on the Gili Islands, near Bali. My co-founder and I decided that our company would let us work from anywhere in the world. 

At the beginning of my journey, there was no such thing as a typical day. Each morning, I could wake up and decide how I wanted to spend my day, with absolutely no schedule to hold me back. 

I loved working from beaches in Asia and later in South America. I could work any time I wanted, even at night. This meant I could enjoy a fun life, waking up late and starting work in the afternoon.

Challenges: 

But working like this had its tough parts too. While I was free to work from beach destinations, I still had to bring my laptop everywhere. Even during holidays with my friends, I sometimes had to work when they were having fun. This lifestyle soon exhausted me because while everybody rested, I had to work in my room.

We also decided not to hire regular employees but to work with freelancers for specific tasks. This way, we knew exactly how they were helping our business and we could pay them fairly. We even chose not to offer B2B contracts or work with other businesses even though they offered us a lot of money because we wanted to keep our business model simple and focused on regular private customers.

In the beginning, being an entrepreneur gave me a lot of freedom. 

I could choose where I worked and who I worked with. I had unlimited time off, just like the policy at Netflix, but I still had to make sure the business ran smoothly. 

Even though I had so much freedom, it also meant I was often tied to my laptop. 

It looked like I was free on the outside, but I was still working hard. 

As Tony Robbins says, “If you want to be a millionaire as a business owner, you don’t sleep till noon.” I learned that from my own experience when I decided to stop island-hopping and take my business to the next level.

Part 2: Structure

While freedom is exhilarating, without some structure, even the most spontaneous entrepreneur can find themselves feeling unanchored. Finding a balance that allows both creativity and productivity is key.

Personal Evolution in My Entrepreneur Mindset: 

As much as I loved the freedom of deciding each day’s activities on the fly, I soon realized that this “always on” lifestyle was not sustainable. The thrill of working from any beach at any hour started to wear thin, and the need for a more organized day became apparent. I had to rethink how I approached my workday to maintain my energy and focus.

My Entrepeneur’s Schedule: 

I decided to set more regular work hours and reserve weekends strictly for relaxation or personal activities, mirroring a more traditional work-life boundary. Here’s how I structured a typical day to maximize productivity:

• 7 AM: Wake up and start the day with yoga, setting a calm and focused tone.
• 8:30 AM: Dedicate 30 minutes to reading business or personal development books; Harvard Business Review became a favorite.
• 9 AM: Begin the workday with an hour dedicated to emails and team communication, ensuring everyone is aligned and clear on their tasks.
• 10 AM: Engage in two hours of deep work on the most critical tasks. This is the time for intense focus, free from interruptions.
• Noon: Break for lunch, often spent with a friend or a networking contact. Twice a week, I used this time for tennis practice with a private trainer, blending physical activity with relaxation.
• 2 PM: Return to work, refreshed and ready to tackle the afternoon’s challenges.
• 7 PM: Conclude the workday, allowing the evening to be free for personal time and relaxation.

This structured schedule helped me not only stay productive but also allowed me to build several successful businesses over the years. It was ideal when I was single and completely in control of how I allocated my time.

This shift to a more structured routine proved revolutionary. It wasn’t just about sticking to a schedule—it was about designing a life that fostered growth, learning, and balance. 

As I transitioned into this new phase of my entrepreneurship journey, my businesses and personal well-being flourished. While the free-spirited entrepreneur in me thrived on flexibility, the structured part of me acknowledged the need for predictability and routine to truly succeed.

By integrating discipline and strucgture into my daily life of entrepreneur, I discovered the true potential of both my personal and professional growth. This structure became the backbone of my entrepreneurial success and personal satisfaction.

Part 3: Transition into mompreneurship

Transitioning from a free-spirited entrepreneur to a mompreneur presents a unique set of challenges. It’s about balancing the relentless demands of motherhood with the flexibility and responsibilities of running multiple businesses. 

I believe my story will resonate not only with mompreneurs but also with anyone facing significant time challenges, such as corporate employees building a side business or juggling a portfolio career.

Personal Story: 

When my daughter was born, my life underwent a significant transformation. I was already managing three successful businesses, which provided enough income to allow me a six-month maternity leave. However, even with reduced work commitments, completely disconnecting was not an option—an entrepreneur’s business always needs attention. After my maternity leave, it was crucial to devise a new schedule that accommodated my new role as a mother without sacrificing business productivity.

My Mompreneur’s Schedule: 

Here’s how I restructured my day to integrate family time with effective business management:

• 6 AM: Wake up early to enjoy some peaceful moments with my daughter, cherishing our time together before the day fully begins.
• 8 AM: Depending on the day, either take my daughter to daycare or spend a little extra time for myself with a morning yoga session when my husband takes over.
• 9 AM: Start the workday focused on catching up with emails and coordinating with my team to set the day’s priorities.
• 10 AM: Dive into two hours of deep work, tackling the most important tasks of the day. This is when I focus intensely, except on Mondays and Tuesdays, which are reserved for weekly team meetings to help everyone prioritize their week.
• Noon: Enjoy a lunch break, sometimes extending it to two hours for a networking lunch or a more relaxed meal at home with my daughter on Wednesdays.
• 1 PM: Return to work, using the afternoon to wrap up any ongoing projects or to handle administrative tasks.
• 5 PM: End the workday to pick up my daughter from daycare. From 5 to 7 PM, I dedicate my time entirely to her, engaging in various activities that foster her growth and our bond.
• 7 PM: After my daughter goes to sleep, the evening opens up for me. This is when I have time for myself and for the rest of my family, to attend social events, or simply relax and unwind. My Thursday nights are always set aside for date nights with my husband after our daughter goes to bed.

This new schedule has adjusted my working hours, typically capping at 30-35 hours a week, yet my productivity and business success haven’t suffered. 

By focusing on the most critical tasks and delegating or postponing less crucial ones, I’ve learned to maximize every hour of work. This approach not only allows me to run multiple businesses effectively but also provides ample time for coaching and helping others navigate their entrepreneurial journeys. 

Even in the busiest phases of life, adopting effective time management strategies—like those taught in Tony Robbins’ RPM method—can redefine what’s possible, proving that time can be stretched if it’s managed wisely.

For those interested in mastering time management, especially when balancing a side hustle with a full-time job, check out my free 1-hour training. This course delves deeper into efficient strategies that can help you find more hours in your day, no matter your commitments. Click here to learn more and start maximizing your time today.

Conclusion

As we’ve traveled through the diverse landscapes of entrepreneurial life at its different stages—from the boundless freedom of its beginnings to the disciplined structure of its maturity, and through the transformative journey of mompreneurship—we’ve seen that entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business. It’s about crafting a lifestyle that aligns with your personal values and visions.

Reflect on your current routine: 

• Are you where you want to be, or are you ready for a change? 
• Does the idea of setting your own schedule and priorities excite you? 
• Can you imagine integrating your personal life and work in a way that not only brings success but also joy and fulfillment?

If these questions spark a desire for transformation, remember that you don’t have to navigate this path alone. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your approach, working with a business coach can provide the guidance and support you need to flourish.

I invite you to book a free 30-minute coaching exploration call with me. Together, we can discuss how I can support your journey toward becoming an entrepreneur or growing your new business, tailor strategies to your unique situation, and start building the life you’ve always dreamed of. 

Alternatively, dive deeper into effective time management and entrepreneurial strategies by checking out my free online mini-course, “After Hours Empire.”

Ready to take the first step towards your entrepreneurial future? Click here to book your session or enroll in the course. Let’s make your dream a reality, starting today.