I used to look at my 9–5 as something I needed to escape… but truthfully, I should’ve treated it like my first business. If I could go back, I’d apply the profit-first model to my paycheck, get disciplined with my cash flow, and use that job as the seed capital for everything I wanted to build. I’d scale slow. I’d let the side hustle grow at its natural pace. And I’d stay patient long enough for it to turn into a real business— one built on systems, structure, and consistency. Because the goal isn’t to quit your job out of frustration… it’s to fire yourself because your business is finally mature enough to replace you. That way, when you do hand in your pink slip, you’re not jumping into chaos. You’re stepping into a well-oiled operation that already serves you and your family. I would keep what I’m building between me and wife no one else. Just my two cents— it’s what I would’ve done differently starting out.