Own a business for your kids, if nothing else
I’ve come to the unoriginal conclusion that working from home and running a small business is powerful for dads who want to be present for their kids.
Over the last eight months, I’ve spent a truly incredible amount of time with my family. Before this new season, I had no trouble going to and coming from work. Before my son was born, Nicole and I had meaningful jobs that often spilled over into evening conversations about the day’s events.
There’s nothing wrong with that.
However, being together for most of every day has given me new insights. Here are some of my thoughts (in no particular order or importance):
1. Your View of Home Determines How You View Work
Many people use work to escape home. I’m not here to judge motives, but this concerns me.
I was blessed with parents who created a warm and loving home, which shapes how I view home today. If you spend time and energy building a rich home environment—one that values conversation, creativity, and safety—you’ll naturally desire to be more present.
One of my clients committed to leaving his phone at the door when he gets home. His kids now get his undivided attention instead of competing with endless notifications.
If you value your home, your work will have more meaning—not less.
2. A Work Culture Can Dominate Your Entire Life
My wife and I both worked in education before this season of life. We loved the arts, athletics, and supporting our community, but we were exhausted:
• Ball games every other night
• Performances on weekends
• Early morning prep sessions
• Late-night meetings
Now, for the first time in our marriage, we’re not tied to constant time away from home. We’ve found the freedom to prioritize family without the hectic schedules.
This issue isn’t unique to education. Corporate travel, board meetings, and product launches can eat away at any margin you have for the other domains of life. It’s no wonder caffeine jokes dominate our culture—most people are barely hanging on.
If you aren’t intentional about creating time for rest, energy-building activities, and hobbies, they won’t happen. Guaranteed.
3. Building Something from Scratch Means Letting Go of Perfection
When I started my business, it wasn’t out of desire—it was necessity. After applying to over 200 jobs and receiving one human interaction, I learned a key lesson: If you want something specific, you need to build it.
Starting wasn’t glamorous. I’ve had to let go of the need for perfection and learn how to:
1. Act.
2. Assess.
3. Adjust.
I’ve witnessed the most successful people don’t have a secret—they just stick with it. They’ve faced failed ideas, major doubts, and setbacks, but they didn’t quit.
Business is like my old wrestling matches: You grind it out, learn from mistakes, and adjust as needed. Choose a direction, give it your all, and check your ego at the door.
4. Vitamin D Matters More Than You Think
I love my dark, moody basement office. People think my Zoom backdrop looks like a nuclear bunker. It’s a whole vibe.
But humans aren’t meant to stay indoors all day. Getting outside—even for a short time—makes me more productive, focused, and even professional.
Breathe fresh air, feel the warmth of the sun, and see the world outside your screens. You’ll notice the difference.
5. Freedom Isn’t What You Think It Is
The biggest lesson I’ve learned in the past six months is about security.
After a full career for a missional university (aka, wasn’t making industry average wages 😉), I thought I had learned what I needed to learn about money mindset, living within means, and so on. But that opposite is true.
When I left my job, the most common response was:
“I could never do what you are doing. How do you sleep without knowing where your next paycheck is coming from?”
While financial uncertainty can be challenging, building something for my family is better than being chained to a check. Many trade their dreams for stability, fitting into someone else’s box.
Here’s what freedom looks like for me now:
• Lunch with my wife 5/7 days a week
• Playing golf with my son on a Tuesday afternoon
• Joining a men’s Bible study every Thursday morning
• Helping with my 9-month-old daughter
And here’s the kicker: I’m making more than I did in my W-2 job.
True freedom isn’t about avoiding hard work—it’s about aligning your work with what matters most to you.
The Big Idea
You have to say “no” to a ton to say “yes” to anything.
I love working from home. I love the new life we’re building for our family. I love helping business owners develop leadership.
I also loved my communications job, the mission-focused work, and the people I worked with. But now, my family comes first—and I think that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
If you feel like nothing is working and want a company humming like a performance engine, let's talk.
I’m offering complimentary 2-hour coaching sessions to leaders who are ready to go deeper. We’ll talk about your leadership. What it would take to unlock more trust, clarity, and results across your team.
Until then, Leadership Matters can be a place for you to start thinking like a leader, not a boss.
You don’t have to settle for survival mode. Clarity is closer than you think.
In your corner,
—Jonathan
