Digital Nomad, Digital Products, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Mindset, Online Business, Online Courses

Starting An Online Business That Actually Works For Your Lifestyle

January 19, 2026
By itssophiebiggerstaff.com

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How To Start A Business That Actually Gives You Freedom

If you’ve been having the thoughts “I want to start a business”, it’s usually because the life you’re currently living, the job you’re in – doesn’t feel like it fits anymore.

Maybe you want financial freedom, you might want more autonomy over your time, or you might want the ability to live and work from anywhere in the world. Whatever it is, the desire usually starts long before any action does.

I know this because I’ve lived it.

I spent years in a corporate career, working my way up fast, doing everything I was “supposed” to do. And eventually I reached a point where I realised I didn’t want that life anymore. What I wanted was freedom.

Not one specific version of it, but my version.

That realisation was the beginning of my journey from employee to entrepreneur, and ultimately what led me to start an online business.

Why People Want To Start A Business For Financial Freedom

When people talk about entrepreneurship, money usually takes centre stage.

And yes – money matters.

Financial freedom matters.

But money is rarely the real goal.

What people actually want is:

To stop worrying about bills
To feel safe spending money
To have options and flexibility
To design a life that feels like theirs

For some people, financial freedom means stability.

For others, it means choice.

And then there are other forms of freedom that matter just as much:

Time freedom – picking up kids from school, not living for weekends to take the yoga class, the ability to do the things you love whenever you want to do them.
Location freedom – working from anywhere, whether it’s your living room, or favourite coffee shop on the other side of the world, it’s about not being tied to one place

This is why so many people are drawn to online business and even explore ideas like making money online for free at the start. They’re looking for a way to create freedom without burning their life down to get it.

I genuinely believe that starting an online business can create all of these freedoms – but only when it’s built intentionally.

If you want help understanding what kind of online business could support your freedom goals, you can watch the Free Online Business Masterclass here.

How Mindset Determines Your Success When You Start A Business

One of the biggest things I’ve learned over the last five years of entrepreneurship is that mindset matters more than anything else when you decide to start a business.

I didn’t step into entrepreneurship believing I could handle anything. I didn’t think I was special or different. I came into it knowing I had a lot to learn. I was a beginner. And honestly, at times, I was figuring things out as I went.

What changed everything was expanding my belief in what was possible for my life. I had seen other people build freedom through an online business, and that planted the seed. I started to think, “If they can do it, why can’t I?”

That shift is critical when you’re moving from employee to entrepreneur. You don’t need to know all the answers. You don’t need confidence first. But you do need to believe that a different life is possible for you.

Mindset is what carries you through the challenges. And there will be challenges. Things won’t work the first time. You’ll question yourself. You’ll feel uncomfortable. But when your desire for freedom is strong enough, you find a way to keep going.

This is exactly why I always encourage people to start by getting clear on what freedom actually means to them before they start a business. That clarity makes everything else easier.

From Employee To Entrepreneur: Why Clarity Matters More Than Speed

I didn’t leave corporate overnight.

It wasn’t luck.

It wasn’t accidental.

It was intentional.

I took strategic steps to move from employee to entrepreneur because I knew the life I wanted was different from the one I had.

One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when they start a business is rushing:

Chasing money without considering lifestyle
Building something that looks good but feels heavy
Prioritising income over freedom

I’ve met so many business owners who earn well but feel trapped.

I’ve also been there myself.

I built a business that worked for one season of my life – and then my lifestyle changed. Suddenly:

The business no longer fit
I felt frustrated and disconnected
I wasn’t enjoying what I’d built

That’s when I realised how important it is to build an online business around your life, not the other way around.

Entrepreneurship isn’t about getting it perfect the first time.

It’s about being willing to pivot as your life evolves.

How To Start An Online Business Without Sacrificing Your Life

This is something I care deeply about:

You do not have to sacrifice your life to start a business.

Yes, it takes effort.

Yes, it takes consistency.

But it does not need to cost you:

Your health
Your happiness
Your relationships

An online business can support freedom when it’s designed intentionally.

That might look like:

Building from existing skills
Creating digital products over time
Exploring online business courses
Eventually creating making money online courses

The issue isn’t online business itself – it’s building without considering lifestyle.

I rebuilt my business because it stopped supporting the life I wanted. That experience is exactly why I created my free training.

👉 You can start an online business with the Free Masterclass here.

Why Starting A Business Is Possible Even Without Privilege

I want to be very honest about something. I come from a place of privilege. I had a supportive family. I had access to good jobs. I didn’t grow up with everything handed to me, but it also wasn’t nothing. And I’ll always acknowledge that.

But I’ve also met people who started with far less and still created freedom for themselves because their desire was stronger than their circumstances. They expanded what they believed was possible and found a way forward.

This is why I don’t believe entrepreneurship is only for a certain type of person. Freedom looks different for everyone, but the ability to work towards it exists for anyone who is willing to believe it’s possible and take action.

The timeline might be different of course, but there is still many possibilities. If you believe you can – you will.

Starting small is valid. Learning through online business courses is valid. Exploring making money online for free as a first step is valid. You don’t need to have everything figured out to begin. You just need to be willing to start.

How To Start A Business That Supports Your Future Self

If there’s one thing I want you to take from this, it’s this:

Don’t start a business just to escape your job.

Start a business to build the life you actually want.

Moving from employee to entrepreneur is about:

Mindset
Clarity
Intentional decisions

It’s about choosing an online business that supports your version of freedom – now and as your life changes.

I’ve been able to live my version of a dream life because I built businesses around my skills, passions and lifestyle goals – and pivoted when I needed to.

If you want clarity before you commit to anything, the best place to start is my free training.

Summary: Your Next Step To Start A Business

You don’t need to quit your job tomorrow. You don’t need to have everything figured out. But you do need to start somewhere.

If you want to start a business, move from employee to entrepreneur, and build an online business that supports financial freedom and your lifestyle goals, this is your next step.

You can watch the Free Online Business Masterclass here and begin mapping out what’s possible for you, using the skills and passions you already have:

This is about building something that works for your life now and evolves with you as your goals change.

meet the writer

I'm Sophie

Online business coach, podcast host, mental health advocate, speaker, founder of TINAH, community builder, full-time digital nomad, and general trailblazing, rule breaker…

I tried to live a “normal” life: I spent 11+ years working my way up in the fashion industry, working for brands like Ralph Lauren and Burberry. I had the apartment in the city, I lived for going out at the weekends, spent money on designer bags and holidays – until I realized this lifestyle DID NOT FULFIL ME – I was waking up with anxiety every day – surviving, but definitely not thriving.

So I quit. I left my 9-to-5 behind to start an online business that supported the lifestyle I actually wanted. Now that looks like slow mornings, daily beach walks, co-working with like-minded entrepreneurs, yoga, meditation, and lots of social connections.

Since 2020, I’ve built multiple online business offers – from online business coaching and consulting to online courses, digital products, and a mental health marketplace – all while travelling the world and living life, and earning money on my own terms.

Now… I’m on a mission to help more people break free from lives that don’t feel good for them and create more freedom through starting and growing an online business.