Every owner we interviewed for Bulletproof Your Exit named freedom as a top reason they started. It takes real courage to build a business that serves your life rather than consuming it.
My family background traces back to England and Scotland. Twenty-five years ago we took a trip we call the Braveheart Tour, traveling through the countryside where that history unfolded. When I returned, an artist friend gave me a painting for my birthday to commemorate the journey.
At its core, the Braveheart story is about the pursuit of freedom. That theme inspired my book, The BraveHeart Exit, where I refer to the business owners I work with as BraveHearts. It takes real courage to lead a company, make hard choices, and ultimately build a business that serves your life rather than consuming it.
The Origin of BraveHeart
For me, the term "BraveHeart" represents a long tradition of courage and independence.
America was built on that same foundation of faith in God, freedom and opportunity. Early settlers and entrepreneurs sought the freedom to build something of their own through creativity, ingenuity, and hard work, what we came to know as the American Dream.
That spirit has deep roots in Scots-Irish and English history, where stories of independence and resilience were passed down through generations. Even the ancient Roman Empire found it nearly impossible to subdue those northern lands. Legend holds that around AD 100, the Romans sent the Ninth Legion north into Scotland to subdue the native peoples, and it was never heard from again.
Centuries later in 1297, William Wallace carried that same spirit at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. James Webb, former Virginia senator who wrote Born Fighting (2004), about the Scots-Irish, wrote of Wallace: "Here was a leader who fought not for fame or reward, but in pursuit of his nation's honor." His dedication to a cause greater than himself offers a powerful lesson for leaders today, whether in military history or modern business.
I Come From a Family of Lions
That heritage is personal for me. The Long family crest features a standing lion with our motto above: "Pieux Quoique Preux" (Devout though Valiant).
It reflects a balance of strong faith and determination that has guided our family through generations.
When my ancestors settled in southeastern North Carolina, they brought that fiercely independent mindset with them. They were pastors, pioneers, and small business owners who relied on faith and hard work. Growing up in that environment, an entrepreneurial spirit felt completely natural to me.
I loved small business from an early age. Throughout high school and college, I tried all kinds of ventures, mowing lawns, house painting, and even selling day-old bakery goods to fellow students in the dorms. That early hands-on experience taught me both the excitement of building a business and the importance of adaptability.
Freedom Is the #1 Reason Owners Become Entrepreneurs
That same desire for independence is what drives most business owners today. When interviewing nearly a hundred owners for Bulletproof Your Exit, every single one told us that freedom, autonomy, and flexibility were the top reasons they started their companies.
The sad irony is that many business owners have less freedom than their employees! Instead of owning the business, the business owns them.
You likely started your business seeking time and autonomy. But over time, the operational demands can build up until you have less personal freedom than when you worked for someone else. Many owners find themselves burned out or tied to the daily grind, unable to step back and enjoy the results of their hard work.
Work on the Business, Not in It
The key to reclaiming that original freedom is shifting your focus: learning to work on the business, not just in it. When you build systems and empower a team, you regain control over your time to focus on strategy, growth, and personal goals.
Our goal is to get you out of the day-to-day weeds of the business, help you maximize its value, build it to be bulletproof, and enjoy that freedom, whether you sell the business or keep it.
One of the most underappreciated benefits of the process is that it makes your company better, right now, not just when you transition out of it. This provides you with the best of options.
What Are You Going to Do With Your Newfound Freedom?
Once your business no longer depends on you, you have a choice. Keep it, and you're free to grow it on your terms, with time for new opportunities while it keeps paying you as an owner. Or sell it, and celebrate a successful close. All your hard work has paid off, and you can finally breathe. Either way, the choice is yours.
The real question is: what will you do with your newfound freedom? One of the biggest mistakes we see is owners failing to plan for it. So much of their identity is tied to running the business that once the sale closes, or once they step back from the daily grind, they lose their reason for getting up in the morning.
Start a new company, volunteer, join a board, or take up gardening. Spend time with your children and grandchildren. Take on new challenges and add value to the world in new ways. Visualize the life you want, then take the steps to get there. The key is to find purpose in every stage of life.
It Takes a Lion
True freedom encompasses many areas of life: faith, family, financial security, and personal fulfillment.
Taking on the challenge to build a sustainable business allows you to lead well, care for your employees, and secure your family's future. With thoughtful planning and clear vision, you can build a company that thrives while giving you the freedom you set out to achieve.
It takes clarity and heart to lead your business forward with confidence.
