I Went All In… Now I Can Retire at 45

PodcastScaling

Nov 6

Episode 898: Show Notes

Financial freedom might sound like a lofty goal, but I’m here to tell you that it’s way more achievable than you think! In this episode, I break down how I started with next to nothing and slowly built a life that not only allowed me to plan for retirement, but also helped me create a lifestyle I could actually enjoy along the way.

I’m not sharing this story because I want to brag about my financial accomplishments. Rather, I want to give you hope for what’s possible and show you just how far you can come in such a short period. By making small, consistent changes, building a business that doesn’t rely on you being glued to your desk, and planning with intention, you CAN turn your dreams of financial freedom into reality! Let’s dive in!

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From Zero to Freedom: How I Got Started with Nothing

I know firsthand what it’s like to struggle, to stress over making ends meet, and to wonder if financial security is even possible. Just ten years ago, I had close to zero dollars to my name, was planning a wedding, and hoping my soon-to-be husband had saved enough for a down payment on a house. Honestly? I was scared. My bank account was empty, I had college debt, bills were piling up, and it felt like I was barely scraping by.

I had no idea how it would all work out, especially since I didn’t have a financial roadmap to follow. Growing up, my parents were both on disability and worked hard to create as much stability as they could. But even as a kid, I could feel the strain we were under. A big part of making financial freedom possible is simply believing it’s achievable. You don’t have to start with being convinced you’ll retire before 50. Just set a target that feels a little out of reach, (to keep it aspirational) and focus on the steps that will get you there as quickly as possible.

Investing in Stability to Build a Life That Won’t Crumble

Financial freedom isn’t necessarily about flashy wins. It’s about making steady choices that allow you to sleep at night. I’m talking about finding an affordable home, planning with one income in mind, and making investments that actually make sense. By focusing on creating stability first, I could build a future where I didn’t have to stress about life’s unexpected twists and turns. From the beginning, I also started contributing to my 401(k), even if it was just a small amount at a time. The goal wasn’t to max out retirement savings from day one. It was simply to get started and build from there.

Looking back, these choices laid the groundwork that allowed us to grow. We reached that first level of financial comfort much faster than I expected and that early stability gave us hope and motivation to keep going. Setting a sustainable foundation meant that even when life threw curveballs, like layoffs or unexpected expenses, we had a safety net. Plus, I was even able to set some money aside for my “fun budget!”

Building a Sustainable, Service-based Business

Building a service-based business was a game changer for me. I started with one-on-one clients, setting clear deliverables, sending proposals, and making it happen, all to create a steady income and a reasonable annual salary. But then, life smacked me in the face. In 2016, everything took a drastic turn when I was in a five-car collision and suffered a traumatic brain injury. That moment was a HUGE wake-up call. It showed me that, while my business was profitable, it wasn’t sustainable. If I had to step away, everything would grind to a halt. I knew then that I needed to build a business that could keep running without me when life happened.

This experience made me think hard about creating passive income and stability for the future. It’s so much more than money in, money out! Sure, everyone wants to make money in their sleep, but the truth is, passive income isn’t just about setting up some get-rich-quick scheme. It’s about building assets that grow over time, like the goal of retirement, where you rely on what you’ve built. For me, this meant reinvesting profits back into the business, working with a financial planner, taking chances on myself, seizing opportunities, and building multiple income streams. Now, while my business still requires active participation, I’ve also created systems that support me and allow me to step away when I need to. It’s all about creating a sustainable model that supports me, whether I’m hands-on or taking a much-needed break!

Why True Freedom is Freedom of Choice

True financial freedom ultimately means freedom of choice. It’s not just about having the money. It’s about reaching that point where you wake up each day and decide exactly how to spend your time, what projects to work on, and how to give back to your community. When you reach that tipping point where you know what it takes (and when you’ll get there) you finally get a glimpse of what true freedom looks like! For me, this isn’t just a theory. It’s the real flexibility to make decisions on my terms, to support the causes I care about, and to shape my days without feeling tied down.

This freedom doesn’t mean life is responsibility-free. You might still have commitments, like raising kids, volunteering, or being involved in leadership roles, but YOU choose them. Having that ultimate flexibility is unlike anything I have ever experienced in my life. The income from my investments now supports my future, while my business covers my current lifestyle. And look, I won’t pretend to have all the answers. To hit the financial goals that I had for my life, I had to build a financial team to help me make informed decisions that matched my vision. What that looks like for you and your future is going to be dependent on your personal goals. There’s no single “right way” to get there! It’s about building assets and making choices today that align with the life you want in the future, one where work isn’t an obligation but a choice.

How Hitting a Breaking Point Can Be a Good Thing

Hitting a financial breaking point can be an eye-opener. If you’re clear on the lifestyle you want, there’s a tipping point where you can depend entirely on the investments and assets you’ve built as your primary income. Retiring early just means you reach that point sooner and the key to getting there is building up those assets more quickly. I genuinely believe a business is a huge opportunity to reach those goals at a pace that simply isn't possible for the average person in the day-to-day corporate working world. I know not everyone wants to take the entrepreneurial path, and that’s totally fine. There’s nothing wrong with admitting that to yourself! But for those of us who are drawn to it, the opportunity to build something of our own and speed up our journey to financial freedom is worth the ride.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying it’s always easy or that it’s a smooth, upward trajectory. In fact, I’ll be the first to say that I’ve had years where I thrived and others where I wondered if I’d have been better off with a steady 9-to-5. But through it all, I’ve made choices that put my life and the people I care about above my business needs, even if that meant my growth slowed a bit. And honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. Owning a business is a choice, and for me, it’s one I’m grateful for, even on the rollercoaster days.

Your Roadmap to Financial Security

If this is the kind of risk that you want to take, if this is something you truly believe you are capable of and you want to work towards it, you need a roadmap. I'm not saying your roadmap has to look exactly like mine, but you do need someone guiding you because you just don't know what you don't know! I built The Co-Op to help you build a more sustainable business. Period. Regardless of the type of product or service you sell, how you choose to show up online, or what social channels you pursue, I want to help you build an offer ecosystem that provides the life and lifestyle you want today while also accelerating your financial growth to hit your future financial goals.

Inside The Co-Op, I walk you through those initial steps toward building sustainable lifetime income, covering actionable strategies so you can take control of your financial security. This isn't just about saving up for later. It’s about having a financial foundation that allows you to enjoy life’s milestones as they happen, whether it's funding that dream kitchen, buying a car, or saving for your kids' education. My journey has shown me that wealth doesn’t have to come solely from your business. There are multiple paths, like real estate or stock market investments, that can support your goals. You have the unique ability to provide for your life. That is so cool! Ultimately, the freedom that comes with true financial security is unmatched, and it lets you design a life that feels both fulfilling and stress-free.

I’ve created The Co-Op community because I care about your success, but it requires that you show up and do the work. I can’t build a business for you. I can’t save for you. I can’t invest for you. But I can give you the tools, templates, and strategies to help you succeed. It’s never too late! Start your journey to a secure and abundant financial future today.