Tired of the Hustle? Here’s Why Growing a Heart-Led Business is Your Shortcut to Lasting Wealth and Freedom

We're constantly told that building wealth means saving, investing in the stock market, or perhaps starting a business from scratch. But what if there's a faster, more reliable, and arguably less risky path to financial power and true ownership? What if the secret to building lasting wealth isn't just in starting a business, but also perhaps in buying one?

This is what we mean when we talk about Generational Growth being the goal!

The Ownership Paradox: From Consumption to Creation

Women wield immense economic power, controlling a staggering 85% of consumer spending. Yet, a striking paradox persists: a 2022 Bank of America report revealed that only 28% of women feel confident taking action with their finances. This often translates into a greater comfort with consumption rather than ownership—a dynamic that absolutely needs to change for true financial empowerment.

The landscape of wealth creation has fundamentally shifted. For prior generations, consistent, long-term wealth building through the public stock market was more straightforward. Today, it's a far greater challenge—almost impossible to build substantial, lasting wealth unless you started with significant capital. In essence, the adage "it takes money to make money" holds truer now than ever before.

Many aim to invest in companies, but it's crucial to understand that stock ownership isn't the primary driver of true wealth for anyone. Public market investments, while valuable, don't represent the same level of real ownership that builds enduring wealth. In fact, research consistently shows that entrepreneurship and business ownership are the dominant sources of wealth for ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

Why Buy When Others Are Closing? The Golden Opportunity of ETA

This isn't about getting rich quick; it's about getting rich smart. While starting a business from scratch can be a grueling uphill battle, resulting in a startup failure rate as high as 90% within seven to ten years, businesses acquired through Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) show significantly higher survival rates, with around 70% still operating within that same timeframe.

Right now, there are approximately 2.5 million small businesses for sale in the US, and that number is poised to explode. The massive baby boomer generation is aging out of business ownership, with 10 million businesses expected to change hands in the next decade, representing an astounding $10 trillion in assets. Here's the kicker: 90% of a typical business owner's net worth is tied up in their business. If we don't step up to buy these businesses, that wealth risks being dispersed or absorbed by large corporations like BlackRock or Blackstone. This is our generational opportunity to take over that wealth through business generation.

In times of economic uncertainty, when others are scared and pulling back, that's when savvy investors "push buy when there's blood in the streets." While many businesses are struggling or even closing, these "baby with the bathwater" businesses often hold immense untapped value: client lists, assets, equipment, lower-rate debt, and even skilled employees. If you know how to identify and acquire these hidden gems, you can become truly wealthy.

Build or Buy: Grow and Thrive with Purpose

So, how do you find the right business for you? It's not about finding the "sexiest" or "tech-forward" venture; it's about Clarity. Just like Charles Koch built an empire on toilet paper and napkins—low-margin, "boring" businesses—success comes from understanding your ecosystem of strengths.

Ask yourself:

• Time: How much time do you want to spend finding the deal and, most importantly, operating the business?

• Money: How much capital are you willing to invest, or do you want the seller to help fund it? (Yes, you can buy businesses with little to no money down!)

• Risk: What are you willing to sacrifice?

• Ditch the Debt: How can you grow your bottom line enough to not need or rely on debt?

• The Ecosystem: What's the right combination of assets, IP, ideal clients, and business type for your ideal owner experience?

Your Zone of Genius Breakdown is like a dating profile for businesses that you can create with simply a piece of paper and some introspection. Take the time to define and write down your ideal owner experience, leveraging your unique skills, passion, and network, and identify how a new acquisition may give you an unfair advantage in what you already do. This is an expert approach to buying businesses that are profitable, even when a prior owner may not have had the margins themselves!

We believe in heart-led business growth! As Warren Buffett famously said, "Never invest in a business you can't understand." If you can't explain it simply to your grandmother, it's likely not for you. Don't fall for the sexy, or even the boring business you don't feel passionate about. Instead, focus on the profitable business within your natural zone of genius, where you can seamlessly contribute your skills and drive success.

The Unignorable Imperative: Women, Ownership, and True Economic Power

While women represent more than half of the U.S. adult population and their businesses constitute a significant 39.2% of all enterprises, the economic impact still lags behind: they account for only 9.6% of national employment and 6.2% of total U.S. business revenue. This creates an enormous opportunity cost for our economy. In fact, if all women-owned businesses achieved the same average revenue as men-owned businesses, the U.S. economy would see a staggering $10.2 trillion in additional annual revenue. At the current rate, it would take 120 years to close this staggering revenue gap.

This disparity is even more critical when we consider the largest wealth transfer in history currently underway. Women already control over one-third of global wealth, a figure projected to rise to over 50% by 2030. This is an unprecedented opportunity for financial empowerment, yet traditional financial patterns and systems often leave women out of key conversations around true ownership.

The funding challenge for women entrepreneurs is stark: less than 2% of women-owned businesses ever reach $1 million in revenue, and a mere 2.3% of venture capital funding goes to female-only founding teams. Moreover, (ad)venture capital, while vital for some, often has a high percentage of loss-making funds, and private equity is illiquid and challenging to access for the average investor.

This is precisely why women must embrace heart-led entrepreneurship to become the owners, not just the consumers, and to lead with their hearts to build businesses that reflect their values and fuel real wealth. This isn't just about financial gain; it's about reclaiming agency, building legacies, and shaping an economy that truly works for all.

The Path to Acquisition: On-Market, Off-Market, and Your Personal P&L

You've got options:

• On-Market Deals: These are businesses actively listed on platforms like BizBuySell, Flippa (for e-commerce), and soon, Biz Scout. They're faster but might have more competition.

• Off-Market Deals: These are businesses not actively listed for sale. This is where the magic happens! Every single business owner has a "dark night"—a moment when they're ready for the next thing but feel trapped. This is your opportunity to approach them and offer a solution. Start by simply saying, "Hi, I buy businesses. Small businesses in [your area], like [industry examples] that do less than a million dollars, where the owner wants to sell and has been in business for 10+ years. Do you run a business like that? We should talk." You'll be amazed how often they've never had this conversation before.

• Your Personal P&L Review: The simplest way to start is to look at your own spending. Pull up your Venmo, PayPal, or credit card statement. Where are you already spending money? Which of these businesses and brands might you want to own? You're already a customer, which means you have an in!

You can pay for businesses by:

• Making them more money.

• Cutting their costs.

• Decreasing their operational pain.

• Giving the owner an exit with capital.

From “Getting Out of Corporate” to Being Your Own #Boss

Are you a W2 employee? Your current job could be your next business! Many business owners, especially from the baby boomer generation, are looking to retire but have no succession plan. Imagine an employee approaching their boss and saying, "Hey, I respect what you've built. I don't have the cash to buy it outright, but I want to continue your legacy. Would you help me fund the acquisition through future profits, and I'll take on the liabilities?" This is how Jade, a former military member, acquired a $1.5 million/year revenue business for zero dollars down. It's about trust, respect, and a willingness to carry on a legacy.

You Are More Capable Than You Think

We live in an age where many tell us, "You're doing great, Queen, keep going!" But sometimes, the most profound impact comes from someone looking you in the eye and saying, "You are not doing enough." This isn't criticism; it's a powerful call to action. Only about 3% of people in the US own a small business. You, being here, are already incredibly rare.

If we, as individuals, don't step up and take ownership, who will? We can't rely on politicians or external saviors. It's time to become the next generation of owners, to push back on the BlackRocks and Blackstones of the world, and to build a better future, one acquired business at a time.

Nobody is coming to save us. So, what are we going to do about it? Our answer is buying businesses. Yours might be something else, but whatever it is, commit to it wholeheartedly. Ring dry every ounce of your talent, because this country needs you… and you deserve to achieve Generational Growth.

You Don't Have to Do It Alone

The journey to acquiring and growing a successful business can feel daunting, but you don't have to navigate it by yourself. For women ready to take decisive action, our Mastering Business Through Apprenticeship (MBA) program offers high-touch, personalized support every step of the way. We're here to guide you, from identifying the right opportunities and structuring deals to securing financing and scaling your new venture. Let us help you gain the confidence and expertise to make your ownership dreams a reality.

A Note From The Hart: Your Partner in Generational Growth

You don't have to navigate this powerful journey alone. At Generational Growth, we proudly offer a range of services and support designed to help growth-oriented businesses achieve their full potential. Our aim is to increase client acquisition and retention, improve overall operations, and empower leaders and their teams to thrive—even now, especially now!

I leverage my extensive experience to provide personalized, ROI-driven strategies, blending coaching/consulting, advisory/mentorship, and hands-on sales/marketing/development support. My background is anything but basic: I've helped build multi-million dollar brands, consulted with top-tier health and wellness companies like MINDBODY/ClassPass, Pure Barre, and Lilly. These experiences, profoundly shaped by my unique journey of becoming a mom of two through foster care and adoption (a true lesson in growth and acquisition!), fuel my holistic approach to leadership and life.

I combine my passion for fitness, wellness, nutrition, and self-care with my expertise in business strategy and behavioral science. This unique blend allows me to offer valuable insights as a "business partner" who truly understands where you're at, both personally and professionally, as a wife, mom, entrepreneur, and growth-oriented operator. It's the foundation upon which I'm leading Generational Growth forward and the legacy I'm leaving my children—who are by far the most fun business partners I've ever had!

For select businesses, we take a collaborative approach. We invest by taking an equity stake coupled with a mutually agreed upon monthly revenue share payout. The percentage of equity and revenue share varies based on:

• Stage of Investment: For less profitable companies, we might take a larger equity percentage (e.g., 10-25%). For highly profitable, growth-stage companies, the equity stake might be smaller (e.g., 5-15%).

• Secondary Investment Partnership: For businesses that have taken outside funding but lack a clear exit path, our equity percentage and revenue share are based on current revenue and growth trajectory. We provide comprehensive operational support—including sales, marketing, brand collaborations, business development, talent/creative services, advertising, and KPI data/analytics reporting—to facilitate this growth.

• Growth Valuation: The company's revenue and our investment size directly influence the equity stake and revenue share, ensuring alignment for growth.

My personal and professional story is one that I hope inspires you to invest in yourself—mind, body, business, and self-care. It's the best investment you'll ever make. I'm excited to authentically share and hopefully inspire others in their own success story.

Let's grow, together!

Affirmation: Embrace heart-led growth, and you'll find your shortcut to lasting wealth and true freedom.