The Myth of the "Stepping Stone": Why I’m Building a Five-Figure, Zero F***s Business
For a long time, I lived in a world of hustle, grind, and the oh-so-predictable burnout cycle. I was an internationally traveling, corporate-job-doing, "work hard, play hard" Londoner. Back then, feeling like absolute sh*t was just… normal. I pushed through migraines, masked my undiagnosed AuDHD with wine and sheer willpower, and believed that career progression was a mountain I had to sell my soul to climb.
Fast forward to February 2026. I found myself "peering above the parapet" again. I have been my own boss for nearly 7 years now and have avoided pretty much all travel outside of my county! I haven’t done the big events or conferences because they just don’t fit with the school run, never mind my social anxiety! But… I found myself being chosen as a finalist for ADHD Coach of the Year. So I challenged myself to get my butt up to Birmingham, don the sequins. and do the "people-ing."
And then? I blinked and there I was: a dried-up old husk on a rail replacement bus home from Didcot Parkway, reeling from a nervous system onslaught that cost me (and my family) dearly.
That journey home was a turning point. It wasn't just about a long commute; it was a profound realisation that there wasn’t anything wrong with having different business goals from others. I channelled this thinking into a Substack post called ‘No, Not For Me Right Now’ the following week, and then something much bigger dawned on me: the life and business I have right now is enough.
Challenging the "Next Level" Narrative
On the latest episode of the podcast, I’m diving deep into a concept I’m calling The Quiet Business. We are constantly bombarded with the narrative that a five-figure business is just a "stepping stone" - a temporary stop on the way to the "real" success of six or seven figures. But what if it’s not?
What if your current revenue is exactly what you need to fund your life, take a bunch of time off with your kids, and protect your mental health? What if maintenance doesn’t mean being “stuck” - what if it’s an intentional, strategic choice for those of us with businesses, caring responsibilities and chronic health conditions or disabilities?
The "VAT Threshold" Reality
In the episode, I also talk about a statistic that we rarely hear in the "scaling" echo chamber: in the UK, the vast majority of solo businesses operate in the five-figure range. If you aren't hitting the VAT threshold (£85k), I’m here to tell you that you aren't "failing" at scaling. You are part of the 95% majority. The problem is that the 5% who do scale make 90% of the noise on social media, making us feel like we suck!
In this episode, I’m talking about:
Internal vs. External Validation: Why being an award finalist was lovely, but being at the school gates every day is the real win for me.
The Honesty Audit: Some prompts to help you consider your own business, and strip away the "soulless, joyless" tasks that are just ego-feeding, box-ticking or downright icky.
The Power of "No, Not for Me Right Now": How to use this phrase as a shield to protect your calendar, your energy and your capacity.
The "Real Hourly Rate": Why your price should be based on your sellable hours, not an arbitary 40-hour work week.
Your Permission Slip To Stop Chasing a Goal You Never Wanted
Last year, I recorded an episode called "The Reality of the 5-Figure Business," and the response was overwhelming. I realised so many of you were walking around feeling "less than" because you weren't hitting six figure too - even though you didn't actually want the stress that comes with it.
This new episode is the next chapter. It’s for the business owners who want to be present parents, rested humans, and exceptional business owners without burning their lives to the ground in the process.
It’s time to stop serving your business and start making your business serve you.
Listen to the Season 5 Premiere
Have you reached your "enough" point? I’d love to hear your thoughts after you’ve listened. Drop me a message: siobhan@revealmarketinguk.com