Most business advice about going solo sounds the same.

Quit the job. Take the leap. Freedom awaits.

This episode doesn’t do that.

Because sometimes the opposite is true.

Hi, I'm Mike Fox, host of this podcast, "Lone Wolf Unleashed."

In this episode, I share a real conversation that stuck with me. A retired dental technician. His former colleague who went solo. And the moment one of them realised that leaving employment had quietly delayed his retirement by years.

It’s not a story about failure.

The business was working. The money was fine.

But the numbers didn’t stack up the way he assumed they would.

We talk about the trade-offs nobody really runs before going out on their own.

Income versus risk.

Flexibility versus responsibility.

And how easy it is to build a business that only works when you do.

This isn’t anti-entrepreneurship.

It’s pro-awareness.

If you’re running solo, or thinking about it, this episode is a reality check worth having before the clock runs down.

Timestamped summary

00:00 A Christmas conversation that sparked this episode

01:20 Employment vs business, the moment of realisation

02:45 When “doing well” still isn’t enough

03:50 The hidden workload of solo ownership

05:10 Risk, pricing, and why many businesses underpay themselves

06:30 Flexibility myths and where freedom actually comes from

08:10 The question you should answer before quitting your job

09:40 What I don’t want you to end up regretting

Most business advice about the new year sounds the same.

Set bigger goals. Push harder. Stay motivated.

This episode doesn’t do that.

Because the real problem usually isn’t ambition.

It’s follow-through.

Hi, I'm Mike Fox, host of this podcast, "Lone Wolf Unleashed."

In this first episode of 2026, I’m talking about why so many business owners quietly abandon their goals by February and what actually helps progress stick when you’re running things on your own.

We’re not talking about five-year visions or dramatic pivots.

We’re talking about systems. Accountability. And the small structural shifts that make execution possible when motivation fades.

I walk through a simple three-part accountability system built for solo operators.

00:00 Why most goals quietly fail

02:20 Friction, habits, and getting started

03:25 The three-part accountability system

04:44 Why running a business alone feels heavier than expected

06:30 Peer pressure that actually helps

09:20 Planning vs implementation

09:46 What I’m building in 2026 and why

Mentioned in this episode:

You might also like...

Check out the "Websites Made Simple" podcast with Holly Christie at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/

Get Unleashed by your emails! Subscribe now!

Get our insights delivered straight to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Most business events promise clarity, big goals, and bold plans.

This one did too.

But something unexpected happened.

Instead of talking about five-year visions or aggressive growth targets, people kept coming back to small things. Walking the dog more. Finishing work earlier. Feeling less permanently behind.

Hi, I'm Mike Fox, host of this podcast, "Lone Wolf Unleashed."

In this episode, I’m unpacking what actually happened at my first Freedom Forward workshop. The wins, the nerves, the moments I didn’t expect, and the realisation that stopped me mid-session.

Everyone left with a roadmap.

Almost no one knew how to take the first step.

We talk about why “big goals” often stall real progress, why implementation is the hardest part of running a business, and what busy business owners actually need when time, energy, and focus are already stretched thin.

This isn’t a highlight reel.

It’s a reflection on what people really want from their business and what gets in the way of making change stick.

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve done the planning but still can’t move forward, this one will land close to home.

And yes, I’ll also explain what I’m building next, why I’m doing it this way, and why I’d rather you get results than over-commit to something you don’t need.

Take a breath.

This one’s about slowing down to move forward.

00:00 Implementing Ideas: Overcoming Inaction

04:48 Business Growth Roadmap Launch

07:28 "Podcast Farewell, YouTube Ahead"

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Unleashed by your emails! Subscribe now!

Get our insights delivered straight to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.