How to get a freedom business
Author: Leanne Knowles
Publish date: July 2025
4-5 minute read
You don't need more systems, more people or more work. You need a better business model.
If your small business feels like a never-ending to-do list, you’re not alone.
Maybe you’re saying yes to too many “meh” projects. Or you’re pricing reactively. You’re winging it week to week, trying to grow — but your calendar’s full, your bank account’s patchy, and your strategy? Missing in action.
You might have already acknowledged that you’re stuck in survival mode.
And no amount of extra effort will fix a broken business model.
Because the real issue isn’t your productivity — it’s your structure.
That traditional, time-for-money model was never built for freedom.
It rewards grind, not growth.
Here’s the shift:
Service businesses can scale — if you switch to a Service eCommerce model.
The Service eCommerce model isn’t about selling courses or becoming an influencer.
It’s about turning your deep expertise into digital and hybrid revenue streams that scale with systems — not with more of your time.
This article is for the founder who’s:
- Maxed out on clients, but still under-earning
- Tired of custom everything and income rollercoasters
- Ready for growth that doesn’t eat your weekends
- Craving a smarter, saner, scalable way to run their business
Inside, you’ll discover:
- Why your daily decisions are compounding against your freedom
- How to spot the hidden costs of reactive business choices
- A comparison of traditional, hybrid and digital service models — and which one to bet on
- A clear path to build your own freedom-first business model
This isn’t about being perfect — it’s about choosing a smarter pattern.
Because the model you choose dictates everything:
Your revenue. Your reach. Your ability to breathe.
Let’s ditch the firefighting and build a business that finally works for you.
The consequences of sticking with this:
- Momentum loss: You’re running in circles, not making progress.
- Brand erosion: You’re losing your identity by saying yes to everything.
- Offer bloat: Too many offerings, not enough focus.
The turning point
The old way has you chasing your tail — saying yes to anything, piecing together offers on the fly, and hoping for the best. But momentum doesn’t come from hustle. It comes from structure, systems and strategic choices that compound over time.
To build a business that serves you, you need to choose a business model that’s actually built for freedom — not just more complexity.
Let’s compare your three options for service-based businesses, and see how they stack
How to move the dial in your direction
There are clear benefits to a digital and hybrid digital service model.
Here’s a comparison:
- Digital service model: Offers the highest growth potential with the least amount of physical and time investment. It’s perfect for founders who want to automate operations, scale quickly, and serve a global market, without being too hands on.
- Hybrid service model: Provides balanced growth by combining both digital and in-person service. While it’s more flexible than traditional models, it still requires physical presence and staff, limiting scalability compared to the digital-only model.
- Traditional service model: The glitch that traps your passion
The traditional model only works when it can be scaled beyond the realms of small business. For businesses that thrive on local, high-touch services, the traditional model feels like the perfect fit for the small business owner — until it doesn’t.
While your customer experience is personal and meaningful, this model is stuck in the "glitch" zone. The more you grow, the more you’re tied down by overhead, and before you know it, your passion for your work gets lost in the grind of keeping the business running.
A deeper look at the founder’s freedom to move
Check out this side by side comparison of the pros and cons
|
Factor |
Digital service model |
Hybrid service model |
Traditional service model |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Model Structure |
Fully digital—focused on automated, online delivery. Minimal physical footprint. |
Blended—mix of digital tools and physical presence, offering flexibility for both remote and in-person services. |
Brick-and-mortar—requires a fixed location with in-person service delivery. |
|
Revenue Potential |
Fully scalable and automated—relying on digital products or subscriptions for consistent income. |
Diversified revenue—combines recurring digital income and occasional physical service fees. |
One-off sales—typically transactional without recurring revenue. |
|
Customer Engagement |
Online experience—engages customers through digital platforms (website, email, social media). |
Multi-channel—online communication for convenience, combined with in-person service for personal interaction. |
Personalized in-person—direct, face-to-face interaction at the business location. |
|
Growth Scalability |
High scalability—automation and digital systems make it easy to scale without additional overhead. |
Moderate scalability—digital aspects can scale easily, but physical space and staff limit growth. |
Limited scalability—growth is restricted by physical space, staff, and direct service capacity. |
|
Operating Costs |
Low operational costs—no physical location, fewer employees, relies on inexpensive digital tools. |
Moderate operating costs—physical location adds overhead, but digital tools can reduce some costs. |
High operational costs—rent, utilities, full-time staff, and inventory drive up expenses. |
|
Flexibility of Operations |
High flexibility—run your business from anywhere, with automation handling most tasks. |
Moderate flexibility—combines the freedom of digital with the demands of in-person operations. |
Low flexibility—dependent on physical location, regular hours, and hands-on involvement. |
|
Customer Reach |
Global reach—the ability to serve a global audience with digital marketing and online offerings. |
Local and global—can serve local markets through in-person services while maintaining a digital and global presence. |
Geographically limited—restricted to the local or regional area around the business. |
|
Startup Investment |
Minimal upfront investment—requires only digital tools, software, and a website. |
Medium investment—costs associated with setting up both digital infrastructure and physical space. |
High startup costs—requires significant capital for physical location, equipment, and staff. |
|
Customer Service Experience |
Automated and streamlined—delivers a self-service or automated experience, reducing hands-on interaction. |
Customisable service—offers digital convenience with the option for more personalised, in-person interactions. |
Highly personal—face-to-face engagement, offering tailored services but may lack scalability. |
|
Time Efficiency |
High time efficiency—automated systems and processes free up the owner’s time. |
Moderate time efficiency—requires managing both online and offline tasks but offers more flexibility than traditional models. |
Time-consuming—business is tied to the owner’s direct involvement in day-to-day operations. |
|
Dependence on Owner |
Low owner dependence—automation and digital systems allow for a hands-off business approach. |
Moderate dependence—requires ongoing owner involvement in both physical and digital aspects. |
High owner dependence—business success hinges on the owner's direct involvement and management. |
This is how you do it…
- Embrace the hybrid or digital business model – as a decision on purpose
- Use technology to enhance your customer experience, as well as your freedom to choose how you spend your time
- Align your offers, delivery, and pricing with your long-term vision.
You’ll go from reaction mode to strategic momentum.
Ready to build a business that grows with you — not against you?
If you're done with the burnout loop and ready to trade reactivity for revenue, this is your moment.
The Service eCommerce model was built for founders like you — experts, creatives, consultants and service pros who want more leverage, more freedom, and a lot less chaos.
Start by redesigning your business with intention:
- Align your offers with your signature framework
- Add smart, scalable revenue streams
- Use automation to reclaim your time
- Build systems that run without you
You don’t need more hours — you need a better model.
Let’s map yours.
Because freedom isn’t just a vibe — it’s a system.
And you’ve already got what it takes to make it work.
If you’re looking for extra support, let’s connect. I’m here to help you create the business of your dreams
About the author
Leanne Knowles is the founder of Headswitch. She is an experience business strategist who has been helping aspiring founders and business owners to navigate the risks, opportunities and rewards of business life for more than 25 years. She started her first retail and boutique manufacturing operation while still in her early 20's, and sold them both ten years later. She has been a digital specialist with Deloitte, marketing specialist for PwC, business coach for the Australian Government's Entrepreneur's Programme, and founding CEO of a successful Australian MedTech startup. Leanne has served on the board of directors for multiple not-for-profit organisations over 13 years.
Leanne understands first hand the challenges and demands of small business.
Thanks to Kristina V. via Unsplash.com for this image.
