Welcome to Episode 102 of The Accidental Business Owner Podcast from My True North, presented by Jay Allen.

This week, Jay sits down with Amanda Daniels-Allen, founder of Koogar, to explore the powerful concept of Money Archetypes – the subconscious patterns and beliefs that shape how you earn, spend, invest and value money in your business.

If you’ve ever wondered why you make certain financial decisions, avoid others, or get stuck in repetitive money habits… this conversation is going to hit home. Amanda breaks down what Money Archetypes really are, how to identify yours, and how to use that awareness to grow your business, pricing confidence and financial resilience.

In this episode you’ll learn:
🔹 What Money Archetypes are and why they matter
🔹 How your upbringing and environment influence your relationship with money
🔹 Why business owners sabotage their own success without realising
🔹 How to align your pricing and offers with your core values
🔹 Practical steps to shift your money mindset today

Whether you’re scaling, starting, or shifting direction in business — understanding your Money Archetype can change everything.

About Our Guest:
Amanda Daniels-Allen is the founder of Koogar – specialising in marketing strategy, brand alignment and human-centred business development. She helps business owners create marketing that feels authentic, grounded and effective.

Connect with Us:
👉 Follow My True North: https://www.mytruenorth.biz
👉 Learn more about Koogar: https://www.koogar.co.uk
👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes!

Keywords / SEO Tags:
Money Archetypes, Amanda Daniels Allen, Koogar, Jay Allen, My True North, The Accidental Business Owner Podcast, Money Mindset, Business Growth, Entrepreneur Mindset, Pricing Confidence, Business Coaching, Small Business Advice, Marketing Strategy, Personal Development for Business Owners.

The Accidental Business Owner Podcast
Hosted by Jay Allen | Founder of My True North – The UK’s Leading Ethical Coaching Company

Episode Title: The Bottleneck Effect – Why You’re Still the Problem

Welcome back to The Accidental Business Owner Podcast, where we help purpose-driven entrepreneurs scale sustainably—without losing their sanity.

In this episode, Jay Allen gets uncomfortably honest about the real reason your business isn’t growing the way you want it to: you.

• Your decisions.
• Your habits.
• Your need to control everything.

If you’ve ever felt like:

• Your business can’t run without you,
• You’re constantly firefighting,
• Or growth has plateaued no matter how hard you push...

Then this episode is going to hit home.

Jay breaks down:✅ The hidden ways YOU create bottlenecks in your business✅ Why working harder is the least effective strategy✅ How to shift from being the operator to becoming the owner✅ Practical systems and mindset shifts to scale without burnout

This isn’t about guilt or blame—it’s about ownership. And taking back control in a way that frees you and your business to grow.

Please visit my website to get more information: http://www.mytruenorth.biz/

✨ Check out the our 2 free Business Assessment Tools: https://www.mytruenorth.biz/work-with-me/

🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.

https://www.youtube.com/@MyTrueNORTHUK/

⭐⭐⭐⭐Audio Podcast is currently on your favourite platforms

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/6DUyVgA3TjsQmyjgP4CInG?si=1ac052c8ef7a42df

ApplePodcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/addazero-business-challenge/id1808888157

Podbean:

https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/a8c28-1c5065/%23ADDAZERO-Business-Challenge-Podcast

🔗 Stay Connected

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyTrueNORTHUK/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytruenorthuk/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayallen-mytruenorth/

Website: http://www.mytruenorth.biz/

📩 For business inquiries: Enquiries@MyTrueNORTH.Biz =================================

✅ About My True North – The Ethical Coaching Company
I’m Jay Allen—ex-Army medic, 2x Global Entrepreneur Award winner, TEDx speaker, and founder of My True North. After scaling and exiting multiple businesses, I now help entrepreneurs grow with clarity, confidence, and conscience.

Through our award-winning #ADDAZERO methodology and The Freedom Technique, we support business owners to scale ethically and sustainably—without burnout or compromise.

Join the movement. Let’s turn accidental success into intentional, lasting impact.

In this episode of The Accidental Business Owner Podcast by My True North, host Jay Allen speaks with legendary entrepreneur Simon Woodroffe OBE, the visionary behind YO! Sushi.

👉 Discover how Simon went from borrowing £150,000 to build his dream, to selling YO! Sushi for a staggering £494 million. He shares the highs, lows, and unfiltered truths about scaling a brand, taking risks, and knowing when to sell.If you’ve ever wondered how to grow a business from idea to multi-million-pound exit, this candid interview will inspire, educate, and challenge your perspective on entrepreneurship.

📌 Episode Highlights:

How Simon turned a £150K loan into one of the UK’s most iconic brands

The bold decisions that grew YO! Sushi into a global phenomenon

Why and how Simon chose to sell for £494MLessons every entrepreneur can take from his extraordinary journey🔔

Don’t forget to Subscribe and turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode of The Accidental Business Owner Podcast.

Please visit my website to get more information: http://www.mytruenorth.biz/ #SimonWoodroffe #YOSushi #YO!Sushi #JayAllen #MyTrueNorth #TheAccidentalBusinessOwnerPodcast #Entrepreneurpodcast #BusinesspodcastUK #Startupstory #Businessexitstrategy #Howtogrowabusiness #Scalingabusiness #Startuptoexit #£494Mbusinessexit #Howtosellabusiness #Entrepreneursuccessstory #Restaurantbusinesssuccess #Businessgrowthpodcast #Startupfounderinterview #Millionaireentrepreneurstory✨ Check out the ADDAZERO Free Scaleup audit report here: http://www.addazero.co.uk/free-scale-audit

🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.https://www.youtube.com/@MyTrueNORTHUK/?sub_confirmation=1 ⭐⭐⭐Audio Podcast is currently on your favourite platforms:Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/6DUyVgA3TjsQmyjgP4CInG?si=1ac052c8ef7a42df ApplePodcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/addazero-business-challenge/id1808888157Podbean:https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/a8c28-1c5065/%23ADDAZERO-Business-Challenge-Podcast🔗 Stay Connected With Me.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyTrueNORTHUK/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytruenorthuk/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayallen-mytruenorth/ Website: http://www.mytruenorth.biz/ 📩 For business inquiries: Enquiries@MyTrueNORTH.Biz =============================🎬

Suggested videos for you:▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpGufGO3aw4 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbrPyLEOTy0 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yVhb7NGsJk ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvt61uStay0 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpLU-U4IFYY ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ08DepmzNg ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqSsx4d5v_Y ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5QImmOB0n4 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8A1g2NSwrk ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCq-NVn-ZZU =================================

✅ About My TrueNORTH - The Ethical Coaching Company.

Welcome to My TrueNORTH – The Ethical Coaching Company!

I’m Jay Allen, a 2x Global Entrepreneur Award winner and former British Army medic turned business scale mentor. After leading change at the board level and scaling & exiting multiple businesses, I now help business owners grow sustainably and ethically. Through My TrueNORTH, I coach purpose-driven entrepreneurs to scale with integrity and clarity.

I also founded the #ADDAZERO Business Challenge with a bold goal: to help 1,000,000 business owners add a zero to their income. Join me for real, ethical growth strategies that make a lasting impact.

For Business inquiries, please use the contact information below:

📩 Email: Enquiries@MyTrueNORTH.Biz

🔔 Ready to scale ethically and sustainably? Subscribe for ethical business mentoring, expert business coaching, growth strategies, and the tools to grow your business!

https://www.youtube.com/@MyTrueNORTHUK/?sub_confirmation=1

🎙️ The Accidental Business Owner Podcast | Episode Release: 22nd October @ 12PM

In this powerful episode of The Accidental Business Owner Podcast by My True North, host Jay Allen sits down with Stuart Mason to unpack the emotional and practical story behind closing a business after 20 years.

👉 Stuart shares why he made the difficult decision to bury his business on its 20th birthday, the lessons he learned along the way, and the hard truths every entrepreneur should hear about resilience, failure, and starting again.

Whether you’re a business owner, startup founder, or entrepreneur navigating tough times, this interview is packed with real-world insights, raw honesty, and actionable advice to help you avoid the same mistakes.

📌 Episode Highlights:

Why Stuart decided to close his business after 20 years

The emotional impact of walking away from something you’ve built

The lessons every accidental business owner should know

How to rebuild confidence and find new direction in business

Don’t miss this release — hit Subscribe and turn on Notifications so you’re the first to watch when it goes live on 22nd October at 12pm.

#BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #AccidentalBusinessOwner #JayAllen #MyTrueNorth #StuartMason #BusinessFailure #entrepreneurjourney

Please visit my website to get more information: http://www.mytruenorth.biz/

✨ Check out the ADDAZERO Free Scaleup audit report here: http://www.addazero.co.uk/free-scale-audit

🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.https://www.youtube.com/@MyTrueNORTHUK/?sub_confirmation=1

⭐⭐⭐Audio Podcast is currently on your favourite platforms:

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/6DUyVgA3TjsQmyjgP4CInG?si=1ac052c8ef7a42df ApplePodcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/addazero-business-challenge/id1808888157Podbean:https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/a8c28-1c5065/%23ADDAZERO-Business-Challenge-Podcast

🔗 Stay Connected With Me.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyTrueNORTHUK/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytruenorthuk/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayallen-mytruenorth/ Website: http://www.mytruenorth.biz/

📩 For business inquiries: Enquiries@MyTrueNORTH.Biz =============================

🎬Suggested videos for you:▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpGufGO3aw4 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbrPyLEOTy0 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yVhb7NGsJk ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvt61uStay0 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpLU-U4IFYY ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ08DepmzNg ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqSsx4d5v_Y ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5QImmOB0n4 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8A1g2NSwrk ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCq-NVn-ZZU =================================

✅ About My TrueNORTH - The Ethical Coaching Company.

Welcome to My TrueNORTH – The Ethical Coaching Company!

I’m Jay Allen, a 2x Global Entrepreneur Award winner and former British Army medic turned business scale mentor. After leading change at the board level and scaling & exiting multiple businesses, I now help business owners grow sustainably and ethically. Through My TrueNORTH, I coach purpose-driven entrepreneurs to scale with integrity and clarity.

I also founded the #ADDAZERO Business Challenge with a bold goal: to help 1,000,000 business owners add a zero to their income.

Join me for real, ethical growth strategies that make a lasting impact.

For Business inquiries, please use the contact information below:

📩 Email: Enquiries@MyTrueNORTH.Biz

🔔 Ready to scale ethically and sustainably? Subscribe for ethical business mentoring, expert business coaching, growth strategies, and the tools to grow your business!

https://www.youtube.com/@MyTrueNORTHUK/?sub_confirmation=1 =================================

Welcome to the final episode of season two of the #Add A Zero Podcast! In this deeply personal and insightful episode, host Jay Allen reflects on a decade of supporting nearly 1,000 businesses through his company, My True North. Jay shares why, after years of striving to serve as many business owners as possible, he’s making a bold shift—now saying “no” to 95% of potential clients.He takes us back to the genesis of My True North, the evolution of its ethical mission, and the lessons learned from both triumphs and challenges along the way. Jay reveals the crucial data-driven insights behind this strategic pivot and explains why true transformation requires more than just a willingness to grow—it demands readiness to embrace real, sometimes uncomfortable change.If you’re a business owner wondering what it truly takes to move from feeling trapped in your business to becoming a strategic CEO, or if you’re curious about why working with fewer, more committed clients can create bigger impact, this episode is for you. Join us as we close one chapter and set the stage for new, transformational stories in the next season.Please visit my website to get more information: http://www.mytruenorth.biz/ ✨ Check out the ADDAZERO Free Scaleup audit report here: http://www.addazero.co.uk/free-scale-audit🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.https://www.youtube.com/@MyTrueNORTHUK/?sub_confirmation=1 ⭐⭐⭐Audio Podcast is currently on your favourite platforms:Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/6DUyVgA3TjsQmyjgP4CInG?si=1ac052c8ef7a42df ApplePodcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/addazero-business-challenge/id1808888157Podbean:https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/a8c28-1c5065/%23ADDAZERO-Business-Challenge-Podcast🔗 Stay Connected With Me.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyTrueNORTHUK/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytruenorthuk/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayallen-mytruenorth/ Website: http://www.mytruenorth.biz/ 📩 For business inquiries: Enquiries@MyTrueNORTH.Biz =============================🎬Suggested videos for you:▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpGufGO3aw4 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbrPyLEOTy0 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yVhb7NGsJk ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvt61uStay0 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpLU-U4IFYY ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ08DepmzNg ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqSsx4d5v_Y ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5QImmOB0n4 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8A1g2NSwrk ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCq-NVn-ZZU =================================✅ About My TrueNORTH - The Ethical Coaching Company.Welcome to My TrueNORTH – The Ethical Coaching Company! I’m Jay Allen, a 2x Global Entrepreneur Award winner and former British Army medic turned business scale mentor. After leading change at the board level and scaling & exiting multiple businesses, I now help business owners grow sustainably and ethically. Through My TrueNORTH, I coach purpose-driven entrepreneurs to scale with integrity and clarity. I also founded the #ADDAZERO Business Challenge with a bold goal: to help 1,000,000 business owners add a zero to their income. Join me for real, ethical growth strategies that make a lasting impact.For Business inquiries, please use the contact information below:📩 Email: Enquiries@MyTrueNORTH.Biz🔔 Ready to scale ethically and sustainably? Subscribe for ethical business mentoring, expert business coaching, growth strategies, and the tools to grow your business!https://www.youtube.com/@MyTrueNORTHUK/?sub_confirmation=1

Are you an accidental business owner who feels trapped in your own company—pulled into daily operations with no way out? In this episode of the #Add A Zero Podcast, host Jay Allen dives deep into the transformative steps you need to break free from being the bottleneck in your business and finally become the strategic CEO your company needs.Jay introduces our brand-new 12-Week Transformation Program, tailored to help business owners transition from operator to empowered leader. Learn how to reclaim your freedom, delegate effectively, and build a team that runs the business—whether you’re present or not.In this episode, you’ll discover:The three-phase “Business Freedom Technique” that liberates overwhelmed ownersHow to assess the current reliance on you and take action to shift itStrategies for delegating big projects without fear of losing controlWhy organizational charts for the future are a game-changer for growth and team loyaltyThe CEO mindset shift: From micromanaging to coaching and mentoring your peopleThe power of masterminds and collaborative leadership to future-proof your companyCritical mistakes that reduce business value and how to avoid themJay shares real client stories and actionable tips on succession planning, creating true career paths for your team, and building a legacy rather than just leaving one. Whether you’re planning to scale or ultimately exit your business, these insights are essential for sustainable growth.Download your FREE Freedom Assessment (link in Show Notes) to discover just how “trapped” you are—and start your journey to true business freedom today!🚀 Want to learn more? Ready to add a zero? Contact us using the link below for a no-pressure chat.#BusinessGrowth #ScaleYourBusiness #Leadership #SmallBusiness #BusinessFreedom #Entrepreneurship #CEO #AddAZeroPodcast #MyTrueNorth #BusinessAdviceListen & Subscribe:Never miss an episode! Hit the subscribe button and share this with your business network.About #Add A Zero Podcast:Presented by Jay Allen, in partnership with My True North—the UK’s leading ethical coaching company. We help ethical business owners achieve significant, sustainable growth and a legacy that lasts.Please visit my website to get more information: http://www.mytruenorth.biz/ ✨ Check out the ADDAZERO Free Scaleup audit report here: http://www.addazero.co.uk/free-scale-audit🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.https://www.youtube.com/@MyTrueNORTHUK/?sub_confirmation=1 🔗 Stay Connected With Me.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyTrueNORTHUK/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytruenorthuk/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayallen-mytruenorth/ Website: http://www.mytruenorth.biz/ 📩 For business inquiries: Enquiries@MyTrueNORTH.Biz ✅ About My TrueNORTH - The Ethical Coaching Company.Welcome to My TrueNORTH – The Ethical Coaching Company! I’m Jay Allen, a 2x Global Entrepreneur Award winner and former British Army medic turned business scale mentor. After leading change at the board level and scaling & exiting multiple businesses, I now help business owners grow sustainably and ethically. Through My TrueNORTH, I coach purpose-driven entrepreneurs to scale with integrity and clarity. I also founded the #ADDAZERO Business Challenge with a bold goal: to help 1,000,000 business owners add a zero to their income. Join me for real, ethical growth strategies that make a lasting impact.For Business inquiries, please use the contact information below:📩 Email: Enquiries@MyTrueNORTH.Biz🔔 Ready to scale ethically and sustainably? Subscribe for ethical business mentoring, expert business coaching, growth strategies, and the tools to grow your business!https://www.youtube.com/@MyTrueNORTHUK/?sub_confirmation=1

As business owners, one of the most consistent pieces of advice we hear is to “delegate.” We’re told, directly or indirectly, that, to grow beyond being a one-person show, we need to let go of tasks—especially the low-value ones—and hand them off so we can focus on higher-level work. Yet, in this episode of the #Add A Zero Podcast, Jay Allen shares hard-won truths and detailed case studies that reveal why delegation, as commonly practiced, often fails, and what must change to truly scale a business.

This insightful episode provides both practical and philosophical guidance for business owners who aspire not just to grow their operations, but to make their businesses sustainable and valuable—transforming what might feel like a one-person bottleneck into a legacy enterprise. Let’s break down the episode in detail.

The Common Delegation Myth—and Its Pitfalls

At the onset, Jay acknowledges the prevailing wisdom: delegation is supposed to free up business owners to move from working in their business to working on it. Give those “£10 tasks”—the routine, repetitive jobs—to others so you can pursue the big-ticket opportunities that bring in thousands or tens of thousands of pounds. That’s the theory, and it does have merit. But in practice, “most people do it badly, do it wrong,” he observes.

Owners frequently:

• Hand off the wrong tasks to the wrong people

• Fail to provide the necessary structure and support

• End up with delegated work boomeranging back onto their plates

• Become convinced it’s easier just to do it themselves

The result of failed delegation isn’t just inefficiency or annoyance—it’s a business where everything revolves around the owner. If they aren’t there, decisions stall and progress halts. The owner is not just a leader; they’re a bottleneck, stifling growth and jeopardizing sustainability.

The Cost of Owner Dependency

In both cases, the lesson is stark: a business that depends on its owner for every key decision, relationship, or permission is fragile and effectively “unsellable.” As Jay stresses, no buyer wants to purchase a business whose assets, processes, or relationships are inextricably tied to the seller’s personal efforts and brainpower.

This isn’t just about holidays or sick leave: it’s about creating a business that could thrive—or at least function—without you “at a moment’s notice.” If that’s not the case, the business can crumble rapidly, as the profit model and operations are not sustainable past the owner’s presence.

Episode 96 of the #Add A Zero Podcast lays down a challenge for every business owner. It's time to move beyond the myth of “just delegate more.” Instead, true value, resilience, and scale come from embedding systems, structures, accountability, and succession at every level.

A real business is not an extension of its founder but a living, growing organism, able to withstand the test of time, adversity, and—even more importantly—absence. If your business depends solely on you, you have an urgent call to action.

Listen for the powerful stories, reflect on your own practice, and if you’re ready, take meaningful steps to build legacy, not just income.

Thank you for being part of the #Add A Zero community. If you found this review insightful, don't forget to subscribe, share your reflections, and connect for further support. Your business—and legacy—are worth it.

Welcome to the #Add A Zero Podcast Episode 95, where hosts Jay Allen and MC dive deep into the often-hidden reality behind business success. If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or leader seeking sustainable growth without sacrificing your personal life, this episode is a must-listen!

🔑 Episode Highlights:

• Why many high-achieving business owners feel more trapped than ever before, despite outward success

• The “Five-Star Prison” phenomenon—how your thriving business can become your biggest limitation

• Relatable client stories: Going from solo operation to a bustling team, yet missing out on family moments

• Jay Allen’s raw personal journey: Building, nearly losing, and ultimately exiting a multi-seven figure business

• Practical solutions: How to identify if you’re trapped and Jay’s proven techniques to break free and reclaim your freedom

• Exclusive business freedom assessment & audit tool—find out how “trapped” you really are

The Accidental Business Owner

Are you an “accidental business owner”? Jay explains this is a common thread among his clients—people who didn’t necessarily plan to build an empire, but became so good at what they do that demand skyrocketed. In response, they take on help, expand, and before long are running a complex organization.

But this growth, if unmanaged, leads to a scenario where business owners become central to everything—nothing works without them, and stepping away feels impossible. Your business, designed for freedom and impact, starts to feel like a padded cell.

Jay introduces the concept of the “five-star prison”: a business that looks great on the outside—amazing reviews, healthy revenues, a happy team—but quietly traps its owner inside. Family holidays, personal time, even basic self-care get sacrificed on the altar of keeping the business afloat.

Jay shares how he fell into this trap himself: After leaving a corporate career to buy a micro-business in 2005, he grew aggressively, but the stress and personal toll mounted. Major industry changes (like Woolworths’ collapse) put everything at risk, and even after a remarkable turnaround, Jay realized the emotional cost was too high. He exited the business—then committed his life to helping others avoid the same fate.

This episode is a wake-up call for entrepreneurs: If your business requires you to be present 24/7, constantly “on,” and always available, it may be thriving in numbers—but failing in purpose. Jay and MC discuss how easy it is to lose sight of the original motivation behind your business when scaling gets tough.

The loss of connection with family, friends, and self is real. Jay describes the deep regret that can come when a business owner realizes they were “absent” from the most important moments of their family’s lives, despite financial success.

Frustrated by how often he saw this pattern, Jay developed a straightforward audit: the Business Freedom Assessment, offered free in the show notes. This tool helps business owners quickly pinpoint how “trapped” they’ve become—and offers practical steps to change course. If you’re missing out on life, working longer hours without increased rewards, or have built a team that relies entirely on you, it’s time for a change.

Jay’s mission is clear: No business owner should ever have to choose between business success and personal happiness. The methods and resources shared on #Add A Zero can help you reclaim your time, delegate with confidence, and design a business that works for you—not the other way around.#AddAZero #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurFreedom #ExitPlanning #BusinessCoaching #SustainableSuccess #MyTrueNorth #JayAllen #WorkLifeBalance #BusinessPodcast