Growth Maven or Lifestyle Guru
I first heard the terms “growth mavens” and “lifestyle gurus” from the book “The Home Office From Hell Cure” by Jeffrey A. Landers. It’s a great book that covers a lot of the mistakes people make when working at home.
Basically there are two kinds of entrepreneurs: growth mavens and lifestyle gurus. The growth maven is the kind of entrepreneur who has the big dream. They have a vision they want to see happen. They’re ambitious and see themselves someday competing with the Fortune 500 companies out of a lush corporate office. They want to employ people from their community and motivate them to push forward with the vision.
Simply put, they wouldn’t be satisfied to “stay small” and stay in their home office. They may start today out of a home office to keep the expenses down, but they have the dream of moving into their office with multiple employees surrounding them and pushing the vision forward.
The lifestyle guru is of a completely different mindset. They have NO desire to have any direct employees (they use outsourced workers only). They also would be happy to never move out of their home office. In addition, they enjoy the work they’re personally doing and don’t ever want to “promote themselves” out of it into managing others.
Talk about a big corporate office and they’ll be sick to their stomachs. That is not a part of their vision or their plan for business. They might not make millions per year but they can earn a very respectable six figure income and possibly even push a little way into the seven figure level. And they’re totally fine with the Bill Gates and Steve Jobs of the world earning more who are willing to take on that corporate responsibility.
Personally, I’m 100% on the lifestyle guru side. I enjoy what I do. I love writing. I love producing videos. And I love coaching clients. Employees – yuck. Just the thought of having them around makes me upset. That’s why I’ve had to learn how to use virtual assistants and technology to grow the business even when I’m not working.
In fact, for a couple of years I felt there was something wrong with me. Everyone else had all these huge visions and these big growth plans. There have been years where my plans were how I was going to slow down the number of clients in one element of my business or sell that portion off to someone else.
By the way, one of the most exciting elements for a lifestyle guru personality is when you can generate royalties, long-term commissions, and passive income coming in from work you’ve done in the past. That’s their bread and butter.
Which Personality Are You?
If you don’t decide which type of entrepreneur you are and build your business accordingly, you can end up building someone else’s dream business. For example, since I’m fully on the lifestyle guru side, having a “growth maven” company would be insanity for me.
If I had to go into an office and be responsible for two dozen employees (even with a professional manager you are still “responsible” in the end) along with working long corporate hours, it would be a nightmare. Even if the company was bringing in $20 million a year, I’d still HATE my life because it’s not me…or what I want.
And along the same lines, what if I took someone who was a clear growth maven and tried to stick them into my home business where I don’t have a single official employee (outsourced workers many of them in foreign countries such as the Philippines)? They’d likely go stir crazy. They wouldn’t feel like they have enough control over the workers, and they wouldn’t feel the company’s vision is “big enough.”
Since I coach entrepreneurs of both types, this was confusing to me at first. I would encourage someone to hire an outsourced worker, but they weren’t happy. They wanted to hire an employee instead (even with all the hassles I see involved there). It surprised me that anyone would choose to have employees, because it’s a radically different personality from me.
Yet I’ve seen the results they get from having employees. With good training they can be MORE productive than the outsourced workers. And they fit the growth maven’s personality and vision. It’s an important lesson. Not everyone is like you…and everyone has their own vision for what they want out of their business.
Don’t let anyone else’s dream for your business cloud your senses…and cause you to build a monster you don’t want. Decide which lifestyle fits you best. Then build your business based on a life you’ll love. Because it’s not just about the money – it’s about the lifestyle you live. And your lifestyle may not be what I want for myself.
Let’s say we time travel 5 or 10 years into the future. Let your imagination run free.
How do you see your company?
Are you still working full-time at home or do you also have an office you possibly go into a couple times a week?
Do you have staff or is everything outsourced?
Are you a well known brand or do you have a smaller number of clients and a good reputation?
Have you built an enduring legacy out of your business or do you simply have consistent creative work with a collection of customers who enjoy what you do?
Most of the time, the growth maven would consider what the lifestyle guru wants as failure. It’s not big enough. It’s not their dream and it’s not affecting/helping enough people. On the other side, the lifestyle guru would give up in frustration or run for the hills if they had to have the corporate structure the growth maven wants to build.
Which one are you…and what type of business is right for you?
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30 Responses to “Growth Maven or Lifestyle Guru”
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Can I be a lifestyle maven?
Seriously, I don’t want any employees. I enjoy collaborating with others as the need arises, but being small has tremendous advantages. I long ago abandoned the notion of “Go big or go home!” I’d rather be home.
I am truly a Lifestyle Guru! This cleared up so much for me because I used to run a small law firm – Anathema! I hated it. I hated hiring and firing. I am content to work from home for the rest of my life and never have an office, virtual or otherwise.
Thank you for this clarification!
Iyabo
I am mostly a Lifestyle Guru, but every now and then I feel some Growth Maven thoughts sneaking in. I love working from home and don’t want employees, except a mega VA who handles everything I don’t want to do.
Thanks,
Peggy
You’re really right that you can get sucked into thinking you have to want something that you don’t, especially if you’re in a market surrounded by the growth type folks.
I attended an IM event last year that really helped me clarify that I’m all about lifestyle and it’s okay. It seemed everyone there was nearly desperate for the spotlight, stage time, recognition, furthering their brand, etc. It literally turned my stomach.
You also made a good point about getting clear on what you want not only today, but in 3 years, 5 years, 10 years etc. We’ve been going through that planning and realizing that decisions we make today will either help us get there, or not.
The beauty of being an entrepreneur is you get to choose what floats your boat! Choose wisely.
Becki
I am totally a lifestyle guru type and your description fits me 100%. I want to work the hours of my choosing doing something that I love to do. I want more time with family and friends doing my favourite leisure time pursuits. I shake in my boots at the thought of a big office full of employees! I had never thought about the type of internet marketer I most closely resemble, but your article has definately clarified this for me, thank you for allowing me to see this for myself.
Definitely a lifestyle guru, although I don’t like the term “guru” very much! I tried the growth maven in a previous business and it is much harder to scale up fast.
Also, regarding the questions, “Are you a well known brand in your industry or do you have a smaller number of clients and a good reputation?”
I would argue that it’s possible in many niches to become a known brand in your industry while still being a lifestyle guru.
Hi Terry,
The Home Office From Hell Cure is a fun read, I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who hasn’t checked it out yet.
I’m definitely on board with the Lifestyle Guru’s here; I have no interest in babysitting, I mean managing, an office – been there an done that.
We all want to make a lot of money; but we need time to enjoy it too
Brian
100% “lifestyle guru” here!
I’ll have to admit though, when I was younger, I probably leaned more towards the growth maven. As I’ve aged, I look more to slow down and produce a nice passive income vs. making millions in a plush corporate office. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…it’s just not my style.
Thanks for your interesting insight!
Chris
Looks like I attract a lot of people going after the lifestyle – makes sense with my message (I actually have some clients in each group though).
I agree with you Michael so I changed out that question to read “a well known brand” only. What ends up happening is you become a “famous person no one has ever heard of.” For example at internet conferences I’ve been asked to sign autographs (oh the fame), but my neighbors don’t even know what I do. So you can be well known in your industry without being a famous brand whatsoever (Coke, Apple, Microsoft, etc.).
I guess I’m in good company here.
What I care about passionately is how I live my daily life. I totally love working at my computer in my home and in my home office and being able to do what I want.
The prospect of earning millions but having to commute and dress up and play musical chairs in an organisation sickens me.
Maybe the lifestyle crowd are just rebels?
Growth Maven: Hell!
Lifestyle Guru: Heaven
Good idea. I’ve been a lifetyle guru since 1985. I do work outside the house but 80% of the time it is at home. It is nice to get out of the house knowing that you really don’t have to slave in a public area. Would not have it any other way.
Before my lifetyle guru lifestyle, I had 4 auto body shops, and 34 employees. That sucked biggie time. I’d rather make a few hundred thou a year than $5 Mill with a bunch of cry babies.
I agree with Dr Beck about guru. (Hey Doc, my wifes maiden name is Beck) Guru sounds like Voodoo. Can anyone come with a better term, not consultant or coach? Terry? Anyone??
Mikey
“Living a Strange Existence”
Hi Terry,
GO Lifestyle! The crowd replying to the post seems to be in the Lifestyle camp. I agree with the trending sentiment that such an approach can build a brand, can create opportunities for others (through outsourcing or contracting), can provide excellent income active & passive, provides a creative outlet and avoids commutes, office politics, employee issues, etc.
What’s not to like?
Well, it’s often hard work, especially when you’re getting started. It’s not for the lazy, the clock puncher or the feint of heart. I came from big corporate life and was used to all sorts of specialists around to make certain things happen. Now, I’m the only one in the building. Every outsourced activity requires an ROI analysis – or (for me at this stage) simply has to be deferred until the next chunk of unallocated revenue flows in. You have to swing from strategic to tactical & back in the blink of an eye. You have to move from project to project like a hummingbird. Can cause brain strain. & it’s worth it!
Thanks for your posts Terry.
Wes.
Hi Terry. I am both…growth maven and lifestyle guru. I like having employees and currently have about 20. I am designing another company that will have about 30. Believe me, I have had my ups and downs with employees, but at a big picture level I like creating jobs. I take a lot of pride in that. In addition, I like mentoring people and helping them grow. The feeling of creating a team of people that get pumped by your vision is a great one. On the other hand, I am working from home today, sepnt 2 hrs at the gym including my weekly basketball lesson with my son. I think you can have both if you do it right.
Hey Mikey,
How about just “Lifestyler”
I used to think I was a maven. But I was wrong. I am a lifestyle type with sometime maven tendencies. LOL
Excellent post.
I have had the employees and I know tell contacts that I am “retired” from them.
I very much fit (for now) into the lifestyle side.
It can change…but i do not see it in 5 or 10 years…..
I’ve got to admit. I go back and forth. In fact, I’m attempting what many call the impossible – being the lifestyle guru to support my growth maven desire. I think it can be done. As an entrepreneur, I am driven to create a vision and systems to pass on to others (the key), but I cannot sacrifice the type of lifestyle that you describe.
Great post.
Scott
Nice post. I started out thinking the growth maven was for me. Offices and up to 9 employees. And debt trying to build it.
It took several years to shift 100% to the lifestyle guru – and I have never been happier. You are right about the importance of knowing which one you are.
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Hi Terry,
Great post and great comments
Most of us (if we dig a little deeper) are accidental entrepreneurs, and so most of us don’t get a chance to plan the route we want to take when we start our businesses, ie.. Lifestyle guru type or corporate structure.
There may be such a thing as natural-born entrepreneur, but me, I am an accidental entrepreneur who recognized and fell into an opportunity or pushed into it out of need or even desperation.
Most of us start the journey dreaming of the Lifestyle and end up hiring people and expanding — mainly due to fear of stagnation and pressure from competion. Can we stop the natural growth cycle that is bound to happen to any business at anytime? It’s tempting to keep growing.
Of course, the Internet has made it possible to outsource more — which is actually great news for the ‘growth maven’ types also — because who wants to sit in the office, micro-managing a bunch of ‘worker bees’?
The type of products and services we sell, also demands us to choose between the two. If you sell a service oriented product, (like I do) hiring and outsourcing means more leverage and better service to my clients.
If you are an author, info product creator, thought leader, (or an MLM business builder…LOL) it’s easier to be a lifestyle guru.
For the rest of us — we can only be a lifestyle guru after we retire (which is at age 90).
So I think I am a growth maven, dreaming of becoming the lifestyle guru — with your help.
As always, great post.
Abe
I agree totally. The responsibility that one man thrives on gives another, equally talented man an ulcer.
Some people are natural collaborators, others have to be in total control. The beauty of an internet business is that you can succeed in so many different ways.
If you are in an internet business and you aren’t enjoying yourself you are doing something wrong!
I am definitely in the lifestyle guru category if it is a choice between having an employee or outsourcing, although outsourcing can be interesting in and of itself until you find good people to work with.
I want portability most of all. The ability to work from anywhere, and at any time. If inspiration hits at 3 am, my computer is always open for business.
I am a mix of both. I want to work in my pajamas, but I also want to hire people who can work in their pajamas at home as well. I want to outsource some of my work to contractors, but I also want paid employees who work from home and manage the contractors.
So, I fall somewhere in between a lifestyle guru and a growth maven.
[...] next step after figuring out what type of business you want to build is figuring out what business you should be in. Even though very few people cover it, [...]
Growth Maven or Lifestyle Guru… Love the concept. I am now reviewing those I know who have really made it in internet marketing and all but one are what I would call lifestyle gurus. Makes sense.
Growth maven or lifestyle guru…
I finally had to face the facts over the last few months that I’m NOT a lifestyle guru. Even when I gravitate toward lifestyle guru solutions, I realize it’s only temporary, and I’m making my “Growth Maven” plans as soon as I get some air.
Great post.
[...] Growth Maven or Lifestyle Guru : Internet Business Coaching by Terry Dean [...]
I was so glad to read this Terry.
I advise a lot of consultants and other solo professionals. The “by the book” advice I hear so many times is “you’ve got to work on your business, not in it” and business owners are exhorted to (as you nicely put it) “promote themselves” and delegate everything other than strategy.
But for most of the professionals I work with (and for myself) this doesn’t ring true. We love what we do. We’d hate just becoming managers. We want to get our hands dirty.
Your post has reaffirmed my thinking and given me reassurance I’m not going mad.
Ian
Lifestyle Maven definetly but with a small office to escape to at least 3 times a week. Anybody who has tried mini-retiirments knows living and working with the wife and kids can be a little challenging to say the least.
Renting some desk space particulary in a small multi-office location is an excellent option and provides great networking opportunites and motivaton. However this is probably only really feasible in built up as opposed to remote locations. Each to their own i guess, and maybe that’s the beauty of the lifestyle business!
Kind Regards,
Marcus