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In This Episode:\n\n\n\n* Sean McMullin asks Break The Ceiling host Susan Boles what she\u2019s learned about creating a business that runs itself* Why maintenance mode is key to creating the space to experiment and try out new ideas without breaking your business* How to view your business in smaller pieces to create your own minimum viable maintenance mode* Why creating the systems you need to take a break before there\u2019s a crisis is critical\n\n\n\nThis month\u2019s series is all about \u201ctaking a break\u201d\u2014so Tara is taking a break from hosting and handing the mic over to her husband, producer, and business partner, Sean McMullin. Take it away, Sean!\n\n\n\n\n\nI never want to do work I can\u2019t walk away from.\n\n\n\nWhen Tara and I started YellowHouse.Media, it was really important to me that we set it up in such a way that\u2014eventually\u2014it could run itself. We had built this great life together. We could travel, explore, and pursue interests outside of work\u2014and I was only going to be game for this whole entrepreneurship thing if it wouldn\u2019t completely disrupt that life.\n\n\n\nWe actually talked about our initial approach to building a business that could work without us in Episode 232. And later in September, we\u2019ll talk again\u2014this time with our production coordinator Lou Blaser\u2014about our latest steps in making that happen.\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s taken some serious time and intention to get to the point where taking real time off or dramatically reducing hours for an extended time is possible.\n\n\n\nBut here we are.\n\n\n\nLast week, we took our first trip of this Hot Vax Summer. And later this month, we\u2019re driving out to Montana to enjoy a month in the mountains again. We\u2019ll still be working but the business will largely be in maintenance mode.\n\n\n\nWhich brings me to today\u2019s topic. When Tara and I decided I\u2019d take over for her this month and explore the topic of taking a break, I immediately knew the first person I wanted to talk to.\n\n\n\nMy friend and YHM podcaster Susan Boles. Susan is the founder of ScaleSpark and the host of Break The Ceiling.\n\n\n\nShe has an eye for efficiency, systems, and automation that makes her the perfect candidate for talking about how to put a business in maintenance mode.\n\n\n\nAnd, Susan, like many others, was forced to wrestling with the reality of building a business made for maintenance mode when the pandemic hit and schools closed.\n\n\n\nDuring our conversation, you\u2019ll hear that story and why it\u2019s so important to her to have a business that runs in maintenance mode. You\u2019ll also hear how Susan can fall prey to shiny object syndrome and other distractions just like any other business owner, as well as how she\u2019s combating self-sabotage and how she balances work as a creative outlet with taking breaks.\n\n\n\nNow, let\u2019s find out what works for Susan Boles!