It’s time for a reality check. Running a business is not like the social media highlight reels people would have you believe. Spending your days dipping in your ice bath, a session with your personal trainer and therapist before you sit down to make 10K in 10 minutes. Rubbish. I am joined by Eddie Whittingham, someone who has done it all. From police officer to starting a business in cyber security, which he sold for multiple-millions, and now running a lifestyle business as a co-working space owner. Eddie tells it like it is, no holds barred. He talks about the sacrifices to his mental health he had to make to get to where he is now.  As well as the need for curiosity and continuous learning for anyone to be a successful entrepreneur. He calls out the sham business coaches infesting our social feeds and the fact that luck also plays a role in anyone’s success. Want to know what building a business is really like? Listen to Eddie.   “Building a business requires sacrifice.”– Eddie   You’ll hear about:   00:00 - Building a business requires sacrifice 00:39 - Eddie's eclectic work background 02:28 - Choosing a modern lifestyle business 04:59 - The loneliness of running a business 06:38 - The truth about growing a startup 11:13 - Would I do things differently? 14:46 - Common mistakes in the first years of business 18:59 - Go for the big goal first 25:34 - The thrill is in the learning 28:27 - Having knowledge before outsourcing 31:43 - Advice on mentors or coaches 35:40 - Being saved by strong contracts 38:05 - Finding the right business coach 39:58 - Eddie's advice to small business owners   Connect with Eddie:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddiewhittingham/ GoFounder - https://gofounder.com/ The Ministry of Work - https://ministryofwork.co.uk/     Connect with me:   The HoLT - https://www.the-holt.com/ My website - https://leaturner.co.uk/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lea-turner/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/leadoeslinkedin/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LeaDoesLinkedIn/   Join The Holt waiting list - https://www.the-holt.com/waitlist   My resources:   Check out my course Making LinkedIn Simple - https://leaturner.co.uk/pages/making-linkedin-simple-2023   Take my LinkedIn profile quiz - https://leadoeslinkedin.scoreapp.com/   This podcast is sponsored bySafe Space From The Workplace. You can check out their podcast here - https://shorturl.at/IASSn