Business Lessons For Creating The Job You Want, with Patti Mara

Most entrepreneurs don’t start out with a perfect business plan or a step-by-step road map to success. Instead, they create their own opportunities, carving out a path that aligns with their strengths, interests, and ambitions.

But what if the job you’ve created is holding you back?

That’s exactly what Patti Mara experienced in her early entrepreneurial journey. As a business strategist, author, and longtime Strategic Coach associate coach, Patti has spent decades helping entrepreneurs transform the way they think about their businesses. She specializes in helping business owners break free from the day-to-day grind, reposition their businesses for growth, and build high-performing teams that deliver real value.

Her work with independent business owners—particularly in retail, pharmacy, and service industries—has given her a unique perspective on what it takes to shift from running a business to leading one.

But before she was coaching others, Patti was an entrepreneur struggling with the same challenges many business owners face—being stuck in a cycle of working harder without making real progress. It wasn’t until she learned how to structure her time, build a strong team, and focus on the right areas that she was able to create a business that worked for her, rather than the other way around.

If you’re an entrepreneur looking to create a business that supports your growth rather than limits it, here are some key takeaways from Patti’s journey.

The difference between having a job and having a business.

When Patti first started out, she found it easy to stay busy—but difficult to scale. Like many entrepreneurs, she was stuck in a cycle of doing everything herself, unsure of how to break through to the next level.

That changed when she learned how to structure her time more effectively and focus on what she did best. Instead of constantly working harder, she built a system that allowed her to grow while still having time for other opportunities. This shift helped her move from being busy to being productive—and ultimately, to building a business that worked beyond just her own effort.

A business that depends entirely on the owner to function can feel more like having a job than actually owning a business. The first step to creating the job you want is designing a structure that doesn’t rely on you for everything.

Your business is more than what you sell.

Many business owners define their business by their product or service. But Patti learned that true business success comes from focusing on the value you create—not just what you sell.

She spent years working with independent pharmacy owners, helping them transition from simply dispensing medication to becoming essential health hubs for their communities. The ones who thrived were those who saw their business not as transactional, but as a value-driven service.

A key shift in thinking happens when entrepreneurs stop focusing only on their product and start asking: What unique value do we create for our customers? That’s what sets successful businesses apart.

The most successful entrepreneurs don’t just sell—they solve problems and create meaningful experiences. When you shift your mindset, you shift your results.

Your team is the key to growth.

Most entrepreneurs don’t realize that their team’s mindset can make or break their business. If your team sees their work as transactional, your business will feel transactional. But when your team understands their role in delivering real value, everything changes.

Patti’s approach to team development focuses on shifting team mindsets from task-based thinking to results-driven impact. Employees who understand the bigger picture of their role take greater ownership of their work, leading to better service and stronger business performance.

People want to succeed in their jobs. But if they’re constantly guessing about what success looks like, they’ll get it wrong. The more clarity and confidence they have in their role, the more they’ll take initiative, solve problems, and create a remarkable customer experience.

If you want a business that runs smoothly without you, your team needs to be empowered, aligned, and clear on the bigger picture. When team members understand the “why” behind their work, they perform at a whole new level.

Take your ideas seriously—and act on them.

Entrepreneurs constantly have big ideas, but many don’t act on them. Why? Because they feel like they don’t have the infrastructure, time, or support to make them happen.

Patti’s latest venture, We Choose Local, is proof that big ideas are worth exploring. She saw a problem—local businesses struggling with visibility—and created a platform to connect local shoppers with local businesses.

Instead of just having the idea, she talked about it, shared it, and found the right collaborators to bring it to life.

The next big thing in your business is already in your mind—you just need to take it seriously. The right team, tools, and structure will make it possible to execute.

What’s the job you want?

As an entrepreneur, you have the freedom to design your business around the life you want. But too often, entrepreneurs create a business that demands all their time and energy—leaving little room for actual growth.

Here’s what Patti’s journey teaches us:

• If your business relies on you for everything, it’s time for a shift.
• Your true value isn’t what you sell—it’s the impact you create.
• Your team needs clarity to perform at their highest level.
• Your next big idea is already there—you just need to act on it.

What would change if you built your business around the job you actually want?