Why I Became an OBM: Chasing Freedom

If you had asked me ten years ago what success looked like, I would have told you it meant having a thriving business, a steady income, and happy clients. But as I went deeper into my journey, I realized none of those things mattered if they didn’t come with freedom.

I didn’t leave a traditional job to create another one for myself. I didn’t start my own business to be glued to my laptop 24/7, answering client emails at all hours, or saying yes to projects that didn’t align with my vision.

And yet, so many OBMs fall into this exact trap. They start with a dream of freedom, but then:

  • Overwork themselves trying to prove their worth.
  • Say yes to every client—even the wrong ones.
  • Let their business run them instead of the other way around.

I know this because I’ve been there. In the early days of my OBM career, I believed success meant always being available, always delivering, always saying yes. And while I was making money, I wasn’t truly free.

My wake-up call wasn’t burnout—it was realizing I was missing out on the things that truly mattered. For me, that meant being able to practice Ashtanga yoga every morning, being fully present for my aging mom, and knowing that my business didn’t just pay the bills—it allowed me to live life on my terms.

That’s when I realized: being an OBM isn’t just about managing a business. It’s about designing a business that works for you.

Want to dive deeper? Listen to the Full Episode on The OBM Show with Sarah Noked

🎧 Spotify | Apple | Amazon Music

How Embracing Freedom Makes You a Better OBM

The best OBMs aren’t the ones who work the hardest—they’re the ones who work the smartest. The ones who:

  • Set boundaries and stick to them.
  • Choose clients who align with their values.
  • Build systems that create ease, not just efficiency.

When you’re constantly hustling and overextending yourself, you’re operating from a place of scarcity. That energy affects everything—your clients feel it, your team feels it, your business feels it.

But when you claim your freedom and build a business that truly serves you, everything changes:

  • You attract better clients because you’re clear on your values.
  • You create a greater impact because you’re not exhausted.
  • You finally feel like your business is working for you—not the other way around.

Your Business Should Support Your Life—Not Consume It

Take a moment and ask yourself:

  • Does my business support my life, or am I constantly putting my life on hold for my business?
  • Am I working with clients who light me up, or am I taking on projects out of obligation?
  • Am I setting boundaries, or am I letting my business dictate my time and energy?

Answers feel out of alignment? Then it’s time to reset, recalibrate, and realign with the freedom you were chasing in the first place.

Building a Business by Design

If there’s one thing I want you to take from this, it’s this:

You get to design your OBM business the way you want.

You don’t have to work 60-hour weeks. You don’t have to say yes to every client. You don’t have to hustle just to prove yourself.

You get to decide.

And the moment you start making decisions from a place of freedom instead of fear—everything shifts.

If you’re serious about building an OBM business by design, join me for Confident OBM® Week!

📅 March 25–27, 2025
💡 Live, free training designed to help you position yourself as a premium OBM.
💰 Deep-dive sessions on pricing, packaging, and scaling your offers.

🎟 Save your spot now → www.obmschool.com/obm-week