The Worst Business Model in the World

“What if you could build a business doing something you love, live life on your terms, and still pay the bills comfortably?”

1. The UDOT Model: Entrepreneurship by Doing What You Love

Making a living doesn’t always mean sacrificing your passion. The Us Doing Our Thing (UDOT) model is a fresh approach to entrepreneurship where individuals focus on doing what excites them. In this model, the emphasis is on creating freedom and personal fulfillment rather than just maximizing profits.

UDOT entrepreneurs often forgo traditional structures. They work without bosses or rigid schedules, allowing them to say yes to projects that ignite passion and no to those that don’t. For them, success isn’t defined by wealth but by their experiences, the relationships they build, and the ability to live authentically.

One challenge of UDOT is navigating logistics—like legal compliance and technical tasks. Yet, many embrace the chaos, solving problems on the go. This model thrives in its rejection of conventional business strategies, favoring flexibility over strict planning.

Examples

• A photographer focusing only on niche projects instead of generic assignments.
• Freelance designers prioritizing work-life balance over client volume.
• Writers choosing project-based work that fuels creativity over a fixed 9-5 routine.

2. Set Your Price by Trusting Yourself

New entrepreneurs often struggle to determine their value. But charging too little not only affects your income—it signals a lack of confidence in your work. Learning to trust your worth is one of the most vital steps.

The author advises doubling the figure you initially think is fair. Higher fees attract serious clients who value quality and push you to deliver better results. It also eliminates the trap of bargaining away your dignity or working long hours for minimal returns.

Sharing bold prices may feel nerve-wracking, but it establishes a reputation for quality. Confidence attracts appreciation, even in negotiations, leaving room for compromise without devaluing your services.

Examples

• A graphic designer doubling rates and attracting premium clients who respected their expertise.
• A consultant proposing higher rates and finding clients who valued their input deeply.
• A music tutor demanding competitive prices to reflect specialized teaching skills.

3. Lean on the World: Trust and Reciprocity

Entrepreneurship isn’t a solo journey when you trust the individuals around you. Sharing ideas and seeking advice creates a collaborative environment where everyone wins. Generosity of knowledge often comes full circle.

The author reflects on asking others for guidance during tough times. Professionals willingly offered insights that allowed him to pivot. Allowing yourself to depend on others not just grants immediate help but fosters lasting relationships.

A mindset of abundance frames the world differently. When stuck, share your situation with your network. Be vocal about your needs as a gesture of honesty; more often than not, allies rally to support.

Examples

• The author’s posts about career difficulties inspiring a reader to offer a new project.
• A solo business owner trading marketing help for legal advice within their network.
• Entrepreneurs participating in knowledge-sharing brunch clubs to brainstorm solutions.

4. Collaboration Begins with Loving Your Clients

A good relationship with clients transforms work into partnership. Loving and investing in clients involves showing interest beyond transactions, turning financial ties into lasting bonds.

Building meaningful bonds includes small acts: sending personalized notes, gifting on special occasions, or celebrating mutual wins. These gestures reinforce your value and deepen loyalty. Happy clients often evolve into repeat customers and even advocates for your business.

Trusting relationships extend to collaborators, like IT developers or specialists, who go the extra mile when they know they’re valued. Treating every individual in your network as important can drastically reshape your business fortunes.

Examples

• A UDOT taking a client to lunch as an icebreaker, leading to future collaborations.
• Personalized birthday cards mailed to longstanding customers to show appreciation.
• A photographer deliberately engaging with their models' interests outside of work.

5. Rethink Meetings: Strategize through Active Listening

Preparation-heavy meetings waste precious time. Instead of extensive “pre-meeting research,” active listening enables genuine dialogue, making clients feel understood.

This involves minimal prep—just gaining a basic grasp of the topic. Entering a meeting curious, without preconceived notions, allows for better understanding of real client needs. Clients appreciate not just the energy you bring but also tailored responses that align with their concerns.

Striking a balance between bringing no assumptions and actively listening often leads to breakthroughs during discussions. It keeps interactions organic and focused on problem-solving rather than excessive planning.

Examples

• The author’s minimal preparation meetings yielding high client satisfaction.
• An architect brainstorming innovative designs on-site by listening to direct needs.
• Sales consultants focusing purely on client pain points during calls.

6. Idea Capture: Don’t Let Inspiration Slip Away

Every UDOT knows that great ideas are fleeting. The author suggests treating inspiration like a hard-earned resource. When you have a thought, write it down—even if it’s 3 a.m. or during cooking—before something detracts your focus.

Effective entrepreneurs maintain tools for capturing insights. Whether you prefer notebooks or apps like Evernote, having a system avoids letting creativity vanish into thin air.

Documenting ideas keeps momentum alive. It ensures you’re preserving a wealth of starting points that could transform into business-changing strategies or fresh projects later.

Examples

• A cosmetics entrepreneur filling notebooks during travel, sparking product innovations.
• An avid writer piecing together 50 blog articles from fragmented middle-of-the-night ideas.
• A fashion designer refining designs sketched hurriedly between events.

7. Play is Productivity’s Secret Ingredient

Play fosters innovation. When entrepreneurs allow downtime, they untangle creativity. Relaxing pursuits like walking, music, or vacations create space for novel thinking.

Balancing work with hobbies isn’t a waste—it acts as fuel for ideas. Giving the brain moments of rest unveils new solutions without pressure.

CEOs, authors, and leaders often swear by the power of detaching to return sharper. Playing facilitates mental breakthroughs and stomps out monotony.

Examples

• Gretchen Rubin’s year-long exploration of happiness becoming a bestseller.
• A CEO journaling amid hiking trips to reignite business visions.
• Doodling during free time sparking campaigns for ad creators.

8. Growth Lies in Discomfort

Taking risks and learning new skills might seem daunting initially, but this is how UDOTs transform. Challenges push boundaries, providing tools for improved performance while broadening experiences.

Facing discomfort with patience develops resilience. Initial failures are not roadblocks, but markers of incremental growth. Persistent learning adds layers of expertise.

The author’s transition from tech dummy to a website creator is proof. Self-taught journeys often yield rewarding results: fulfilling personal gaps while sharpening independence.

Examples

• A writer self-publishing after months studying SEO made significant sales.
• An entrepreneur learning coding basics to reduce reliance on outsourcing.
• A baker expanding knowledge to launch patisserie crash courses.

9. Your Definition of Success Matters Most

In UDOT entrepreneurship, success doesn’t have to resemble anyone else’s. It could mean financial freedom, joyful routines, or fewer stressful work days. Charting one’s course keeps motivation alive.

Traditional benchmarks like revenue aren’t the sole metrics anymore. Aligning values and work leads to long-term happiness, even if income grows at a slower pace.

Success thrives when you embrace life authentically. A meaningful career is a reflection of priorities, and understanding yours charts the clearest path to satisfaction.

Examples

• A stay-at-home artist earning just enough to paint full-time, happily ignoring hustle culture.
• A therapist taking extended summer breaks without overloading their client list.
• A part-time coffee roaster rejecting big franchises to sustain local operations.

Takeaways

1. Regularly evaluate your pricing structure and double your initial estimate to reflect your true worth.
2. Keep a tool nearby—be it a notebook or an app—for jotting down ideas the instant they surface.
3. Make time for play or downtime to unlock creative solutions and avoid burnout.