EP 243 - Freedom by Design: How Michael Walsh Redefines the Entrepreneur's Journey

Michael Walsh - Paper Napkin Wisdom - Freedom is not a selfish act.

Freedom. It’s a word thrown around a lot in entrepreneurial circles. For some, it’s about time. For others, money. But in Episode 243 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Michael Walsh challenges all of us to look deeper. With his napkin reading, “Freedom is not a selfish act,” he invites established business owners to consider a profound shift in how they view growth and fulfillment. 

Michael Walsh isn’t just another business coach. He’s a skilled strategist with decades of experience guiding entrepreneurs who have already built something successful—but feel stuck, exhausted, or unsure of what’s next. His new book, Freedom by Design, is a guide for those who want to reconnect with purpose and build a life (and business) that serves them—not the other way around. 

In our conversation, Michael explains that many business owners start out seeking autonomy—not wealth. “A lot of people think that entrepreneurs are about the money,” he says. “What I find typically is they’re not. They’re about the autonomy they can gain by running their own show.” But somewhere along the way, the business starts running them. They become trapped by what they built, unsure how to reclaim the very freedom that led them down this path. This is where the design comes in. 

Michael lays out a clear, actionable philosophy in Freedom by Design—a structure that empowers leaders to stop being reactive and start building intentionally. He notes, “Freedom is not a selfish act. In fact, when you create space for your own freedom, you also create space for others—your team, your family, your community—to grow too.” 

This episode is the kickoff to a powerful new series that explores the core elements of Michael’s book and philosophy. With Govindh Jayaraman guiding the conversation, the discussion goes deep into what it takes to build not just a business, but a life, by choice. 

If you’ve ever felt like you’re succeeding on paper but suffocating in reality, this is the episode—and the book—for you. 

5 Key Takeaways from Michael Walsh’s Freedom by Design: 

1. Freedom Starts With Clarity “Most entrepreneurs don’t have a freedom problem—they have a clarity problem.” Michael reminds us that freedom only exists when we’re clear on what it looks like. 

Take Action: Schedule a 30-minute solo session this week to write down what freedom truly means to you—personally and professionally. 

2. Autonomy Isn’t the Same as Absence Stepping back from the business doesn’t mean checking out. “Designing for freedom means designing systems and leaders—not disappearing.” 

Take Action: Identify one decision this week you can delegate or create a system for. Start small, but stay consistent. 

3. Impact Is Multiplicative When You’re Free “When you’re stuck, your impact shrinks to the size of your stress. But when you’re free, you can expand your influence far beyond yourself.” 

Take Action: Reflect on one person or team in your life who could thrive more if you reclaimed your own freedom. Reach out and start a conversation. 

4. Designing a Business You Love Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Responsibility “When you lead with intention, everyone benefits. Freedom is fuel for leadership.” 

Take Action: Ask your team one simple question this week: “What’s one thing I could stop doing that would make space for you to grow?” 

5. Joy Is a Metric That Matters Too many entrepreneurs build something profitable but joyless. “It’s not just about scale—it’s about soul.” 

Take Action: Keep a daily log of what brings you energy (and what drains it). Use it to redesign your time around what fuels joy. 

This episode is more than a conversation—it’s a call to design your life on purpose. If you've built a business and lost yourself along the way, Freedom by Design is the compass you didn’t know you needed. 

🔗 Learn more about Michael Walsh and his work at walshbusinessgrowth.com 🔗 Connect with Michael on LinkedIn 

What does freedom look like for you? Post your takeaway from this episode on a napkin, snap a photo, and share it with the hashtag #PaperNapkinWisdom. Your design could help someone else rediscover their own freedom.