Paul Jarvis is the author of Company of One and one of my favorite creators. After a decade of entrepreneurship, his work gave me the ultimate confirmation: my path wasn’t “wrong”—it was deliberate. Instead of a “scalable startup” obsessed with growth at any cost, I built a Company of One.

But here is the twist: I believe scaling is possible. In fact, we are at a point where we could grow globally. The demand for the “Human Touch” in Global Mobility has never been higher. However, I’ve reached a crossroads. If I want to stay aligned with my mission, I cannot simply automate and robotize everything.

“Au contraire…” (imagine me saying this with a glass of Rosé in hand), I believe Paul Jarvis hit the nail on the head: some companies should stay small to keep their special “umpf.” But “small” doesn’t mean “stagnant.” It’s about where you are heading. If you dream of an Italian vineyard in spring, Lake Constance in summer, and winter in Kashmir, all while supporting your elderly family members, you have to build for sustainability, not just size.

The Digital Paradox

When I went fully digital in 2018, I knew it would be a journey. What I hadn’t anticipated was that I am beautifully old-school. I prefer human interaction over screens. I still use Post-it notes, paper diaries, and handwritten notes on the iPad to engage the right side of my brain.

Yet, the world has magnified the need for a business that can run from anywhere. I have proven it works; I’ve managed GPT from Germany, Pakistan, and Italy during family emergencies. But I’ve also spent years tethered to the “billable hour” to survive in Zurich, one of the world’s most expensive cities.

I see my corporate friends becoming wealthier, and I’ll admit: I doubt myself. I worry about retirement. I live in a security-oriented Swiss-German culture where being a founder is seen as a “risk” rather than a “calling.” But I want a life where my full potential is utilized. I want to help more Lifestyle Expats and Rainbow Talent worldwide.

The “Enough” Question at a Global Scale

As we look toward global growth, I am revisiting Paul’s question: How much is enough? When I became an entrepreneur, my relationship with money changed. I realized I only need 60% of my former corporate income because I am 100% more satisfied. I don’t need the suits or the handbags; I need the freedom to help you.

To grow sustainably, I have determined my “Substance Level”:

• Minimum Turnover: ~140k CHF (to keep the engine running).

• Minimum Gross Salary: 60k CHF (to survive in Switzerland).

• The Buffer: I believe in having 100k CHF in the bank before jumping in full-time.

Currently, I find stability through on-site consulting and university lectures. These are rewarding, but they don’t fit a long-term nomad strategy. To scale globally, my next step is to transition away from “trading time for money” on-site and toward our digital frameworks. We are ready to test a global membership model aligned with our “Rockstar” and “Band” branding.

Growing with Quality

I buy into organic growth. It allows me to maintain the quality standards that the corporate world often loses in its back-and-forth. My team and I create experiences and positive learning environments.

I want you to start thinking like a CEO of your own life.

• What could you do if you had a business that worked for you?
• What kind of freedom would that give you?
• What are the challenges and financial constraints you need to overcome to be able to build it?

We are currently at a point of expansion. To maintain our standards, I generally accept only new private clients twice a year. However, we are open to piloting a new model with a group of six. If you want in, please email me angela@globalpeopletransitions.com.

If you want to work with us, please request an account on our RockMeApp.

If you want to find your voice and build your global career against all odds—while keeping it sustainable—let’s talk.

References

Jarvis, P. (2019): Company of One.

https://www.amazon.com/Company-One-Staying-Small-Business/dp/1328972356

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