Big Enough: Building a Business that Scales with Your Lifestyle

by Lee LeFever

An eye-opening antidote to the endless-growth mindset, Big Enough offers an alternative path to career success.In this illuminating book, entrepreneur Lee LeFever gives an inside view of building a scalable, product-focused business, while never compromising on quality of life. Lee and his wife, Sachi, responded to the promise of the internet by building a home-based business, Common Craft, that was profitable yet small enough to pivot and innovate. Lee takes you through the multiple business models they pursued—marketplace, digital product licensing, subscription services, distribution partnerships, and more—and offers his best tips for how you, too, can build a lightweight business that supports a life you love. A must-read for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, business strategy, and e-commerce, Big Enough arms you with insights into how technology and innovation are changing the face of business—and how the science of happiness and the pursuit of values can help redefine what it means to be successful.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2020

Reviews

[Robby Macdonell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book landed in my lap at an interesting time. I recently left my job because of massive burnout of several years working at a fast paced tech startup. Lee's story of finding his passion—and figuring out the best framework for pursuing it—shares a similar backdrop with my own career. They both started out in the mid-2000's in the Pacific Northwest, but that's where the similarities end. While I had fully bought in to the pressure-cooker model of technology startups chasing a big exit, Lee was careful, and stopped at each step to ask how his next move would affect his life and his values. It's a great story that shows how a less-traveled path is not only possible—it can actually be more fulfilling.

[Stewart Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember meeting Lee, or at least shaking hands a decade or two ago when I believe he visited Vancouver for the Northern Voice conference. Either then or another time in Vancouver’s Gas Town. I remember the rss explainer video was ‘new.’ I also remember how ground breaking the Common Craft videos were and have been an admirer of them ever since.

Whenever I think of something that needs explaining I always think a common craft approach would be an excellent idea. So I came across Lee’s story randomly and sat down to read with interest.

Firstly, it’s a real -age turner. Secondly it’s a story which I can totally relate to. There has to be a better way to build a business which doesn’t ultimately end up driven by greed. Lee presents a model which is a real inspiration.

The book is well written and full of great ideas and insights into working for yourself. It should be required reading for all budding entrepreneurs.

[Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book that blends some interesting ideas about building a business that optimizes for things other than growth with the personal story of Lee & Sachi and the business they built (Common Craft) that ultimately enabled them to leave the rat race and build a life for themselves on an island in the Pacific Northwest.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I'm not an entrepreneur, I enjoyed this read and their philosophy. Good reminders for why business. I also enjoyed reading about their life transitions in the Pacific Northwest!

[Louis Shulman]

A great story about a couple that chose to prioritize lifestyle over growth.

They had the courage to define what success meant to them and make all business decisions through that lens.

Who is better off? A company with massive revenue but no autonomy or a fully autonomous company that allows a couple to work from home and live the life they want.

A honest and useful illustration of disciplined adherence to intentionally-set, positive constraints.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was all about how LeFever and his wife built an online business, Common Craft, that they intentionally put constraints on to enjoy not just the business, but their personal lives. The concept is very foreign to me, but he chose to intentionally keep the business small. I'm glad I'd read it, but I still have a tough time grasping why.