How a Big Boy Business Boot Camp Can Get You Out of Vapor Lock and Into Action
Ever feel like your business is stuck in a rut? Like, no matter how much you plan or brainstorm, you’re just spinning your wheels?
Welcome to vapor lock, my friend. It happens to the best of us. But here’s the truth: getting away from the day-to-day grind and dedicating focused time to work on your business instead of in it is the antidote. Enter the "Business Boot Camp" approach.
Listen, taking an intensive break to focus solely on your business can be a game-changer no matter where you are on the business merry-go-round. We think it’s a worthwhile investment, so we started offering our “Big Boy Business Boot Camp” in-person branding strategy sessions to our clients.
We’d love to get face-to-face IRL and help you strategize, but if that’s not in the cards for you right now, here’s how you can create your own version of the Big Boy Business Boot Camp. No fancy sales pitch, just real talk and some tips to make it happen (but, hey, if you need accountability, we’re here).
Why Do Intensives Work So Damn Well?
Here’s the deal: when you’re knee-deep in the everyday chaos of running a business, your brain starts to fizzle out. You get bogged down in details, distracted by a million emails, and pulled into tasks that don’t move the needle. Taking a step back—like, really stepping away—is sometimes the only way to cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.
Research backs this up: studies show that stepping away from your usual environment can increase creativity and problem-solving ability by as much as 60%. Another study from the Harvard Business Review found that business owners who take time out for strategic thinking see a significant boost in both productivity and profitability.
In other words, getting away from your desk, the constant ding of notifications, and your everyday distractions can literally make you a better leader. And you can’t get that level of clarity by sitting at your office window hoping for inspiration.
Why We’re Big Believers (Our Bat Cave Sessions)
Every quarter, Alex and I pack our bags, grab an AirBnB (sometimes just in town), and lock ourselves away in what we lovingly call our “business bat cave.” It’s not fancy.
Hell, half the time, it’s just a place with strong Wi-Fi and decent snacks. But the magic happens because we give ourselves permission to focus only on our business.
In those 2-3 days, we review our goals, dig into the numbers, look at what’s working (and what sucks), and plan for the next quarter. It’s our sacred time to get real with ourselves and make the hard decisions. No distractions, no emails, no meetings. Just us, our ideas, and a giant whiteboard.
And guess what? It works like a charm. Every. Single. Time.
How to Create Your Own Big Boy Business Boot Camp
Ready to throw yourself into the ring and plan your own business intensive? Here’s what you need to make it effective:
Pick the Right Time and Place: The first rule of a business boot camp: location matters. Whether you go for a mountain cabin, a beach house, or just a nearby Airbnb, the key is to get away from your normal routine. Find a place that inspires you but doesn’t come with too many distractions.
Set Clear Goals: What’s the point of your boot camp? Are you rebranding? Building a marketing plan? Launching something new? Pick your primary focus and stick to it. Avoid the temptation to cram in 20 projects. One big goal is enough.
Plan Your Agenda (But Stay Flexible): Structure your days to maximize productivity. Start by reviewing your past performance (whether that’s revenue, sales, or whatever key metrics matter most to you). Then, dive into planning for the future. Leave time for brainstorming sessions, but don’t be afraid to pivot if new ideas come up.
Get Hands-On: This isn’t just a "think tank" session. Roll up your sleeves and start doing the work. Whether it’s writing copy, sketching out a new brand logo, or mapping out your next marketing campaign—get stuff done in real time. The goal is to leave with tangible results, not just a to-do list.
Bring Snacks and Take Breaks: Listen, you’re not a robot. Don’t sit there for 12 hours straight without moving. Give yourself breaks, eat something other than coffee, and step outside for a minute to reset.
The Benefits of Getting Away
When you step out of the daily grind and into an intentional work environment, a few things happen:
Clarity: You can finally see the big picture. What’s working? What’s not? Getting away lets you zoom out and focus on the bigger vision.
Focus: No distractions, no meetings, no clients bugging you. Just pure, undisturbed time to work on the business.
Collaboration (If You’ve Got a Partner): If you run your business with someone else, this is your time to hash things out. Align on goals, visions, and the next steps.
Actionable Results: You walk away with a plan. No more brainstorming sessions that end in a pile of Post-It notes you never look at again.
Want a Shortcut?
Look, we get it. Sometimes, it’s hard to get started or stay on track even when you know what to do. That’s why we offer our Big Boy (or Bitch) Business Boot Camp.
It’s like a shortcut to getting your shit together—except you’ve got experts (that’s us) guiding you the whole way through.
We’ll help you figure out your target market, build your brand, and create campaigns that get results. If you’re feeling stuck or just need someone to give you a kick in the ass (with love, of course), we’ve got your back.
Whether you DIY it or go all-in with our boot camp, taking focused, intentional time to work on your business is a game-changer. Stop spinning your wheels and get into action. Your business deserves it, and so do you.
