Why One Missed Flight Proved the Power of Business Systems
This past summer, I was reminded yet again why I’m so thankful for the way I’ve built my business.
I was visiting family with my husband and three kids, flying standby thanks to my sister’s flight attendant benefits. The flight there was seamless. All five of us made it on board without a hitch. The flight back? A different story.
The plane was full. No standby seats. No way we were getting on.
Sure, we could’ve booked a hotel and tried again the next day. But if you’ve ever traveled with three little kids, you know what a nightmare it is to unpack, repack, and wrangle them in a hotel overnight.
So, I did what any desperate (and slightly adventurous) mom would do. I asked where the next flight was headed.
Las Vegas.
Now, Las Vegas isn’t exactly ideal for a 10-year-old, 7-year-old, and 3-year-old. But I figured, why not? Let’s be spontaneous. Three hours later, we were on a flight to Vegas, and I was trying to prepare my kids for all the sights (and smells) we’d encounter.
And you know what? It ended up being one of those unplanned adventures that we’ll never forget.
The Old Me Would’ve Freaked Out
Five years ago, the old me couldn’t have handled this. Back then, I was new to owning a donut shop. Taking even a short trip filled me with anxiety, because my business couldn’t run without me.
I once left for a week-long vacation and came back to find no employees. My manager was the last one standing, but it’s pretty hard to run a donut shop without a baker or a front counter team.
Instead of a refreshing trip, I returned to a total mess. And in that moment, I realized: my business owned me, not the other way around.
What Changed?
Fast forward to 2025, and here I was. Able to miss a flight, pivot to Las Vegas, extend my trip, and not panic about my business collapsing.
So, what changed?
1. I stopped designing my business around my employees.
Back then, I was constantly rearranging my operations for everyone else:
“Oh Sara, you can only work Tuesdays from 1-5 and Wednesdays from 2-7? Okay, let me redesign the schedule for you.”
“Oh John, you’d like more money? You haven’t proven yourself, but sure, I’ll make you a supervisor.”
“Oh Javier, you can’t make donuts but you can make burritos? Let’s just change the whole business for you.”
That approach left me drained and constantly firefighting. I learned the hard way: your business has to work the way you want it to, not around every one-off employee situation.
2. I documented everything.
I didn’t just write down recipes. I documented processes. I built a system so clear that my grandma could walk in and know how to run things.
User Manual with every detail
Quick steps & recipe cards for easy reference
Graphics & videos to make training stick
Quizzes & accountability so employees had to learn the business way, not just “Wendy’s way”
This shifted everything. Suddenly, the business didn’t live in my head. It lived in our systems.
Freedom Through Systems
That’s why this time, when our flight plan fell apart, I didn’t. I could extend my trip, reroute my family, and make unexpected memories because my business didn’t collapse without me.
Isn’t that the dream most business owners have? To walk away from the 9–5 grind and actually enjoy freedom? But for too many, it’s just a trap. Instead of freedom, we become chained to our business.
The truth is: freedom doesn’t come from hustling harder. It comes from building systems.
Your Turn
If your business is still stuck in your head, you don’t own a business. You own a stressful, glorified job.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
I help business owners like you build courses, training, and SOPs that take the weight off your shoulders. With the right systems, you can:
✅ Train employees faster
✅ Ensure consistency and quality
✅ Free yourself from daily operations
✅ Finally take that trip without guilt or panic
Ready to design a business that works for you (not the other way around)?
Let’s talk about creating your systems!
Because your next missed flight could turn into your greatest adventure too.
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