Every business ends. That’s the uncomfortable truth. Either the company fails, gets sold, or your journey as the entrepreneur comes to an end.

When I started Live For Today 15 years ago, we had nothing.

Literally a pasting table and a Zorb ball.

Back then, there were some real heavy hitters locally:

• Harrogate Climbing Centre

• Harrogate Paintball Centre

• Log Heights

• Maximum Adventure

I looked at those businesses with genuine admiration. They were established. Respected. Proof that it was possible to make it work locally.

I even remember hearing they were planning a joint collective — a way for people to discover adventure across Yorkshire. I messaged the “leader of the pack” to ask if Live For Today could be involved.

The answer was no, We simply weren’t big enough.

Looking back, I understand that decision completely. In my head, we were going to be big enough — I could see it — but at that moment, the reality didn’t match the vision.

Fast forward to today… none of those businesses exist in the same way anymore.

1. We acquired two of them.

2. One owner changed careers.

3. Another was forced out due to planning issues.

Different outcomes. Different reasons.

And that’s the point.

Businesses don’t just close because of bad ideas. They close because of:

• Life changes

• Shifting passions

• Burnout

• Market forces

• Regulation and planning

• Timing

• Or simply running out of energy to keep going

When you zoom out, a business journey is actually very short in the grand scale of time. Which is why I believe this matters more than anything:

You need to know what you want from the business from day one.

Is it:

✅ Life-changing money?

✅ Solving a problem you care deeply about?

✅ Creating local impact and giving back?

✅ Or building a life you love so work doesn’t feel like work?

None of those answers are right or wrong. They’re yours.

But here’s the part people don’t talk about enough:

One day, an obstacle may be bigger than your talent, your motivation, or your passion to navigate.

So don’t pin all your happiness on a future “golden day”.

Make sure you’re enjoying the journey from the start — because that day may never come.

And if it does… it’ll be even sweeter knowing you didn’t sacrifice your life waiting for it.