Are You Stuck Working "IN" Your Business?
Free Up Time & Scale Faster →
We live in an age where it's easier than ever to become an "entrepreneur." The barriers are low. The opportunities are vast. Almost anyone, anywhere in the world can create their own business in a matter of days — and look, I love the world we live in today. If it weren't for this easy barrier, I'd likely still be stuck in a cubicle in the corporate world.
But with so many people calling themselves "entrepreneurs" these days, the word has become diluted — and it's created a mindset that doesn't lead to sustained, long-term business success. It also makes entrepreneurship feel like the end goal. It isn't.
There are 6 levels of entrepreneurship. Our job at 2X is to help hustling entrepreneurs become successful CEOs — and then business owners. These are entirely different ball games. Here are the six levels.
Most "entrepreneurs" begin as hobbyists. You find a passion that lights you up — something you're genuinely good at — and you start doing it in your spare time. You may even build an audience along the way.
But here's the reality: unless you're making consistent money, you are not an entrepreneur. You're having fun and meeting great people, but you can trick yourself into thinking you've built something real. My first online business wasn't a business at all — it was a hobby for the first nine months, and an expensive one that consumed a lot of time.
After the hobby stage, most move into stage 2.
Here, your hobby begins to take off and on occasion people pay you for your expertise. You charge a little and are essentially getting paid for your time. You're building confidence and starting to think this could become a genuine business.
But at this stage, you aren't all-in yet. You're just figuring things out — essentially holding a job (or several jobs) where clients are your bosses. You're taking any work that comes your way and trying to make it as an entrepreneur. Once you commit more fully, you level up to solopreneurship.
This is where your journey takes off, because this is when your business becomes real. You've made the decision to go all-in as an entrepreneur.
But you're doing it all yourself. The life of a solopreneur is hard — time and money are both at a premium, and you never feel like you have enough of either. You're learning and grinding, but you're getting tired. Everything falls on your shoulders: marketing, sales, operations, finances, admin, and the actual work itself.
You're overwhelmed and spinning plates. You don't feel ready to hire a team, financially or mentally. But once you let go of that fear and limitation, you're ready to level up to true entrepreneurship.
At 2X we tend to work with Entrepreneurs — and on occasion, solopreneurs. At this stage you have a validated offer and a genuine business generating income. You've given up the superhero cape and have a team or resources around you so you don't have to do everything yourself.
But although your team is small, they still require enormous amounts of your time. You hustle harder than ever — working 70-plus hours per week. You know hard work is essential, so you figure more hours equals more success.
(I lived this life for years until I learned there was a much better way.)
Eventually, you begin to realize you're stuck on the hamster wheel — burning out, losing sight of your vision, and realizing that more hours isn't the solution. Even with a team around you, you're still the bottleneck for almost everything. You know there has to be a better way. And there is.
At 2X, transforming hustling entrepreneurs into successful CEOs is our main job. Not because it sounds good — but because it's the only way to build a business that doesn't own you. The jump from Level 4 to Level 5 is the hardest transition in entrepreneurship. It's a complete mentality shift, and as soon as you make it, it will forever change your business.
Becoming a CEO is the hardest level to progress to — and the one that changes everything when you get there. It's a mentality, not just a title. In Level 4 you realize there has to be a better way. Being a CEO is that way.
- A CEO works on the business and makes the key decisions
- A CEO protects their time and stops being the bottleneck
- A CEO thinks strategy and systems — not more hours
- A CEO leads from the front, managing the team without getting in their way
- A CEO ensures everyone works from the same plan and vision
In 90 days or less, we transform entrepreneurs into CEOs through the 2X Accelerator Program. We help our clients escape the hamster wheel so they can spend their time on what truly matters — leveraging their greatest strengths and building a business that can run without them. This stage is where a hustle officially becomes a true business. This is where you can actually scale.
This should be your new, ultimate goal. At this level, you have a rockstar team that outperforms your expectations — one that knows where it's going without needing you to tell them. You are no longer the bottleneck. You're no longer the person getting in the way of your world-class team. Key decisions no longer depend solely on you, and residual or passive income flows in.
So what do you actually do as a Business Owner?
You're living the lifestyle you've always dreamed of — doing only the work that brings the highest impact and value to those you serve. You own your business and your life, rather than having them own you.
When we work with people at 2X, this is the direction we take them in — because the only way to have the impact you desire is to evolve from entrepreneur to business owner. This is where success truly exists. Not just for your business, but for you as a person.
It's important to be honest about where you are, because only then can we come up with the best strategy to help you work your way up the ladder.
— Austin Netzley, Founder · 2X
At 2X, we're passionate about helping you make the leap from Level 2, 3, or 4 — to CEO and Business Owner. Not everyone is ready to take this step. But at a certain point, you realize you cannot do all this alone. You need a team. You need processes and systems. You need to work on your business instead of in it. You need to get out of the way and create something that can thrive without you.
We help 6 and 7-figure hustling entrepreneurs level up in our 90-day hands-on coaching program. We optimize your business model and strategy from day one, add the right processes, systems, and team members, and hold you accountable every step of the way — because this isn't a standard training program. Our world-class coaches are with you at every stage.
Stop being the superhero. Follow the proven path to success and scale your business faster than you thought possible. Apply for a 1-on-1 call to talk about your business and the path to rapid growth.
Ready To Level Up
From Entrepreneur To CEO?
We help 6 and 7-figure entrepreneurs escape the hamster wheel, build the right team and systems, and scale to the CEO and Business Owner levels in 90 days. Apply now.
Apply To The 2X Accelerator