From Freelancer to CEO: Alex Price on Avoiding Emotional Overdraft and Finding Balance

In the latest episode of "Exploring Emotional Overdraft," host Andy Brown engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Alex Price, a former agency owner who reflects on his journey from freelance web designer to the founder and eventual seller of a digital marketing agency. Alex shares his candid insights on the highs and lows of building a business, including the challenges of managing a growing team and the personal toll it took on him.

Alex recounts his early days, starting as a freelancer at 16, and how he scaled his agency to 35 employees before selling it in 2022. He touches on the imposter syndrome he faced, especially as a young entrepreneur managing older employees, and the constant pressure of balancing business growth with personal well-being. Throughout the discussion, Alex emphasizes the importance of delegating effectively and trusting his team, which allowed him to focus on strategic growth rather than micromanagement.

A key theme of the episode is Alex’s realization of the concept of "overworking and under living." He discusses how his relentless focus on work often led to neglecting other aspects of life, such as relationships and personal interests. This imbalance, he notes, can lead to an emotional overdraft where the success of the business comes at the expense of one's mental and physical health.

Alex offers valuable advice for other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges: avoid overworking by ensuring you continue to live fully and engage in activities outside of work. He highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and staying connected with friends, family, and personal interests.

To conclude, Alex shares his current endeavors, which include traveling, consulting, and exploring new opportunities while finding a better balance in life. Listeners can connect with him on LinkedIn or through his website, alexprice.co.uk, to learn more about his journey and gain further insights.

This episode provides a deep dive into the emotional aspects of entrepreneurship, offering practical advice for managing stress and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.


Introduction of Alex Price: Former digital marketing agency owner who scaled his business from freelancing to a 35-employee agency.

Early Career: Started freelancing at 16 and quickly transitioned into running an agency by his early twenties.

Imposter Syndrome: Faced challenges managing older employees and the pressure of transitioning from freelancer to CEO.

Business Growth: Importance of delegating tasks and trusting team members for effective business scaling.

Personal Toll of Entrepreneurship: Discussed the emotional and physical impact of running a business, including constant stress and difficulty detaching from work.

Overworking vs. Under Living: Highlighted the need to balance work with personal life to avoid emotional overdraft and maintain overall well-being.

Hiring and Managing People: Focused on hiring for attitude and soft skills over technical skills, and the importance of creating a supportive work environment.

Post-Sale Reflection: Reflected on selling his agency and the mixed emotions of detaching from the business.

Current Endeavors: Engaging in consulting, traveling, and exploring new opportunities while maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

Advice for Entrepreneurs: Encouraged listeners to live fully outside of work to prevent burnout and maintain mental and physical health.