290: Freedom Focused Success with Amber McCue

Freedom-Focused Success: Lessons from Amber McCue on Building a Flexible Business

If you’re craving more freedom and flexibility in your business—and your life—then the latest episode of Her Empire Builder Show with the incredible Amber McCue is an absolute must-listen. Hosted by Tina Tower, their conversation is packed with inspiration, practical wisdom, and a hearty dose of real talk about what it actually takes to design a business that supports your lifestyle (not the other way around!).

Meet Amber McCue: Entrepreneur, Strategist, & Global Citizen

Amber’s story is extraordinary: from becoming a single mom at 18, she went on to get her MBA at Johns Hopkins, built several multi-million dollar companies, and has lived—and run her businesses—from places as diverse as Ethiopia, Chicago, and Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Amber’s life is a living example of what’s possible when you’re intentional about creating a business with freedom and flexibility at its core.

Designing a Business Around Life—Not Just The Grind

One of Amber’s biggest takeaways is the importance of being intentional about how you want your work and life to fit together. When her husband’s career took him overseas, Amber was ready—her businesses were specifically designed to be location-independent. As she openly shares, the journey wasn’t accidental. There were late nights, careful planning, negotiations (with herself and her family!), and a whole lot of “let’s see what’s possible.”

The Magic Number: Why 24 Hours a Week Is Her Sweet Spot

A highlight of the conversation is Amber’s dedication to working no more than 20-24 hours a week. She explains, “When you compress it, you’re like—this is what I need to do. Sit down. Do it. Step away.” Instead of letting work bleed into every waking hour (something many entrepreneurs can relate to), Amber sets clear parameters and priorities—which allows for more time with family, travel, and for herself.

Cloning Yourself: The Power of Delegation

Amber’s first online program was called “How to Clone Yourself”—and that’s not just a catchy title. Delegation and building capable teams are non-negotiable in her world. She emphasizes the value of letting go of admin tasks, and even things like emailing, blogging, and bookkeeping, so she can focus on work that generates revenue and joy. These wise words serve as a reminder: just because you can do it all, doesn’t mean you should.

Handling Guilt, Judgment & Fear of Failure

No episode about entrepreneurship is complete without talking about mindset. Tina and Amber get real about the guilt that can come with either working too much or too little, and the fear of failing publicly. Amber’s advice? Visualize scenarios, practice responding in advance, and remind yourself that mistakes are not only inevitable—they’re part of the journey. Compassion, for both yourself and others, is key.

Your Action Steps: Define What Success Means to YOU

Amber urges listeners to get clear on what success looks like in this chapter of your life. Is it a 20-hour work week? Is it being present for your kids after school? Is it traveling the globe while running a thriving business? Define it, declare it, and then engineer your business to serve that vision.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Chapter?

Amber closes out with an invitation to her annual Planathon, a weeklong business planning event designed to set you up for a successful (and enjoyable) year ahead—proof that planning can be fun, social, and massively effective.