Nicholas Leighton

Best-selling author, speaker & business owner executive coach

Entrepreneur Leadership Network® Contributor

Nick Leighton believes that business owners should make more money and have more free time. He does this through his best-selling book "Exactly Where You Want to Be – A Business Owner's Guide to Passion, Profit and Happiness," speaking and coaching. #ChampagneMoment.

Want to write for Entrepreneur too? Apply to join Entrepreneur Leadership network.

More From Nicholas Leighton

Thought Leaders

How High-Performing Entrepreneurs Design Their Businesses to Prevent Burnout and Constant Chaos

High-performing entrepreneurs intentionally design slack into their schedules, teams and systems to prevent burnout, reduce chaos and create a real strategic advantage.

Building a Business

Want to Innovate But Don’t Have Google’s Budget? Start With These 5 Strategic Moves.

Here's how you can use passion-driven, AI-powered micro-R&D to test ideas fast, control risk and turn innovation into real profit.

Entrepreneurs

6 Daily Rituals to Help You Stay Human in an AI-Driven World

These habit-stacking rituals help entrepreneurs stay grounded, intentional and fully human while working alongside powerful AI tools.

Tech

The 5-Step Framework to Ensure AI Actually Frees Your Time Instead of Creating More Work

AI can automate almost anything — but that doesn't mean it frees you. Here's how you can build true, hands-off systems.

Building a Business

AI Is Flooding the Market With Generic Content. Take These Steps to Rise Above It.

AI can generate endless content — but only entrepreneurs who master narrative architecture will stand out.

Thought Leaders

How This Standard Business Practice Is Actually Holding Your Company Back

Replacing outdated org charts with dynamic "work charts" is the key to building a next-generation organization.

Tech

You Won’t Win With AI Unless You Do These 3 Things

Here are three simple mindset shifts that turn AI from a basic assistant into a true competitive advantage for your business.

Thought Leaders

Decision Fatigue Is Costing You Money. Take These Simple Steps to Beat It.

Learn how savvy entrepreneurs are using science-backed strategies — and even AI — to make fewer, smarter choices and reclaim their brainpower.

Business Plan

How to Create a 1-Word Business Plan That Cuts Through Complexity and Drives Results

Entrepreneurs can replace complexity with a one-word business plan — a simple, powerful theme that aligns their vision, motivates their team and drives results all year long.

Building a Business

How to Future-Proof Your Business and Design Processes That Survive You, AI and Everything Else

This guide helps entrepreneurs future-proof their operations so the business keeps growing, no matter what comes next.

Tech

AI Isn’t Plug-and-Play — You Need a Strategy. Here’s Your Guide to Building One.

Don't just "add AI" — build a strategy. This guide helps founders avoid common pitfalls and create a step-by-step roadmap to harness real value from AI.

Building a Business

Does Your Business Feel Stuck? Here’s the Mindset Shift That Will Move It Forward.

Your business isn't stuck — you're just asking the wrong questions.

Tech

How to Prepare Your Small Business for the Next Wave of AI Innovation

The future of AI for entrepreneurs isn't bigger models — it's better context.

Marketing

Your Startup’s Most Powerful Growth Driver Might Be Happening Behind the Scenes — But Here’s How You Can Harness It Anyway

Learn how to harness the invisible force of dark social to build trust, momentum and serious startup buzz — no analytics required.

Thought Leaders

Who Are You Without Your Company? Here’s How to Separate Your Self-Worth and Identity From Business Performance.

When your business becomes your identity, the stakes get dangerously personal.

Building a Business

Love What You Do — But Don’t Let It Sink Your Business. Here’s How to Stay Passionate and Profitable.

Passion may fuel your startup, but profit keeps it alive.

Thought Leaders

Saying ‘Yes’ to Everything Can Stall Your Growth. Here’s How to Say ‘No’ Without Burning Bridges.

Learn how to say "no" with grace and strategy — protecting your team, staying true to your vision and preserving relationships while building a business that thrives with integrity.

Building a Business

How to Build a Business That Serves Your Life, Not the Other Way Around

Ready to reclaim your time and freedom?

Thought Leaders

How to Build a Team That Thinks and Executes Like a Founder

Struggling to get your team to think like you do? Learn how to delegate more effectively with this guide.

Thought Leaders

Here’s What It Takes to Evolve From Hands-On Founder to Strategic CEO

Making the leap from founder to CEO requires more than just growth — it demands a shift in mindset.

Building a Business

Bad Clients Can Derail Your Business. Here’s How to Fire Them the Right Way.

Not all clients are good for your business. Learn how to identify bad clients, minimize their impact and professionally fire them while protecting your team, finances and reputation.

Building a Business

How to Delegate Effectively and Unlock Your Business’s Full Potential

Many entrepreneurs resist delegation, fearing high costs, loss of control or time-consuming training. Learn how to overcome these common objections and embrace automation, outsourcing and hiring.

Building a Business

Trendjacking — 6 Ways to Spot and Capitalize on Emerging Social Media Trends

Want to go viral and boost your brand's visibility? Learn how to spot emerging trends early, create original content that resonates and master the art of trendjacking to drive massive engagement on social media.

Building a Business

Want to Know What Your Customers Really Think? Here’s How to Implement a Successful Social Listening Strategy.

Learn how to implement a powerful social listening strategy to track conversations, gain valuable insights and actively engage with your audience to strengthen your brand and boost sales.

Marketing

Beyond Likes and Shares — How to Leverage Influencer Partnerships in the New Era of Social Media

Social media is evolving, and traditional marketing tactics are no longer enough. Learn how to leverage influencer partnerships, build authentic connections and navigate dark social to create impactful marketing campaigns that drive real engagement and trust.

Building a Business

Dreaming of Turning Your Side Hustle Into a Thriving Business? Here’s How to Scale Successfully Without Losing Focus.

Learn practical strategies to scale successfully, from financial planning and team expansion to leveraging the right technology and setting clear growth goals.

Marketing

Cross-Channel Marketing Can Transform Your Small Business — Here’s How to Build a Winning Strategy

Struggling to decide where to focus your marketing efforts? Learn how a cross-channel marketing strategy can help small businesses increase customer retention, boost sales and create seamless brand experiences across social media, email, websites and beyond.

Marketing

Trying to Reach a Multi-Generational Audience? Here Are the 3 Elements Your Marketing Strategy Must Include.

Reaching multiple generations doesn't have to be a challenge. Learn how to craft a unified, data-driven marketing strategy that combines personalization, multi-channel reach and timeless techniques to connect with audiences spanning Boomers to Gen Z and beyond.

Building a Business

How Small Businesses Can Thrive on Amazon and Other Online Marketplaces in 2025

Learn about the benefits, challenges and strategies for succeeding on platforms like Amazon, Shopify and Etsy to reach global customers, build trust and grow your brand.

Marketing

How Small Businesses Can Leverage Dark Social to Drive Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Dark social accounts for 70% of social media shares and is crucial for small businesses. Here's how you can tap into this hidden marketing opportunity.

Nicholas Leighton

More From Nicholas Leighton

How High-Performing Entrepreneurs Design Their Businesses to Prevent Burnout and Constant Chaos

Want to Innovate But Don’t Have Google’s Budget? Start With These 5 Strategic Moves.

6 Daily Rituals to Help You Stay Human in an AI-Driven World

The 5-Step Framework to Ensure AI Actually Frees Your Time Instead of Creating More Work

AI Is Flooding the Market With Generic Content. Take These Steps to Rise Above It.

How This Standard Business Practice Is Actually Holding Your Company Back

You Won’t Win With AI Unless You Do These 3 Things

Decision Fatigue Is Costing You Money. Take These Simple Steps to Beat It.

How to Create a 1-Word Business Plan That Cuts Through Complexity and Drives Results

How to Future-Proof Your Business and Design Processes That Survive You, AI and Everything Else

AI Isn’t Plug-and-Play — You Need a Strategy. Here’s Your Guide to Building One.

Does Your Business Feel Stuck? Here’s the Mindset Shift That Will Move It Forward.

How to Prepare Your Small Business for the Next Wave of AI Innovation

Your Startup’s Most Powerful Growth Driver Might Be Happening Behind the Scenes — But Here’s How You Can Harness It Anyway

Who Are You Without Your Company? Here’s How to Separate Your Self-Worth and Identity From Business Performance.

Love What You Do — But Don’t Let It Sink Your Business. Here’s How to Stay Passionate and Profitable.

Saying ‘Yes’ to Everything Can Stall Your Growth. Here’s How to Say ‘No’ Without Burning Bridges.

How to Build a Business That Serves Your Life, Not the Other Way Around

How to Build a Team That Thinks and Executes Like a Founder

Here’s What It Takes to Evolve From Hands-On Founder to Strategic CEO

Bad Clients Can Derail Your Business. Here’s How to Fire Them the Right Way.

How to Delegate Effectively and Unlock Your Business’s Full Potential

Trendjacking — 6 Ways to Spot and Capitalize on Emerging Social Media Trends

Want to Know What Your Customers Really Think? Here’s How to Implement a Successful Social Listening Strategy.

Beyond Likes and Shares — How to Leverage Influencer Partnerships in the New Era of Social Media

Dreaming of Turning Your Side Hustle Into a Thriving Business? Here’s How to Scale Successfully Without Losing Focus.

Cross-Channel Marketing Can Transform Your Small Business — Here’s How to Build a Winning Strategy

Trying to Reach a Multi-Generational Audience? Here Are the 3 Elements Your Marketing Strategy Must Include.

How Small Businesses Can Thrive on Amazon and Other Online Marketplaces in 2025

How Small Businesses Can Leverage Dark Social to Drive Word-of-Mouth Marketing

More Authors You Might Like

Molly Cavanah

Kristel Bauer

Jonathan Small

Natalie Ruiz