I had $1 million in the bank at 36. When I turned 40, I vowed to pursue my passions instead of running a billion-dollar company.

From 2015 to 2018 I had a foot in both worlds: running the faire while also launching a tech company. I would travel to Barcelona for Mobile World Congress, a major tech networking event that was held annually in February, just before the faire’s season. I’d be up till 2 in the morning, then catch a flight home to Austin where I would open the faire with a midnight toast.

It was brutal, but I absolutely loved the work I was doing.

I have 8 businesses now

These days, much of my time and attention goes to the Sherwood Forest Faire. We’re open weekends in March and April, and run a summer camp during the summer where kids can have hands-on learning experiences with everything from blacksmithing to horse riding. I also co-own a mead business, sell historical weapons and armor, and rent castles.

Plus, I have pursuits not related to the middle ages — I do executive coaching, where I teach people to become “passionpreneurs,” and still help operate an audio software business.

All eight of my businesses are doing well financially. But the most important thing to me is the joy that the faire and its summer camp bring to people. I want that to be my legacy, and I’ve set up a trust to continue the faire even after I die.

When I’m on my deathbed, I want my last words to be “the show must go on.”