Is Your Business Built Like a Ride?

El Salvador 2023

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
- Mishlĕ (Proverbs) 24: 3 - 4

Amusement parks are filled with wonder, motion, and noise.

They’re also masterclasses in systems or the lack of them.

On a trip to El Salvador, I found myself watching the flow of a small amusement park. Children darted between rides. Bright-colored trains looped around tight curves. The Ferris wheel moved slowly, offering pause and perspective. And as I stood observing the scene, a question rose quietly in my spirit:

Are some of us running our businesses like this?

Let me explain.

The Roller Coaster Model

Fast. Chaotic. Unpredictable.

Some businesses operate with constant highs and lows; no structure, just momentum. Decisions are made on the fly. Tasks are delegated to whoever’s available. There’s energy, yes, but no rhythm. And after a while, team members feel more like riders bracing for impact than builders with clarity.

The Carousel Model

Calm. Familiar. Comfortable.

These businesses appear busy; there’s always movement. But when you look closely, it’s the same loop. The same meetings. The same inefficiencies. Nothing really shifts. Progress becomes performance. And yet, because it feels safe, no one questions the ride.

The Ferris Wheel Model

Steady. Measured. Strategic.

This model takes you upward with care. Each rotation brings new insight. These businesses are rooted in systems, consistent evaluation, and intentional growth. They’re not in a rush—but they are moving. And from the top, they gain perspective. They see the bigger picture—and where they fit within it.

The Park (Itself) Model

Some businesses are not just one ride… they’re many.

Different departments, different energies. Some grounded. Some spiraling. And unless there’s a central design, a clear mission, and healthy leadership, the “park” can become overwhelming for everyone inside.

You don’t need to fear the ride but you do need to name it.

Because how your business moves is a direct result of how you lead it.

And the truth is, you can rebuild the track.

You can bring structure to the coaster.

You can add risk to the carousel.

You can scale the Ferris wheel with joy and not burnout.

But only if you’re willing to step back, look at the system, and decide: What kind of ride am I really creating?

Reflection: What does your business currently feel like; a coaster, a carousel, a wheel, or something else? And what small change could shift the entire ride?

Shalom, everyone!