The Life of an Entrepreneur: On Taking Breaks and Doing the Work That Matters

I have been an entrepreneur for as long as I can remember. I have spent my life watching people build businesses, studying their moves, analyzing their strategies, and creating solutions to meet business challenges. I have had many attempts at entrepreneurialism, plenty of starts, a few big wins, and a number of graceful closures. Not necessarily failures, just chapters that came to a close. The business ran its course, or I realized it wasn't the right path forward.

Luckily, a few of my ventures have worked out really well and had long, impactful runs. As I move through my eighth year and into the ninth with my current company, I decided to take a different approach this year. Instead of diving headfirst into the hustle (and let’s be honest, I have never really had “work-life balance”), I have chosen to lean into life, family, myself, and a much-needed summer break.

The Art of Stepping Away

This year, 2025, has been about caring, for my husband, our family, our home, our lives. Instead of overbooking myself with meetings, events, and deadlines, I have spent more time hiking, kayaking, being on the water, walking, and golfing. In my world, that all falls under one beautiful category: play.

And I want more of that. I’m learning that giving myself space to breathe is not only restorative, but also strategic. I have also been devouring books. So many books.

The Power of Women's Research

I have dedicated this year to what I call my women’s research. I have attended two retreats so far, with a third planned for fall, each centered around various aspects of the female experience.

The first was about healing feminine trauma in Puerto Rico through the S Factor with Sheila Kelley. (You can watch her story in the Netflix documentary Strip Down, Rise Up.) Her work helps women heal their relationship with their bodies. It was powerful, deeply moving, and stretched me out of my comfort zone in all the right ways.

The second retreat was spiritually enriching. I traveled through the South of France exploring the places where Mary Magdalene is believed to have spent her final 30 years. With our guide, Veronique, we traced stories of Mary Magdalene, Joan of Arc, and the Black Madonnas throughout Provence.

The women I met during these retreats were incredible. Their stories, their courage, and their search for transformation continue to inspire me.

The Entrepreneur’s Dilemma

I’ll be honest, I have wrestled with guilt about taking these breaks. I am so well-trained to work, it’s hard to sit still. I may be the kind of person who works all the way to the end of her life, and I am okay with that, as long as the work has meaning.

Supporting women in their journey to serve on corporate boards has been one of the most fulfilling roles I have ever taken on. I am deeply grateful for every woman who has talked with me about her dreams, whether or not we ended up working together.

The fact that they’ve taken time to reflect on their next chapter, on what they can contribute to this world, whether in a boardroom or at a kitchen table, is nothing short of inspiring.

Teaching and Learning

I teach a lot. But I also learn constantly. That’s why I continue this personal “women’s research”, to better understand who we are as women. Our talent, experiences, and courage. Time and time again I meet women with incredible backgrounds and accomplishments, which inspires me even more to get as many of them in board rooms as possible because I believe they will make great board members. 

The Gift of Reflection

Part of this June and July pause has been about reflecting. I feel grateful. Humbled. Happy to be learning, still. About myself. About the women I meet. About the beauty and messiness of this entrepreneurial journey.

Sometimes, the most radical entrepreneurial move you can make is to give yourself permission to pause, to breathe, and to remember why you started.

So tell me, what are you doing this summer to feed your soul? I would love to hear from you.