There is so many things I want to say because you hit every single pain point that most black founders are feeling right now. That 2020/2021 run was all a facade, leaving a lot of founders in accelerated journeys to retail that they can no longer sustain due to lack of additional resources and capital. I can not tell you how much of my life I've put on hold as I built, scaled and sold businesses and as a woman in my 40s, if I could go back and do it all over again, I most definitely would. I applaud you for making a decision that felt good to you so that you can live a life that's true to you. Wishing you the best in your amazing next chapter!
Necole! Thank you so much for reading. Hearing about how much you’ve also sacrificed to scale is incredibly validating, especially considering your impact and everything you’ve built. I’m refreshed to hear you wouldn’t trade it. Your comment adds such depth and perspective. Thank you for following along, and I’m wishing you so much joy and fulfillment this year as well! 💕
Thank you for being the black women founders voice. So much of what you wrote resonated with me. Especially today. You are going to soar and do amazing things in your future! I look forward to seeing it! ❤️🙏🏾
Absolutely incredible piece! 👏🏼👏🏼 I know this feeling all too well. I’ve walked away from things that looked wildly successful on paper multiple times and each time, it’s led to something even more aligned (and often, unexpectedly bigger). It takes so much courage to let go of what no longer fits, especially when it looks like a dream to everyone else, but that kind of trust in yourself always pays off in ways you can’t see yet. Bravo!
Ahh, Carmen, thank you! 🙌🏾 You get it. That kind of trust in yourself is definitely a muscle. I love hearing that each time it’s led you to something even bigger — something I've found myself experiencing as well, since stepping away. Appreciate you!
I’m currently writing a piece in a similar vein — woo. I think you’ve touched on something that I didn’t realize was affecting so many Black women creatives. I will be giving this another read — such a wealth of knowledge here.
Ahh, Jamila, that means so much. It’s wild how many of us are navigating this in our own ways—I’d love to read your piece when it’s out. There’s definitely a deeper conversation to be had here. Appreciate you taking the time to sit with this!
This is fantastic and insightful - thank you for writing so honestly and with vulnerability!! Have you seen Azora's new community for former founders? I feel like your journey in walking away from a business reminds me of hers a little bit! https://1strodeo.substack.com/p/new-meet-the-corral
You learned a lot about yourself during that time and I’m glad you decided to let it go. Many people will ignore the signs and willing to sacrifice their health and relationships for a dollar. But are those sacrifices worth it? Hard lessons learned on this journey. Thank you so much for sharing your story.🩶
The sacrifices can be so insidious because they’re often framed as just part of the grind, but at what cost? Letting go was one the best decisions I’ve made, but I’m grateful for the lessons that came with it. Appreciate you taking the time to read and reflect!
This was a such a good read. I closed my business in 2023 and you perfectly describe the whirlwind of feelings that come during and after choosing to close something you built. The desire to want ease moving forward. It’s ours 10/10 ⭐️
Wow thank you for being vulnerable enough to share this perspective - every word you wrote resonated with me, I have so much ambition (similar age to you) and want to achieve all the things I set out to accomplish but also very aware of the ‘more money more problems’ practicality too. I want to enjoy my life as I have been whilst also being successful - looking forward to where you go from here!
Thank you so much for sitting with the piece and for this thoughtful comment. I think you CAN have it all, but we need the experience to first shape us through the inevitable mental hurdles. Most people don't get it their first time around, and that's okay! There is always still more to come, if you dream it, I think!
Great read! It takes strength to step away and allow yourself to accept peace. Thank you for sharing your growth journey it’s so inspiring going forward!
really great and fascinating read. i appreciate your honesty, and having gone through something similar myself, it’s a relief to see another founder choosing a better life. nobody talks about how much you need to pay and how often… a nightmare!!
Thanks, Paige! I’m so flattered you think so—thank you for taking the time to read. And you're absolutely right—people are generally uncomfy talking about what it really looks like on the inside. All that glitters isn't gold! So glad you also had the bravery to take a step back.
I’ve got a production company I built upon moving to London but the three years I lived there full time were beyond draining— I felt like I’d wasted those three years after I came back to the US to move in with mom and take a beat to relax. Quickly after I ended up getting public funding for my company and a full time remote job in production that allowed me time to work on my comedic beauty docuseries/Substack brand I’ve now got here. I don’t know that there ever is that perfect balance, or anyone who feels like they have it all worked out. I am working on the balance of it all, and you so openly speaking about letting go what’s no longer serving you is so necessary in a culture that tells us to go go go faster and do do do more. I really need to take a page out of your book and schedule in some regular vision board/reflection time to sit with where I’m at and whether or not it’s still what I want or need. Gonna use the ‘if you can imagine it you can create’ mindset shift! Thank you so much for this. Will be coming back to this piece throughout my own founder journey for sure. Bookmarked, saved, liked, all the things. 🫰🏽
Thank you for being so open! When I’m back in the UK I’m going to set some personal retreat time aside and am going to reread this while I travel. Wish substack let us save offline for the plane 🫠😩
There is so many things I want to say because you hit every single pain point that most black founders are feeling right now. That 2020/2021 run was all a facade, leaving a lot of founders in accelerated journeys to retail that they can no longer sustain due to lack of additional resources and capital. I can not tell you how much of my life I've put on hold as I built, scaled and sold businesses and as a woman in my 40s, if I could go back and do it all over again, I most definitely would. I applaud you for making a decision that felt good to you so that you can live a life that's true to you. Wishing you the best in your amazing next chapter!
Necole! Thank you so much for reading. Hearing about how much you’ve also sacrificed to scale is incredibly validating, especially considering your impact and everything you’ve built. I’m refreshed to hear you wouldn’t trade it. Your comment adds such depth and perspective. Thank you for following along, and I’m wishing you so much joy and fulfillment this year as well! 💕
Thank you for writing and sharing, interesting to read <3
so so glad you enjoyed 💕
Thank you for being the black women founders voice. So much of what you wrote resonated with me. Especially today. You are going to soar and do amazing things in your future! I look forward to seeing it! ❤️🙏🏾
That's so kind, thank you!!! 💕
Absolutely incredible piece! 👏🏼👏🏼 I know this feeling all too well. I’ve walked away from things that looked wildly successful on paper multiple times and each time, it’s led to something even more aligned (and often, unexpectedly bigger). It takes so much courage to let go of what no longer fits, especially when it looks like a dream to everyone else, but that kind of trust in yourself always pays off in ways you can’t see yet. Bravo!
Ahh, Carmen, thank you! 🙌🏾 You get it. That kind of trust in yourself is definitely a muscle. I love hearing that each time it’s led you to something even bigger — something I've found myself experiencing as well, since stepping away. Appreciate you!
I’m currently writing a piece in a similar vein — woo. I think you’ve touched on something that I didn’t realize was affecting so many Black women creatives. I will be giving this another read — such a wealth of knowledge here.
Ahh, Jamila, that means so much. It’s wild how many of us are navigating this in our own ways—I’d love to read your piece when it’s out. There’s definitely a deeper conversation to be had here. Appreciate you taking the time to sit with this!
This is fantastic and insightful - thank you for writing so honestly and with vulnerability!! Have you seen Azora's new community for former founders? I feel like your journey in walking away from a business reminds me of hers a little bit! https://1strodeo.substack.com/p/new-meet-the-corral
Thank you so much! That really means a lot—I haven't seen Azora's new community yet, but I’m heading over to check it out. Appreciate you sharing!
You learned a lot about yourself during that time and I’m glad you decided to let it go. Many people will ignore the signs and willing to sacrifice their health and relationships for a dollar. But are those sacrifices worth it? Hard lessons learned on this journey. Thank you so much for sharing your story.🩶
The sacrifices can be so insidious because they’re often framed as just part of the grind, but at what cost? Letting go was one the best decisions I’ve made, but I’m grateful for the lessons that came with it. Appreciate you taking the time to read and reflect!
This was a such a good read. I closed my business in 2023 and you perfectly describe the whirlwind of feelings that come during and after choosing to close something you built. The desire to want ease moving forward. It’s ours 10/10 ⭐️
painfully late to a response, but thank you so much for reading and resonating! 💕✨ and for your encouraging words. onwards and upwards, always!
What a read. There were so many things that resonated with me in the life of a founder. Thank you for sharing
thank you for reading and resonating, zoe! 💕
Wow thank you for being vulnerable enough to share this perspective - every word you wrote resonated with me, I have so much ambition (similar age to you) and want to achieve all the things I set out to accomplish but also very aware of the ‘more money more problems’ practicality too. I want to enjoy my life as I have been whilst also being successful - looking forward to where you go from here!
Thank you so much for sitting with the piece and for this thoughtful comment. I think you CAN have it all, but we need the experience to first shape us through the inevitable mental hurdles. Most people don't get it their first time around, and that's okay! There is always still more to come, if you dream it, I think!
So well written!!
much love ♥️
So wonderfully vulnerable, thank you so much for sharing this.
I’m also using my Elixa sparingly 😩 special occasions only.
so happy you read along! on the elixa thing -- it's hitting me 😭
Great read! It takes strength to step away and allow yourself to accept peace. Thank you for sharing your growth journey it’s so inspiring going forward!
thank you for reading, it means a lot 🙏🏾
really great and fascinating read. i appreciate your honesty, and having gone through something similar myself, it’s a relief to see another founder choosing a better life. nobody talks about how much you need to pay and how often… a nightmare!!
Thanks, Paige! I’m so flattered you think so—thank you for taking the time to read. And you're absolutely right—people are generally uncomfy talking about what it really looks like on the inside. All that glitters isn't gold! So glad you also had the bravery to take a step back.
I’ve got a production company I built upon moving to London but the three years I lived there full time were beyond draining— I felt like I’d wasted those three years after I came back to the US to move in with mom and take a beat to relax. Quickly after I ended up getting public funding for my company and a full time remote job in production that allowed me time to work on my comedic beauty docuseries/Substack brand I’ve now got here. I don’t know that there ever is that perfect balance, or anyone who feels like they have it all worked out. I am working on the balance of it all, and you so openly speaking about letting go what’s no longer serving you is so necessary in a culture that tells us to go go go faster and do do do more. I really need to take a page out of your book and schedule in some regular vision board/reflection time to sit with where I’m at and whether or not it’s still what I want or need. Gonna use the ‘if you can imagine it you can create’ mindset shift! Thank you so much for this. Will be coming back to this piece throughout my own founder journey for sure. Bookmarked, saved, liked, all the things. 🫰🏽
Wow, thank you for sharing this! I’m so glad the piece resonated, and I love that you’re making space for your own version of that reflection 🤎
Thank you for being so open! When I’m back in the UK I’m going to set some personal retreat time aside and am going to reread this while I travel. Wish substack let us save offline for the plane 🫠😩
This really inspired me, thank you for sharing🥹 you deserve the world
Thank you so much for this sweet note—it truly means the world!