The Moment Success Turned Into Survival
People often walked into my store and asked, “How do you do it all?”
On the outside, I was the picture of success — a mom running two retail stores, managing employees, creating handmade crystal candles, and selling my self-published book.
But behind the scenes? I was running on caffeine, exhaustion, and survival mode.
Like so many mothers chasing a dream, I thought hustling harder was the answer. I told myself that burning out was just part of the process — a badge of honor.
Until my body forced me to stop.
When Hustle Becomes Harmful
I was working 60–80 hours a week. Even when I wasn’t in the store, I was posting on social media, answering DMs, packaging orders, and worrying about money.
The truth? I had no systems, no automation, and no help.
It was just me — my phone, my to-do list, and an endless stream of tasks.
I thought the sacrifice would pay off. But the cost was my health.
Years of stress and skipped meals eventually led to me developing Type 2 diabetes. For the first time, I realized the price of building a business without boundaries.
The Turning Point: Choosing Peace Over Perfection
After closing one of my stores, I finally had a moment to breathe.
And in that stillness, I realized something powerful:
“You don’t have to sacrifice peace for profit.”
I used to equate success with busyness — more hours, more effort, more hustle.
But true success, especially as a single mom, means building a business that supports your life, not drains it.
So, I made a decision: to rebuild my business with balance, automation, and intention at the center.
Lesson 1: Automate and Delegate Early
If you’re doing everything yourself right now, please listen to me — you don’t have to.
When I was juggling everything, I didn’t use any tools or automation. I wasn’t scheduling posts, batch-creating content, or outsourcing simple tasks.
If I could go back, I would:
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Hire a virtual assistant for content scheduling and admin work
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Use AI tools like ChatGPT to save time on writing and planning
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Automate my emails and social media using platforms like Mailchimp or Later
Automation doesn’t just save time — it protects your energy so you can focus on what actually moves your business forward: strategy, relationships, and creativity.
Lesson 2: Your Health Is a Non-Negotiable
Burnout doesn’t just affect your mind — it affects your body.
For months, I ignored the signs: fatigue, irritability, brain fog, and anxiety. I thought rest was something I’d earn later. But burnout doesn’t wait until “later.”
When I became diabetic, it forced me to rebuild my life differently. I learned that your body keeps score — and your business cannot thrive if you’re falling apart.
Now, I prioritize:
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Sleep and nourishment as part of my business plan
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Movement and breaks throughout my day
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Boundaries around my work hours
Your health is your most valuable business asset. Protect it fiercely.
Lesson 3: Build a Business That Fits Your Life
One of my biggest regrets? Not realizing sooner that my business should fit my life, not the other way around.
My daughter loved coming to the store — she’d make art, sell her creations, and join me at farmers markets. But she also loved dance. And because I was working nonstop, I didn’t have the time to take her to classes.
That broke me more than burnout ever did.
I realized that while I was “building a legacy,” I was missing the moments that mattered most.
Now, I build flexibility into everything I do — whether that’s working from home, taking breaks for school events, or batching content so I can unplug for family time.
“Your business should serve your lifestyle, not steal from it.”
Lesson 4: Monetize What You Already Have
When I ran my retail stores, I was already cultivating community. Other business owners would ask me for advice on marketing, pricing, and selling products.
I didn’t realize at the time that this was another income stream waiting to happen.
If you’re a small business owner, look at what’s already working. You might be sitting on a goldmine of expertise. You can:
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Write an ebook or mini course sharing what you know
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Host in-person or online workshops
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Create a paid membership or community (like my Million Dollar Builders Skool)
You don’t need to start over. You just need to package your knowledge into products that create passive income.
Lesson 5: Shift from Hustle to Alignment
The biggest shift I made was moving from a “hustle” mindset to an “alignment” mindset.
Hustle says: Do more, work harder, chase success.
Alignment says: Work smarter, protect your peace, attract success.
Now, I ask myself:
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Does this business decision align with my values?
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Will it help me spend more time with my daughter?
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Does it make me feel excited or drained?
That inner check keeps me grounded — and it’s why I’m building a business now that feels effortless and aligned.
From Burnout to Balance
Burnout almost broke me. But it also rebuilt me.
It taught me that success without balance isn’t success at all. It’s survival.
Today, my business looks very different. I run everything from home, leverage AI tools, and design my work around my life — not against it.
I still chase big goals — but I do it with grace, not grind.
If you’re a mompreneur trying to do it all, I want you to remember this:
You can build wealth without losing yourself in the process.
Automate the small things. Stick to your growth plan. Guard your health.
Because success is much sweeter when it doesn’t cost your peace.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been feeling drained, uninspired, or like you’re barely holding it together — you’re not alone. Burnout doesn’t mean failure. It means it’s time to rebuild differently.
Your peace, your health, and your purpose deserve to coexist.
Start by making one small change today:
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Schedule one day off per week.
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Use AI to automate your next week of content.
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Or simply take a nap without guilt.
That’s where your comeback begins. 🌿
Explore More Resources
💖 Read More: www.bossmomalchemist.com
💼 Join My Community: Million Dollar Builder Skool
📚 Earn with Sie: Ebooks, Consulting & Programs
🎥 Watch the Video: Burnout Almost Broke Me on YouTube
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