🔒Guest column: Power of the pause

If you had asked me in early 2023 what the hardest moment in my business would be, I would have said, without hesitation, the launch of the Self-Made Entrepreneur Conference. I had this bold vision: a full-day event packed with resources, education, inspiration, and connection for local entrepreneurs. But what I didn’t have was the financial backing or capacity to pull it off easily.

Still, I pushed through. I collaborated, I bartered, I bet on myself, and my vision came to life. More than 500 people were in attendance that day. I remember standing at the podium explaining to the audience how creating this conference made me relate to Noah when he was building the ark. There was no rain, no storm, and no water; nobody could understand him, yet he still knew he had to do it. Entrepreneurs are true visionaries. They see the need and become fixated on creating a solution.

Living on the high of my accomplishment felt great, but reality soon hit hard a few months later.

By October, my bank account told a very different story. I had drained my savings to bring that vision to life. I had unintentionally neglected my core business, GEM Marketing Solutions, and found myself staring burnout in the face. I felt lost and embarrassed. How could this moment of my business feel like the lowest when I just accomplished something so great?

Empathetic entrepreneurs often give more than they have. We pour from our cups until they’re dry, telling ourselves we’re being of service. But the truth is, I almost lost everything – my business, my energy, my belief in myself – because I never took the time to pause to refill my cup. When I look back, I can see very clearly I never made sure Jennifer was okay.

Burnout isn’t a badge of honor

For years, I worked 60–70 hours a week and wore it like a badge of honor. But constant hustle is not a strategy; it’s a slow breakdown. Now, I have learned to prioritize what keeps me grounded: working out, eating healthy, spending time with my daughters, practicing gratitude, hydration, meditation, and energy healing sessions. These practices don’t just help me; they help my business. Because when we’re thriving, our work reflects that energy.

Running a business is like a full-body workout. You engage muscles you never knew existed: patience, resilience, grit, and adaptability. Some days, I relate my business habits to what it feels like when I am deadlifting at the gym. We are so much more capable than we think we can handle. Each small step forward builds strength and momentum.

Course correction isn’t failure

After the crash came the reflection. I looked my weaknesses directly in the face and owned them. I needed to learn to say no, I needed to charge what I was worth, I needed to learn to be of service, but with boundaries. So I pivoted. I narrowed my focus to work with more aligned clients: nonprofits. These organizations are making a huge impact in our communities, and now I get to amplify their voices with our intentional marketing solutions. Finally, I found balance.

That shift came with more painful lessons: about money mindset, about scarcity, about the limiting beliefs I carried from a childhood where we didn’t talk about finances or careers. I’m the first person in my family to graduate from college. No one taught me how to run a business, hire a team, or manage operations. I’ve had to learn every lesson the hard way. Failure looks very different to me these days.

Authenticity and community are non-negotiable

The most powerful thing I’ve discovered is authenticity is my superpower. Owning my mistakes, apologizing when necessary, and giving myself grace as I grow is what real leadership looks like.

Entrepreneurship isn’t a straight path. It’s a winding road of peaks and valleys. The key is remembering your why, and refusing to let go of it when things get tough.

The biggest lesson of all? You do not have to do this alone. I not only thought I needed to do it alone but also refused to accept other people’s help. During my pause, I began to let my guard down and became vulnerable while witnessing my community checking in on me. When I came back, they welcomed me with open arms like I had never left. When I was quiet, they held space for me as I was trying to navigate my next steps.

Building your tribe of like-minded people isn’t optional, it’s necessary for survival.

Jennifer Hernandez is CEO of GEM Marketing Solutions in Worcester.