Why I Had to Break Up with My Own Business Model (and Why It Was the Best Decision Ever)

Let’s talk about letting go—not in a dramatic, slow-motion movie scene kind of way, but in a "this is no longer serving me, so let’s kindly part ways before I lose my mind" kind of way.

I’ve been in business for 8 years, and I’ve experienced every up and down possible. A while back, I did what every ambitious entrepreneur thinks they should do—I scaled my business fast. Demand for my work was high, so naturally, I thought, "I need a team! An agency! That’s what success looks like, right?"

Spoiler alert: It was not.

The Problem with Scaling Before You’re Ready

In the beginning, it felt exciting. I loved telling people I had an agency. It made me feel legit—like I had arrived in the world of branding, web design, and Squarespace development. I was hiring talented people, filling in skill gaps, and running a full-fledged operation.

But here’s the thing about growing a team overnight: It’s a lot.

Suddenly, I wasn’t just doing the creative work I loved—I was managing people, handling payroll, and making sure everyone had enough work (but not too much work). I had meetings about meetings. My inbox? An absolute nightmare.

Instead of feeling like a boss, I felt like I was drowning in responsibilities I didn’t actually enjoy. And the worst part? I was burned out.

The Moment I Realized It Was Time to Let Go

At first, I resisted. I had worked so hard to build this thing—how could I just…stop? But the truth was, holding onto something that wasn’t working was costing me more than letting go.

So, after much internal debate (and probably way too much caffeine), I made the call: I scaled back.

What Happened Next? (A Plot Twist I Didn’t See Coming)

Once I let go of the whole “I need a huge team” mindset, everything changed.

👉 My sales calls became so much easier (no more overcomplicated offers or endless back-and-forths with scheduling).
👉 I got to work directly with clients again, which is what I actually love doing.
👉 Oh, and—plot twist—I started making more money than when I had a team.

Yeah, I did not see that coming either.

Now, does this mean I’ll never have a team again? Not at all. But next time, I’ll build it intentionally—not just because I feel like I “should” or because my inbox is exploding.

Creating Space for What Actually Matters

Here’s the thing: Letting go doesn’t mean failing. Sometimes, it just means making space for what actually fits. Whether it’s rethinking your branding, your website, your services, or even updating your brand photography, giving yourself permission to pivot is a game-changer.

And if you need a little inspiration, just look around my beloved city, Asheville, North Carolina. This city is full of creatives who have reinvented themselves over and over. It’s proof that sometimes, the best thing you can do for your business is to let go of what’s not working and make room for what will.

So, if you’re holding onto something that’s stressing you out, here’s your sign: It’s okay to let it go. You never know what amazing things might be waiting for you on the other side.

Need Some Guidance?

If you’re looking for support with where to go next, I offer biz strategy sessions, and I’d be happy to help guide you. Sometimes, all you need is a fresh perspective (and maybe a cup of coffee).