As a marketing professional who’s been in the online space since 2007, I’ve seen trends come and go. But recently, I noticed a concerning pattern that I couldn’t ignore: successful entrepreneurs publicly admitting to burning out and starting over. They were sharing stories of laying off entire teams, shutting down thriving businesses, and (sometimes) rising from the ashes.

At first, I admired their honesty. It takes courage to admit when things aren’t working, especially when you’ve built a public image of success. But as I dug deeper, I realized something was missing from these conversations.

That’s when I turned to Gwen Bortner, the founder and CEO of Everyday Effectiveness, where I serve as the Chief Marketing and Operations Officer. With her 40 years of experience across more than 45 industries, I knew she’d have a unique perspective.

And boy, did she deliver.

As we unpacked these stories together, Gwen kept saying, “That was an operations problem.” Time and time again, she identified alternatives to the cycle of stripping a business to the studs and rebuilding it — solutions many entrepreneurs might never consider simply because they don’t have the experience or knowledge to see them.

That’s when it hit me: The world needs to hear this perspective.

Thus, The Business You Really Want podcast was born.

In our first episode, we dive into why burning down your business isn’t always the answer. Here are some key takeaways:

1. The root cause of burnout often lies in operations, not in your product or marketing.
2. Burning down your business without understanding the root cause can lead to recreating the same problems.
3. Success should be defined on your own terms, not by what others say it should look like.
4. There are usually alternatives to starting over (but nobody talks about them).

But here’s what really excites me: It’s not the same tired “fake it ’til you make it” script we all hear on repeat. It’s a fresh look at how entrepreneurs (especially women) can avoid burnout by building a business that aligns with their values and goals.

As a marketing professional, I know the power of a good story. But I also know that marketing can’t solve every problem. Sometimes, the issue lies deeper in the operations of the business. And that’s where Gwen’s expertise shines.

Together, we’re on a mission to show entrepreneurs that sustainable success is possible without sacrificing your health, your values, or your sanity.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your business, if you’re wondering whether you should just scrap it all and start over, or if you’re simply curious about how to build a business that truly fits your life, this podcast is for you.

Join us for The Business You Really Want. Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch the full video on our YouTube channel. Let’s redefine what success looks like – on your terms.

You can listen to show using the player above, on Apple and Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

Can’t wait to hear what you think!