We spend so much of our time chasing the next big thing—the deadline, the launch, the client, the goal. And somewhere in all that momentum, we forget to notice the small, quiet moments that actually define our lives.
For months, I’d been doing this ridiculous daily dance of forgetting my laptop charger, either leaving it at home when I needed it at the office, or vice versa. It’s such a small thing, but it was driving me crazy.
One afternoon, I was venting about it (again) to my husband, and he just said, “I’ll order you a spare to keep at the office.” Simple. Practical. Done.
When it arrived, I opened the box and noticed he’d put a label on the power brick: “Double A.”
You guys. I just about lost it.
That’s a nickname he gave me almost 25 years ago. He was the first person to ever call me that. It’s the name that, to me, has always felt like home.
Thanks to that tiny, thoughtful detail, a whole wave of memories washed over me. It reminded me that behind the business owner, the coach, and the community leader, there’s just… me. A person who is seen, known, and loved.
Taking Stock of Who’s Really in Your Corner
You have probably audited your finances, reviewed your operations, and analyzed your strategies many times over the lifetime of your business. But when was the last time you took an honest look at who is actually fueling your growth?
This isn’t about making some cold calculation of who’s “useful” to you. It’s about getting clear on who is an integral part the support system that holds you up.
The Foundation: Your Personal Crew
This is the bedrock stuff. The people who see you as a whole person, not just a business owner. The kind of support that shows up in a “Double A” label on a charger. (See what I mean?)
It’s the partner who offers a practical solution when you’re frustrated. The friend who celebrates your wins like they’re her own wins.
The strongest relationships aren’t actually defined by how we handle the hard times. They’re shaped by how we celebrate the good ones.
So here’s a practice I love: When someone shares good news with you, don’t just say, “Oh, that’s nice.” Get excited! Ask questions! “That’s incredible! Tell me everything! What was the best part?”
It sounds small, but trust me, this builds connection in a powerful way.
The Scaffolding: Your Professional Support
Your friends and family love you, and their instinct is to protect you. That means they might hesitate to challenge you or push you out of your comfort zone.
This is where having a coach becomes so valuable. (And yes, I know I’m a coach, so take this with whatever grain of salt you need.)
A great coach doesn’t just protect you. She stretches you. She helps you see beyond your own tunnel vision, holds you accountable to what you said you wanted, and pushes you to grow in ways that are uncomfortable but necessary.
Your besties are amazing. But they’re not always going to call you out when your actions don’t match your stated goals. A coach will, with truth and love.
The Levers: Your Practical Support
For years, I was drowning in the logistics of raising a family while running businesses. So much of my day was spent in the car, shuttling kids to and from school and activities.
The scarcity mindset kept whispering, “I can’t afford help.”
But then I asked myself a different question: “What is this actually costing me?”
So I made two decisions that changed everything:
First, I hired someone to drive my kids after school. This freed up two to three critical hours in my late afternoon. The return on investment wasn’t just the 10+ hours a week I gained for my business—it was my ability to be fully present with my family in the evening, instead of rushed and frazzled.
Second? I embraced Instacart. (Seriously, why did I wait so long?) The time I used to spend wandering grocery store aisles now goes to higher-value work—or just resting.
Here’s the mindset shift: Stop asking “Can I afford this?” and start asking “Can I afford NOT to do this?”
Where are your time, energy, and focus best spent? Everything else? Delegate it, outsource it, or let it go.
The Conversations Nobody Wants to Have
Sometimes we have to let things go. Relationships, commitments, services that used to work but don’t anymore. It’s like pruning a garden. It can feel painful, but it’s absolutely essential for healthy growth.
This means getting honest about where you don’t have support. Where things feel heavy and draining. And look, this isn’t about blaming anyone. It’s about gaining clarity so you can make a change.
Boundaries are a business strategy. Learning to say “no” is one of the most powerful ways to protect your energy and your ability to deliver on what truly matters.
I learned this the hard way. (Spoiler alert: public humiliation was involved.)
Years ago, I was speaking at a Junior League event. I was at a low point, mentally, physically, and emotionally drained. I knew I was overextended, but I didn’t want to let anyone down. So I pushed forward, telling myself I could fake it.
I stood at that podium, a room full of women waiting, my notes a mess, and I just… fell apart. “I can’t do this,” I said, and walked out of the room.
Mortifying.
But here’s what that taught me: saying “no” from the beginning would have been far more professional than what actually happened. Respecting your own bandwidth isn’t selfish, it’s the ultimate act of professionalism.
You Have to Support Yourself First
All those external support systems you have in place can only work as well as the foundation they’re built on. And that foundation is you—your self-awareness, your self-compassion, your ability to actually receive help when it’s offered.
Let me share a few things that have made a huge difference for me.
Stop trying to be someone you’re not. I was at lunch with a friend once, feeling guilty that I wasn’t the “social butterfly” business owner I saw others being. I felt like I should be at every networking event. She looked at me and said, “You are not that girl. And that’s okay.”
When you embrace your authentic self, you attract the people and opportunities that are actually right for you. (The ones that aren’t right for you? They’ll find someone else, and that’s fine.)
Build systems you can trust. This might sound boring, but hear me out. Clear processes and organized systems aren’t just about efficiency—they’re a form of self-care. When I was out sick with pneumonia, I was so grateful for the systems I’d built. My team knew their roles. Things kept moving. And I could actually rest without panicking.
Rest is not optional. The hustle culture narrative that glorifies exhaustion? It’s a lie. Burnout is not a badge of honor—it’s a sign that something’s broken. Prioritizing your health, your family, and your joy isn’t a distraction from your business. It’s a long-term strategy for staying in the game.
Choose curiosity over judgment. When things go wrong (and they will), a judgy mindset asks, “Whose fault is it?” A growth mindset asks, “What can I learn from this?” That simple shift transforms every setback into something useful. It builds resilience. And honestly? It makes the hard stuff a lot less painful.
What It All Comes Back To
The most resilient businesses aren’t built on spreadsheets and strategies alone. They’re built on the strength of the human connections that support the leader, both inside and out.
Your greatest asset will never appear on a balance sheet. It’s the people who champion you, challenge you, and catch you when you fall. It’s the grace you give yourself to be imperfect. It’s the courage to build a business that doesn’t just look successful but actually feels whole.
Because no matter how driven or capable you are, your business doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Your life matters too.
And today? I’m just feeling grateful for the little moments that remind me I’m seen.
Here’s my invitation for you: Take a moment today to identify one small detail in your life—a kind word, a helping hand, a thoughtful gesture—that represents part of your own support system.
And simply say thank you.
Ready to Build Your Support System?
If you’re reading this and thinking, “Okay, I need to take a hard look at who’s actually in my corner,” I’ve got a few places to start.
My free Strategic Planning Wheel is a simple tool that helps you audit not just your business, but your whole life. It’s a great way to see what’s working, what’s draining you, and where you might need more support. Sometimes just getting it all on paper is enough to spark a real shift.
And if today’s conversation resonated with you—if you’re craving that community of women who actually get it—come join us in the Leading Ladies Facebook group. Almost 7,000 women showing up for each other, sharing wins and struggles, no judgment. Just real talk about building businesses and lives that feel as good as they look.
Want to go deeper? The Hub is my virtual membership for women entrepreneurs who are ready for ongoing support, weekly coaching calls, and a community that will challenge you and cheer you on. Because here’s what I know for sure: you weren’t meant to build this thing alone.
