Unlock Small Business Success: The Surprising Power of Rest!
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Meet Samantha Diamond, co-founder of Bird&Be, a pioneering company focused on prenatal and fertility care, representing a bold new wave of entrepreneurs breaking away from hustle culture after experiencing burnout.
Jennifer Roberts
When the world is bustling with dinner plans and bedtime stories, Gwyneth Paltrow is already winding down for the night.
“During COVID, my husband and I picked up the habit of eating dinner early, and it’s become our norm,” the actress and Goop founder shared. Come evening—around “7:30 or 8 o’clock”—her bedtime routine kicks into gear.
But wait—this might strike a chord with you, especially if you wear the entrepreneurial hat.
In recent years, we’ve seen a seismic shift in how we perceive the so-called “Boss Babe” culture. Instead of the relentless mantras like, “You have the same hours in a day as Beyoncé!,” many entrepreneurs are now championing the value of rest, making it a priority like never before.
Why this major change? Because hustle culture almost broke them—and their businesses.
“I first hit a wall two years ago—after two grueling years of the pandemic, launching a new product, and managing little ones,” recalls Kate Taylor Martin, the dynamic founder and CEO of Nutbar, a superfood café thriving in Toronto.
On one fateful day, after dropping her kids off at school and putting her baby down for a nap, she found herself paralyzed in a chair while working on social media content for her new nut milk. “Eventually, I just slumped off the chair and collapsed on the floor,” she recounts, tears streaming down her face as she lay staring at the ceiling.
Samantha Diamond shares a parallel story of burnout as co-founder of Bird&Be.
“I was young, couldn’t afford childcare, and was back to work right after having a baby,” she says. Managing a PR agency while launching Bird&Be, she felt the crushing weight of impending deadlines. “I would be nursing at 3 a.m. while crunching numbers for clients—I was barely functioning.”
A 2021 survey by the Canadian Mental Health Association revealed a staggering 50% of entrepreneurs struggle with low moods or mental exhaustion weekly, while three out of five reported feeling depressed at least once a week.
“People often push through,” says psychologist Helen Ofosu. “There’s so much bravado in entrepreneurship, and many just can’t afford the mental health resources that might prevent burnout.”
This relentless grind is one reason why many small businesses don’t survive past the five-year mark. “Hustle culture glorifies 5 a.m. starts and cold plunges but neglects the critical need for rest,” she emphasizes.
The same CMHA survey indicated that nearly half of business owners felt their mental health issues impeded their work. And they’re onto something important. “When you take the time to rest, you return to work brimming with energy, fresh perspectives, creativity, and patience,” explains Ofosu.
Ms. Diamond is in total agreement.
“Creativity suffers when you’re running on fumes,” she asserts. “You can’t bring your best self to your business when you’re burnt out.”
Moreover, getting proper rest is essential for resilience and longevity in business. “Success isn’t just about having the best idea; it’s about outlasting the competition. And you can’t do that without taking breaks,” Diamond points out. “Let’s be real—if I’m exhausted, I’m irritable, and no one wants to deal with a cranky leader.”
If you’re aiming for business success, rest is non-negotiable. Here are some strategies to help you carve out that essential downtime:
Establish a Wind-Down Routine and Prioritize Sleep
Gwyneth isn’t flying solo on the early bedtime train. Both Martin and Diamond make quality sleep a priority to ensure they show up as their best selves each day.
“I’m in bed by nine,” shares Nutbar founder Martin. She meticulously organizes her day to ensure she has time for eight hours of sleep, followed by a relaxing winding-down routine involving adaptogenic tea, soft lighting, no screens, and a good book.
Learn to Say No to Non-Essentials
Not every opportunity is a ticket to success, especially if it comes at a cost to your health. “If I’m offered something new, I assess what I can take off my plate to maintain balance,” Martin advises. “Success to me means being present for myself and my loved ones, not just chasing business victories.”
Write Your To-Do List the Night Before
“There’s never a moment when everything is complete,” says Diamond, “so I jot things down to clear my mind.” Instead of burning the midnight oil to finish tasks, she has a strict cut-off time and adds any unfinished business to tomorrow’s to-do list. Writing it down lets her let go and focus on rest.
Incorporate “No” Days
“Post-busy periods, I schedule ‘no’ days,” Diamond reveals. “I decline unnecessary meetings and other obligations.” She cancels or postpones commitments to reclaim her mental health. “Sometimes I spend half a day just lounging in bed, and it refreshes me for the week ahead,” she shares.
Focus on Restoration
“As an entrepreneur, you never fully switch off, so I’m intentional about self-care to perform at my best,” Martin emphasizes. This isn’t about squeezing as many healthy activities into your day as possible; it’s about discovering what truly energizes you and brings you peace.
Martin embraces a Paltrow-esque morning routine, rising early to make time for breathwork, meditation, and water therapy—practices that calm her nervous system. “These small moments help recharge my batteries, preparing me to tackle the day ahead,” she concludes.
