The other day, I came across the quote above from Rachel Macy Stafford that really struck a chord with me. It got me thinking about how often we’re bombarded with messages from hustle culture—constantly pushing us to go bigger, scale up, and chase the next big thing. We're told that success is all about making the greatest impact, but is that really the only way?
Over the past few years, I’ve learned that the pace required to meet those expectations is not healthy for many people. Pushing yourself to the point of burnout for the sake of chasing bigger results is not sustainable—or necessary. We’re conditioned to believe that if we’re not constantly growing, we’re falling behind. But is growth for the sake of growth always the best path?
I don’t think so.
Small businesses can truly be just that—small. Not everyone needs to start a business in the garage and turn it into the next tech giant. There’s so much value in staying small, whether it’s to maintain balance in life, focus on quality over quantity, or simply to create meaningful work at a pace that feels right. Staying small allows for a certain kind of intentionality, and that’s something I’ve come to embrace in my own journey.
One of the greatest joys of running a small business is building real relationships with my clients. When I work with someone, I get to know them—their goals, their vision, their challenges. It’s personal. I don’t want to be managing dozens of clients at a time, juggling endless projects without the chance to fully connect with each one. For me, it’s about those meaningful partnerships, where I can truly show up for people in a way that feels genuine and supportive.
I’ve intentionally built my business around the life I want to live. I don’t want my business to be my life. For me, that means staying small, focusing on what matters most, and making space for the things that bring me joy—both in my work and beyond it.
So if you're feeling the pressure to do more, be more, or constantly grow for the sake of keeping up, I’m here to remind you: there’s nothing wrong with keeping it small so it feels safe to show up each day. In fact, there’s a lot of power in showing up fully where you are, exactly as you are.
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