Let’s talk about something no one likes to put on their Instagram highlight reels: what it’s really like to run a business when your personal life is spiraling faster than a toddler after too much sugar.
I’m not here to sugarcoat it. Life can feel brutal sometimes. And when you’re also trying to run a business, it’s like juggling chainsaws while riding a unicycle. But spoiler alert: you’re not alone, and you’re more capable than you think—even if it feels like the universe hit you with a plot twist.
This blog is for all of you who have ever run a boutique, a brand, or just your own dreams, all while carrying the weight of emotional turmoil. So grab a cup of coffee (or wine—no judgment), and let’s dive into how to survive and thrive when life feels like a hot mess express.
When Life Implodes
This year, my world shook in ways I wasn’t prepared for. Personal challenges came at me like a freight train: loss, heartbreak, and those nagging little whispers of self-doubt that creep in when things get hard.
For weeks, I found myself staring at my laptop, paralyzed. My to-do list looked like it belonged to someone much more put-together. I was tired. Not just physically tired but soul-deep, "Can I even do this?" tired.
And then I realized something: I’m not the only one. Life doesn’t pause just because you’re a business owner. But instead of letting the mess drown me, I decided to lean into it. Because here’s the truth: chaos is part of the journey, and it’s where the most growth happens.
Permission to Feel
Let’s start with something revolutionary: it’s okay to not have it all together. Write it on a Post-it, tattoo it on your wrist, whatever you need to do to remember it.
I spent too much time trying to hold it all in—pretending everything was fine, putting on my “boss babe” face, and powering through like I had something to prove. Spoiler alert: that doesn’t work. Emotions demand to be felt, and ignoring them doesn’t make them go away. It just makes them louder later.
So, I gave myself permission to pause. To cry. To scream into a pillow. To let myself feel everything I needed to feel so that I could move forward, instead of just spinning my wheels in the mud.
Leaning on Your People
Let’s talk about asking for help. (Cue groans from my fellow stubborn, independent souls.) For most of us, admitting we need support feels like failure. But spoiler alert: it’s not. It’s human.
I am so lucky to have an incredible team at Hot Mess Consulting who had my back when I needed it most. They stepped up, took over tasks, and reminded me that I didn’t have to do it all. They also reminded me why I started this business in the first place: to empower others.
But it wasn’t just my team. My friends and family showed up for me, too. Whether it was sending a funny meme, listening to me vent, or just sitting with me in silence when I couldn’t put words to my feelings, they reminded me that I wasn’t alone.
If you don’t have that support system yet, start building it. Join communities, hire a coach, or reach out to someone whose work inspires you. No one succeeds alone, and you don’t have to, either.
Embracing the Ugly Cry
I’m going to keep this one short: cry it out. Seriously. I’ve had some of my best breakthroughs after a good, ugly cry session. Emotions are like waves—you have to let them crash over you to find calm water again.
The Messy Middle: Where Magic Happens
Here’s the thing about chaos: it’s uncomfortable, but it’s also transformational. The messy middle of any journey—the part where everything feels like it’s falling apart—is where the real growth happens.
In my business, the messy middle taught me to slow down, re-prioritize, and reconnect with my “why.” It’s easy to lose sight of that when you’re in survival mode. But taking time to reflect—on what’s working, what’s not, and where you want to go—can help you come out stronger on the other side.
Laughter as a Lifeline
If there’s one thing that’s saved me this year, it’s humor. When life feels overwhelming, sometimes the only thing you can do is laugh.
During one particularly rough week, I posted a meme about my life being a dumpster fire. The response? Overwhelming support and a ton of laughs. Turns out, people relate more to your mess than your perfection.
So, don’t be afraid to share the behind-the-scenes chaos. Show your customers the human side of your business. Laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. It’s good for your soul—and your brand.
Practical Tips for the Hot Mess Entrepreneur
Enough mushy stuff. Let’s get into some actionable strategies for navigating tough times while running your business:
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Automate, Automate, Automate:
Invest in tools that do the heavy lifting for you. Whether it’s Shopify apps for inventory management, email automation with Klaviyo, or scheduling tools for social media, let technology take some of the weight off your shoulders. -
Batch Work Like a Pro:
When you’re feeling good, get as much done as possible. Batch-create content, schedule posts, and plan your marketing campaigns so that when life hits, your business can keep running smoothly. -
Outsource What You Can:
You don’t have to do everything yourself. Hire a VA, work with a freelancer, or delegate tasks to your team. Freeing up your time can help you focus on the big picture—or just take a much-needed break. -
Set Boundaries:
Protect your energy like the precious resource it is. Say no to projects that don’t align with your goals, and don’t be afraid to push back on unreasonable requests. -
Celebrate the Small Wins:
Some days, just getting out of bed is a win. Celebrate the little victories, whether it’s sending out that email newsletter, closing a sale, or just making it through the day without crying in public.
Finding Joy in the Chaos
Here’s the thing about joy: it doesn’t come from having a perfect life. It comes from finding beauty in the mess.
For me, that meant reconnecting with the things I love about my business—helping boutique owners turn their dreams into reality, creating designs that make people feel seen, and building something bigger than myself.
It also meant finding moments of joy outside of work: long walks, good books, bad reality TV, and time with the people I love.
Looking Ahead
If you’re reading this and feeling like you’re drowning in your own chaos, I want you to know that it won’t last forever. The hard times are temporary, but the lessons you’ll learn—and the strength you’ll gain—will stay with you.
Hot Mess Consulting is stronger than ever, not because everything went smoothly, but because we embraced the mess and came out stronger. And you can, too.
So here’s my challenge to you: lean into the chaos. Cry when you need to, laugh when you can, and never forget why you started. The world needs what you have to offer, messy or not.
With love, grit, and a whole lot of coffee,
Angela
Final Thoughts
Running a business while going through emotional turmoil isn’t easy, but it’s possible. Give yourself grace, lean on your people, and remember that it’s okay to pause when you need to. You’re stronger than you think, and your business—and your life—will be better for the lessons you learn in the messy middle.
You’ve got this. And if you need someone to cheer you on, you know where to find me.
xoxo, Angela
