Episode 7: Guest Interview on And We Feel Podcast
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WATCH ON YOUTUBENavigating Emotional Ups and Downs as a Business Owner: Lessons from Ann Marie McHenry
Starting and growing a business is a journey filled with exhilaration, stress, exhaustion, and deep passion. If you've ever experienced the roller coaster of entrepreneurship, you're not alone—and you're about to learn how one expert manages those intense emotions, and how you can, too.In this post, you'll discover practical insights from Ann Marie McHenry, a licensed marriage and family therapist turned business strategist. Drawing from her own experience of starting, scaling, and ultimately selling her private practice, Ann Marie shares how she balances the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and what strategies help her stay resilient.
The Emotional Landscape of Entrepreneurship
Many entrepreneurs, especially in the early stages, encounter a confusing mix of excitement, fatigue, passion, and sometimes despair. Ann Marie emphasizes that burnout is somewhat inevitable when you're pursuing big goals in an environment full of uncertainty and high responsibility.
Ann Marie describes her own experience of feeling physically heavy and emotionally depleted despite her love for her work. She highlights that attention to emotional and physical health, alongside strong support systems, is essential to navigate these feelings. Recognizing your feelings and giving yourself space is not only OK but necessary.
Building Resilience: The Power of Support and Self-Knowledge
One of the most powerful lessons Ann Marie shares is the importance of a support system. Whether it's friends, fellow business owners, therapists, or coaches—having people who understand the unique stressors of entrepreneurship can make a vital difference.
Actionable Tip:
Find your tribe—groups of other entrepreneurs or professionals who get what you're going through. Sharing experiences with those who understand the journey can help validate your feelings and reduce loneliness.Ann Marie also stresses the importance of self-awareness. Knowing when you're approaching burnout and recognizing the signs of emotional overload allows you to intervene early. She suggests asking yourself: "Am I anxious because I care, or is my anxiety hindering my ability to function?"Furthermore, she mentions exploring resources like therapy and medication when needed—breaking the stigma around mental health support for entrepreneurs.
Pro Tip:
Regularly check in with yourself about what you feel, what your body is telling you, and whether you need support or rest. Feeling "heavy" or "drained" is a sign to pause and recharge.
Managing Big Feelings with Practical Strategies
Ann Marie advocates for a balanced approach to handling intense emotions, especially in the chaos of business growth. Her advice includes:
Prioritize your basics:
Rest, nourishing your body, hydrating, and moving your body are foundational. Even if goals are high, neglecting basic needs can lead to quicker burnout.
Create a supportive environment:
Surround yourself with people who understand the emotional and logistical complexities of your work.
Recognize stress as a tool:
Stress can create adaptation—strengthening your capacity—if managed correctly. The key is to avoid prolonged fight-or-flight responses.
Give yourself permission to pause:
Sometimes, the best decision is to stop, regroup, and rebuild. Ann Marie emphasizes that knowing when to pause is a sign of strength, not weakness.
She shares her own experience of feeling the impulse to keep pushing but realizing that rest, support, and strategic adjustments are necessary to sustain her long-term vision.
From Overwhelm to Empowerment: Ann Marie’s Journey of Selling Her Practice
Ann Marie’s story of building her private practice into a thriving team, then selling it, illustrates the emotional complexities of handing over something you've poured yourself into. She describes it as a roller coaster—full of joy, grief, uncertainty, and pride.
Insights from her journey:
She invested heavily in team-building and leadership.
She grappled with the fear of losing control and the responsibility of legal and financial risks.
Ultimately, she chose to sell, which brought its own mix of heartbreak and relief.
This process teaches that recognizing when your emotional energy is depleted is crucial. Ann Marie emphasizes the importance of support—both personal and professional—to navigate major transitions.
Practical Takeaways for Business Owners
If you're feeling overwhelmed but passionate about your work, here are some key takeaways from Ann Marie's experience:
Acknowledge your feelings:
Validate emotions like exhaustion, anxiety, or excitement—not as signs of failure but as signals of your needs.
Build a support network:
Connect with mentors, peers, therapists, or coaches who understand the unique stressors you face.
Prioritize self-care:
Rest, nutrition, movement, and mindfulness are your foundation for resilience.
Recognize when stress creates adaptation, not just harm:
Use stress as a growth signal—then take strategic steps to support your body and mind.
Know your limits:
Have the courage to pause, re-evaluate, and make decisions that sustain your mental health and your business.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Emotional Journey
Ann Marie’s journey demonstrates that managing big feelings is part of successful entrepreneurship. You don't have to suppress emotions or push through alone—leveraging support, practicing self-awareness, and respecting your limits are vital.
Remember: The emotional ups and downs are signals, not failures. When you listen to them, you create space for growth, resilience, and ultimately, sustainable success.
Resources and Next Steps
Want to learn more from Ann Marie?
Visit her website: www.roseandstonellc.com
Tune into her podcast, Conversations with Women Who Lead
Check out her upcoming online course on the four pillars of sustainable business.
Take action today by scheduling a support check-in, joining a peer group, or exploring mental health resources—your emotional well-being is the foundation of your success.
FAQ: Managing Emotions in Business
How do I know when I’m approaching burnout?
Signs include physical heaviness, emotional exhaustion, irritability, sleep disturbances, and feeling overwhelmed despite positive progress.
What are effective strategies to cope with stress?
Prioritize sleep, nutrition, movement, use support systems, and schedule regular breaks. Consider therapy or coaching—seeking help is a sign of strength.
Can medication help manage entrepreneur stress?
Yes. Ann Marie shares her positive experience with SSRIs in managing anxiety. Medication isn't necessary for everyone but can be a valuable tool alongside other strategies.
How do I rebuild after selling my business?
It involves emotional processing, support from trusted individuals, reassessing goals, and sometimes, creative redefinition of purpose. Ann Marie’s journey shows resilience and reinvention are possible.
Stay tuned and take care of yourself—your business and your well-being are inseparable.