In today’s entrepreneurial landscape, challenges are inevitable but also opportunities for growth. The current economic and political climate adds unprecedented hurdles. At Costron + Co., we view these challenges as opportunities to realign with our core values and approach decisions with clarity and purpose.

As entrepreneurs, we often push ourselves to keep growing, creating, and achieving. It’s easy to internalize "new year, new you" narratives and set ambitious goals for growth—but we often overlook one essential step: deep rest. Like a seed that needs darkness and cold to germinate, rest allows us to pause, recover, and prepare for what’s next. It’s in these quieter moments that we integrate our experiences and nurture the hidden potential that will one day emerge with renewed strength and vitality. Embracing rest isn’t stepping back—it’s planting the seeds for your next breakthrough. In this blog, I’ll share how you can embrace rest as an entrepreneur during deep winter.

Each season carries its own energy and rhythms. The year’s end, from late fall to early winter, naturally encourages reflection and slowing down. As trees shed their leaves and animals prepare for hibernation, entrepreneurs can emulate these rhythms by reviewing what has served them and prepare to shed what hasn’t.

As a small business coach and mentor, I understand first hand the unique challenges of navigating business not only as a woman but also as a neurodivergent person. In a recent blog, Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Mental Health & Wellness: A Perspective Piece, I wrote from personal experience about my mental health journey as a neurodivergent entrepreneur, hoping my experience would be relatable to others struggling with the unique challenges of doing business differently. I believe that knowing you’re not alone and receiving validation for your experience and perspectives goes a really long way. There are many strategies I have explored and adopted to support my mental health as a neurodivergent entrepreneur that I will share in this blog.

Building a business that is both values-based and heart-centered allows you to stand for something greater while creating deep, meaningful connections with your clients and community. By integrating the principles above, you can foster loyalty, drive positive change, and create a business that not only thrives financially but also resonates emotionally with those it touches.

As we celebrate the 4th anniversary of Costron + Co, a women-led business co-founded by a dynamic mother-daughter duo, we reflect on this incredible journey with immense gratitude and pride. What started as a shared dream has grown into a thriving business, fueled by our passion for helping others, the joy of watching our clients transform, and the unique bond that defines our work.

Your small business can thrive in a 4-day work week structure

By focusing on these steps, you'll increase the likelihood of hiring team members who are not only skilled but also aligned with your heart-centered approach, contributing positively to your business and its purpose. This methodical approach ensures that your transition to a four-day work week is smooth, effective, and in harmony with your core values.

Many entrepreneurs, ourselves included, were motivated to start their own businesses by a desire to contribute meaningfully and joyfully to the world, but also a desire for more sovereignty of their time—and ultimately to work less! The shift to a 4-day work week could be the key to a happier, healthier, and more sustainable work environment.

A minimalist approach to entrepreneurship is not about doing less; it's about focusing on what truly matters and eliminating the rest. By concentrating on your ideal client and UVP, streamlining processes, managing costs, nurturing purposeful collaborations, and prioritizing self-care, you can build a more efficient, adaptable, and successful business.

Remember, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Embrace minimalism to allow you to focus on “First things first”!

I am writing this journal entry with dark truffles next to me, tulip blossoms outside my window and the sun shining into my office. I feel an embodiment of peace, creativity, hope and inspiration that a bright spring day brings. In juxtaposition to the rainy spring season heaviness from vulnerability, disappointment, overwhelm, nervousness, grief can settle in.

I hope that sharing my tips and insights resonates with you as you navigate transitions in your life. Remember to be curious and embrace this new chapter, as there are many opportunities awaiting you. As always, I'm here to help you navigate this journey.

Embarking on the journey of entrepreneurship without a clear intention is akin to setting sail on uncharted waters with an incomplete map. Amidst the excitement of charting new territories and realizing dreams, it's easy to get swept away by the waves of opportunity without a clear compass guiding your course. This is where the crucial process of clarifying your business intention comes into play.

Don’t let your dream be influenced by the messaging that you receive from the world that makes you doubt your choices – your heart knows! This is your next stage - paint it with your own unique pallet.

I write this journal entry both from experiences I’ve witnessed and shared with the collective, and the action I have personally taken in structuring my businesses from a place that feels deeply well. I have had events in my life motivating me to make a change as I became aware of what was not working when external challenges were present.

As a business coach my journey often intertwines with the personal aspirations and challenges of the entrepreneurs I guide. In this journal I offer my reflections on the theme "Beyond A Business Plan," recognizing that success requires more than a meticulously crafted strategy. It's about implementation, system refinement, partnerships, personal leadership, and celebrating the milestones along the way.

Welcome to our December journal! This season has been marked by many conversations in the Costron + Co community about fears around money and finances. Our nervous systems are almost constantly recovering, flexing, healing as we navigate challenges in life and/or business and world events.

Inner leadership is the commitment to developing an open and resilient mindset. It is about expanding self-awareness and the ability to navigate life with emotional well-being and decision making skills that are in alignment with your authentic self.

Another year around the sun and Costron + Co reaches its 3rd birthday. This year in review we have been called to reflect on aspects of gratitude and generosity as small business owners.

I have had a lot of conversations with many entrepreneurs of late.  Conversations that were about tough choices; continuing to strive forward or getting a ‘day job’ to ease the financial pressures or closing their businesses.  They have made, or are working through the process of making tough decisions. 

As a coach and mentor, I witness clients travelling through it all.  I see growth, contraction, and plateaus. I see difficult periods and periods with relative ease.  Through it all I see dedication, wisdom, and difficult choices. 

If the Summer Solstice were your business mentor…

The spiritual meaning of Summer Solstice is - renewal, hope and optimism.

How do these things apply to our business?

How can we lean into the wisdom of Nature and Summer Solstice to bring this energy to our business?