Taking a Step Back

Stepping back from my business is not something I ever thought I would do. After all, it was my dream to own and run my own business and to help make teachers' lives easier in the process. But sometimes, life throws us a curveball that makes us reassess our priorities. For me, that curveball came in the form of a new job opportunity and a growing family.

Running a business takes a lot of time and effort. When I first started my business, it was all I could think about. I was constantly working on it; whether that was marketing, outreach, or the day-to-day tasks that needed to be done. But as my baby girls started growing up and the demands of my full-time teaching job became more intense, I realized that I was stretched too thin. It was no longer feasible to give my business the attention it needed while also excelling in my job and being present for my family.

So, I made the difficult decision to step back from my business for a while. It wasn't easy, and I knew it would hurt financially, but I knew it was the right thing to do. Stepping back doesn't mean that I'm giving up on my dreams of entrepreneurship; rather, it means that I'm putting my family and my job first while still leaving the door open to return to my business when the time is right.

Stepping back also doesn't mean that all aspects of my business will be gone. I plan to continue creating and selling resources on Teachers Pay Teachers and to continue blogging and providing valuable advice, support, and resources to as many educators as I can. 

One of the biggest challenges I faced in making this decision was letting go of the fear of missing out. It's easy to get caught up in the idea that if I don't keep pushing my business forward, I'll fall behind or miss out on opportunities. But, the reality is that there will always be opportunities in the future, and sometimes we need to take a step back to reevaluate what's important to us.

Another factor that played into my decision was being honest with myself about why I started my business in the first place. Was it to make money, or was it to fulfill a passion? For me, it was the latter. I started my business because I had a passion for the industry, and I enjoyed the work. However, the more my business grew, the less time I had to focus on the things I loved. By taking a step back and closing the doors for a while, I'm allowing myself time to rediscover my passion and come back stronger than ever.

Finally, I think it's important to note that closing my business for a while doesn't mean that I'm a failure. In fact, I see it as a step toward success. By prioritizing my family and my career, I'm setting myself up for long-term success both personally and professionally. I'm taking the time I need to recharge and refocus so that when I do reopen the doors of my business, I'll be even better equipped to succeed.

This was definitely a difficult decision, but it was the right one for me. It's important to remember that sometimes we need to take a step back to reassess what's important to us and to make sure that we're balancing all aspects of our lives. By putting my family and my job first, I'm taking a step toward long-term success. And who knows, maybe this break will lead to even greater opportunities in the future!