Every summer, there’s a tension that bubbles up for so many entrepreneurs I know, including me. On one hand, we crave rest. Space. Time with our kids or time for ourselves. On the other, we’ve built businesses that feel like they need us 24/7. We don’t want to lose momentum. Or income. Or client trust.

So this week on the podcast, I brought in two brilliant friends to talk about what it actually looks like to take a break (a real one) from your business. Casey von Stein (aka Miss Freddy) and Erin Baute are both returning guests and real-life friends, and together we had one of the most honest, nuanced conversations about time off I’ve ever recorded.

And no, this isn’t a “just set your autoresponder and go” type of pep talk.

This is about redesigning your business on purpose so it supports your life, your values, and your nervous system.

Casey’s Story: The Sabbatical That Changed Everything

Back in 2020, Casey hit a wall. Her business exploded during the pandemic (everyone was finally organizing their digital photos), but with two little kids at home and zero childcare, she was burning out fast. That’s when she decided to take a radical step: she took the summer off.

Completely off.

And she didn’t just rest, she totally restructured. From that first summer sabbatical, she built systems that now allow her to step away from client work every June and July. And here’s what I loved: she didn’t sugarcoat the early days. That first sabbatical? It came with overwork, mindset wobbles, and financial trade-offs. But it also came with clarity, and eventually, with freedom.

Now? Her team takes staggered breaks. Her courses bring in passive income. And her calendar honors the season she’s in, literally and figuratively.

Erin’s Story: The Iteration Process in Action

Erin also tried taking a summer break, but her work as a behavior coach required a different level of ongoing support. When she took July off, her clients felt the gap. And to her credit, they told her so. That feedback didn’t make her shut the idea down; it made her adapt.

The next summer, she tried a week-on, week-off structure. That came with its own chaos (hellooo, childcare fallout). This year? She’s planning to work two focused days a week with solid in-home help and lots of client communication in advance.

What I admire most is how Erin approached this whole thing with curiosity, humility, and a whole lot of strategic thinking. She’s proof that taking time off doesn’t have to be all or nothing and that your version can evolve.

Let’s Talk About the Real Stuff

We didn’t just talk strategy in this episode, we also talked about the emotions behind it all. The nervous system responses. The guilt. The fear of being seen as unprofessional. The worry that clients will walk away.

But we also talked about what happens when you do give yourself space:

• You notice the seasonal rhythms of your business.

• You get clearer about what’s truly necessary.

• You find creative energy again – not because you’re chasing it, but because it has room to breathe.

• You redefine what success actually means to you.

This episode isn’t a prescription. It’s an invitation.

To ask different questions. To notice your seasons. To trust that rest is not the enemy of growth.

If You’re Thinking About a
Break This Summer…

Here are a few of my favorite takeaways from Casey and Erin:

💡 Start early. If you’re considering time off, begin communicating in April (or earlier). Let clients know what to expect.

💡 Define what “break” actually means for you. It might be zero client calls. It might be fewer hours. It might be switching to asynchronous support.

💡 Watch your business seasons. Are there slower months you can lean into for rest instead of pushing harder?

💡 Consider your nervous system. Erin shared powerful reflections on prepping your body for downtime, especially if you’re used to hustle mode.

💡 Remember: it’s okay to try, adjust, and try again. What didn’t work one year might inspire a better plan the next.

You Don’t Need to Earn Rest

Whether you’re planning a maternity leave, dreaming of a December off, or just craving a slower rhythm in July, I hope this episode reminds you: you don’t have to wait for burnout to justify a break.

Rest can be part of your business model. You just get to decide what it looks like.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.