Why Investing in Yourself as a Founder Isn’t a Luxury – It’s Strategy.

Stepping away from the mental load to invest in yourself isn’t indulgent — it’s essential. Here’s what one rooftop retreat reminded me about clarity, momentum, and growth that doesn’t burn you out.

On the summer solstice, the longest, brightest day of the year, I stood on rooftops in London with a group of bold, emotionally intelligent women, all building serious businesses with serious clout.

The setting couldn’t have been more symbolic. Up high at Citizen M and the beautifully fragrant Garden at 120, with the city below us and the sun overhead, we paused. Not to escape our businesses, but to reconnect with them – and with ourselves.

I arrived carrying what most women founders carry:
A mental load that rarely lightens.
A family schedule that doesn’t pause.
A business that never really switches off.

What I left with?
Clarity.
An aligned, actionable three-step plan.
And, most powerfully, a recalibration of my energy and intention – the kind that doesn’t fade by Monday.

The Lie: “I Don’t Have Time for This”

Let’s name it – when you’re holding all the threads: clients, revenue, relationships, school emails, strategy – investing in yourself often feels… extra. Something for later, when there’s more time, more money, more certainty.

But here’s the truth:
Founders with families aren’t juggling hobbies.
We’re holding empires.
And clarity doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from stepping back, just far enough to see what’s really going on.

That’s what this retreat gave me. Not just a break, but perspective.

The Other Lie: “I Can’t Afford This”

Masterminds aren’t cheap. And that can feel hard to justify when you’re managing a household, a business, and everything in between.

But here’s what I’ve found to be true – it was the most intelligent stretch I ever made.

Not because it gave me more information. But because it gave me access – to new thinking, sharper strategy, deeper support. To conversations that shift your energy and your outcomes in ways no DIY download ever could.

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth it, ask yourself this:
What’s the cost of staying stuck?
What’s the cost of going it alone?

That’s where the investment pays for itself – in clarity, momentum, and the kind of growth that doesn’t require you to burn out to get there.

What One Day at the Real Women’s Business Retreat Gave Me

The day was hosted by Andrea Callanan and Emma Van Heusen – two women I trust implicitly. Andrea brings a rare mix of energetics and business wisdom, getting to the heart of what’s in your way and calling it with kindness. Emma offers strategic insight with the kind of grounded clarity that instantly settles your nervous system and sharpens your focus.

Together, they created a space that was equal parts powerful and peaceful.

We weren’t just talking funnels and offers. We were talking legacy, alignment, visibility, courage. We were naming what we’ve been avoiding. And – just as importantly – mapping out what’s next.

It wasn’t fluffy. It wasn’t performative. It was useful. Practical. Real.

Why Who Holds the Space Matters

You can join any programme. You can download another freebie. But being in a room with people who actually know you – your strengths, your vision, your blocks – that’s where the magic happens.

Andrea and Emma didn’t give me a generic checklist. They gave me tailored insights based on how I lead, what I value, and where I tend to play small. And that’s what shifted everything.

The power of the day wasn’t just in what we learned. It was in how we were seen.

Stop Waiting for the “Right Time” to Back Yourself

I say this to myself as much as I say it to you – investing in yourself isn’t indulgent. It’s the most strategic move you can make.

Because you can have the best ideas, the best product, the best intentions – but if your energy is scattered and your vision is foggy, none of it lands. You’re running hard in the wrong direction.

So consider this your permission slip:
To pause.
To reflect.
To step into the light – even if it feels confronting.

You don’t need to wait until everything calms down. You just need to choose yourself in the middle of the chaos.

Because the clarity, confidence, and momentum you’re craving?
It’s not waiting at the end of the to-do list.
It’s waiting on the rooftop.

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Ready to stop doing this alone?
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