When It All Falls Apart
The Hard Truth About Rock Bottom—and Why It’s a Beginning, Not an End
It’s Not All Roses
Yes, I’ve hit rock bottom.
I write about it in my book Embracing the Calm in the Chaos, and I’ve shared pieces of it here in my newsletters. But I don’t think I’ve ever told you about the time my bank account showed a negative balance.
That feeling? It’s like a punch to the gut. I remember staring at the screen in disbelief, those red numbers burning into my eyes. I wanted to cry. I wanted to float away—literally. I remember walking by the water thinking, What if I just let myself drift for a while? I didn’t want to disappear forever, but I did want to escape.
And I’ve had those thoughts more than once.
But somehow—through the fog and fear—I got back up. Because I had to. I had employees to pay. A team that believed in me. Friends and family who reminded me of my strength, even when I didn’t feel it.
Still, no one could fix it for me.
I had to take a hard look in the mirror and tell myself, You built this. You can fix it.
I had poured myself into this business—24/7. I wasn’t about to let it fall apart.
But it’s hard to say those words—“I can fix this”—when your account is empty.
So where do you go from there?
How do you begin again when you're that low?
So many of us—entrepreneurs, artists, writers—keep pushing forward, chasing passion, putting in the work… and yet, our bank account doesn’t always reflect that hustle.
How do we turn that negative into a positive?
Over my 20+ years building a brand, I’ve hit rock bottom more than once. But each time, it forced me to pivot: a new partner, a revised financial strategy, a different revenue stream, a difficult team decision—whatever it took to move forward.
It wasn’t the end. It was the beginning.
Those moments demanded creativity. Grit. Vulnerability. I had to ask for help. I had to think differently. And each of those lows helped shape the next phase of my business—and my life.
In my interview with Ike in Embracing the Calm in the Chaos, we talk a lot about this. The road to where we are in our careers didn’t happen overnight—it was filled with rejection, countless “no’s,” and more than a few low bank account moments along the way.
Whether you're starting from scratch or sitting at the peak of your career, this still holds true: success doesn't always look the way we expect—especially in our bank accounts.
I’ve interviewed so many people—in my book, on my podcast, my blog, and right here in this newsletter—and this theme keeps coming up.
You are not alone.
If you're in it right now—at the edge, unsure, exhausted—I see you. I’ve been there.
And I want to share the tools, resources, and stories that helped me find my way back.
Let me know—have you ever been in this position?
And if so, how did you get out of it?
Here are a few tips to check off your list when you’re feeling low—in energy, in spirit, in confidence, or even in your bank account. These are small but powerful steps that have helped me move forward when things felt heavy:
Pause and breathe. Sometimes, just taking 10 minutes to sit in stillness or go for a walk can help reset your mind.
Audit your wins. Write down 3 things you’ve accomplished in the past year. Big or small—they count.
Call in your people. Reach out to one person who lifts you up. A voice note, a text, a coffee. Don’t isolate.
Rethink the plan. What’s one small pivot you can make today—personally or professionally—that might lead to new energy or opportunity?
Consume inspiration. Listen to a podcast episode, re-read a chapter from Embracing the Calm in the Chaos, or watch an interview that reminds you you’re not alone in this journey.
Give yourself grace. You’re not failing—you’re learning, you’re evolving, you’re becoming.
New Substack Shoutout
My friend just launched her Substack
, and I couldn’t be prouder. In just one week, she’s already ranked #4 in Humor—and you know how much I love a good laugh.Here’s how she describes her writing:
“I write about what it takes to rebuild a life, a brand, and a belief in love — all while raising kids and running a business. Healing is messy. But it pays off. Bonus: I'm hilarious.”
Trust me, she is.
And speaking of humor… I have to give a big shoutout to my BFF—Ikey—who was just cast to play Elon Musk. Go Ikey, go!
If you missed our fun conversation at
book shop in Los Angeles with me and Ike, here are a few great clips above & below—never shared before and exclusive to my newsletter readers!Remember, Ike is also featured in my book Embracing the Calm in the Chaos—and in the audiobook, too, with a special interview.
If you haven’t read or listened yet, now’s the time :)
XO,
STACY