7 minute read
From burnout to bliss A BUSINESS OWNER’S JOURNEY OF REDISCOVERY AND WELLNESS
BY SHARI HALL
PHOTOS BY EMPIRE ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Success is often equated with relentless drive and an unwavering commitment to growing one’s business. However, for Mary-Ellen Odijk, owner of With Style – Weddings & Events & Retreats, this pursuit of excellence and the pressure to do it all alone lead her down a path to burnout. Mary-Ellen shares her transformative journey from the depths of exhaustion to the creation of unique wellness retreats that help individuals and businesses redefine success.
From Discovery To Business Owner
Once a full-time mother and part-time pharmacy dispensary technician, it wasn’t until her thirties that Mary-Ellen embarked on a deeper self-discovery, one that would allow her to fill a void, unleash creativity and build something uniquely her own. Initially inspired by the world of cake decoration, she completed a patisserie course in Sydney and started Hunny Bunny Cakes.
Challenges were many as she transitioned from being an employee to a chef apprentice and ultimately a new business owner. Her early years of retail experience provided invaluable communication skills for connecting with people, but running a business brought a new set of skills to be learned. She had a never-ending to-do list, beginning with needing to learn the importance of legal procedures and regulations particular to the food service industry. Other initial steps included registering her business, obtaining necessary licenses and approvals, understanding local and regional guidelines, negotiating food labelling regulations, and managing business finances with accurate bookkeeping and accounting. Like many solo entrepreneurs, she fell victim to the common narrative, “I can do this on my own.” For who else would ever be as invested in her business as she was?
Creating Value
Initially Mary-Ellen kept her business operations simple, relying on word-of-mouth referrals to generate new clients. As the business grew, a more structured marketing approach was required. She realised the necessity of upgrading to a professional website from the do-it-yourself version she’d designed.
One of the significant hurdles Mary-Ellen faced was determining the value of her products and services. Driven by self-doubt and a lack of confidence in her experience, she struggled with under-pricing. An eye-opening exercise, where she assessed time spent on her services and calculated the hourly rate, brought clarity to the fact that she was undervaluing both herself and the services she offered.
“I wasn’t valuing myself and my time. I believed I was inexperienced, just doing what people asked me to do,” Mary-Ellen confesses. Seeking guidance from business mentors, she gradually learned to recognise her worth and started factoring in the uniqueness of each job when pricing her services.
Adapting And Making Connections
As the Sunshine Coast wedding industry evolved, Mary-Ellen began a significant re-branding process. This involved merging Hunny Bunny Cakes with her newly formed business, With Style – Weddings & Events & Retreats, streamlining the services offered. She spent 18 months doing market research and networking, meeting venue operators and other professionals in the industry, establishing connections and understanding the local market dynamics.
Her new website played a pivotal role in presenting a cohesive brand to potential clients with a focus on a user-friendly experience that clearly communicated the range of services available. Her niche emphasis on small, intimate events became her distinguishing factor, attracting clients looking for personalised experiences tailored to their needs.
A Forced Pause
With the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, a forced pause in Mary-Ellen’s bustling business occurred. In the throes of returning deposits to interstate clients and rescheduling planned events, she simultaneously found herself bedridden due to a serious injury. Why is this happening? she asked herself. This physical setback became a catalyst for much-needed self-reflection. MaryEllen candidly acknowledged the toll her relentless work ethic took on her. She realised that the joy she once found in her work was overshadowed by her persistent pursuit of success. The pandemic-induced break allowed her to step back and assess the true meaning and purpose of her business, compelling her to re-evaluate her priorities.
“I started to realise that I was making my business personal. It was always about the challenge, the drive,” she says. “It took so much of my focus both mentally and physically. By the time Covid hit, I was completely burnt out. It was time to explore what I needed. I took myself out of the business, whereas before I had just been the business.”
A Shift In Focus
Mary-Ellen wanted With Style to be a successful business, but more importantly, she craved balance and joy. In her quest for personal wellbeing, Mary-Ellen stumbled upon an unexpected avenue – wellness retreats. Through her catering services for such events during Covid, she discovered the profound impact these had on individuals seeking holistic healing.
This realisation sparked a shift in her focus – from the relentless pursuit of success to a desire for fulfillment.
She experienced first-hand the benefits of corporate wellness retreats and began to envision these retreats as curated events that go beyond traditional corporate getaways. She saw them as transformative experiences, nurturing both the body and soul in beautiful and safe spaces conducive to connection and healing.
Re-examining the business’s purpose, she decided to create a more balanced existence for herself. The process involved rethinking her marketing strategies and acknowledging the need for self-care.
The Curated Luxury Wellness Experience Is Born
Mary-Ellen elucidates the essence of her wellness retreats, which extend beyond pampering sessions. Designed for eight to 16 people, these retreats offer an opportunity to connect with colleagues on a personal basis outside of the office. They provide a time for reflection within and sharing experiences with others. Education forms a significant part, offering tools and strategies for managing stress, learning relaxation and exercise techniques, and cooking new recipes with locally grown fresh foods.
She collaborates with industry professionals to provide participants with take-home skills they can incorporate into their lives. Her retreats are designed for individuals or groups seeking an escape from daily routines, offering a structured yet flexible schedule encompassing wellness activities, art, exercise, nutritional and psychological support. For her, it’s all about creating opportunities to explore new activities, boost nutrition, and find time for exercise and meditation.
Connection And Conversation
Mary-Ellen urges business owners to embrace open conversations, dismantle the facade of perfection perpetuated by social media, and recognise that they are not alone in their struggles. She advocates for genuine connections with fellow entrepreneurs, seeking mentors, and prioritising emotional wellness.
“I think business has changed so much over the years, and I believe we need to look after ourselves and each other throughout the challenging journey of entrepreneurship,” she says.
The Cost Of Ignoring Burnout
What is the unseen cost of neglecting burnout? Neglect of employee wellbeing can lead to low morale, decreased productivity, and increased turnover. Her experience becomes a cautionary tale for business professionals to grant themselves and their staff permission to take a time-out when stress and exhaustion set in. As she pioneers a new approach to corporate retreats, the narrative invites businesses to reconsider the cost of burnout and the immeasurable benefits of prioritising the health and happiness of their most valuable assets –their employees.
In a world where the pursuit of success often neglects the individual behind the business, Mary-Ellen’s story stands as a testament to the transformative power of self-reflection, a shift in focus, and the creation of spaces where both individuals and businesses can thrive. The ripple effect of her journey challenges entrepreneurs to redefine success on their terms – embracing not just the external accolades but the internal fulfillment that makes the pursuit worthwhile.
