How to not burn out as a business owner:

Being Kind of Woo-Woo Absolutely Influences the Entire Way We Operate Here at SWOCO

We embrace it. Being woo-woo is woven into everything we do—how we show up, how we work with our clients, and even the services we offer. You can feel it in the way we talk about strategy, how we weave creativity and intuition into business decisions, and the rituals we use to ground ourselves before diving into big projects. We’re not here for stiff, corporate nonsense; we’re here for real connections, meaningful work, and a mindful approach that sets us apart from all that "hustle harder" mentality.

And Yes, We Very Much Own a Mindful Business (And Recommend You Do, Too)

Let’s be real: running a business isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There are deadlines, curveballs, and those days when it feels like nothing is going your way. But that’s exactly why having a mindful business matters. We’ve built Swoco on the idea that how you operate matters just as much as what you offer. Mindfulness isn’t just for your morning meditation—it's something you carry into your business every day, so you don’t lose yourself in the grind.

What Is a Mindful Business? Do You Qualify?

A mindful business means you’re tuned in. You’re aware of your needs, your limits, and your feelings, and you extend that same awareness to your clients, your community, and your team (if you’ve got one). You know when to push and when to pull back. You’re aware when something isn’t working and brave enough to shift gears, even if it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient.

For us, this looked like pivoting from Sugar Witch Official—a business that revolved around social media management—when we realized it was draining us creatively. The business model wasn’t aligned with our vision anymore, so we rebranded, niched down, and evolved into what Swoco is today. That wasn’t a decision we took lightly, but it was one we had to make because we listened to ourselves, even when the pivot was hard as hell.

You don’t have to meet a specific set of criteria to qualify as a mindful business owner. There’s no mindfulness checklist (thankfully), and it’s not about ticking off "mindful" actions every day. If you’re reading this and it resonates, congratulations—you already qualify. 😉

How to Be More Mindful In Your Business

Mindfulness is about listening. Listening to your body, your intuition, your energy levels, your gut instincts. If something feels off in your business—whether it’s a task, a client, or even a whole-ass business model—you owe it to yourself to pay attention. For example, there have been days when the client calls were stacking up, and I could feel the stress crawling up my neck. Instead of pushing through, I rescheduled and carved out space for a grounding meditation (this one is my go-to).

You’ve got to know when to SLOW DOWN. If you’re running on fumes and still not feeling aligned with your work, step back. Sometimes it’s as simple as taking a walk, giving yourself permission to close your laptop early, or hell, even booking yourself a spa day. Don’t ignore your intuition; get creative with how you run your business.

Also, work on your stress and anxiety management. I know, I know—it’s easier said than done, but this is where finding your personal grounding techniques makes a difference. Meditations, breathwork, journaling, moving your body—find what works and do it. That’s mindfulness in action, and that’s how you’ll keep the burnout at bay.

What Does Mindfulness In a Business Look Like?

What does this actually look like day-to-day in your business? Let’s use Swoco as an example. For us, owning a mindful business meant completely changing our direction. Seriously, we ran an entirely different business not too long ago. We were working in social media management, cranking out posts and content left and right, and at some point, it just felt off. So, we did the hard thing: we let it go. We pivoted to SEO, paid ads, and sustainable marketing strategies—stuff that actually felt good and gave us the flexibility we needed.

But here’s the thing: mindfulness doesn’t always require massive changes. Sometimes it’s small tweaks that make all the difference. Maybe you only take calls on Mondays so the rest of your week stays stress-free. Or you decide to go off-grid from Instagram for a week every quarter because, let’s be real, social media can be exhausting. Or, like us, you lean into SEO and referrals to drive your marketing because Instagram just doesn’t feel aligned for your business right now.

It’s about creating a business model that works for you. It’s understanding that you are more than just your business. You’re a whole-ass human with needs, boundaries, and a life outside of work. And the best part? When you prioritize that, your business actually runs better.

So, what’s your version of mindfulness? Maybe it’s setting stricter boundaries around your time. Maybe it’s saying no to clients that drain you or projects that don’t excite you. Maybe it’s carving out space for creativity, rest, and even play.

Whatever it looks like for you, just know that you’re allowed to create a business that aligns with who you are. And trust me, when you do, your clients will notice. And they’ll stick around because of it.