The Best Thing I Did for My Business Had Nothing to Do With Work

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As moms, business owners, and full-time caretakers, we spend so much time taking care of everyone else that we often forget about ourselves.

We get caught up in the day-to-day hustle of appointments, deadlines, school drop-offs, meal planning, and trying to keep all the plates spinning. Before we know it, we’re operating on autopilot, burnt out, irritable, and running on empty.

But the problem is, growth doesn’t happen on autopilot.

Growth happens when we challenge ourselves. It happens when we take risks. When we step outside our comfort zone and allow ourselves to experience something new.

And recently, I was reminded of that lesson in the most unexpected way.

The Scary Thing I Almost Didn’t Do

A few weeks ago, I performed in my first dance recital in over a decade, and I had the TIME OF MY LIFE.

If you know me, you know that dance was once a huge part of my life. I started dancing when I was three years old and continued all the way through college. The dance studio was my second home for nearly twenty years.

Then life happened.

I became an adult, started a career, and became a mom. My priorities shifted, and somewhere along the way, dance quietly faded into the background.

When the opportunity came up to perform again, I was SO excited… and also a bit terrified.

What if I forgot everything as soon as I stepped on stage?

What if I embarrassed myself?

What if I wasn’t as good as I used to be (my body definitely doesn’t move the same way it used to, ha!?

As entrepreneurs, we ask ourselves those same questions all the time.

What if nobody buys?

What if nobody reads the blog?

What if I fail?

What if I’m not qualified enough?

What if I put myself out there and it doesn’t work?

Whether you’re stepping onto a stage or launching a business, fear has a funny way of showing up whenever something matters.

Had I listened to those fears, I would have missed one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in years.

And if I had listened to those same fears years ago, I never would have started a business in the first place.

Why Business Growth Requires Discomfort

The truth is, every stage of entrepreneurship requires us to step outside our comfort zone.

Starting a business is uncomfortable.

Launching your first offer is uncomfortable.

Attending networking events is uncomfortable.

Sending that email is uncomfortable.

Showing up on video is uncomfortable.

Raising your prices is uncomfortable.

Putting your work out into the world is uncomfortable.

The reality is that growth in business almost always lives on the other side of discomfort.

As moms, we often convince ourselves that we need more experience, more time, or more confidence before taking the next step.

But confidence doesn’t come before action. Confidence comes because of action.

When I stepped back onto that stage, I remembered something that applies just as much to business as it does to dancing:

You don’t stop being nervous.

You simply learn that you can do it anyway.

Every time we step outside our comfort zone, we collect evidence that we’re capable of more than we thought.

That’s where confidence is built.

Not by waiting. By doing.

Reconnecting With Yourself Creates Better Business Ideas

Walking into rehearsal felt like stepping into a time machine. Memories came flooding back.

The music, routines and familiar feeling of being surrounded by fellow dancers.

I quickly remembered something I had forgotten over the years: I love dancing.

More importantly, I reconnected with a part of myself that had been buried underneath responsibilities, deadlines, and daily routines.

As moms, we often lose pieces of ourselves while caring for everyone else.

Not intentionally.

But somewhere between raising children, building businesses, working full-time jobs, and managing households, our own passions get pushed aside.

Here’s what surprised me most.

Stepping away from work actually helped me think differently about work.

One of the greatest benefits of stepping outside your comfort zone is the shift in perspective it creates.

When we’re stuck in the same environment every day, we tend to think the same thoughts and approach problems the same way.

But when we expose ourselves to something new, our creativity wakes up.

We see opportunities differently.

We gain fresh ideas.

We become more innovative.

Sometimes the breakthrough you’re looking for in your business isn’t sitting in your inbox.

Sometimes it’s waiting in a dance studio, a new class, a networking event, a coffee shop conversation, or an experience you’ve been putting off because it feels uncomfortable.

The Unexpected Gift

As amazing as the experience was for me, the best part wasn’t actually performing.

It was sharing the experience with my little girl.

She watched her mommy do something scary, and in turn, it gave her the courage to do the scary thing too.

She watched me practice, make mistakes, get nervous.

And then she watched me do it anyway.

The beautiful thing about children is that they’re always watching.

Not just what we say. What we do.

By stepping outside my comfort zone, I unknowingly gave her permission to do the same.

She performed on stage with confidence, excitement, and pure joy.

And let me tell you, she absolutely CRUSHED it on stage.

Watching her shine reminded me that courage is contagious.

The same is true in business.

When we take chances, we inspire others to take chances.

When we believe in ourselves, we give others permission to believe in themselves.

When we pursue our dreams despite the fear, we show our children what courage looks like in real life.

What I Learned

This experience reminded me of a few important things:

1. I’m capable of more than I give myself credit for.
2. Growth lives outside of my comfort zone.
3. The things that scare us are often the things we need most.
4. New experiences create new perspectives.
5. This mama has still got it. 😉

Most importantly, it reminded me that every meaningful milestone in my life and business started with a decision that felt uncomfortable.

Launching a business.

Starting a blog.

Investing in myself.

Sharing my story.

Putting myself out there.

None of those things felt comfortable at the time.

But if I had waited until they did, I would still be standing on the sidelines.

As Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, said:

“Comfort and growth do not coexist.”

She couldn’t be more right.

Your Challenge This Week

If you’ve been feeling stuck, uninspired, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself lately, I want to challenge you to do one thing:

Step outside your comfort zone.

Do something different.

Take the class.

Attend the event.

Start the business.

Launch the offer.

Learn the skill.

Try the hobby.

Have the conversation.

Take the chance on yourself.

Because every time you step outside your comfort zone, you’re not just growing as a person—you’re becoming a stronger entrepreneur, a more confident leader, and an even better example for the people watching you.

Your comfort zone is a wonderful place to visit, but it’s a terrible place to build a business.

So go do the scary thing.

You might just surprise yourself.

Here’s to all the incredible Moms juggling a million things—keep shining bright, cheering each other on, and building the life you love!

Xoxo,
Ashley

Friendly Note: I’m simply sharing my journey, experiences, and lessons learned as a Mom in business. This isn’t legal, financial, or professional advice. Always check with a qualified pro for guidance tailored to you.