Is Burning Down Your Business Really the Only Way Out?

by | podcast

The Business You Really Want is a podcast hosted by Tonya Kubo and Gwen Bortner. Gwen and Tonya are shown together sitting at Gwen's dining room table. Microphones in front of them, Gwen has her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytaial and Tonya's chin-length curly slat-and-pepper hair is as tame as it'll ever be. Both women wear glasses, but Tonya's black-and-white frames are much cooler. Tonya has a white denim jacket open over a black T-shirt. Gwen wears a bright teal cardigan over a black tank top. Gwen has bold teal wooden jewelry.

You’ve seen the headlines. Another successful entrepreneur confesses to burning out and starting over. They talk about laying off their entire team, shutting down their thriving business, and rising from the ashes like a phoenix. It’s dramatic. It’s inspiring. And it’s becoming alarmingly common.

But what if I told you there’s another way?

As a business advisor with nearly 40 years of experience across more than 40 industries, I’ve seen countless entrepreneurs face overwhelming challenges. And while I applaud the courage it takes to admit when things aren’t working, I can’t help but wonder: Are we missing something crucial in these conversations?

An image of Gwen in her teal cardigan and black ruched top is shown next to a quote from her stating, "What I fear is that some of these people who burn down their business to start over go right down the exact same path."

Introducing The Business You Really Want

That’s exactly why Tonya Kubo and I have launched The Business You Really Want, a podcast for female entrepreneurs ready to build sustainable, fulfilling businesses aligned with their values.

In our very first episode, we dive deep into this trend of “burning it all down” and explore why it might not be the only — or even the best — solution to business overwhelm.

Here’s a taste of what you’ll discover:

  1. The hidden culprit behind most business burnouts (hint: it’s not what you think)
  2. Why chasing someone else’s definition of success might be sabotaging your business
  3. The power of having a diverse toolbox of business solutions
  4. How to identify what you really want from your business (and why it matters)

But perhaps most importantly, we discuss why burning down your business often leads to recreating the same problems all over again. As I share in the episode, I’ve seen this cycle repeat itself more times than I like to count: A founder will get fed up, strip down their operations to the barest of bones, only to rebuild it to something that needs to be burned down all over again.

So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed in your business, stretched to the point of breaking — or if you’re simply curious about how to build a business that truly aligns with your values and goals, this episode is for you.

Ready to discover alternatives to the nuclear approach?

Tune in to the first episode of The Business You Really Want.

You can listen to show using the player above, on Apple and Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

Don’t let overwhelm be your boss. Join us as we explore how to build the business you really want — without sacrificing your values, your health, or your sanity.

The business you really want is within reach. Let’s discover it together.

About Gwen

Gwen Bortner has spent four decades advising executives and entrepreneurs in 45+ industries. She helps women succeed in business without sacrificing happiness by identifying their true desires and aligning their business functions. She spots overlooked bottlenecks and crafts efficient plans toward sustainable success that center your values and priorities.