1. TRUST THE DATA
The math has to math. If the numbers say it’s not working, believe them the first time. Don’t let last-minute "miracle" sales convince you it’s a “sign” to keep going — it’s not. I can’t tell you how many times a $10K or $20K opportunity showed up that I thought was a MIRACLE at the 99th hour. Girl no. If your business depends on random miracles to survive, something needs to change.That is not a sustainable business strategy.
2. THE EGO IS NOT YOUR AMIGO
I had to ask myself: Am I fighting to keep this because it’s necessary or because I worked too hard to let it go? That’s a tough mirror moment. The real question became: Am I being resilient or delusional? That’s something only I could answer and it was clear. For personal ego work, check this out.
3. SEEKING VALIDATION WILL HAVE YOU BROKE & SAD
I made this decision quietly, without polling the internet. I trusted myself. I consulted mentors and some stakeholders. You can’t pay bills with validation. Three customers telling me to stay open because they need their Pink Cashmere butter cannot hold the same weight as a P&L statement (this was actually something Nsikan said to me that truly resonated). Synopsis: What is the data saying?
4. BUSINESS IS NOT PERSONAL
Customers shopping differently isn’t an attack — it’s economics. If I know you’ve lost your job OUT OF THE BLUE, I’m not going to force $50 jars of butter on you just to keep my doors open. I’m not built like that. I pivoted to B2B because that’s where the budgets were. That’s how I stay ethical and profitable.
5. FIND THE GIFT IN FAILURE
You don’t know what you don’t know. The lessons I learned at 7748 Marlboro Pike are priceless. I’ve been pest control, security, plumber, USPS intern, electrician, event venue manager, HVAC tech and janitor — in ADDITION to running a business. What would’ve broken 2020 Nikki doesn’t even make 2025 Nikki flinch. Growth is earned. Everything that doesn’t work out is simply an opportunity to learn and become better. Hell, I’m not the president. I didn’t make any of these decisions. How could I have known the world would change so drastically after investing so much in the space? Why would I take it personally? I’ll take the gifts of knowledge, experience and new blind spots revealed.
6. MOVING OFF OF VIBES IS CRAZY
I hurt myself a lot by moving off of “vibes” when I should have been charging people and vendors and declining sponsorship requests. I was so focused on the space being inclusive that I didn’t consider how profitable it WAS NOT. 👀 I just moved like “it’ll work out soon” because my heart was in the right place. Girl you sound crazy. 😂 Now, the numbers are my new best friend as is the concept of “respectfully decline”. With guidance from my new mentor from Kayali’s Finance Division and a generous boutique finance firm, I’m rebuilding smarter and stronger. More on that another time. What a gift to realize this without losing everything though?
7. ABL: ALWAYS BE LEARNIN'
I stay plugged in. I have a wellness based family group chat that has kept me motivated since June 1. We share workouts, books and podcasts to improve ours lives all the time. I listen to lots of books and pods by and about CEOs, self-help, entrepreneurship and more (and of course the JBP)🙊.
When Ami Colé closed, I paid attention. I listened to her interview with Emma Grede. I didn’t want the tea. I wanted the lessons and the gems. We had similar red flags for sure. 👀
When KevOnStage shared his experience quietly closing KevonStage Studios, it hit home. It gave me permission to close the studio on my own terms and share when I was ready. And that’s exactly what I did. His book Successful Failure confirmed what I already knew: There’s literally something to be grateful for with each thing that doesn’t work out for you.
8. BE ABOUT THAT LIFE
My focus is retail expansion, and I’m all in. I knew when I closed the store, my strategy would be to become available on shelves in my strongest sales regions while also introducing my brand to new areas but NOT taking on the overhead of a brick and mortar. I’m pretty sure I am DONE with that. 😬
The Shelf Talks with Roberta podcast has been a game-changer — real insight, no gate keeping. She’s now one of my mentors (I’m grateful), and together we’re setting up 2026 to introduce mass production and major shelf expansion. It’s more than “talking” about what I want to do. I’ve been taking action without announcing my every move. It brings me joy.
9. COMPARISON IS THE THIEF OF JOY
I don’t compare my journey to anyone else’s because I truly believe everything unfolds exactly as it should. Every piece of this season, even the hard parts, has built me for what’s next. Staying focused on my own lane is my super power.
10. DO THINGS YOU LOVE
Closing the shop didn’t just balance my business — it balanced my body. My cortisol levels are finally normal again, and another piece of that is because I started romanticizing small moments in my day. Lately, I’ve been reading actual books again, cooking recipes from cookbooks I bought years ago and never opened, and walking to Turning Natural in the mornings for juice and a spinach patty before sitting on a bench outside Sephora to smell new perfumes. I ride my bike and even lift weights now! I sleep and bathe in lavender and I wear pretty pajamas all day. I’m back in academia studying our social media habits and such. I spend time with my loved ones. I’m no longer having panic attacks at 3 am. Isn’t that lovely? Absolutely it is.
In conclusion, ZIJ is not my entire personality. The ultimate gem I got from this experience is to reconnect with myself as a whole person. I have accomplished a lot and never paused to even enjoy those things. Now I am. I decided not to bring stress or uncertainty into this season.
One more thing, if you're an entrepreneur experiencing challenges this season, it's NOT you. We are in unprecedented times. Adjust as you need to and don't worry about what anyone has to say about it. And get in therapy.
Thanks for reading. Love to you all. 🤍