Founder Blog: You're Not Alone: Navigating Uncertainty as a Business Owner

Read Time: 5-7 minutes

By: Heather Wentler

Are We Back in April 2020?

Lately, there have been moments that feel eerily familiar. No, we’re not scrubbing down groceries or donning masks just to walk around the block. But we are feeling the unease again—hesitant to spend beyond necessities, bracing ourselves for sudden price jumps, questioning how long the essentials will last, and worrying if our loved ones will still have a roof over their heads in a few months.

March was rough—personally, emotionally, and professionally. And I know I’m not alone in that.

We're also watching critical funding for our businesses dangle precariously, uncertain if we’ll still qualify or if the rules will change tomorrow. As entrepreneurs, we’re constantly adjusting. But lately, it feels like we’re walking blindfolded through a tunnel, trying to stay upright and move forward, hoping we’re heading in the right direction.

This isn’t new for small business owners. We've all been through rough patches, but this one? This one feels like it’s hitting all at once rather than trickling over months or years.

The Emotional Whiplash of Now

I try not to get political in these messages—though, if you’ve spent five minutes talking with me, you probably have a hunch where I lean. Still, Doyenne serves a politically diverse community, and I work to find common ground, even when decisions made at every level of government feel more rooted in partisanship than in the realities we face as entrepreneurs.

And it’s affecting all of us.

So, How Do We Keep Going?

There are days I sit at my computer and think: What should I even be doing right now? Will any of it matter tomorrow? It’s easy to spiral, especially in a system designed to keep us in a heightened emotional state for clicks and profit.

So, how do we turn down the noise? Reset our systems? Reclaim our energy?

Here are some tools I lean on when I feel the spiral coming:

1. Recognize the Signs

I've worked with professionals (and Chris) to understand when I need a reset. Here’s what I ask myself:

• Am I sleeping? And not just crashing—real, consistent sleep?
  
  

• Am I eating? More than just snack food that makes me happy for a second? (Confession: I’m a grazer, so sometimes it looks like I’m not eating much, but I am… just over a longer stretch.)
  
  

• Am I isolating? When stressed, I forget to nourish myself. I now have people who ask me directly, “What did you eat today?” or “Want to go for a walk?” when I’m not showing up in spaces I usually do

2. Identify Your Reset Button

A few years ago, I was pacing around the house, overwhelmed. Then suddenly, I had to get a ring from storage—now. Chris, confused but patient, helped me get it. And just like that, I could breathe again. That moment gave us language: I was having a panic attack.

That ring gave me back a sense of control.

3. Break the Cycle

• Stop scrolling. Use app timers or blockers. Your brain will thank you.
  
  

• Journal (your way). Lists, doodles, notes—whatever helps externalize the storm.
  
  

• Move your body. Walk, stretch, dance, do yoga—just shift the energy.
  
  

• Take 5 deep breaths. (Thank you, Nicola, for this gentle reminder.)
  
  

• Shift the soundtrack. A curated playlist can ground you. (Be mindful with podcasts—they can help or harm, depending on the content.)
  
  

4. Create a Plan

Once you've grounded yourself, it’s time to act:

• Control what you can. (Yes, I know… easier said than done.)
  
  

• List your next steps. Say them out loud or write them down.
  
  

• Get accountability. Who can help keep you on track?
  
  

• Communicate clearly. Especially if others are involved. Stating your boundaries/needs both within work and at home so you can have peace of mind
  
  

• Evaluate. What’s working? What needs to shift?
  
  

5. Rediscover Joy

Joy isn’t frivolous. It’s survival.

Years ago, I started a Joy Journal. I don’t write in it every day, but I’ve trained myself to notice joy when it shows up—in the middle of the work, during tough conversations, through a genuine smile or a shared laugh.

Even in the most challenging seasons, I love 90% of my work. I get to see your faces on Zoom, celebrate your wins, and walk with you through challenges. Yes, it’s a mentally and emotionally big job. But it’s also an honor that you let me into your business.

A Few Final Reminders:

• You are enough.
  
  

• You are not alone.
  
  

• You are making the best decisions you can with the info you have.
  
  

• Call in support—friends, peers, and professionals. We all need it.
  
  

• You are doing great things.
  
  

• The system wasn’t built for us. But we’re still here.
  
  

Let me know how I can support you. I will continue to show up for you—with a sarcastic smile, direct truth, and a lot of heart