7 Things I Learned When I Closed My Business
In July of 2022, I closed the doors to my tattoo studio after 12 years of pouring everything I had into it. We had made it through the pandemic shutdowns and were slowly finding our rhythm again. On the outside, things looked like they were working.
But I wasn’t.
Every morning felt heavier than the last. I dreaded walking through the doors of a place I once loved. What used to feel like passion had become obligation. I kept asking myself, How could I walk away after 12 years? I had come so far…
But “so far” felt like drowning. Depression consumed me. Anxiety filled every moment in between. And when neither had its grip, I reached for a bottle — because numbing out became the only thing I looked forward to.
So, I made the call.
I shut it all down — with no plan, no roadmap, and no idea what came next.
What follows isn’t just what I learned… it’s what I unlearned too.
1. Don’t Stop Creating for Yourself
When you stop creating for play, your spark dims. Mine nearly burned out completely. For years, I prioritized business over passion and ignored the voice inside me that just wanted to make stuff. I missed painting for no reason, bleach-dyeing a t-shirt, pressing my own designs. Creativity without a purpose — just for joy — matters. Don’t let your “muchness” fade while chasing productivity.
2. Keep Your Plans to Yourself (At First)
Input from others can be helpful — but not before you’ve had time to fully sit with your own decisions. When you’re at a crossroads, too many voices cloud your vision. Protect your clarity. Your path is yours alone to walk, and you need to hear your truth first before inviting in someone else’s.
3. Think in Terms of Legacy
Every choice you make contributes to the story people will tell about you one day. I read a quote that said, “We’re all writing our eulogy, but we’ll never get to hear it.” That stuck with me. Every post, every project, every interaction — it all adds up. So ask yourself: Will this matter to my future self? Live and create with that kind of intention.
4. Make Space for Yourself
Mental health isn’t optional — it’s foundational. Whether it’s journaling, meditating, hitting the gym, or simply taking a quiet walk, you have to carve out time for yourself. You can’t pour into your work or others if your cup is empty. Your routines shape your reality, so build ones that nourish you. Remember: We become what we practice.
5. Innovate Relentlessly
The world is always evolving — your business should too. Technology, systems, processes… they’re all tools. If you’re not willing to adapt, someone else will, and they’ll outpace you. Upgrading isn’t a waste — it’s a declaration that you take your business seriously. Innovation doesn’t just keep you relevant — it keeps you excited.
6. Master Yourself First
Before you can lead others, you need to lead yourself. Self-mastery is about making aligned decisions and following through with discipline and integrity. It’s about taking ownership — of your time, your mindset, your energy. The more grounded you are in who you are, the stronger you show up for everything else.
7. If It’s Not Fun, It’s Not Worth It
Fun is underrated. Fulfillment matters. How often do we measure fun the same way we measure profits? Ease and enjoyment aren’t just nice-to-haves — they’re signs that you’re in alignment. If your clients aren’t having fun — or at least feeling ease — something’s off. Business doesn’t have to be heavy. Adapt. Flow. Enjoy it again.
Closing your business might feel like failure. It’s not.
Sometimes it’s the reset you didn’t know you needed.
Sometimes, you have to let go of who you’ve been, to become who you’re meant to be.
And sometimes? You have to burn it all down just to remember who lit the first spark in the first place.
