Why Founders Need to Take Time Off—Without Guilt
In a powerful solo episode of our podcast Agency Darlings™, Melissa Lohrer delivers a timely reminder that every founder needs to hear: rest is not a luxury—it’s a strategic advantage. Drawing from her own experience with burnout and recovery, she shares why stepping away from the business is not only healthy, but essential to long-term performance and creativity.
Whether you're deep in scaling mode or simply trying to hold it all together, this post is your permission slip to pause, reset, and take time off without guilt.
Burnout Is Real—And It’s Costing You More Than You Think
Melissa doesn’t sugarcoat it: burnout among women in leadership is widespread. Nearly half report experiencing it—and yet so many still feel pressure to “push through.” But ignoring burnout doesn’t make you stronger. It makes your business more vulnerable. When founders don’t rest, performance suffers, clarity fades, and decision-making weakens. That’s a business risk, not just a personal one.
Taking Time Off Isn’t Indulgent—It’s High Performance
One of the standout points Melissa makes? Vacation breaks can actually increase performance by up to 80%. Let that sink in. Time off isn't about slacking—it's about sharpening your edge. Just like elite athletes build recovery into their training, agency founders need to structure regular breaks into their schedules in order to sustain growth.
Build a Real Vacation Schedule—And Stick to It
Melissa shares a simple and effective formula: book two weeks off per quarter—one for a true getaway, and one for a staycation or personal time. That’s not a luxury. That’s maintenance. You wouldn’t drive a car 100,000 miles without a tune-up—so don’t do it to yourself.
Let Go of the Guilt
This might be the hardest part, especially for women. We’re often conditioned to feel guilty when we unplug. But as Melissa points out, taking care of yourself doesn’t make you less committed to your business—it makes you more valuable to it. When you're well-rested, you're a better leader, clearer thinker, and more creative problem solver.
Final Thought
Melissa’s message is simple but powerful: you are your business’s most valuable asset. Prioritizing rest is one of the smartest things you can do for your performance, your people, and your long-term success. Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you build sustainable habits around rest and recovery, so you can lead with energy and clarity without burning out.
So go ahead—block the calendar, book the time, and take the break. You’ve earned it.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.