Jessica Zweig, serial entrepreneur and author of “The Light Work.”
Provided by Jessica Zweig
Jessica Zweig’s new book, The Light Work, explores how to find your light after burnout without breaking your limits. Zweig tells a personal entrepreneurial story that begins with her first business, a popular digital magazine for women, but fails to scale and ends up racking up massive credit card debt. After four years of working as a golden handcuff, she took on the challenge of starting a business again. This time, they were able to achieve seven-figure revenue in less than 18 months. In just five years, she has grown SimplyBe Agency into a seven-figure business and, to her own surprise, become a best-selling author, #1 ranked podcast host, popular speaker, and award-winning CEO. .
Despite all her success, she became burnt out and suffered from severe depression, among other health issues. She no longer found joy or motivation in being CEO and had to learn how to separate from the business while continuing to grow it. Through her own spiritual journey, she experienced a transformation that allowed her to find her light and purpose. Zweig eventually grew SimplyBe to $10 million in revenue and sold it to Hawke Media. The Light Work, which peaked at #18 on USA Today’s national bestseller list, takes readers on her journey from burnout to burning brightly again. She teaches how they too can activate the light, especially after burnout.
One of the big topics about entrepreneurship that Zweig shares in this book is the recognition that women need to leverage their natural strengths instead of trying to act like men . “First, it’s important to realize that we live in a world designed by men, for men. The constant pressure to beat, succeed, compete, and win is what makes things so difficult. It’s not a paradigm that necessarily reflects what it should be. We’re so focused on profits and growth that we always expect an upward trajectory, but the reality is that’s not the case with our business. I realized that I was going through a cycle of growth, decline, and rebirth. Embracing this understanding relieved a lot of pressure for me as an entrepreneur, something that is avoidable for all entrepreneurs, especially women. “I believe it is essential to recognize and embrace the challenges that exist,” she said.
Jessica Zweig, author of The Light Work.
Provided by Jessica Zweig
“Leading with feminine values in the workplace, such as compassion, empathy, and compassion, and creating a safe and supportive environment for your team is what makes women such great leaders. At the same time, we need to recognize that male traits are not inherently bad. Being a strong woman in business means knowing your worth, negotiating, asserting yourself, and thinking strategically. These qualities make us good, well-rounded leaders.Finally, given the prevalence of burnout among women, establish boundaries and be a queen. It’s important to act with this mindset. Just as the Queen protects herself and takes care of her own needs, we prioritize self-care and serve both ourselves and others effectively. You need to set non-negotiable boundaries.”
As for advice for founders looking to scale and eventually sell their businesses without burning out, Zweig emphasizes the need to turn your business into an asset and automate it as much as possible. “You need to turn your business into an asset. Many women start out as a lifestyle business, based on their passion. But you can’t sell your business as just a lifestyle business. You need to turn it into an asset that can function effectively without you. This means implementing systems, operations, and processes that allow others to run your business if you can’t. Zweig brought in an integrator who could provide the vision and manage the business, down to day-to-day processes, systems, and people. We also leveraged project management tools and created all SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures).
“One of my mentors once told me that there is a difference between a business owner and a store owner.A store owner spends the day turning on the lights, unlocking the doors, serving customers and At the end of the day, you have to close up shop. Meanwhile, the business owner can fly to Fiji for a month and the business continues to operate. Because at the end of the day, you are not for sale. You can’t sell it if you are inherently dependent on it and the business is dependent on you, and the second thing is to be prepared to let go and detach yourself, both mentally and emotionally. You have to be ready to cut that energy cord because it’s your baby, it’s your life, and your staff is your family. You have to be prepared to let it go. It’s a big experience that people need to be prepared for,” she added.
Jessica Zweig at a book signing for “The Light Work.”
Provided by Jessica Zweig
Maintaining joy is another lesson Zweig shares with his readers. Learn how to prioritize joy, regardless of stress or external circumstances. I have an appointment scheduled on my calendar. I make time for play, creative activities, walks, and slow down time, and I value them on the same level as board meetings. For me they are all equally important and prioritized. I cannot deprioritize them and I am responsible for that.
Currently, Zweig is offering a 12-week Feminine Leadership Business Training and Certification, along with an interactive spiritual experience, as well as a “Claim Your Light” business packed with brand-building, marketing, leadership, and scale-up workshops. -Teaching entrepreneurial women to activate their light through retreats. As we enter a new era of entrepreneurship, Zweig helps founders shape their purpose and mission. It’s about making a difference, having a positive impact, and being the best person you can be. As I often say, leadership is like self-development on steroids. Nothing stretches you more than becoming an entrepreneur. It is important to embrace aspects of personal growth. In this new era, we are building businesses not just for our own wealth, but for the benefit of the world. If you are only thinking about serving yourself and how much money you can make, you are missing the point. That’s the old paradigm, the toxic masculine, patriarchal paradigm. We have to think about giving, giving a tenth of our profits to causes we care about, giving bonuses to our team, and giving back to the community. Not everything has to be transactional. Everything is reciprocal and our aim is to circulate your wealth so that we can make an impact and enable everyone to not only survive but thrive in new business. ”
jessica zweig
Provided by Jessica Zweig
So how can founders activate their light? Zweig believes it’s important to focus on inner work. This includes spending time with yourself, connecting with your soul, doing deep work, seeking guidance from a therapist or healer, reading books, listening to podcasts, and taking time for self-discovery. All of these things are important. “Our purpose is to evolve internally during our time on Earth. It is important to realize that growth is not only external; it is also internal. That is the main theme of my book.”
And if there’s one thing Zweig wants readers to take away from his new book, it’s to not be afraid of hard work and darkness. “The things we fear, such as failure, rejection, overwhelm, and burnout, are things we should embrace because they are where we can be powerful. You are responsible for doing this work yourself. When you heal yourself, you begin to heal the world. Each reader of this book is important to the healing and evolution of humanity. Realize that you are here not only to build a business, but also to activate the light within you and take charge of your life. Stop playing the victim. Stop and empower yourself as co-creators of your own reality. This is what I want people to take away.”
