I Didn’t Burn Out Because I Failed. I Burned Out Because I Succeeded.

Sustainable success belongs to those willing to build foundations rather than chase moments.

LaKela Brown, All Positives Metallic Coverall Small, 2023

When I first had the idea for my last e-commerce subscription business in 2011, I imagined it taking off just enough to give me some breathing room—some extra money to travel, make life comfortable, and create more opportunities for myself.

That summer, I stayed inside, doing everything I could to figure it out. When I finally launched, I made an extra $4,000 out of the gate.

$4,000 meant I could finally get a new car.

At the time, I was driving a Toyota Corolla I had bought for about $2,000 — probably a 1998 or '99.

That extra money opened up new possibilities: a newer car, maybe even a cute apartment if I could keep the business going.

We added more subscribers the following month, and I cleared an extra $10,000.
The month after that, more subscribers, and it doubled.
And then it doubled again.
And again.
And again, for years. 12 to be exact.

Seemingly, out of nowhere, I had created something that paid me handsomely, and consistently, and to keep it going, I convinced myself that the only way was never to take my foot off the gas. Never rest. Work while others slept. Cue the music!

I felt like I had to prove that this wasn’t a fluke, and the whole thing was intoxicating, and not in a good way. I was drunk on success, and it was a hot mess. It didn’t feel good. It didn’t feel right, and it was all so overwhelming.

I started therapy because I didn’t like the way my life felt.
But even then, I didn’t slow down.

And it cost me.

Sure, I took a vacation here and there, but I never turned my work off. I answered texts, calls, and emails no matter where or what I was doing.

I wish I could give you a neat, detailed list of what not slowing down cost me, but the truth is, I was moving too fast to keep track. I regret not saving the digital photos from the 60th birthday party I threw for my Mom. It was such a memorable party, she’d never had one before. I would give anything to go back and look at those pictures. I was too busy to save a damn file to my computer! I focused only on the “necessary,” outsourcing whatever I could, and stayed buried in the grind.

Not fully paying attention to what is yours comes at a significant cost.
Your creativity suffers when you don’t make space for it, and I can't prove it, but I believe creativity needs long breaks, not just weekend escapes.

Outside of weekly therapy, I didn’t invest in myself and didn’t build the proper support system around me. I didn’t know then how much I could have benefited from different types of coaching, consulting, and specialized services that could have helped me not just keep the business running but also build something that could have gone on for a much longer haul.

In my last year of business, I finally hired expensive coaches, around $30,000 worth, to help me figure out how to run a business I no longer wanted.

The biggest takeaway?
I didn’t want to be in business in this way anymore.
And sometimes, quitting is the right answer. It’s not failure. It’s clarity.
I don't regret it.
Life lived is always the greatest lesson.

Other important lessons: I should have taken much more time off, made more space to go inward instead of always pushing outward, and invested in myself sooner, not just in the business. Remember, your self-investment reflects your value.

Instead, I threw money at problems that quietly became bigger problems.
If only I had slowed down.

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And so I offer you this:
More often than not, sustainable success belongs to those willing to build foundations rather than chase moments.

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Three Rules for Building Sustainable Success

1. Protect Your Energy Like It's Your Edge (Because It Is).
Energy is your real competitive advantage, not your busyness. If something costs you more energy than it provides, think twice (or three times) before saying yes.

2. Choose Strategic Growth Over Speed.
The growth that drains you isn’t growth — it’s erosion. Instead of chasing every opportunity, focus on building strength, not just stacking wins. Every yes should move you closer to the life you want, not further from it.

3. Invest in the Operator, Not Just the Operation.
Businesses, brands, and careers don’t run themselves. You are the engine. Coaching, support, and strong systems aren’t luxuries. They are how you stay in the game long enough to win your race.

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It took me years (and a few crash landings) to learn that slowing down isn’t a failure.
It's a strategy.

Now, it's one of the core things I work on with my coaching clients, helping them build sustainable lives, businesses, and careers that actually fit who they are and what they want.

If you’re ready for that support, you can learn more about working with me [here].
(And if not yet, that's OK, too. Bookmark it for when you're ready.)

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About Me

I’m Myleik Teele, an entrepreneur, coach, and community builder. Over the past decade, I have built, scaled, and closed CURLBOX, creating a blueprint for modern brand-building and cultivating thriving communities both online and in real life. Now, my focus is on helping people—from high-level entrepreneurs and executives to those simply trying to create a life that feels good—play bigger while actually enjoying the journey.

If you’re ready to grow without the pressure to be perfect and build a life that truly feels like yours, you’re in the right place. You can also find me on Instagram and my podcast, where I dive into life, business, and everything in between.