In her next chapter, the Daybreak founder and mother of three is choosing slow, small, and sustainable growth that makes room for family life. Here’s how.
By Eva, Daybreak founder
“Lifestyle business” used to sound like an insult to me. When I was a venture-backed founder, it meant you weren't building something big enough. You weren't ambitious enough. I internalized some of that.
Now, I actually want to build a business that supports the life I want as a mom of three. I still have enormous ambitions for Daybreak (my small business offering magic mushroom M&M’s). My goal is to grow this company to the point where I can leave my corporate career and make it my primary professional focus.
I've already built a company when work could be the overwhelming priority. That was before I had children. I could pour almost everything I had into it. I have three young kids now, a corporate career, and a life that matters enormously to me. This time, the question is: Can I build something substantial without sacrificing the life I'm ultimately building it for?
Keeping Control of the Business
Before Daybreak, I was a venture-backed founder. I raised outside capital, built a company, and ultimately sold it. I'm grateful for that experience, but it taught me how much the source of your capital can shape the company you build. When you take venture capital, you're signing up for a particular kind of growth. The expectation is that you'll move quickly, get very big, and generate an outsized return. That isn't inherently good or bad. But the decision that gets you to the next growth milestone fastest isn't always the one you'd make for the company over the long term.
People have approached me who want to invest in Daybreak, and I've said no. I want to make decisions based on what I believe is right for the business, rather than in response to outside investors' expectations. Keeping ownership lets me decide where to invest and which opportunities are right for Daybreak. I'm happy with how it's growing, and I want to keep building on that.
What Growing Intentionally Makes Possible
Daybreak has grown through word of mouth, with people discovering it through friends. There's something special about being let in on a product someone loves, and that feeling has been part of Daybreak from the beginning. Growing slowly taught me to be careful with every dollar and keep my attention on the product. It gave me time to get it right before investing in partnerships or influencers.
More capital and a bigger marketing budget could accelerate that growth. For now, being thoughtful about what I spend has helped me build a business that works well for me. There are still real limits to my time. A busy week at work or something my children need can mean saying no to an event or letting a potential partnership wait. I feel that pull when an opportunity looks exciting.
A busy week at work or something my children need can mean saying no to an event or letting a potential partnership wait. I feel that pull when an opportunity looks exciting.
Why I’m Building Toward My Career Shift
My corporate job takes time and energy, but it also gives me room to invest in Daybreak’s next stage. Because the business is generating enough to support itself, I’m able to reinvest everything back into the business rather than taking money out to pay myself. That gives me the flexibility to make thoughtful decisions about where Daybreak goes next.
Over the years, the opportunities and access available to Daybreak have become more exciting. This partnership with The Power Pause is part of that next chapter, helping introduce Daybreak to more of the women I’m building it for. If you’re discovering Daybreak here, I’m glad you’re part of it. For now, this model lets me preserve ownership while continuing to invest in a bigger future for Daybreak.
How do I know when the balance is right? The truth is, I don’t always. But that's okay, because I've learned not to confuse urgency with importance. Daybreak is incredibly important to me. That doesn't mean it has to be the most urgent thing in my life every single day. For me, the balance is right when Daybreak keeps growing without compromising the things that make it special—or the life I want it to support.