“Soft Power, Strong Vision: How I Learned That Self-Care Is My Greatest Business Strategy”

By Cree Cole

I’ve learned that being a Black woman entrepreneur means carrying a kind of power the world often doesn’t understand. We’re expected to be everything: visionary and vessel, leader and listener, brand and backbone, all at once. I know that feeling well. As a self-published author, podcaster, and the voice behind LYF According 2 Cree, I’ve spent years creating from my soul, turning pain into purpose, and building something I can call my own. But the truth is, even passion can drain you if you don’t pause to protect your peace.

There was a time I believed rest was a reward. I thought pushing harder meant I was doing better, that every late night, every launch, every new idea had to come with a sacrifice. Eventually, I realized that exhaustion isn’t excellence. It’s avoidance. It’s the body begging you to slow down and breathe. These days, I’m learning that self-care isn’t the opposite of success; it’s the foundation of it.

When I first started publishing books under my own imprint, running a podcast, and developing the LYF brand, I wanted everything to look and feel polished. But the truth behind the scenes was messy. There were moments I questioned my timing, my talent, and my purpose. I kept showing up, smiling, producing, creating, until one day, I didn’t even recognize the woman behind the brand. That’s when I made a promise to myself: I wouldn’t just build a business that looked good. I’d build one that allowed me to feel good.

For me, that started with rest. I stopped glorifying burnout. I began to honor my body as much as my brand. I gave myself permission to say “no,” even when opportunities looked shiny but didn’t serve my peace. I learned that boundaries aren’t barriers; they’re bridges that keep you connected to what really matters. Setting them didn’t make me less ambitious. It made me more authentic.

And I had to remind myself to celebrate small wins. As women, we’re so used to chasing the next milestone that we forget to look around and realize how far we’ve come. Finishing a book, recording a new episode, or receiving one message from a listener who says your words helped them—that’s worth honoring. Every success, no matter how small, deserves gratitude.

I also had to learn to refill my cup. As a creator, I pour a lot into others through my words, my work, and my platforms. But I had to ask myself, who pours into me? That’s when I started therapy again, surrounded myself with women who remind me that softness and strength can coexist, and allowed myself to rest without guilt. It’s not always easy, but it’s necessary.

Now, when I talk about entrepreneurship through the LYF According 2 Cree lens, I see it as liberation, not labor. It’s not just about income; it’s about alignment. It’s about creating something sustainable, something that feels like peace, not pressure. My goal has shifted from “How can I do more?” to “How can I feel more whole while I do it?”

So, when I say self-care is my greatest business strategy, I mean it. The more I pour into myself, the better I pour into others. The more I protect my peace, the more clarity I gain for the next project, the next book, the next big vision. My soft power has become my strength.

That’s why, for National Entrepreneurship Month, I created the Built from Our Magic: 30-Day Empower365 Challenge to help other Black women entrepreneurs reconnect with themselves while they build their dreams. It’s a reminder that your well-being and your work are not competing; they’re connected. Every day of the challenge blends purpose with peace, business with balance, and empowerment with intention.

Because at the end of the day, LYF According 2 Cree isn’t just a brand. It’s a belief. It’s about loving yourself first, protecting your peace always, and remembering that the empire you’re building means nothing if you lose yourself in the process.

So, this season, take the time to rest, reflect, and rise. Your vision deserves it. And so do you.