Deya Aliaga, a 28-year-old entrepreneur from Berlin, shares her journey of transitioning from a “hard entrepreneur” to a “cozy entrepreneur” in a conversation transcribed for this article. Aliaga launched her business, the “Digital Business Manager Bootcamp,” in April 2020 after working as a freelance online business manager for several years. Her business has seen significant success, bringing in over $700,000 in revenue since its inception.
Initially, Aliaga found herself caught up in the hustle culture of entrepreneurship, feeling pressured to achieve seven-figure revenue goals and constantly comparing herself to other entrepreneurs. This mindset led to stress, burnout, and a decrease in revenue for her business. She realized that this approach was not sustainable and decided to make a change.
Aliaga shifted towards a “cozy entrepreneur” mindset, setting boundaries with work and being kinder to herself. She stopped shaming herself for not working long hours and began implementing a “no-shame policy” in her work routine. By silencing the negative inner voice that pushed her to work harder, Aliaga found that she became more compassionate towards herself and ultimately more productive.
One significant change Aliaga made was to stop setting strict work hours and instead trust herself to complete tasks without the pressure of a rigid schedule. She no longer sets an alarm, starts work around 10 a.m., and ensures she doesn’t work on weekends. By focusing on the impact of her work rather than the hours put in, Aliaga has found a healthier balance between work and personal life.
In embracing the “cozy entrepreneur” approach, Aliaga has also prioritized building hobbies and activities outside of work. By engaging in games, making friends, and reading fiction, she has been able to detach her identity from her business and find fulfillment in other areas of her life. This has not only made her a better person but also a more creative and productive business owner.
While it is still early to determine the long-term effects of these changes on her business revenue, Aliaga believes that the “soft entrepreneur” approach will be more profitable in the long run. By being more comfortable with risk, generating more ideas, and feeling less overwhelmed, she has seen positive results in both her personal and professional life.
In conclusion, Aliaga plans to continue with the “soft entrepreneurship” approach, adapting the rules as needed but maintaining core principles of self-compassion and avoiding the pursuit of “more” for the sake of it. By prioritizing her well-being and setting boundaries with work, she has found a sustainable and fulfilling way to run her business while also taking care of herself.
