Pressing Pause to Build Something Greater

This isn't goodbye

This year has been one of reflection for me, especially career-wise. It feels like I’ve been trapped in a room, looking for a way out, and I've only managed to make a bunch of holes in the wall with no actual progress toward my goals.

To put it simply, this year has been tough. But luckily, I’m beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel—or at least, I hope I am.

I’ve been working hard to figure out what’s next for me in my career after experiencing so much change this year. I dream of creating a business that can support my family while also fulfilling my career aspirations. I want to bring value to people and use my skills in storytelling, writing, and content creation to help others grow their businesses. I’ve had this passion for a long time.

I remember when my mom opened her accounting business. I saw how the knowledge I gained in my technical writing studies could help her explain complex terms in a way anyone could understand. I feel a spark whenever I dive into content discussions where I can share ideas on connecting with an audience.

This is something I finally feel ready to pursue in a real way. I’m excited about starting this new chapter, figuring out where I fit in, and learning how I can use my skills and talents to help others.

To make this happen, I realize I need to clear my plate to make room for this big shift. I’ve made the difficult decision to pause my work on this newsletter until I’m in a position to have more support within my business and can devote the time I want to writing it.

I need as much mental space as I can to pull this off, and I don’t want to half-heartedly push out content just to keep up with a pace I used to maintain.

To my dear paid subscribers, thank you so much for financially supporting my work. It means the world to me that you’ve entrusted me with your hard-earned money. After this week, I’ll be turning off the paid subscription option, so you won’t be charged while I take this break.

You may still see some content come through before the end of the year. I have a few projects already in the works that I want to share with you, so expect a few articles or podcast episodes to come your way.

There’s so much I want this space to become, and I’ve barely scratched the surface of my vision over the past four years—probably because I’ve been juggling 15 different things simultaneously.

So, this isn’t goodbye. It’s more like, “I need a moment to get my thoughts together.” To each of you who has read and listened to my thoughts on this industry, thank you. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who engages with my work. Writing for you these past four years has been a joy. I appreciate every comment, like, and reply you've sent. It truly means a lot, and I never take your engagement for granted.

Thank you so much for reading, and I’ll talk to you soon.

Thank you for reading!

Until next time,

Stephanie

About me: I'm Stephanie Grant, a born-and-bred ATLien and the writer behind this newsletter. I’m also a content creator for the food and beverage industry. In 2023, I launched The Share Community, a digital space for women and non-binary people of color who want to advance their career in the beer industry. You can also find more of my work on YouTube and Instagram.