The Power of Presence: How a Multicultural Vacation Transformed My Entrepreneurial Journey

Halkidiki, Greece. September 2024. 

Photo by: FLYOVRPHOTOS/UNLOCKINGADVENTURES

As I shake off this jetlag after two and a half incredible weeks away, I’m sitting in an abundance of gratitude. This was the first time in years that I truly allowed myself to be present. For so long, I’ve struggled to let go of work and embrace time off fully.

I can’t help but reflect on how different this trip felt from my first trip to meet my husband’s family in 2017, at the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey. I went to Bulgaria but didn’t give myself permission to truly be "away." I was dialing into online events, obsessively checking emails, and constantly worried about keeping things under control. My team had things handled, but I couldn’t trust myself to step back. The fear of losing momentum or control was real—something many entrepreneurs, especially first-gen and underrepresented entrepreneurs, experience.

A New Era: Prioritizing Me, Not Just My Business

But fast forward to now—2024—I’ve built a completely different model for both my life and business. This time around, I made the intentional decision to prioritize the most important part of my business foundation: me. Fulfillment as Ashley the person, not just Ashley La Jefa, was front and center. And, wow, has that shifted everything for me. Coming back, I feel a renewed sense of purpose and focus, ready to dive into my projects with a fresh set of eyes. But first, I want to pause and give thanks for this beautiful experience.

Multicultural Family Time: Why Presence Matters More Than Productivity

My trip was filled with so much love—from my husband and his family in Bulgaria to my primo and his wife who joined us in Greece. For almost three weeks, I was in a space where multiple languages were spoken, and multiple cultures were shared. We celebrated birthdays, weddings, and baby milestones. We spent time sharing stories over coffee, sometimes elaborate, sometimes simple meals, and sometimes at home or in beautiful restaurants. These moments, shared across cultures and borders, left me feeling overwhelmed with gratitude.

Some people have asked if I get bored due to the language barrier, as it may seem like the day-to-day moments with family aren’t as exciting as touristing around the country. But honestly, I live for those moments. The long coffee chats with grandparents, hearing my sister-in-law’s experiences as a new mom while we feed the baby sweet potatoes, helping young cousins with their English homework, or visiting my husband’s 98-year-old great grandma just to hold her hand and eat cookies together—it’s these connections that made this trip so special. No one cares that my Bulgarian is limited to food items. They care about making sure I feel loved and at home. And for that I feel truly blessed.

Family Planning and the Power of Multicultural Heritage

This trip also solidified something incredibly important as my husband and I are on our family planning journey—how lucky our future children will be to grow up in such a rich multicultural family. Just like my multicultural heritage has been my superpower, I know it will be theirs too.

For me, these moments—the ones that go beyond the stunning views, luxury spas, beach clubs, or delicious meals—are the memories I’ll revisit when I say, "I miss vacation." It's the people, the connections, and the feelings of love and belonging that I am most grateful for. These experiences remind me that presence is a gift, one that I’m learning to treasure more and more.

Conclusion: The Importance of Presence for Entrepreneurs

So, as I return to the hustle of running a business, I do so with a full heart. And I encourage you, familia, to embrace being present in your lives. Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or just starting out, taking time for yourself might be the most important thing you do for both your personal and professional growth.

xx

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