Doing It Alone (But Not Really)

By Mtl Latte Heart

I had written this piece originally with a very different intention.

I wanted to share my story to help invite women for the She Leads event on August 24th, to connect, to inspire one another in the work we do as solo entrepreneurs.

The more I sat with my own words about solo business, the more I realized I needed to be honest about this season of change. Doing it alone, for me, has been about more than building a business alone, it’s been about facing grief, heartbreak, and the disappointment of plans that didn’t unfold the way I imagined, and making the choice to walk a quieter, more solitary path for the sake of my own wellbeing.

There are many kinds of heartbreak. I hesitated to use that word heartbreak that holds so much emotional ache, but I couldn't find another term that felt as true.

The unraveling of family bonds.

The parting from someone you’ve loved with your whole heart.

Friendships that come to an end.

The closing of chapters and dreams you once poured your heart into.

Each little heartbreak, however big or small, can leave you holding the pieces of yourself, unsure how to carry them forward.

In those moments, it’s easy to believe you’re walking entirely alone. The hard part is remembering the truth... but how could you possibly be alone?

When you listen closely (and mostly this has come to me in silent meditation) there’s another truth waiting for you: in the small, unseen ways you’ve given, your time, your energy, your love, you’ve been weaving something invisible yet strong, a web of reciprocity.

When things break or shift, notice what arrives:

A friend who shows up just when you needed someone to see you.

That grinder when yours burnt out in the middle of a heat wave.

The electric bike that was lent to you, when yours broke right before a triathlon.

A kind word from a friend following a morning that felt impossible to get out of.

A gesture so small, yet it reminds you that love still lives here.

This is the echo of what you’ve poured into the world. The universe answering you in whispers. I see you. I’ve been listening.

When the weight of your goals, business, life, and the often false narrative circling in your mind, starts to feel too heavy, you begin to realize how much we need spaces where we can speak honestly. So to those of us with sometimes heavy, yet wide-open hearts: you are messy, you are human.

Keep giving. Keep loving. Keep believing in yourself.

You are never as alone as you think.

If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to join me at the She Leads Event on August 24th founded by Camille Charbonneau and Jenna Efford. I’m grateful to have been invited to share and connect with others who are seeking a safe space to be real, to be supported, and to be in community. I'll also be popping up with my new mobile Biscuilatte Pop Up café serving coffee and cookies.

More Info Here

Whether you come as a business owner, a leader, a mom, a single woman, or a friend just looking to connect or support others on their journey, you belong at this table.

Thank you for being here, and much coffee and cookie love.

Stephanie

aka. Mtl Latte Heart

Cover photo: Crested Guan bird that sat with me every day on my solo trip in Monteverde, Costa Rica. This is a quiet, watchful and friendly bird that felt like the perfect symbol of my journey.