The point of maintenance mode is to give you time and space to take a REAL break. Not a vacation where you're checking your email or you're stuck on your laptop kind of break. But a real, genuine break.

That step back can feel kinda scary. It might feel like you're standing at a precipice, trying to figure out if you'll trip and fall over the edge, or if it's just a tiny step down to a solid surface.

That step means that you have to trust that the systems you've built and the team you've trained can handle whatever comes up.

That's the goal, to allow you to be able to take a break from your business without breaking your business.

And what does that look like in a real business?

To go through the process to prepare for maintenance mode, build the systems, and then trust them to work and step away? That's what we're talking about today.

Claire Pelletreau is a Facebook and Instagram ad expert and conversion optimization expert. Claire also LOVES talking about money–profit, loss, the whole shebang. She asks her guests how much they charge–and how much they earn–on her show, the Get Paid Podcast.

Claire recently took a break from her business while on maternity leave for several months. She knew it was coming, so she prepared, she planned and she got her business ready to operate in maintenance mode. And then she walked away. For months. During a pandemic.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How Claire changed her content strategy and schedule for her podcast to cover her maternity leave
• How she budgeted for her leave and unforeseen expenses in her absence
• The process of mentally and emotionally checking out from her business and what it was like to come back to work in a vastly different world after summer 2020
• Letting go of selling herself as part of the package and giving her team ownership

Learn more about Claire Pelletreau:

• ClairePells.com
• Instagram: @clairepells
• Facebook: @absoluteclaire
• The Get Paid Podcast

Learn more about Susan:

• Scalespark.co
• Twitter @ScaleSpark
• LinkedIn @thesusanboles

Resources:

• You Need a Budget
• Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself, Mike Michalowicz
• Rachel Rodgers

• Check out Float and sign up for your free 14-day trial here

We value your thoughts and feedback. Feel free to share them with Susan here. Your input is not just valuable, it's crucial in shaping future episodes.