The self-care habits of successful entrepreneurs who book 6 figures and raise millions in venture capital

Nikkie Pryce is a self-published author and speaker in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who coaches women to write their own books. In 2021 her company generated $124,000 in revenue.

She previously told Insider that she uses meditation apps to calm her thoughts when she wakes up in the morning and before she goes to bed.

She also puts her phone on "do not disturb" mode until 9 a.m. and won't answer messages or emails unless they're urgent. "My assistant knows I'm not taking calls, because I really need time to pour into myself before I pour into everybody else," she said.

Pryce also likes to take herself to a restaurant or go shopping to unwind. "I will put on my AirPods and go to Target for detergent and walk out with a whole jogging suit and some wall decor," she said. "But it's so therapeutic for me."

Jackie Nguyen is the owner of Cafe Cà Phê, a Vietnamese coffee truck in Kansas City, Missouri. Her business had made more than $186,000 in sales by September.

She previously told Insider that she's usually too busy to eat when she wakes up at 6 a.m. but that she'll sometimes grab a granola bar or banana.

On Wednesdays she has an hour of therapy. Mondays and Tuesdays are her days off from work. One of her favorite things to do is walk around Target or TJ Maxx with her headphones in. She'll call a friend or listen to music and grab a smoothie.

"It's my little me time," she said. "If I sit at home, I'm tempted to work or clean."

Sharmadean Reid is the founder of the women-centric financial publication The Stack World. She's raised nearly £4 million in funding and amassed almost 1,000 paying members since its launch last March.

Reid previously told Insider that she manages burnout by driving to the English countryside to spend time in nature and read a book on philosophy.

"The main thing is reconnecting with my life's purpose," she said. "If you know you're doing something for something bigger than you, it helps you stay aligned and motivated."

Jackie Dubois is a painter and former TikTok creator who's booked six figures' worth of sales by selling her paintings and prints online.

She previously told Insider that she became overwhelmed by the pressure to post on social media and take strangers' feedback, so she stopped sharing for her well-being.

"Our brains are not meant to handle so much stimulation, input, and commentary from millions of strangers on the internet," Dubois said. "It can be really crushing to see this huge high, to have a good response, followed by a huge low."

Olivia Landau is the cofounder of The Clear Cut, an engagement-ring and diamond-jewelry business. In 2021 her company averaged $1 million in monthly sales.

Every weekday morning Landau does a Peloton or Sculpt Society workout for 30 to 45 minutes. While she's cooling down she waters her plants on her apartment terrace.

At night she likes to cook dinner, and in the summer she and her husband grill outside. "I'll try new recipes all the time because that's kind of my way of decompressing for the day," she previously told Insider.

Ginni Saraswati is the founder of Ginni Media, a podcasting company that made $500,000 in revenue in 2020.

Saraswati told Insider that every morning she writes down what she's grateful for and meditates. Then she walks four blocks to the gym, where she does strength training and cardio for about 30 minutes. On Thursdays she does boxing.

At night before bed she likes to light a candle, use a foot massager, put on a face mask, and read a book. Some nights she listens to her meditation app or a MasterClass. "I love learning, so I'll listen to an audiobook or podcast," she said.

Ciara Imani May is the cofounder of Rebundle, a company that sells plant-based synthetic braiding hair. Last year, May raised a $1.4 million pre-seed.

May told Insider she finishes work around 5 p.m. and focuses on her personal life. She'll start by checking in with her friends and family before spending time with her dog.

Then, before bed, she watches a drama show and sitcom to help keep her mind off work. "I enjoy the perfect balance of comedy and crime," she said.

Kelly O'Sullivan McKenna has her own private therapy practice Sit With Kelly that she started in February 2021 after working in the mental-health industry for almost six years. Last year, her company booked $250,000 in revenue.

She previously told Insider that she schedules her work days to best manage her anxiety, which has worked so far. She only sees clients on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays and handles adminstrative tasks on other two days. She prioritizes breaks while working, taking time out of her schedule to cook breakfast and lunch and go for an afternoon walk.

McKenna also relaxes by cooking dinner with her husband after finishing work at 5 p.m. She says she loves to also go on a nighttake walk, or watch tv to wind down.

There's always going to be more you can do. It's about recognizing that where you are right now is good enough, even if you want to grow," she said.