Episode 75: From Burnout to Breakthrough: Smart Business Pivots with Mariah Scrivens

Feb 8

From Burnout to Breakthrough: Smart Business Pivots with Mariah Scrivens

Ever feel like your business is just not giving back the way you thought it would? Like you’re putting in all this effort, but instead of moving forward, you’re stuck spinning your wheels—frustrated, drained, and wondering if this is even worth it anymore?

If you’ve been side-eyeing your business, questioning whether it’s time for a full-on pivot or just a few tweaks to make things feel better, this episode is for you.

I sat down with Mariah Scrivens, a former teacher turned multi-business owner, who has been through multiple pivots and came out the other side running a business that actually feels good. She’s all about simplifying, ditching the overwhelm, and building a business that works for YOU—not the other way around.

Mariah went from teaching kindergarten to selling digital resources to teachers to running a six-figure business—only to realize she still wasn’t happy. So she made another bold move and shifted into business coaching, where she now helps entrepreneurs pivot with purpose.

This conversation? A must-listen if you’re feeling even the tiniest inkling that your business needs to shift.

Is It Time to Pivot Your Business? Here’s How to Tell.

Let’s be real—every business has its ups and downs. But if you’re waking up dreading your work every single day (or just feeling completely disconnected from it), it might be time for a change.

Mariah and I dug into the biggest red flags that signal a business pivot might be the right move:

🔥 You’ve lost the spark – The thing that used to light you up? Gone. You’re just going through the motions.
🔥 You’re doing well… but you hate it – You’re good at what you do, but that doesn’t mean you want to keep doing it.
🔥 Your audience is evolving, and you feel out of place – The people engaging with you aren’t the same ones you originally built for, and you don’t feel connected to them anymore.
🔥 Marketing feels forced – You could show up and promote your offers, but it feels like pulling teeth.
🔥 You’re resisting growth – The idea of scaling feels exhausting instead of exciting.
🔥 You’re trying to convince yourself you still want this – But deep down? You know you don’t.

If you found yourself nodding along to ANY of these, it might be time to rethink what you’re doing.

The Art of Pivoting: How to Shift Without Burning It All Down

One of the biggest mistakes people make when they realize they want to pivot? They panic and scrap everything overnight.

(Been there. Almost did that. Highly do not recommend.)

Mariah gets it—when she decided to shift from selling digital products to coaching, she wanted to delete her entire Instagram account and start fresh. Her husband literally had to stop her and remind her, “Uh, we have a mortgage.” 😂

Here’s what she did instead (and what she recommends to anyone thinking about pivoting):

1️⃣ Identify What You Actually Love Doing

Before you start over completely, take a step back. Ask yourself:

✅ What parts of my business do I genuinely enjoy?
✅ What feels like a chore?
✅ If I could spend my time doing anything in my business, what would it be?

Mariah realized she loved helping other business owners—so she found a way to make that her new direction.

2️⃣ Transition Gradually (Seriously, Don’t Set It All on Fire)

You don’t have to announce a full rebrand tomorrow. Test things out. Start talking about new topics on social media, introduce new offers, see what feels right.

Mariah kept her old business running for nearly a year while she built up her coaching business behind the scenes. When she was finally ready to let go, she did it without panicking about money.

3️⃣ Stop Thinking You’re “Wasting” Your Old Business

You are not throwing away everything you’ve built. Every skill, experience, and audience you’ve gained can transfer to your new direction.

Mariah put it best:
💡 “Just because you don’t have experience in your new business doesn’t mean you won’t be successful. You’ve been learning, growing, and evolving—your business should evolve with you.”

4️⃣ Focus on Your Messaging (Because People Will Be Confused)

Your audience needs to understand why you’re shifting gears. Start weaving it into your content:

➡️ Share the signs that led you to pivot.
➡️ Explain why your new direction excites you.
➡️ Show how your expertise still applies.

And most importantly—own it. If you’re confident about your shift, your audience will be too.

Biggest Myths About Business Pivots (a.k.a. Things That Will Keep You Stuck)

🚫 Myth #1: Pivoting Means Starting From Scratch
Nope! You’re building off everything you’ve already done—just in a different direction.

🚫 Myth #2: You Have to Have It All Figured Out First
If you wait until you’re 100% sure, you’ll never make the move. Clarity comes from taking action.

🚫 Myth #3: You’ll Lose Your Audience
Some people will leave. But your true audience—the ones who align with your new direction—will stay. And you’ll attract better people along the way.

🚫 Myth #4: You’re Giving Up
No, you’re making a smart business decision. Your business is allowed to change, and so are you.

Your Business Should Work for YOU

At the end of the day, your business should support your life—not drain the life out of you. If you’ve been feeling off about your work, it’s worth asking:

Do I love this? Or am I just doing it because I think I have to?

Mariah’s story is proof that pivoting doesn’t have to be scary—it can actually be the thing that helps you grow into the business you were meant to build.

🎧 Tune into the full episode and start thinking about what YOUR breakthrough moment could look like!