Business for Sale: A Recovering Perfectionist’s Guide to Adventure

Episode 514

When Success Doesn’t Equal Fulfillment

Hannah Soto shares a powerful truth that resonates with many creators and entrepreneurs: “The year I hit 2 million was the year I was the most miserable.” This striking confession sets the tone for a meaningful discussion about prioritizing growth over comfort and living a purpose-driven life. After 12 successful years running a production company for Fortune 10 brands, Hannah realized that despite her financial success, something essential was missing.

Redefining What Success Looks Like

Now, she’s embarking on a transformative journey—selling her company, walking the 550-mile Camino Santiago pilgrimage with her husband, and exploring four different cities as potential new homes. This shift from keeping her personal Instagram private to embracing a public brand showcases her commitment to authenticity. Hannah emphasizes the importance of breaking free from fear-based decisions, encouraging creativity and exploration over the pursuit of perfection.

She shares how societal definitions of success often box us into a version of life that doesn’t actually serve our well-being. Just because you can scale a business doesn’t mean you should. And just because something looks good on paper doesn’t mean it’s aligned with your purpose. Her story reminds us that external achievements should never come at the cost of internal peace.

Choosing Love and Curiosity Over Fear

For anyone considering a career change, launching a creative project, or feeling stuck in their comfort zone, this conversation offers valuable insights and inspiration. Hannah advocates for making decisions rooted in curiosity and love rather than fear, introducing concepts like “emotional sobriety” and future-casting. She describes how shifting her decisions away from “what’s safe” and toward “what’s meaningful” has opened doors she didn’t know existed.

Rather than clinging to control, Hannah talks about embracing the unknown as fertile ground for growth. She encourages listeners to ask themselves tough questions: Are you choosing this path out of alignment or out of obligation? Are you staying in your current situation because it’s truly right, or because it’s familiar?

The Courage to Start Over

One of the most inspiring parts of Hannah’s story is her willingness to let go of something good to pursue something unknown. It takes guts to step away from a business that’s financially thriving, especially when it’s been a part of your identity for over a decade. But Hannah’s story proves that fulfillment often lies just beyond what we’re afraid to release.

She also touches on the mental challenges of starting something new after already “making it.” The doubts, the impostor syndrome, and the question of “Why start over when I already built something?” These fears are real, but they’re also evidence that you’re pushing toward something meaningful.

Living a Life That’s Worth the Risk

Hannah invites us to consider a different kind of ROI—not just return on investment, but return on intention. What kind of life are you building? One that checks the boxes, or one that actually lights you up?

Her story challenges us to lead with curiosity, lean into joy, and be brave enough to rewrite our definitions of success. Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, burned-out executive, or aspiring content creator, this conversation is your permission slip to dream bigger and live bolder.

Your Turn: What Would You Do Differently?

Follow Hannah’s journey on Instagram at @hellohannahsoto and reflect on how your life might change if guided by love and curiosity. Would you leave something behind? Try something new? Step into the unknown? Let this be the push you need to move toward a life that feels as good as it looks.

Listen to more inspiring interviews on The Proffitt Podcast!