Bernadette Fredricks

When you own a business, there is no such thing as downtime, especially when your business is built around helping other businesses grow. Entrepreneurship requires a level of commitment, resilience, and determination that doesn't always leave room for an off switch.

I've owned my marketing firm, Bern & Chris Business Solutions, for nearly seven years and have worked in the marketing industry for more than 12 years. Throughout that journey, I've had the opportunity to meet and work with people from all walks of life. I've encountered individuals who are quick to throw in the towel when faced with challenges that don't have an immediate solution. Then there are those who view setbacks as opportunities to grow, improve, and become better leaders for themselves, their businesses, and the people around them.

One individual who immediately comes to mind when I think about leadership through adversity is Ebonie Bledsoe, Founder and CEO of POM by ARI Cosmetics.

Ebonie's beautiful online store did not come from such a beautiful beginning.

Several years ago, what began as a routine doctor's appointment quickly turned into unfamiliar and life-changing territory. An ambitious businesswoman suddenly found herself navigating a lupus diagnosis and the challenges that came along with it.

The changes in her skin brought on by lupus presented a new challenge. Finding makeup that not only enhanced her natural beauty but also accommodated her skin's needs seemed nearly impossible. After more than a year of searching for products that worked for her, Ebonie decided to stop looking for a solution and create one.

Out of that frustration came something beautiful. What began as a personal need became the foundation for POM by ARI Cosmetics.

Fast-forward to today, and Ebonie is doing more than building a cosmetics brand. She's demonstrating what it looks like to take an unexpected turn in life and use it as fuel to pursue something greater.

Finding Balance in a Fast-Paced Marketing Career

As a Marketing Manager working with multiple clients, I know firsthand that the demands of the job never truly stop. One moment I'm developing a social media campaign; the next, I'm reviewing analytics, meeting with clients, or creating a new website. Marketing is a fast-paced industry that requires creativity, quick thinking, and adaptability. While I genuinely enjoy helping businesses grow, I've learned that success at work means very little if you don't also make time to enjoy your own life.

A strong work ethic creates opportunities. It builds trust with clients, helps businesses reach new audiences, and provides financial stability. Seeing a campaign succeed or watching a client achieve their goals is incredibly rewarding, but passion has a downside.

When you're committed to delivering excellence, it's easy to blur the line between dedication and overwork. Long hours, constant communication, and the pressure to stay ahead of ever-changing trends can quietly become the norm. Before you realize it, weekends become workdays, vacations turn into opportunities to answer emails, and quality time with loved ones is interrupted by notifications that seem impossible to ignore.

Life Outside the Office Matters

However, life outside the office matters just as much as life inside it. My Content Consultant, Carl, reminds me of this whenever he sees me overworking. When he receives emails from me in the middle of the night, he knows I didn't flip my "off switch" at the appropriate time.

Those gentle reminders from him remind me that time spent with family, celebrating milestones, laughing with friends, or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon creates memories that no promotion or successful campaign can replace. Those are the experiences that restore our creativity, improve our mental well-being, and provide the balance we need to return to work with fresh ideas and renewed energy.

Work and Life Aren't Competitors

I've learned that work and life aren't competitors—they're partners. I've also discovered that balance isn't about splitting every day perfectly in half. Some days work requires more attention, while on other days, personal commitments take priority. The goal is to be intentional with your time.

When you create space for both professional excellence and personal fulfillment, you don't just become a better Marketing Manager—you become a happier, healthier, and more complete person.

Some people have a straight path to achieving their dreams and goals. Others travel roads filled with twists, turns, and unexpected detours. My journey has definitely been the latter.

I graduated with a degree in Journalism at 22 and thought I had my career all figured out. But life had other plans.

At 23, I became a mother. At 25, my son was diagnosed with autism. That's when my carefully planned path began to shift. I found myself taking jobs outside of journalism, and to my surprise, my career never seemed to circle back to what I had once believed was my dream profession.

Then came the plot twist.

In 2020, the pandemic hit, and the company I worked for closed its doors. While it was an uncertain time, it also gave me the opportunity to stay home with my son while schools transitioned to virtual learning.

During that season, I started taking on freelance web design and marketing projects for local businesses. One client became two. Two became four. Before I knew it, what had started as a side hustle had turned into something much bigger.

By the end of 2020, Bern & Chris Business Solutions Inc. was born.

Nearly six years later, I've designed more than 100 websites and created thousands of pieces of content for businesses and entrepreneurs. What I once saw as a setback became the foundation for a career I truly love.

My story is proof that a road filled with obstacles doesn't mean there isn't greatness ahead. Sometimes, the detours lead you exactly where you're meant to be.

Don't be afraid to pivot when life calls for it. The work I do today is rewarding, fulfilling, and something I couldn't imagine not doing.

Trust the journey, even when it doesn't look like the plan.