Running your own business is rewarding, but let’s be honest—it can also be exhausting, overwhelming, and sometimes downright soul-sucking. In this episode, I got to guest on the Gratitude Geek podcast with three powerhouse solopreneurs — Deb Davis, Di Hilstad and Gratitude Geek host, Kandas Rodarte. We talked about survival-level self-care strategies for women over 40. From setting boundaries and asking for help to creating your personal “Survivor’s Toolkit,” we cover practical, real-world ways to protect your energy, thrive in your work or business, and still find time to breathe. Whether you’re facing burnout, health challenges, or just want to reclaim your calendar, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you survive — and even enjoy — entrepreneurship.

This encore presentation of the Gratitude Geek episode is part of my summer playlist series, where I'm re-sharing some of my favorite conversations from guesting on other podcasts this past year. I'm so grateful to Kandas for creating a space where I could share my hard-won lessons about self-care and share my toolkit with you.

00:00 Introduction to Self-Care for Solopreneurs

00:49 Introducing Self-Care for Solopreneurs guests

04:20 Mortality and Self-Care

07:32 Self-care Toolkit for Solopreneurs

10:22 Being Intentional, Setting Boundaries

20:09 Pause before your body tells you to

28:47 Giving or being taken advantage of?

36:49 Comfort sharing story, setting boundaries

40:51 Lightening Round Questions

47:06 Conclusion: Spill the Tea on Setting Boundaries

Links

• Deb: https://upage.in/deb
• Di: http://instagram.com/dihils
• Energy Mapping: https://designingyour.life/insights/find-your-flow-with-energy-maps/
• Full Show Notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/287

Meet the Host of Gratitude Geek

Kandas Rodarte is a business coach, podcaster, and internet marketing pioneer who has been helping women solopreneurs over 40 grow businesses that fit their lives for decades. Living with metastatic breast cancer since 2014, she understands firsthand the importance of self-care, boundaries, and working smart—less hustle, more impact.

Meet the Guests

Deb Davis is an accomplished headshot photographer and author, known for her stress-free sessions and expert expression coaching. She serves as President of Professional Photographers of Michigan (2024–2025) and is an elite Associate with the Peter Hurley Photography Group. Deb helps professionals over 40 show up fully, inside and out, using photography as a tool to highlight confidence and authenticity. Her personal journey as a breast cancer survivor has reshaped her approach to self-care and legacy, making her a relatable guide for solopreneurs navigating life and work simultaneously.

Dianna “Di” Hilstad is a bold, creative entrepreneur and solopreneur coach who helps women build businesses that feel authentic. Known for blending strategy with sass, Di has reinvented herself multiple times, including navigating breast cancer, a hysterectomy, and a broken ankle. She champions asking for help, setting boundaries, and thinking outside the box, making her insights invaluable for women balancing health, life, and business.

Connect with Guest Host

• Gratitude Geek Email list here: http://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe
• Help finance the show: http://kandasrodarte.com/support
• Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in the show notes may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!

Connect with Nicole Havelka

Newsletter

LinkedIn

Bluesky

Work with Nicole

Leave a Voice Memo

Send me a message via Speakpipe.

A proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.