What one founder taught me about burnout, business, and the comeback
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend an exclusive brunch experience here in Philadelphia, featuring a room full of phenomenal entrepreneurs at the Blueprint to Empire Brunch Series.
Pinky Cole Hayes, owner and founder of the legendary Slutty Vegan came and snatched our edges about building a multimillion dollar brand and business. Honestly I thought she was going to regurgitate some of the same information from her book, but what I received was transparency, vulnerability, and REAL truth about what it really takes to lead, scale, and survive in business when everything around you is falling apart.
1. You Can Look Like You’re Winning and Still Be Drowning
That quote had us exchanging glances across the room.
Pinky was really who she thought she was (or so it appeared): a growing empire, constant press coverage, brand recognition. But behind the scenes, she was in debt (and not like you or I debt-millions), she had lost ownership of her company, and was barely holding it together — emotionally, mentally, and financially.
The lesson?
Visibility doesn’t equal stability.
Don’t judge your behind-the-scenes based on someone else’s highlight reel. And don’t be afraid to press pause if your peace is being threatened.
2. Hire Smarter, Not Just Harder
“You’re only as strong as your talent,” Pinky Cole
Many of us hire based on loyalty, vibe, or even desperation — but we were reminded that the wrong people will cost you more than money. They’ll cost you time, energy, and sometimes the future of your business.
Whether it’s operations, marketing, or leadership — hire people who are best in class, not just familiar faces. Also, when it’s time for them to go, chuck the deuces.
3. Know Your Business — Every Single Part of It
Don’t give away your power out of ignorance. Learn what you need to know and keep growing.
Pinky admitted she gave away 40% of her company for just $11,000 in the early days — simply because she didn’t know better.
As an entrepreneur you have to know your numbers.
She didn’t know her financials.
She didn’t know how equity worked.
She trusted people who had more knowledge than she did.
She’s since learned every part of her business — top to bottom. And her advice to us was clear:
You should be able to run your business yourself if everyone else walks away.
4. The Comeback Might Cost You Everything
Pinky told the story of having to sell real estate to cover payroll, pay $80,000 a week from her own pocket, and eventually resign from her own business while it went into an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors.
For 43 days, she didn’t own her brand.
And yet — she came back.
She bought her company back, cleared her debt, and rebuilt from zero. On her own terms.
The most powerful part? She didn’t do it by pretending everything was fine. She was honest, strategic, and willing to walk away from what no longer served her.
5. Your Reputation is the Real Currency
One of the deepest insights she shared was about how private equity and power really work.
It’s relationships. It’s reputation. It’s the rooms you’re in — and the ones people try to keep you out of.
But instead of burning bridges or exposing everyone who wronged her, Pinky chose professionalism and peace. She let her comeback be her loudest message.
That’s a lesson for every entrepreneur:
You don’t have to air it out to win.
You just have to keep building in integrity — and let your work speak for itself.
To experience this for yourself check out the remaining dates for the series here: https://www.blueprinttoempire.com/
