Angel Evenson

Your hard work doesn't reward you forever. There comes a point where you have to slow down to speed up.

I've been there - burned out, wondering why I'm doing this, that I thought it should be easier by now - and then I made it easier.

I made intentional decisions that built an engine without needing me 24/7.

It's why Amanda & I are hosting Scaling Beyond The Founder in July - because you deserve to be able to do it different.

Join us https://revraven.com/scalingbeyondthefounder/

I started Mango Tree Photography in 2011 as a celebration after being promoted in my corporate role. Here’s why starting it then served me, even though I was already at the edge of burnout.

My career had become all consuming. I revolved everything around it.

While I loved being productive, getting promotions & making more money, I also knew that it was burning me out.

So, how does it make sense to start something on the side when you’re already on the edge of burnout?

Well…hobbies are key to career satisfaction, improving mental health, & eliminating burnout.

I knew this well.

So, as a fitness enthusiast I’d continued my hobby of challenging myself physically.

But…that had even become a ✔️

Work.
Working out.

That was my life.

What about fun?
What about creativity?

Somewhere along the way in adulthood, I’d lost the prioritization of fun.

So, I got my promotion and my husband & I went shopping. We got my dream camera & lenses and I started shooting.

The next day I hopped on a flight for work and spent the entire flight brainstorming the name of this hobby side gig…

Eric & I had always said we’ll sit “beneath the mango tree”…referencing our song Better Together…so I went full cheese mode & named the gig…

Mango Tree Photography

40-60 hours a week remained dedicated to my corporate career.

10ish hours became dedicated to fun through Mango Tree Photography.

For the first time in my adult life, I didn’t really care about the money.

I fell in love with capturing some of the most memorable moments for people.

And even though I was “working” more hours than before, I wasn’t feeling burned out.

I was excited & inspired.
I showed up to work chipper.
Because, I felt alive again.

If your hobbies have taken a back seat because you’re “adulting” too hard, I dare you to make 2025 different.

What hobby are you going to pour more into this year?