Additional Coverage:
- I quit my career at 40 when a diagnosis stopped me in my tracks. Prioritizing my health was scary, but it helped me redefine success. (businessinsider.com)
From Corporate Climb to Kitchen Alchemy: Tennessee Woman Finds Healing, Happiness, and a New Business
NASHVILLE, TN – For years, Melissa Hoeppner, a 40-year-old Tennessee resident, meticulously built her career, dedicating her time and energy to professional pursuits. However, a sudden and challenging health revelation last year prompted a dramatic shift in her life’s trajectory, leading her to discover not only personal well-being but also a burgeoning new business.
Hoeppner, a military spouse and mother, was accustomed to a fast-paced life. Yet, she began experiencing a decline in her health that felt beyond typical burnout.
What she soon discovered were two undiagnosed autoimmune conditions: rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto’s disease. The diagnosis served as a powerful catalyst, compelling her to step away from her corporate role last October to prioritize her health and reevaluate her future.
“Work was my identity for so long,” Hoeppner shared, reflecting on the initial uncertainty that accompanied her decision to leave. “Walking away came with a major feeling of uncertainty.”
For nearly three months, Hoeppner embarked on a journey of self-discovery and recovery. She explored creative outlets, taking up yoga, painting every inch of her home, and immersing herself in yard work – activities that allowed her to process years of deferred thoughts and emotions.
During this period, a book titled “Anticancer” sparked a new idea. Inspired by its insights on reducing inflammation through lifestyle choices, Hoeppner began to connect these concepts to her own autoimmune diagnosis.
Her personal research into inflammatory diseases led her to experiment with various natural ingredients. She started crafting a unique drink blend in her kitchen, incorporating ingredients like turmeric, cardamom, and cinnamon, all known for their antioxidant properties. This concoction became the foundation of “The Healing Habit,” her new health brand aimed at supporting a healthy inflammatory response.
“I wanted to invest in helping people in a bigger way and do something good at scale,” Hoeppner explained. She took the leap, developing her product and eventually collaborating with a manufacturer to refine the blend and optimize its flavor profile.
Being her own boss has presented new challenges and immense rewards. “It’s so scary being my own boss because at the end of the day, nobody’s coming to save me,” she admitted.
“It’s also the most incredible and rewarding thing that I’ve ever done in my professional career.” Hoeppner now wears many hats, serving as content creator, social media coordinator, copywriter, finance manager, and CEO – a dynamic role that, despite its demands, no longer feels like work due to her profound passion.
Hoeppner emphasizes the importance of financial preparedness for such a transition. Having set aside personal savings over time, she launched The Healing Habit without external investors or crowdfunding.
Her advice for those considering a similar shift is to plan meticulously. “My dad always told me to have contingency and backup plans in life,” she recalled.
She also highlighted her and her husband’s early venture into real estate investing as a strategy to build financial freedom.
For those with full-time jobs dreaming of a different path, Hoeppner suggests outlining a plan and working on it incrementally. “One thing you do have and can use is time,” she noted.
Hoeppner has no regrets about leaving the corporate world, as she has successfully redefined what success means to her. “Success is now taking my kids to school in the morning and being able to follow my passion, it’s spending time with friends, family, and my husband, and learning new things.” While she doesn’t rule out a return to corporate work entirely, she is focused on the future she is actively creating for herself, driven by newfound wisdom and a deep sense of commitment.