Shizu Okusa, the visionary behind Apothékary, has found her secret to sidestepping burnout. In a recent discussion on stress-free Sundays, she revealed fascinating insights into maintaining calm amidst the chaos of entrepreneurship.
In the exclusive segment called Scare-Free Sundays, we delve into the increasingly common phenomenon known as the Sunday Scaries. This anxiety can threaten the much-needed relaxation that prepares us for the week ahead. Okusa, who once thrived in the high-pressure environment of Wall Street, has transformed her life and career to better align with her values and well-being.
Once a financial expert at Goldman Sachs, Okusa eventually pursued her entrepreneurial dreams after launching and successfully selling the cold-pressed juice brand Jrink. Yet, her struggles with burnout resurfaced. A nostalgic trip to Osaka, Japan, where she embraced her heritage and learned about nature’s healing properties, inspired her to create a brand that reflects these values. Apothékary was born out of her desire to fuse ancient wisdom with modern needs, offering herbal supplements designed to tackle contemporary challenges.
One of her standout products, Wine Down, provides a soothing alcohol-free alternative that promotes relaxation and improves sleep with its all-natural ingredients. As Apothékary continues to expand its reach, including a recent launch at Ulta, Okusa shared her personal self-care tips for staying centered while running a wellness empire.
Describing her typical weeknight, Okusa emphasizes the night before’s importance. She crafts her to-do list and pre-schedules priority emails to prepare for the next day. This ritual sets her up for success before she calls it a night around 10 p.m. Rise and shine comes early for her, between 5 and 5:30 a.m., sans alarm clock. She believes that waking with the sun makes her feel more aligned with her true self.
Her mornings consist of hydrating, movement, and tackling the day’s emails while allowing her body time to acclimate. She workouts to keep grounded through potentially hectic weeks, and aligns her meals with seasonal needs, opting for hearty foods in winter and lighter options in summer.
When stress rears its head, Okusa acknowledges common symptoms like sleep disturbances and gut issues. She believes an effective leader must be attuned to their emotional state, striving to alleviate stress for their team, especially in the unpredictable world of startups. Okusa’s extensive travel has required her to rework her routines, ensuring she has the necessary tools—such as herbal tinctures—to recalibrate her well-being.
For mid-day anxiety, she turns to her Take the Edge Off tincture and relies on Wine Down before bedtime, making her evening rituals as intentional as her mornings. Meal prepping helps her maintain control over her nutrition, which she deemed vital for optimal performance.
To foster a supportive company culture, Okusa actively prioritizes meaningful communications with her team, scheduling emails for Monday to minimize weekend distractions. She believes in establishing boundaries to protect her team’s time and mental health, a practice that significantly reduces the risk of burnout.
In managing her work-life balance, she utilizes tools like the Brick app to regulate her screen time and keeps her phone notifications muted. This ensures that she’s in control of her time, rather than letting her devices dictate her focus.
For quick unwinding, Okusa has a go-to ritual: taking Apothékary Wine Down and indulging in a scalding hot bath—a nod to her cultural roots. Her strategy for tackling the Sunday Scaries? Journaling to release unwarranted worries about the future, reminding herself that she can face any challenge that comes her way.
As she prepares for another week, Okusa stresses the importance of being proactive, emphasizing the need to schedule emails in advance, laying the groundwork for success before Monday arrives.
