I collided with a tractor-trailer on my 39th birthday. It was my wake-up call to leave my job and start my own company.

• Christina Jones’ career has always been fast-paced, and she’s constantly felt pressure to prove her worth.

• On her birthday, her car was involved in a car accident, which taught her that life is short.

• This mom has a better work-life balance by pursuing her dreams and starting her own business.

This interview is based on a conversation with Christina Jones, 40, CEO of a non-profit management consulting firm based in the United States washington d.c.. It has been edited for length and clarity.

As midnight approached, my son Xavier, then less than a year old, was fast asleep in his crib while I worked on a policy paper.

I was relatively new to a role at a Minnesota nonprofit that helped survivors of gender-based violence, and I wanted to show my value to the organization.

This is a document shared with other team members, so many people can see the timestamp indicating I was modifying it at 11pm

One of my colleagues, a mother of teenagers, tried to guide me in a gentle way. “You don’t need to come here so late,” she said. “You need a break.”

I am ambitious and keep pushing myself

Instead of listening to her, I rigged the system. I started scheduling late night emails so they would arrive at 9am the next day.

Double-checking to see if T’s are crossed and Is’s are dotted is second nature to me. Women, especially Black women, often try to prove ourselves because we want to show that we belong.

For me, it goes back to my parents and community saying we have to work twice as hard to get half of what everyone else has.

This feels especially true for me in my late 20s and early 30s. I was ambitious and was building a legal career that included several years with the District of Columbia Attorney General’s Office.

The long hours and stress are okay for me because I’m married and don’t have kids. Still, after I had Xavier (now 5 years old), I continued to act the same way because I wanted to create a lot in life and prove my worth.

Then my perspective changed. It wasn’t until I was involved in a crash between my car and a tractor-trailer that I reassessed the situation.

Has anything changed your attitude towards work-life balance? Please send details to Jane Ridley.

On January 18, 2025, I was driving to a restaurant with my husband, Jason, and two girlfriends to celebrate my 39th birthday when this happened.

Thankfully, we were traveling at a slow pace so we were relatively unscathed, with just a few scratches. It’s traumatic, but it could be worse.

Prayer helps me make decisions

This experience scared me and I felt like I might be taken away. The fact that today is my birthday makes it especially important – a reminder that I only have one body and that time is not infinite.

I’ve been thinking about what to do with my current job for months. Although this is fun and challenging, I’m wondering if I should start my own counseling.

Fear held me back. I make six figures, and my company pays 75% of my health insurance and provides a 3% match for my retirement. This position is fully remote and comes with additional benefits.

I prayed a lot about it and asked God what I should do. It was clear that I needed to listen and not sit on my dreams and bet that on myself.

I need support from my husband, Jason, as this could put our family at risk. Still, he and my mom were very supportive. “What’s the worst thing that could happen?” they said. “You’re a lawyer. If that doesn’t work you can find another job.”

I am a firm believer in not burning bridges and leaving office as graciously as you entered it. I resigned in mid-June 2025 and gave two months’ notice.

My company, Command Joy Co., launched last August to help people in the nonprofit sector turn their passion into sustainable impact.

I’m still learning and growing, but the company is thriving. Guiding creatives through the business side of things brings great satisfaction.

My family forced me to unplug — in a good way

One of the most challenging aspects of starting a business can be the feeling of isolation. So I make a point of having lunch three or four times a month with other business owners to bounce ideas off.

As for my time, I know what recharges me, whether it’s being near water or relaxing with friends.

My first priority is always my family. Jason and Xavier’s presence forced me to unplug, in a good way.

I like to think of my life now as a slowly unfolding process. Just because you’re good one season, doesn’t mean you have to stay that way the following season.

Read the original article on Business Insider