Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro just isn’t a straightforward feat but neither is being an entrepreneur. And Jessica Herrin has done each. 

Herrin is an explorer at heart, having founded accessory company Stella & Dot in 2004 and Ever Skincare in 2015, which offers clean products for premenopausal women. While she’s been hard at work on each businesses, turning 50 marked a serious milestone for her that called for an epic trip.

“It’s a reflective time and I used to be like, ‘I would like to do something epic that takes me out of my comfort zone that I’ve never experienced before,’” Herrin said.

With overtime before heading off to her sophomore yr of school at Stanford University, Herrin’s 19-year-old daughter, Charlotte, decided to hitch her on the journey to Tanzania, which they scheduled just just a few months ahead of time.

“We did it on a little bit of a whim and I’m so glad I didn’t really research it or I won’t have undertaken such an endeavor,” Herrin said, explaining it also gave her a chance to spend quality time along with her daughter. “Giving myself that gift of time along with her, this was something I’ll hold for the remainder of my life.”

Herrin is glad she took the danger. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro motivated her each personally and professionally.

“It ended up being a catalyst to deal with my very own health,” she said. “The journey to the highest of Mount Kilimanjaro was really the journey of finding myself again, getting myself back, getting my energy, my strength back.” 

To prep for the 19,340-foot climb, Herrin began strength training, climbing repeatedly, and went on a visit along with her husband where she hiked 10 miles day by day.

But the recommendation she received regarding the mental strength required for the trip was most salient. “One said, ‘It’s not a matter of if it’s going to harm. It’s going to harm, so that you’ve got to assume yourself persevering while it hurts,’” she said.

Persevere she did. The climb, which took five days, got here with its challenges: steep ascents, high altitudes and lack of sleep, to call just a few. Somewhat than specializing in the struggles, Herrin and her daughter reminded themselves that they were capable of complete the climb.

“Affirmation has to come back from inside,” she said, a key mantra, too, with regards to constructing a business. With this personal affirmation, not comparing your journey to others is crucial, whether or not it’s a business enterprise or a climb.

“There are different paths. They go at different paces to get to the identical spots. That I believe is such a vital thing in life so that you don’t hand over, especially as an entrepreneur,” Herrin said. “It’s a twisty road. It’s an extended road. It’s a tough road, but yow will discover a path to get there.”

While climbing the world’s sixth tallest mountain and running a business are seemingly different, the strength required for every is comparable. “It’s a mindset of, ‘That’s doable,’” she said. “You’ll have unexpected challenges you’ve not experienced before, but you’ve to assume yourself moving through them and that is certainly business-building entrepreneurship. It’s difficult on a regular basis. You’re uncomfortable, but what I find was so inspiring about Mount Kilimanjaro it’s doable.” 

Taking time away from her businesses also left a long-lasting impact.

“So often as an entrepreneur and a CEO, you tell yourself you don’t have time to step away from your corporation,” said Herrin. “If you purposely step away, your perspective shifts… On the mountain, there’s this view from the highest and also you’re at the best point and also you see this view. I’ll do not forget that feeling of wanting to ensure I keep that in my day by day life, not only looking down on the what’s beneath my feet, but to look up and around.”

On the tour, Herrin also recognized the importance of community and lifting one another up.

“Probably the most amazing analogy was the belief no one reaches the summit alone,” she said, noting climbers cheered one another on throughout the trip. “They’re singing within the night. You realize that that’s what cheering other women on is, it’s the energy…In business, I would like to be that way for other women. It’s like, ‘You’re almost there. You bought this. It’s OK if it hurts. Yes, you possibly can keep going’ and being the sunshine [for them].”

At the tip of the trip, Herrin’s guide asked her what climb she’d do next. While she didn’t have a solution then, she has one now.

“Now that it’s been a month and we’re showered and have slept in a mattress, I’d do it again,” she said. “I’d return and do it again.”