In this episode, host Ellen Williams speaks with entrepreneur and philanthropist Mei-Yung Lee about her unique approach to taking a “pause” when burnout loomed. Mei-Yung, CEO of Ageless Zen—a natural skincare research and manufacturing company—found herself overwhelmed by the demands of building her organization from the ground up. Instead of stepping away entirely, she joined her local Rotary club. This simple shift in focus gave her both a mental break and a new community of like-minded individuals who share her passion for service. The volunteer work not only revitalized Mei-Yung’s energy, but also sparked fresh insights into how she could integrate philanthropy into her for-profit ventures. As a result, she founded the AZ Circle of Giving Foundation, which teaches other nonprofits to use creative, sustainable methods of generating consistent revenue, rather than relying solely on occasional fundraising efforts.
Through these ongoing “pauses” of community engagement and service, Mei-Yung discovered that helping others energized her and brought renewed perspective to her own business challenges. She emphasizes that leaders can recognize the need for a pause when they find themselves becoming impatient or short-tempered with those around them. By stepping outside of daily pressures, whether to serve others or simply find personal respite, leaders return to their work with greater clarity and a more innovative spirit. Mei-Yung’s story underscores the power of recharging through service projects and community involvement, showing how these experiences can both prevent burnout and become a wellspring of new ideas.
To learn more about Mei, visit https://agelesszen.com/
To learn more about Ellen, visit https://thesalientstrategist.com/
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