In this insightful episode, Scott Stirrett speaks with Annelies Tjebbes, CEO of Roots & Rivers, and Hayley Rutherford, Senior Consultant and Operations Director, about a rarely discussed topic: how entrepreneurs can successfully take extended leaves of absence. Annelies shares her experience taking an eight-month parental leave where she completely disconnected from her business, including the practical "hacks" she implemented to maintain boundaries. Hayley offers the complementary perspective of stepping into an interim leadership role, highlighting the challenges of relationship transitions and the unexpected growth opportunities that emerged.

Together, they reveal how a founder's absence can actually strengthen an organization by forcing the decentralization of knowledge, evolving processes, and shifting from a founder-centric identity to a more mature team-based structure.

Whether you're an entrepreneur contemplating a leave for parental responsibilities, health reasons, or simply a sabbatical, this episode provides practical guidance on preparation, knowledge transfer, and relationship management.