In this heartfelt and relatable conversation, Missy Stallings, founder of Stallings Insurance in Douglasville, Georgia, opens up about one of her core life philosophies: work to live, don’t live to work. She shares how she intentionally prioritizes family, personal joy, and time away from the office — because at the end of the day, no one looks back and wishes they had worked more hours.
For Missy, success isn’t just about building a thriving insurance agency. It’s about creating a quality of life that you can actually enjoy. She’s learned that while growing a business takes commitment and hustle, it’s equally important to unplug, recharge, and make space for the moments that matter most.
One of her favorite ways to do that? Lake days — where she completely disconnects from the demands of the agency, spends time with her family, and soaks in the peace of being on the water. These aren’t just leisure days; they’re intentional investments in her mental health, relationships, and overall happiness.
In this clip, Missy talks about:
Why entrepreneurs and agency owners often fall into the trap of making work their entire identity.
The dangers of waiting “until later” to enjoy life — and why that “later” sometimes never comes.
How fully unplugging during time off can make you a better leader and business owner when you return.
The mental shift that happens when you realize your most valuable asset isn’t your revenue — it’s your time.
The regrets people share at the end of their lives, and why they almost never involve wishing for more work hours.
Missy’s message is especially important in today’s hustle culture, where it’s easy to glorify constant busyness as a badge of honor. She reminds us that working hard is important — but it’s not the whole story. True success is having the freedom to step away, enjoy the people you love, and create lasting memories outside the walls of your office.
She encourages business owners, leaders, and anyone chasing career goals to ask themselves tough but necessary questions:
If my work disappeared tomorrow, what would I have left?
Am I making enough time for the people and activities that truly bring me joy?
Will I look back on this chapter of life with gratitude — or regret that I missed it?
Missy’s approach is grounded in intentional choices:
Set clear boundaries — When she’s out of the office, she’s out. No half-working vacations or “just checking in” on her phone every hour.
Plan personal time with the same importance as client meetings — If it’s on the calendar, it’s non-negotiable.
Surround yourself with a strong team — Empowering staff to handle operations while you’re away makes stepping back possible without guilt or worry.
Make memories now — Don’t wait for the perfect moment; it may never come.
She points out that burnout doesn’t just hurt you — it hurts your business, your clients, and your family. The irony is that many business owners work endlessly to provide for their families, but in the process, they miss the very experiences they’re working so hard to create.
For Missy, “lake days” aren’t just about leisure — they’re a symbol of what’s possible when you build a business that works for your life, instead of a life that’s trapped inside your business.
Her advice to anyone listening is simple but powerful: design your work around your life, not your life around your work. That means valuing rest, joy, and connection as much as revenue and productivity. Because at the end of the day, the memories you create outside the office will far outlast any deal you closed or target you hit.
If you’re an entrepreneur, agency owner, or professional who’s been caught in the cycle of “just one more project” or “I’ll take a break later,” Missy’s story is your reminder to stop postponing your life. The people you love and the moments you cherish won’t wait forever.
Life is short. Fill it with sunsets, laughter, family dinners, and time on the water. Because as Missy says, the only real regrets are the ones where you didn’t show up for the people and experiences that mattered most.
If you’d like, I can also create 3 short, scroll-stopping YouTube title options for this clip that really lean into the “life over work” emotional hook so viewers can’t help but click. Would you like me to do that next?