APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.
Here, Karren gives her expert advice to a reader who doesn’t know how to tell her business-partner husband that she’s burnt out.
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Q) I don’t know how to tell my business-partner husband that I’m burnt out.
For the past seven years, our lives have revolved around our cafe.
It’s always been our dream to run our own place, but over time I’ve realised I’m simply not as passionate as he is.
My husband has all these ideas to expand the business and to even launch a franchise, while I feel like I’m running on empty.
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I don’t want to stop working with him, I just feel like I could really benefit from taking a step back and re-evaluating how I contribute to the business.
But separating out the personal and the professional is hard.
Do you have any advice?
Caroline, via email
A) Feeling burnt out and uninspired is a clear sign it’s time to pause and reassess.
You’ve been carrying a lot for a long time, and recognising you need to take a step back isn’t a weakness – it’s a strength.
The key is to be honest and direct with your husband.
Choose a calm moment away from work, and explain how you’re feeling.
Reassure him you still care deeply about what you’ve built together, but right now you need space away from the business to recharge and think about your role going forward.
Frame it as a shift, not an exit – maybe you take on different responsibilities, reduce your hours or step back from the day to day, while staying involved in strategy or behind-the-scenes work.
Be specific about what support you need and invite him into the solution, so it feels like a team decision.
You’re not failing, you’re taking care of yourself before burnout does more damage.
That’s not just responsible, it’s essential.
Plus, in the long run, that might be exactly what helps both your relationship and the business thrive.
- Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk.
