Meet Krissie Baily

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Krissie Baily. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Krissie below.

Krissie, thrilled to have you on the platform as I think our readers can really benefit from your insights and experiences. In particular, we’d love to hear about how you think about burnout, avoiding or overcoming burnout, etc.

Overcoming Burnout: A Journey to Alignment

A year ago, I was not in a good place. Something was off, and I felt it—physically, emotionally, mentally. One moment that stands out: I was at my sister’s graduation, on a rare day off, and before the ceremony even began, I found myself crying out of sheer frustration. I had another breakdown on a massage table—ironically, in a place meant for relaxation. The stress had become so ingrained in me that even when I was supposed to be unwinding, I couldn’t.

Despite nearly a decade of climbing the corporate ladder, securing promotions, and earning a comfortable six-figure salary, I felt disconnected from my work and cynical about my impact. As a Type A, high-achieving “hustler,” I had always tied my worth to productivity—do more, achieve more, be more. But no matter how much I accomplished, I was running on empty. My mind was constantly occupied with unfinished to-do lists, and my body was paying the price.

Then, I got sick—really sick. A brutal head cold knocked me out for nearly two weeks, and even though I tried to power through by working remotely, my body was sending me clear signals: this pace was not sustainable. My husband and I had started trying for kids, but the stress made it nearly impossible. Something had to give.

So, I made the scariest and most liberating decision of my career—I quit my job with nothing lined up. No backup plan, no safety net. Just the decision to prioritize myself, my health, and the possibility of something new.

That summer, I traveled twice to Europe. The first trip—Italy, the South of France, the French countryside, and the Netherlands—was with my husband, our first time in Italy together. Later, I took another trip with a girlfriend, returning to Italy and the U.K. For the first time in my adult life, I experienced what it was like to “staycation after a vacation”—to let the adventure and rest carry over, rather than rushing back into the grind. It was a stark contrast to the way I had lived before, always chasing the next goal without pausing to appreciate the moment.

During my sabbatical summer, I prioritized spending time with family. Not plugged into my device, not fretting about what emails could come through—I simply sat on the couch with my 90-year-old grandparents, doing nothing but savoring their presence and company.

I took up new hobbies. Living in a rural area, I wanted chickens—and I’m thankful I did, with the price of eggs these days. I now have a happy coop of nine chickens (eight hens and a rooster), and I average about five eggs a day. They are funny little creatures, and I’ve loved having them as a new addition to the Baily farm family.

I also read—a lot. Fictional books. Instead of feeding my brain more productivity hacks or leadership strategies, I gave it new content to digest, new stories to get lost in, and a reason to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasure of porch sitting, coffee drinking, and turning pages.

But the biggest transformation? Less than a month after leaving my job, I found out I was pregnant. After months of stress making conception nearly impossible, the shift in my mental and physical state had an almost immediate impact. It was the clearest sign I could have asked for: my body was finally in alignment with the life I truly wanted. My husband Nate and I are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our baby girl in early March.

Here’s what I learned:
✔️ Rest is productive. Our culture glorifies burnout, but true success comes from sustainability, not exhaustion.
✔️ Your identity is not your job. Letting go of the paycheck and title was tough, but it forced me to redefine success on my own terms.
✔️ Stress can hold you back in more ways than you realize. The weight of burnout had impacted me physically, but within a month of resigning, the stress lifted—and so did my ability to conceive.

But my journey didn’t end when I left corporate America. If anything, it was just beginning. This new chapter as a momtrepreneur has resparked my creativity, passion, and drive. I’ve rediscovered my hunger for both personal and professional growth, but this time, on my terms. Instead of chasing external validation, I’m building something meaningful—something that aligns with my values and allows me to thrive, not just survive.

If you’re feeling the weight of burnout, ask yourself: What am I chasing? And is it truly what I want? Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is stop running and start listening.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My experience with burnout wasn’t just a wake-up call—it was a turning point. For years, I knew I wanted to be a coach. I had always been drawn to leadership development and helping others navigate their careers, but I kept putting it off, thinking it was my retirement plan.

I had the real-world experience, but I wanted to deepen my expertise, refine my approach, and formally commit to the profession in a way that demonstrated my dedication to my clients. That’s why I pursued advanced coach training and certifications, earning my SHRM-CP and working toward my ICF Level 2 certification through the University of Texas at Dallas.

The more I immersed myself in this work, the more I realized how deeply fulfilling it was—because I had lived the very struggles my clients face. I understand the weight of burnout, career uncertainty, and the pressure to lead without a roadmap. Now, I help others navigate these challenges, not just with frameworks and strategies, but with the empathy and insight that only comes from having been in their shoes.

Launching Baily Business Partners (BBP) wasn’t just about doing meaningful work—it was also about building a business that supports our life, not the other way around. My husband, Nate, and I bring complementary expertise—HR, coaching, and leadership development on my side; finance, strategy, and business operations on his. We saw a niche opportunity to add value to private equity firm, privately held companies, and small businesses, by bringing a unique blend of people and business strategy to the table.

But more than that, we built this company with a shared vision for our family. We wanted to create a business that would allow us to support each other—not just professionally, but in this new chapter as parents. We designed our business so we could both work from home, be present for our child’s first year, and truly enjoy these early years as a family.

We are building a business that is deeply rooted in people, operations, and business optimization—but what truly sets us apart is our hands-on, real-world approach. Our philosophy is simple: we’ve been there, done that. We understand the complexities of leadership, career transitions, and business challenges because we’ve lived them firsthand.

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we dig in, get our hands dirty, and tailor our approach to the unique challenges our clients face. Whether it’s helping a leader navigate high-pressure career decisions, optimizing operations for efficiency, or advising businesses on talent strategy and growth, we bring a blend of experience, strategy, and practical execution to ensure real, tangible results.

🔹 For Leaders & Professionals: My coaching practice is designed for professionals and leaders who are stepping into leadership roles, navigating career transitions, or facing adversity in the workplace and beyond. We define leadership as how you show up for and serve yourself, your team, your family, and your community. I help my clients redefine success on their terms, build resilience, and develop the confidence to lead authentically in both their careers and lives. Whether you’re seeking clarity in your next career move, learning to navigate workplace challenges, or striving to balance ambition with well-being, my approach is rooted in helping you embrace your leadership identity in a way that feels aligned, empowering, and sustainable.

🔹 For Private Equity Firms & Businesses: At Baily Business Partners, we provide strategic HR and operational support to private equity-backed companies, helping them optimize both their people and business strategies for sustainable growth. We partner with CFOs, COOs, and HR leaders to refine job architectures, competency models, and performance evaluation frameworks, ensuring structured and scalable career growth pathways that drive retention and leadership development.

Beyond HR, we support finance and operations leaders by aligning organizational structure, performance management, and workforce planning with business objectives. Our work helps companies navigate scaling challenges, post-acquisition integrations, and talent optimization, ensuring that people strategy and operational efficiency work hand in hand. By integrating data-driven insights with a people-first approach, we help firms build high-performing teams that drive both financial and strategic success.

What’s Next for BBP?
✔️ Coaching Expansion: I’m growing my 1:1 coaching practice and will be taking on more clients this year.
✔️ Consulting for PE Firms: We’re expanding our scope to refine talent strategies, leadership development frameworks, and operational structures. Beyond HR, we’re supporting finance and operations leaders in optimizing workforce planning, performance management, and post-acquisition integrations to ensure long-term business success.
✔️ Family-First Business Growth: We’re excited to continue scaling BBP in a way that allows us to be present, support each other, and grow our family and business side by side.

Burnout taught me that success is not just about career milestones—it’s about alignment, fulfillment, and sustainability. Now, I get to help others find their own version of success through coaching and consulting, while also building a life and business that is sustainable and enjoyable.

If you’re an ambitious professional, a leader looking to grow, or a business seeking strategic HR and coaching solutions, I’d love to connect. Success should feel sustainable, fulfilling, and aligned, and I’m here to help make that happen.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Courage – Leadership is lonely. The right thing to do is often the hardest thing to do. You have to be courageous because uncertainty and doubt will always be present. Most people never take bold action because they are afraid—of failure, judgment, or the unknown. As I’ve learned in my Master’s program at UTD, human behavior is largely governed by love and fear. To lead effectively, you have to choose courage over comfort and act in alignment with your values, even when the path is uncertain.

2. Confidence – The only person holding you back is yourself. Confidence isn’t about arrogance; it’s about trusting your ability to figure things out. Like our fingerprints, we all have unique talents and strengths—own them. Lack of confidence can be the downfall of leadership because hesitation leads to missed opportunities. Make a decision, stand by it, and be open to learning. Growth comes from action, not from waiting until you feel “ready.”

3. Competence – Credibility matters. You have to be the master of your craft to be taken seriously. That doesn’t mean knowing everything—it means committing to continuous learning, refining your skills, and being accountable. Mistakes will happen. Own them. Use them as stepping stones to improve. True competence is a mix of knowledge, execution, and humility. Leaders who embrace lifelong learning and acknowledge their blind spots gain the trust and respect of those around them.

Advice for folks early in their journey:

1. Build courage by taking small risks – You don’t have to make a leap all at once. Start with small acts of bravery—speaking up in a meeting, making a tough decision, or advocating for yourself. Courage is like a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

2. Strengthen confidence by taking action – Clarity and confidence come from doing, not from waiting until you feel “ready.” Take on challenges, celebrate small wins, and remind yourself that failure is just feedback. Surround yourself with people who push you to be better.

3. Develop competence by surrounding yourself with people smarter than you – The second you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. Growth happens when you challenge yourself with new ideas and perspectives. Seek out mentors, ask better questions, and embrace the reality that you don’t know it all. As Einstein said, “Once you stop learning, you start dying.” The best leaders are forever students.

At the end of the day, the combination of courage, confidence, and competence will set you apart. The world needs bold leaders—be one of them.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

ight now, I’m navigating a season of massive change—building a new business, growing as a coach, stepping into motherhood for the first time, and figuring out how to provide for my family. The uncertainty is overwhelming at times. Statistically, around 20% of small businesses fail in their first year, and nearly 50% don’t make it past five years. That’s a sobering reality, but I also see it as a challenge worth taking on.

This level of change and adversity is forcing me to apply the same coaching principles I use with clients—except now, I have to be my own coach. I audit my thoughts daily, asking myself: Is this a thought or a fact? Neuroscience tells us that over 70% of our thoughts are simply repeated from the day before—not facts, just mental noise. Recognizing this has helped me break unhelpful thought patterns and stay grounded.

One of my biggest triggers right now? Unsolicited mom advice. I’ve learned to pause, reflect, and ask: Is this something I need to internalize, or is it just someone else’s experience? This level of awareness has been crucial in managing my stress and anxiety, especially when my subconscious sends me signals (like the classic nightmare of my teeth falling out).

But awareness alone isn’t enough. There is power in action. When faced with a challenge, the only thing to do is fall forward. The worst thing we can do is stand still in fear of making the wrong choice. Progress comes from movement, even imperfect movement. It reminds me of March Forth—a call to take bold steps forward despite uncertainty.

At the end of the day, I remind myself: We are what we repeatedly do (Aristotle). Growth is uncomfortable, but that discomfort means I’m evolving. My goal is to lean into this season, take action, seek support from mentors and other coaches, and trust that every challenge is shaping me into the leader I’m meant to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bailypartners.com/
• Instagram: @KrissieBaily
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenbaily/

Image Credits

grace shlonsky photography