There are weeks in our lives when everything seems to converge—personal memories, current events, professional responsibilities, and emotions we didn’t expect to feel so intensely. This past week was one of those weeks for me.

As I was in the middle of finalizing plans for major changes at Acceler8Success Group—plans I had proudly announced were coming at Acceler8Success Café just last week—I found myself hit with one of the most emotional stretches I’ve experienced in a very long time.

September has always been a heavy month for me. Every year, I feel a deep pull around 9/11, a date that reshaped the world and left indelible scars on so many of us. For me, the pain is personal. I lost high school classmates that day, and I carry memories of having worked in the Twin Towers for three years. The grief never fades, only deepens with reflection, and every September it returns with fresh weight.

As if that weren’t enough, many of us were shaken by the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Whether you agreed with him or not, his death struck like a thunderbolt across the nation, reminding us how fragile and volatile our times have become. It added another layer of grief and disbelief to an already difficult week.

For me, the result was silence. My creativity, usually my lifeline and compass, came to a sudden stop. For the first time in more than a thousand consecutive days, I didn’t publish an article. For the first time in over a year, I didn’t publish two. The blank space felt foreign, uncomfortable, almost like I was letting down not only myself but the community that has come to expect my words daily. Yet at the same time, it felt necessary.

Sometimes silence isn’t absence—it’s presence. A presence of reflection, of mourning, of giving ourselves permission to pause. And that is exactly what I’ve decided to do.

September, as it happens, is another month that focuses on mental health awareness… If there was ever a time to heed that message, it is now. So, I am taking these weeks to regroup, to recollect my thoughts, to do some much-needed soul searching. Acceler8Success Café will be closed until Monday, October 6th. My blog at Your Entrepreneurial Success will also go silent until that date.

This is not an end but a pause. In the meantime, I encourage you to explore the thousands of archived articles at Acceler8SuccessCafe.com and YourEntrepreneurialSuccess.com. There is wisdom in revisiting lessons we may have once skimmed over, just as there is comfort in returning to familiar words in unfamiliar times.

During this pause, I will still be active across social media. In fact, I suspect my posts will take on a more reflective and thought-provoking nature as I use writing in shorter forms to clear my own mind—and, hopefully, to offer encouragement and perspective to those who have turned to me for support in their own journeys. Sometimes what we write for ourselves is exactly what others need to read.

When we return on October 6th, it won’t just be a reopening. It will be a renewal. That date will mark the formal announcement of the changes and shift at Acceler8Success Group—timed perfectly for the start of Q4, as we all refocus on achieving our goals before year’s end.

Until then, business continues as usual in many respects. Projects move forward, goals remain in sight, and the pursuit of success does not stop. But for me personally, this short pause is essential. It’s a reminder that even in entrepreneurship—where the grind often demands consistency above all else—we must recognize the humanity that underpins it all.

Entrepreneurship is not only about building businesses. It’s about resilience. It’s about knowing when to push forward and when to step back. It’s about aligning our goals not only with opportunity but also with meaning, balance, and health.

So as we approach October with renewed determination, let us not forget that rest is not weakness. Reflection is not delay. Sometimes, they are the very accelerators we need to achieve the dreams we’re chasing.

Make the next few weeks great. Make it happen. Make it count.

About the Author

Paul Segreto brings more than 40 years of hands-on experience in franchising, restaurants, small business development, and entrepreneurship.

Recognized as one of the Top 100 Global Franchise and Small Business Influencers, Paul is also the voice of Acceler8Success Cafe and Your Entrepreneurial Success, daily platforms where thousands of entrepreneurs turn for insight, strategies, and motivation. A lifelong advocate for ethical growth and brand integrity, he coaches founders, franchise and restaurant executives, and entrepreneurial families, guiding them to find clarity in complexity and achieve lasting success through intentional leadership.

Ready to elevate your business or navigate today’s challenges with confidence? Reach out to Paul directly at paul@acceler8success.com — your next step begins with a conversation.

About Acceler8Success Group

Acceler8Success Group is a comprehensive business advisory firm dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, small business owners, franchise professionals, restaurant operators, and industry leaders. Through strategic consulting, personalized coaching, and impactful content, we provide the tools and guidance needed to drive growth and long-term success.

With a sharp focus on entrepreneurship, franchising, restaurants, and small business development, Acceler8Success Group delivers practical insights and proven strategies that translate vision into results.

By combining deep industry expertise with a robust content ecosystem, we help build sustainable businesses and cultivate responsible leadership. Our mission is clear: to support today’s innovators and tomorrow’s legacy builders as they pursue—and accelerate—the American Dream.