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In this heartfelt episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams sits down with Julie Niehoff, co-founder of Distance Learning Media and a long-time advocate for small businesses and veteran support. Julie shares how her intended pause to start a new business with her husband turned into an unexpected and emotional journey when her father was suddenly diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. What began as a moment of planned professional reinvention quickly shifted into a deeply personal caregiving experience—one that reshaped her understanding of what really matters in life and business.

Julie reflects on how this unplanned pause brought her family together and created a sacred sense of presence that continues to influence how she runs her company today. During the difficult weeks of hospice care, she and her husband would end each day on the back porch, dreaming and talking about the kind of business they wanted to build—one that served veterans, supported communities, and prioritized balance over burnout. This experience led them to form both a for-profit and a nonprofit organization with clearly defined values, and with operations designed to honor the calm clarity they discovered during their pause.

Julie’s story is a powerful reminder that the most meaningful insights don’t always come during times of hustle, but in moments of stillness and connection. Her advice to other leaders: ride the wave you’re on, but know when to step back and prepare for the next, bigger wave. It’s about building the muscle of resilience while staying clear-eyed about what matters most. For Julie and her team, that means a business model built on service, intentionality, and the belief that work should be something you get to do, not something you have to do.

To learn more about Julie, visit https://distancelearningmedia.com/

To learn more about Ellen, visit https://thesalientstrategist.com/