February Reflections: Finding Calm in the Chaos

We just got back from the Dominican Republic, and if I’m being honest, I went into the trip with one clear goal: relax a little before the IRG Summit began. Just one calm day. That didn’t feel like too much to ask.

Mother Nature and the Hard Rock Hotel had other plans.

The day we arrived, the rain came down hard, which meant everyone who would normally be spread out on the beach or by the pool was packed inside. If you’ve ever been to the Hard Rock, you know the vibe—music always playing, energy always high. Add a few hundred extra people and suddenly it felt like sensory overload on steroids. Noise, movement, stimulation everywhere. My stress level shot straight to a 10, and I honestly didn’t know how to get it back down to a 2.

As much as I wanted to force myself into “vacation mode,” I realized something important: the only way I was going to feel grounded and in control was by doing the two things I do best—taking long power walks and working.

So that’s exactly what we did.

Rich and I ended up getting a surprising amount of meaningful work done—probably more than we would have squeezed in at the office. We spent time on the balcony writing an article for the Retail Alliance, mapping out an incentive program, and having big-picture conversations about how to best grow our team and our company. There was something incredibly calming about focusing our energy, being productive, and knowing we were moving the business forward.

When I was in my 20s, I probably would have loved the scene by the pool, but those days are long gone! I found walking the sidewalks of the resort much more enjoyable.

Once our colleagues arrived, the tone of the trip shifted. We settled into conference mode, surrounded by people we genuinely love being with. That sense of connection made all the difference.

The summit itself was jam-packed in the best way. I was able to see and feel the amazing new line of scrubs arriving this fall, try on the newest styles in the EPIC line, and vote on fashion colors for next summer (a very serious responsibility, obviously). We dove into training on AI, branding, and social media—topics that are shaping the future of how we work and how we show up for our customers.

Was it the relaxing trip I imagined? Not exactly.

But it was still fun. There was a dance party, an awesome fireworks display, and the incredible honor of winning an award for our large increase in IRG sales. That recognition reminded me why the hard work, the long days, and even the occasional sensory overload are worth it.

February reminded me of something important: relaxation doesn’t always look like sitting still. Sometimes it looks like movement, momentum, and purpose—finding calm not by escaping responsibility, but by leaning into what you do best.

And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.