Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michon Covington. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Michon, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?

One of the most pivotal experiences that shaped me as a business owner was my time as Vice President, where I worked alongside two incredible colleagues to manage the day-to-day operations and strategy of a multi-million-dollar software company for over a decade. That role taught me the fundamentals of running a business, including financial systems development, cash flow modeling, and recurring revenue management. I built financial frameworks from the ground up, such as a three-year rolling cash flow model and annual budgets that drove cost management and resource efficiency. I also gained extensive experience in contract negotiation, dynamic forecasting, and job costing, all of which prepared me for the challenges of business ownership.

Beyond the technical expertise, I learned that business is fundamentally about people. Taking care of your team enhances everything—from internal morale to customer satisfaction. However, I also learned the hard way what happens when you ignore self-care. I pushed through stress and exhaustion, relying on minimal sleep, caffeine, and sleep aids to function. Eventually, I burned out, crashing so severely that I barely recognized myself. That experience taught me the high cost of neglecting well-being and the importance of creating sustainable systems—not just for the business but for the individuals running it.

This realization became even clearer during conversations with my colleagues. We would sit around discussing which sleep medications were giving us a few precious hours of rest or which new caffeine fix was helping us power through the day. It struck me how many of us, while working in what we believed were the careers of our dreams, were silently suffering. Despite our outward success, we weren’t enjoying it—we weren’t sleeping, and we didn’t feel at home in our own bodies. It was like a silent pandemic among high-achieving professionals.

Fueled by my own struggles and the experiences of my colleagues, I dedicated myself to studying sleep for years. I wanted to understand it—not just for myself but so I could help others in similar positions reclaim their rest and, ultimately, their lives. My goal was simple: to teach high-achieving professionals how to sleep better so they could finally enjoy the success they’d worked so hard to achieve. For me, it’s about more than just rest; it’s about thriving in every area of life.

Today, as a business owner, I serve two worlds: finance and sleep coaching. A lot of times, these aren’t mutually exclusive. The high-performing professionals I work with often struggle to balance profitability with their well-being. Whether I’m designing financial systems that drive sustainable growth or coaching clients on how to reclaim their sleep, my mission is the same: to help people thrive in both their professional and personal lives.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Thank you for the opportunity to share a bit about myself and my work. I’m Michon Covington, and I have the privilege of working across two worlds: finance and sleep coaching. While these might seem like unrelated fields, I often find that they intersect in meaningful ways, especially for high-achieving professionals.

My journey began with over a decade of experience as a Vice President managing the operations and strategy of a multi-million-dollar software company. During that time, I developed a deep understanding of running a business, from financial systems development and cash flow modeling to contract negotiation and job costing. I thrived on helping the business grow, but I also learned firsthand the high cost of ignoring self-care. The relentless pace, late nights, and constant pressure took a toll, and I burned out. It was during this time that I realized how common this struggle is among successful professionals: outwardly thriving but inwardly exhausted, running on empty.

This dual perspective inspired me to serve others in two distinct but complementary ways:

Finance Optimization: I work as a Profitability Strategist and Finance Optimization Expert, helping businesses create financial systems that support growth, sustainability, and efficiency. Whether it’s cash flow modeling, budgeting, or creating profitability strategies, I help clients optimize their resources so they can scale without unnecessary stress.

Sleep Coaching: My personal experience with burnout and sleep deprivation led me to study sleep deeply. I now coach high-achieving professionals to reclaim their rest, teaching them how to balance their ambition with their well-being. I focus on helping clients improve their sleep holistically, so they can thrive both professionally and personally.

What sets me apart is my understanding that success isn’t just about numbers or metrics—it’s about balance. For business owners and professionals, the ability to sleep well, think clearly, and feel energized is just as critical to their success as financial strategies or operational efficiency. I bring a unique combination of technical expertise in finance and a deep empathy for the personal struggles that many professionals face.

I’m most proud of the work I do to help my clients thrive in every area of their lives. Whether I’m designing financial systems that free up their time or coaching them on how to break the cycle of sleepless nights, my mission is the same: to create lasting, meaningful change.

For potential clients, followers, or fans, I want you to know that I understand the challenges of balancing success with well-being. My approach is practical, holistic, and tailored to your unique needs. My work is about more than solving problems—it’s about empowering you to enjoy the success you’ve worked so hard to achieve.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

My advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale revolves around recognizing that your team members are human beings, each with their unique qualities, strengths, and challenges. It’s essential to see, hear, and recognize their accomplishments. It’s rare that someone is a ‘bad egg’; more often, they are misunderstood and just need to be heard and appreciated. Everyone wants to take pride in their work and contribute to the team’s success.

Mental health is incredibly important and should be treated as seriously as physical health. I encourage open discussions about mental well-being to create a supportive environment. Taking the time to truly get to know your team members and understand their needs allows you to serve them better.

I don’t believe in titles or using my position to exert power over others. I see entry-level employees as people who simply haven’t had the opportunity to rise yet. By focusing on taking care of the people in your organization, you’re investing in the long-term success of your business. And as a finance geek, I also recognize that a big part of supporting people is ensuring the financial health of the company. We promised our employees that their dedication would be rewarded tenfold, and to fulfill that promise, we had to manage the company’s finances and operations wisely.

Ultimately, it’s not about competition; it’s about creating a culture where everyone has room to succeed together.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One story from my journey that truly illustrates my resilience is when I worked through a significant period of illness. I was so committed to serving the company, the people, and our shared goals that I kept pushing through, even when my health was taking a toll. I would never recommend putting everything else before your health, but at the time, my intentions were good—I wanted to be there for everyone.

Eventually, I realized that my health wasn’t going to improve unless I stepped out of the stressful environment. That realization was a turning point, and I found a solution that allowed me to move on. Then, when I felt a strong calling in my heart to pursue becoming a sleep coach—while still utilizing my skills in finance—I took all the lessons I had learned throughout my career, added in some tears and grit, and built my business from the ground up.

Supporting my family of five financially brought pressure, but we had prepared ourselves financially, which gave me the time and space to pivot. Making the leap from a six-figure position at a growing company to stepping out on my own was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The joy I feel in helping people in a way that feels authentic to me—without the corporate stress or oversight—allows me to show up fully for my clients in a way I never could before.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TheHeartofHealing.online for Sleep Coaching; https://michon-covington.mykajabi.com/cfo for Financial Services
• Instagram: Michon_HeartofHealing
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michon-covington

Image Credits

Ally Glover