Been in VC 7 years and love it — but my fund’s broke, no exits, no bonuses, and fundraising feels futile. As a new parent, I’ve lost my old drive. I’m stuck, exhausted, and unsure what’s next. Too old for a mentor? Too young to feel this lost.

This one really hit home. I see you — and I truly understand.
There’s nothing more disheartening than doing all the right things and still feeling like you’re standing still. You show up every day, give it your all — and yet, nothing moves. I’ve been there.

Last year, I had to make one of the hardest decisions of my career: to stop fundraising for my Africa-focused fund. I’d given it a year — I met LPs, had candid conversations, spoke to other emerging managers, and went to every event I could manage as a mum of three. I pushed for transparency. I asked hard questions. And the more I heard, the more I realised how uphill the battle really was. The truth? There wasn’t much capital on the table for Africa, and the bigger, more established funds were always going to have the edge. I had to accept that.

But more importantly, I had to ask myself: At what cost?
We don’t get into this work to get rich. We do it because we care — about founders, about impact, about building the future. But when the toll becomes emotional, financial, physical — you have to pause. You have to do a life audit.

What helped me was doing that audit with a coach and my most trusted circle. There’s so much noise — and I know you probably feel a huge sense of responsibility to your LPs, your team, your founders. But you matter too.

I was completely burnt out last year. My body gave me the signal, and I had to listen. I pulled inwards. I muted WhatsApp groups. I stepped back from social media. I gave myself permission to be quiet for a while.

And in that quiet, I found clarity. I thought about what truly gave me energy: being outdoors, singing (yes, I bought a karaoke machine — my neighbours may not thank me!), dancing, spa days, travel, and just being with the people I love. I had lost those parts of me in the hustle.

Here’s what I want you to know:
💡 You’re never too old to get a mentor.
💡 You’re never too far gone to ask for help.
💡 You’re not alone in this.

If you can, speak to your team. Ask for time out — proper time. No emails. No Slack. Just space to breathe and reconnect with yourself. If, after that, you still feel the pull toward founders but not fundraising, maybe your next chapter is within VC, but in a different role.

And if it’s time for a bigger change — that’s okay too. I can’t recommend working with a coach enough. It helped me see myself clearly again and build a toolkit for wiser decisions.

Whatever path you take, please don’t do it alone. You deserve support, peace, and joy. I’m always here if you ever want to talk.

With warmth,
June