Sharon Miller, president of small business and head of specialty banking and lending at Bank of America, practices wellness in all aspects of her work and life.

Her mornings begin with meditation before she checks email or makes a phone call. 'It's important not to be too hard on yourself,' she says. There is no such thing as perfect balance."

Like many, Miller has had a tougher couple of years, but it has also been an opportunity to come up with more creative ways to help entrepreneurs achieve their goals during really difficult times. He said, "I love helping people achieve their dreams, and I can't think of anyone more resilient, passionate, and inspirational than small business owners. And I don't think there is anyone more resilient, passionate, and inspiring than a small business owner," she says. Throughout the pandemic, we have stood with businesses and helped them recover. I am very proud of that."

If there was one positive aspect to the pandemic, it was that people felt empowered to take control of their professional trajectory and enter the world of entrepreneurship. The Great Reshuffle has inspired millions of people to explore new career paths, many of whom have started their own ventures. We hear a lot about people leaving corporate jobs: 5.4 million companies opened in 2021, a 26% increase over 2020. Many of them were minority- and women-owned businesses," Miller said.

"I think people are looking back at their lives: what do I want to do? Entrepreneurship is the backbone of our economy, and entrepreneurship is the driving force behind our economic recovery. It's an important group, not just for our company, but for the entire U.S. economy."

In her work, she sees a surprising connection between meeting her clients' needs and their wellbeing: she prioritizes being able to help them "not only with their business, but also with their lives." 'Small business owners, in general, are not separate,' she explains. 'What I observe is that if you are a small business CEO, you may also be a mother, father, aunt, sister. So I think it's imperative to focus on people's lives and really help them manage both their business priorities and their life priorities"

.

"We believe we can help SMEs gain a competitive advantage. We want to help SMEs grow."

Bank of America, in recognition of Small Business Month in May, offers other examples of how small business owners have adapted to keep their businesses moving forward in times of change.

For more small business inspiration, customer spotlights, and helpful resources,https://promotions.bankofamerica.com/smallbusiness/sbmonthをご覧ください。

In the survey below, Miller talks about the self-care she uses to unplug, stay focused during difficult times, and be mindful and present in the moment She speaks candidly about the techniques she uses.