A Focal Point that Inspired Growth

A couple of months ago, we quietly crossed the two-year mark at Lakaynan, and I had an epiphany about what made our second year challenging. The challenge: leaving when it’s time.

Like a focal point in a grand foyer, the moment you realize it’s time to go is hard to miss, yet personally, I’ve struggled with honoring that signal. What made this realization more potent was watching the same pattern reveal itself in my business. The mirror was unmistakable. Witnessing the cost of staying too long, whether with an idea, a collaborator, or a direction, expanded my awareness profoundly.

Last year, our team was blindsided by a general contractor, sourced and hired by our client, whose missteps toppled the project like a load-bearing wall with no structural support. We spent weeks accommodating unprofessional behavior in the name of progress and partnership. But when the contractor ultimately abandoned the job altogether, the emotional and financial weight fell squarely on our shoulders. 

There were no systems in place to absorb a crisis of that magnitude. That lack of preparedness gave way to burnout, frustration, and financial strain, each a stressor on its own, but together, a perfect recipe for fractured relationships. Saying that “major lessons were learned” would be an understatement. But I’ve come to see it as one of those disguised blessings, the kind that doesn’t arrive with a bow, but leaves you wiser if you’re paying attention.


The unexpected beauty that followed is why Lakaynan is now proud to offer a full-service design and build offering, bringing together the creative power of design with the precision and accountability of construction. With licensed contractors and dedicated construction project managers under one roof we are protecting the design intent, the investment, and most importantly, the people behind it all. 


I’ll share more soon about the qualifications and licenses that our team has acquired. But today, I want to leave you with some earned wisdom. My hope is that it saves you some of the time, money, and relationships that it cost us.

Here are three signs it’s time to walk away from a failing relationship, and how to do it with clarity and integrity: 

1| You’re the only one holding the vision, and the weight. 

In any partnership, whether creative or contractual, there must be shared accountability. When one party consistently drops the ball, and you find yourself overcompensating to keep the project alive, you're no longer collaborating, you’re rescuing.

How to walk away:
Name the dynamic out loud. Document what has been attempted. Then, professionally communicate that the current conditions are no longer aligned with your standards or capacity. This isn’t about blame—it’s about boundaries. 

2| The cost of staying outweighs the value of completion. 

Sometimes we convince ourselves to stay for the sake of finishing what we started, even when it’s clearly no longer in integrity. Whether it’s emotional exhaustion, mission drift, or financial hemorrhaging, the toll adds up fast.

How to walk away:
Conduct an honest audit. Ask: What is this still giving me? What is it taking? If the return no longer justifies the investment, pivot. A clean exit now protects future work and preserves your energy for aligned opportunities.

3| The relationship erodes your professional standards, or self-worth. 

When you’re repeatedly asked to tolerate disrespect, chaos, or misalignment, the project is no longer about the work, it’s about survival. As a leader, staying in spaces that require you to lower your standards sets a dangerous precedent for your brand and your well-being.

How to walk away:
Affirm your non-negotiables. Design a graceful transition plan (if possible), and anchor your decision in the values you want to be known for. Integrity isn’t just about how you stay, it’s about how you leave.



If you’re planning a renovation or new build and want the peace of mind that comes from having one unified team from concept to completion, I’d love to connect. Book a discovery call to learn more about our design and build offering, and how we can bring your vision to life with clarity, care, and craftsmanship.