Madison Utendahl’s agency, Utendahl Creative, launched the “Burnout Burner”

If you’ve never heard of her, Madison Utendahl is an absolute legend. If you have, then you’ll know this to be true.

During her time as a film major at Brown (EEEEP), Madison took the entertainment and media industries by storm by pursuing the following internships:

• Casting intern @Warner Brother Studios

• Fashion department intern @Nylon Magazine

• Equipment intern @Milk Studios

• Development intern @Tyra Banks Intern

• Production intern @Victoria Secret for their 2013 Fashion Show

Wow. We know.

Post college, she started her career as a producer’s assistant at The John Oliver Show when it was just The John Oliver Show, not Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Behind the glitz and glamor of television and celebrities was a very hands-on, labor-intensive 16-hour day, requiring everything from research to errands, and more. 

2 seasons later, Madison decided it was time for a change and left her job to work as an Executive Assistant at Refinery29. Knowing she was destined for a more hands-on, creative job, she left after a couple of years to become a founding member of the viral Museum of Ice Cream (MOIC). 

As director of social, she helped bring the MOIC to life as we know it and won 2 prestigious Webby awards in the process. Despite the colorful and light-hearted facade of the MOIC, the working culture was anything but positive. As Madison recalled, leaders at the company disregarded the importance of communication, did not respect work-life balance, and refrained from voicing affirmations of any kind. 

The environment wasn’t just demoralizing for Madison but manifested into tons of health issues that were a result of severe burnout. Despite the doctor's warnings, Madison only realized she needed to make a change after witnessing a younger member of her team struggling as well. During her episode on Hillary Kerr’s Second Life podcast, she recalls:

“I remember I had this moment where I ran into a junior employee of mine and she was crying on the street. It was 10pm. I remember going up to her, giving her a hug, and telling her it’s okay, this is just how it is, you’ve gotta work hard and grind and hustle. And she said, “I know, if you could do it, then yeah, I can do it.” And in my head I was like I’m dying and she’s looking at me as an example. I have pancreatitis and cystic acne and I’m so depressed and she thinks this is an example. And I just had this moment where I was like you cannot have your legacy be this.”

After an accountability call to her parents that night, Madison left her job and turned to consulting as a way to build her self-confidence, and to learn how stable, healthy companies operate. Once she started growing a steady list of clients, she decided to go out on her own and launch Utendahl Creative, a minority-owned design studio servicing brands like Judy,  About-Face, No. 8, and more. 

Apart from building her business externally, Madison has been hyper-focused on creating a sustainable culture internally, rooted first and foremost in mental wellness. Here are some of their office perks:

• No meetings before 12pm on Monday to prevent Sunday scaries

• Company closure 5 weeks/year, 2 weeks at a time over important holiday periods 

• Weekly office closure at 2pm every Friday 

To top it all off, Madison and her team at Utendahl Creative just launched the “Burnout Burner” candle.

Image Credit: Utendahl Creative

This product was not made with the intention of mindlessly hoping on the wellness train, but to intentionally raise awareness and educate people about burnout. Here is some helpful information they shared in their tease campaign and launch event:

Symptoms of Burnout 

• Brain Fog: “...extreme…what’s my name again?”

• Reactive: “...everything is a lot!”

• Chronic Fatigue:  “why am I so tired all the time?”

• Insomnia:  “...why can’t I sleep?”

• Panicked: “...at all times”

• Easy to cry: “...I’m sorry, I just can’t stop crying”

• Procrastination: “...the simplest things…will never get done”

Anti-Burnout Affirmations

• I  am worthy of rest

• I work to live, not live to work

• I can do anything, but not everything

• My job does not define who I am

• I allow myself to enjoy taking rest

• I choose rest

We’re sure the @utendahlcreative team has a slew of more beautifully designed wellness tips on the way soon, and when they release them, you can bet we’ll be sending them your way. In the meantime, shut that laptop of yours. Or, attempt to for at least 2 minutes. Rest rest rest!