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Scaling Without Sacrificing Yourself, with Tina Rexing of T-Rex Cookie
Balm in the Burnout, Episode 9: Scaling Without Sacrificing Yourself, with Tina Rexing of T-Rex Cookie
Show Notes:
Welcome to Balm in the Burnout, the podcast for cross-sector humans navigating personal and systemic burnout. In this episode, host Megan Hadley talks with entrepreneur Tina Rexing, founder of the nationally recognized women-owned business T-Rex Cookie, about burnout in the food industry, entrepreneurship as an immigrant daughter, and what it takes to grow something big without losing yourself.
In This Conversation:
- Tina’s leap from corporate life to launching T-Rex Cookie, and how a business plan (and a lot of grit) helped her land her first investment
- The evolution of T-Rex Cookie—from farmers’ markets to national features on The Today Show, Good Morning America, TimeOut Magazine, and more
- Why Tina says “no” to opportunities that compromise her values or brand identity—even when the world wants smaller cookies
- Honest talk about entrepreneurship burnout, toxic kitchen culture, and why asking for help and setting boundaries are essential
- How Tina’s parents and sons became part of the business, and the emotional labor of mixing family and legacy
- Navigating growth and funding while staying in control—choosing investors who believe in your mission instead of diluting your values
- Lessons on separating work and identity, protecting joy, and not turning every passion into a job
Key Takeaways:
- “Do what you love—but be careful what you turn into work.”
- Scaling a business doesn’t have to mean self-sacrifice
- Burnout in entrepreneurship is real—and rest, boundaries, and community are non-negotiable
- Immigrant hustle, family dynamics, and funding all shape the burnout experience differently than in other sectors
Guest Links:
T-Rex Cookie: Website
Tina Rexing: LinkedIn
- Find T-Rex Cookie their shop in Eagan, at MSP Airport, Terminal 1, at retailers across Minnesota, and local direct shipping via their website.
Connect with Host Megan Hadley:
Support the Show: Balm in the Burnout is listener-supported. Contribute to our community scholarship or leave a tip on Venmo @HHW-LLC.
Visit Harvest Health and Wellbeing for coaching, workshops, and mindfulness-based burnout support.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction: Welcome to Balm in the Burnout
00:37 – Meet Tina Rexing: From corporate to cookie entrepreneur
01:57 – T-Rex Cookie’s rise: National features and business milestones
03:29 – Staying grounded: Yoga, physicality, presence practices
05:46 – The leap: Business planning, farmers' markets, early growth
09:45 – Grit, family values, and the immigrant work ethic
11:36 – Saying “no” and protecting your brand identity
14:05 – Burnout in entrepreneurship and the food industry
17:14 – Family labor, legacy, and sacrifice in small business
20:35 – Growth, investment, and choosing aligned funders
24:20 – Takeaways: What happens when hobbies become jobs
View all episodes
By Megan HadleyBalm in the Burnout, Episode 9: Scaling Without Sacrificing Yourself, with Tina Rexing of T-Rex Cookie
Show Notes:
Welcome to Balm in the Burnout, the podcast for cross-sector humans navigating personal and systemic burnout. In this episode, host Megan Hadley talks with entrepreneur Tina Rexing, founder of the nationally recognized women-owned business T-Rex Cookie, about burnout in the food industry, entrepreneurship as an immigrant daughter, and what it takes to grow something big without losing yourself.
In This Conversation:
- Tina’s leap from corporate life to launching T-Rex Cookie, and how a business plan (and a lot of grit) helped her land her first investment
- The evolution of T-Rex Cookie—from farmers’ markets to national features on The Today Show, Good Morning America, TimeOut Magazine, and more
- Why Tina says “no” to opportunities that compromise her values or brand identity—even when the world wants smaller cookies
- Honest talk about entrepreneurship burnout, toxic kitchen culture, and why asking for help and setting boundaries are essential
- How Tina’s parents and sons became part of the business, and the emotional labor of mixing family and legacy
- Navigating growth and funding while staying in control—choosing investors who believe in your mission instead of diluting your values
- Lessons on separating work and identity, protecting joy, and not turning every passion into a job
Key Takeaways:
- “Do what you love—but be careful what you turn into work.”
- Scaling a business doesn’t have to mean self-sacrifice
- Burnout in entrepreneurship is real—and rest, boundaries, and community are non-negotiable
- Immigrant hustle, family dynamics, and funding all shape the burnout experience differently than in other sectors
Guest Links:
T-Rex Cookie: Website
Tina Rexing: LinkedIn
- Find T-Rex Cookie their shop in Eagan, at MSP Airport, Terminal 1, at retailers across Minnesota, and local direct shipping via their website.
Connect with Host Megan Hadley:
Support the Show: Balm in the Burnout is listener-supported. Contribute to our community scholarship or leave a tip on Venmo @HHW-LLC.
Visit Harvest Health and Wellbeing for coaching, workshops, and mindfulness-based burnout support.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction: Welcome to Balm in the Burnout
00:37 – Meet Tina Rexing: From corporate to cookie entrepreneur
01:57 – T-Rex Cookie’s rise: National features and business milestones
03:29 – Staying grounded: Yoga, physicality, presence practices
05:46 – The leap: Business planning, farmers' markets, early growth
09:45 – Grit, family values, and the immigrant work ethic
11:36 – Saying “no” and protecting your brand identity
14:05 – Burnout in entrepreneurship and the food industry
17:14 – Family labor, legacy, and sacrifice in small business
20:35 – Growth, investment, and choosing aligned funders
24:20 – Takeaways: What happens when hobbies become jobs