When I sat down with Dr. Erica Jordan-Thomas, founder and CEO of EJT Education Group, she shared something refreshing about entrepreneurial success. Instead of joining the “5 AM club” bandwagon, she’s focused on something more fundamental: quality sleep.
Breaking Away from Hustle Culture Myths
Dr. Jordan-Thomas expressed her frustration with the typical entrepreneurial advice about early wake-up times. “I cringe every time I see one of those ‘wake up at 5 AM’ success posts,” she told me. Her philosophy? It’s not about when you wake up – it’s about how well you sleep.
The Journey to Better Rest
Despite consistently getting eight hours of sleep, Dr. Jordan-Thomas wasn’t feeling rested. This led her to make a significant investment in her well-being: an Oura Ring, which she purchased for Christmas 2023. The insights she gained were eye-opening.
A Surprising Discovery Through Data
One of the most revealing discoveries from her Oura Ring data was that her heart rate remained elevated during sleep – matching her awake levels. As she explained, “I was asleep, but my body wasn’t really resting.” This data-driven insight prompted her to make meaningful changes.
Creating an Intentional Sleep Routine
In 2025, Dr. Jordan-Thomas has doubled down on her commitment to quality sleep. She’s expanded her sleep tech arsenal with a Hatch Restore 2 alarm clock (which she playfully named Luther). Her evening routine is now carefully structured:
- 20 minutes dedicated to getting into bed
- 30 minutes of reading (currently enjoying “Let Them” by Mel Robbins)
- A 5-minute sleep meditation to ease into slumber
The Impact on Business Success
Dr. Jordan-Thomas firmly believes that quality rest is the secret ingredient to scaling from seven to eight figures. After just a week with her new sleep routine, her Oura Ring data is already showing positive changes. As she puts it, “I refuse to believe that running a multi-7-figure business requires me to sacrifice my rest.”
The Bottom Line
What struck me most about my conversation with Dr. Jordan-Thomas was her methodical, data-driven approach to rest. She’s proving that entrepreneurial success doesn’t have to come at the expense of well-being. Her message to other entrepreneurs? Consider establishing a new night routine if you’re not sleeping well.
For those interested in learning more about her sleep optimization journey, Dr. Jordan-Thomas welcomes DMs on Instagram to discuss sleep routines and their impact on business success.
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