By far the most common conversation we have with the folks we interview is about work-life balance. Starting a business or pursuing a creative career makes finding work life balance really tough because there is no clear start and end to one’s work day. We’ve shared some of our conversations on the topic below.

Rochelle Sunglao | Hairstylist, Colorist & Educator

When I first started my career in hair, I wanted to explore all the different avenues it could take me. While building my client base, I found a lot of projects or work outside of my full time salon gig. In those early years, I would work 7 days a week trying to balance work on photo shoots, being behind the chair, and doing weddings. It wasn’t sustainable. Sometimes projects don’t work out well and I burnt myself out. After I was in a place where my client base was more stable, I reassessed. I looked at what work was really stressful versus what brought fun and happiness. Read more>>

Alex Vasquez | Digital Marketer & Small Business Owner

I’ve made more of an effort to prioritize myself and my ability to reset and recover. I’ve begun enforcing stricter boundaries around my availability regarding work and my work partnerships. I am a big believer in proactively creating time that is “your time.” Blocking out time beforehand is a thing I wish I did a long time ago. It makes such a difference when you intentionally block out time for yourself. I make time for physical activities, which also act as a form of self care for my mental health—I set aside time for running, going to the gym, and spending time with loved ones like friends and family. Read more>>

Brittany Lander | Business Owner / Graphic Designer

When I started my own business, I was a single woman living on her own, working a full time job. I took on projects as I could as a sort of side income but most of my energy went into the 9-5 as it was more stable. After I met my now husband and we got married then had our son, that job I had committed all my energy to for years fired me. After returning from Maternity Leave my performance levels “dropped” due to having to take care of a newborn during a pandemic and my work life balance shifted because what mattered most, was my child. Now I was a new Mom but my career goals never changed. What I wanted my little business to become only became more important because I was doing this not only for me, but for my little family. Read more>>