Meet Victoria Rawleigh | Wedding Planner and Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Victoria Rawleigh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Victoria, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
This is quite possibly the hardest thing to achieve as an independent business owner. I honestly still do not have an answer to how to maintain or even achieve work/life balance. When people think about how great it is to be a business owner, they look at the upsides like making your own hours, doing what you want with your day, being your own boss, etc.

Don’t get me wrong… those are all very valid things to think. However, they fail to take into consideration, just how freaking hard it is. There’s no sugar coating it. You work endless hours. Instead of a 9AM-5PM job that you leave at the office at the end of the day, you will be waking up early AF and going to sleep very late. On average, I work 12+ hours a day 6-7 days a week. Some days I will work upwards of 16 hours and with no day off in sight. Your business is your baby and it’s up to you to raise it. The care, time, and effort that you put into it will directly reflect in the output of your business. When you take a day off, you will likely “pay” for it in the days following said break, with extra hours needed to be put in in order to catch back up.

At a typical job, you take off work and likely, there are others there that will absorb your work in your absence. However, when you run your own business the work will pile up and there isn’t necessarily anyone to run it while you are gone. Especially in the beginning stages.

I try my best to remember that just because I’m not necessarily plugging away in my office, that doesn’t mean that I am not being productive. I try to remember that my business will flourish if I flourish. This means I need to remember to take care of my body by eating clean and working out, taking care of my energy by making sure my surroundings are taken care of like doing dishes and maintaining a cleanly space, and taking care of my relationships because my people are the ones that help me and support me along the way. Without my people I wouldn’t be able to be where I am now. The main key to working towards that balance is listening to your body and mind, and being able to differentiate between when you truly need to take a step back for a breather and to live life a little.

This all sounds so negative but is so true and a lot of business fail early on because they fail to prep mentally for just how hard it is. BUT man the rewards are high.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I started this business after deciding to halt my Ph.D. track and switch to being a business owner. It has been one of the hardest yet most rewarding journeys. I try to pour everything into every single wedding and I truly believe that we go above and beyond for our clients.

I’ve learned though, that I need to stand firm in my beliefs and make sure that people respect me as a business owner. Knowing my worth and the value I bring to a wedding was a huge step towards further success. People can sense all of that energy.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Guys… I never go out and do not know the area much. I’ve been here like 7 years and still have been into the actual city like less than 10 times. I do love the wineries and local restaurants though!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Gosh there are so many people that I could credit here. My parents and family (Lori, Robert, Calan, Tiara, and Carson), for one. They have always fostered my creativity and independence. They have done so much for my siblings and myself. I wouldn’t be here without them and that is something I am 100% sure on. MY insanely hot fiancé (who is also a business owner- Tyler Rose) is my backbone and I couldn’t ask for a better partner. He always jumps in when I need it, even if it just means taking over puppy duty while I work late. My friends are another key player in my success (Cassandra, Rachel, Noelle, Hebee, and Danielle) and they have always encouraged me and have been rocks throughout my life. My work friends for sharing opportunities or even just really great ranting group chats (Kami, Bethany, Amy, and Shaun). Finally, my amazing team past and present (Kayla, Joanna, Rachel again, Manny, Kinsleigh, James and Adam). There are definitely people that I am sure I am forgetting but basically… I couldn’t be here without any of these people.

Website: https://www.thatbliss.com

Instagram: @that_bliss