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.

MIZZI | Pop Singer/Songwriter

When I first started songwriting professionally, I would be in the studio countless hours, always networking, writing and sometimes two songs a day. Now, I understand that I have to live my life to have something to write about. So I try to make sure I keep a balance of writing music versus going out with friends and living. I think that’s important for anyone, no matter their industry or profession. Read more>>

Lisa Le | Creator of TheVietVegan

When I first started TheVietVegan on YouTube (2016), I was working full time in marketing, and then editing and testing recipes in the evenings and weekends. I think I was pulling 60-80 hr weeks with all of that work and it was taking a toll on me. I did this for about two years before my mental health was definitely suffering, eventually I had to choose one and I picked TVV over my job. Read more>>

Joanna Belcher | Chief External Impact Officer, KIPP SoCal

When I was 32, I was diagnosed with aggressive Stage 2 breast cancer out of the blue. At the time, I was principal of the first KIPP Newark elementary school I founded five years earlier; my founding class of kindergarten students were now fourth graders in their last year at our school before transitioning to middle school. Read more>>

Catalina Lopez | Artist

My understanding of how to balance my life has led me to learning more about myself and how I’m not only multidisciplinary in my art but in my life’s pursuits. While I am an artist, I am also an academic librarian, a profession I have always pursued and have been working in universities libraries for more than a decade now. Read more>>

Marisol Del Valle | (known as Dzhelasi) Artist and Digital Illustrator

Work Life Balance is super important to me. There’s a time for work and a time for rest. Over time, working too much can lead to issues, both physically and mentally. I try to set a time frame for when I sit and work, making lists and schedules along the way so that I have dedicated times to allot for things that make me happy. Read more>>

Aleksandra Matyas | visual artist

Balance in work life for me is about choosing the projects which bring you joy, fulfil your visual hunger and makes you grow. Being open to step out of your field to find inspiration in unexpected places. Moving between a wide range of fields brings freshness to my work. Read more>>

Milka Amanda P. W | Travel Influencer & Graphic and UI/UX Designer

Work / Life balance is a very important topic to discuss because of its impact on productivity, health, and quality of life. Right after I graduated college, I was working a 9-5 job in an office in Woodland Hills. As a free-spirited soul, I balanced that life by going on a car road trip mostly up north from LA or even exploring most LA areas. Read more>>

Aquina La’Shae | Photography & Makeup Artist

My work life balance has changed drastically over time especially with having kids, and working for myself full-time. Being a mother of 4 has shown me the importance of work life balance and why its necessary to create that balance not only for you, but for your family as well. I chose to work for myself full time solely for that reason was to be present for my children more. Read more>>

Anabell Ruiz | Small business owner & Mama

What started off as a “Side hustle” for me has turned into so much more. When I started Dom|n|co. I needed an artistic outlet because we were in the middle of the pandemic, and I was used to using those outlets at work as a hairstylist. Read more>>