Our community is filled with hard-working, high achieving entrepreneurs and creatives and so work-life balance is a complicated, but highly relevant topic. We’ve shared some responses from the community about work life balance and how their views have evolved over time below.

Chantel Zettel | Elopement Photographer

My work life balance was absolute shit in my early years. I had no sense of boundary, I had no rules, I had no principles, heck I never said NO. I was working a full time job and making photography my side hustle and i was in the THICK of it. I was photographing every single evening after my 7am-5pm, then I was filling my weekends with photoshoots, and I didn’t get ANY sleep because I was doing the back end of things until 1,2 sometimes even 4am and waking up just to go to my full time job the next day. I burnt myself out. This wasn’t the first time I had done it. Took me years to actually figure out where to draw a line and how to say no. To this day I’m still trying to improve my workflow and efficiency in my calendar but I’ve mastered being able to step back and take care of myself for my business so that I can show up 100% me, 100% of the time. I now have a life outside of work where I travel, I spend time with my friends and my family, I block out time to just be by myself. My entire balance has some a 180 and I am forever grateful for my failures that have lead me here. Each failure taught me a lesson. Whether it was a big lesson or a small one, i learned something new each and every time. Balance is how you make it work for your life specifically. Read more>>

Bren Holmes | musician/singer songwriter

I’d been very fortunate to have been a professional musician most of my life and when not doing that, I’m a photographer. So music has always been a work/life experience for me right down the middle. They say “do what you love, and you’ll never work day in your life”. Well let me tell you that there’s some truth to that, but in reality there’s a lot of work you have to put in to try make a living as an artist. I’m mainly talking about taking on various part time jobs to support my music habit, especially when things are slow gig wise. Since leaving my old band of 28 years, 4 years ago to pursue a solo career, it’s been a slow upward battle to say the least. So the balance has changed for sure but I’m hoping that I can become a full time musician again in the not too distant future. Either way, the drive to create new music and perform will always be a driving force within me… Read more>>

Katie Bonarrigo | Certified Holistic Health & Burnout Coach

When I was working healthcare 5 years ago, I became accustomed to working as hard and as long as I possibly could to keep up with everyone around me and eventually this took a huge toll on my mental and physical health. Ultimately I knew I had to make a change. Now instead of letting work seep into every aspect of my life, I’m incredibly intentional about setting boundaries like not working past 5pm, taking mini “rest” breaks throughout the day (even if I have a full to-do list), and prioritizing time connecting with my community and people I love. In doing so, I’m able to be more focused, productive, and efficient during the times I am working, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Read more>>

Amanda J. Hill | Attorney at Law & Managing Partner

As I have become more seasoned attorney and business owner I value my time over anything else. Thus, I am focused on building a great team with my business so I can work on getting some time back with my family. I have a 3 year old and 6 year old daughter. I want to be able to spend as much time as I can with them as they grow up. Just 6 years ago I was grinding and working for someone else figuring out how I was going to start my family and balance it all. Joining forces with Sara my business partner has allowed me to be able to focus on the goal of having balance between spending time with my family and having a successful career. Read more>>