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.

Nicole Albrecht | Business Tax Guru

Before 2012, I was a single mom living paycheck to paycheck, so I worked constantly, often juggling several jobs to provide for my child. It was essential for me, both economically and personally, to work as hard as I could. In 2012, my father unexpectedly passed away due to complications from a dirt bike accident. Read more>>

Allegra Venturi | Special Events Coordinator, Actor, Producer

Over time, I have started to value the importance of creating a work life balance. For me, this means switching off my notifications after a long day of work or simply understanding that periods of rest are just as necessary as productivity. These periods of rest actually help with creating space for finding inspiration for projects, avoiding burnout and practicing gratitude. Read more>>

Miles Mcalpin | Toymaker

My work life balance has been a something that I started out battling with, but when I fully accepted it I have tried to actually make it an asset – a forced schedule to exist within. I have been making action figures for 5 years and exactly 2.5 years ago (almost to the day)I had a son – so exactly half the time I have been trying to turn this art into a business my time was of course incredibly shaken up by fatherhood. Because my wife works during the day, I watch my son from 9 to 5. Read more>>

Catherine Fisher | Actor, Dancer, Choreographer, and Photographer

Work-life balance is quite an ever-changing adventure. In the typical work place, there’s a 9-5 window where you solely focus on your work, and the time before and after is up to you. The whole Monday-Friday work schedule doesn’t always work out in freelance. My calendar is constantly shifting and updating. While I have some events & projects scheduled out months in advance, I also get text messages the night before asking if I can do a shoot or project the next day. Read more>>

Samantha Okazaki

The concept of “work/life balance” is an interesting one to me because I think it implies that work and life should be equals and (as I’ve come to terms with recently) that’s just not my reality. And that’s ok!

In 2013, when I was working at my corporate job at NBC I was all work and no life. There were days when I’d go in to the office before the sun rose and wouldn’t leave until after dark. My job became my whole personality. Read more>>

Tash Brooks

Balance for me isn’t defined by sectors of life being in equal measure at all times, it’s more about measuring life through seasons. There are some seasons of life that require a heavier lift than others and some seasons that seem to flow with a lot more ease. Balance for me changed considerably after having children and becoming CEO of non-profit, Walk With Sally. Read more>>

Devyani Mahadevan

It has been a significant challenge because different phases have brought different struggles and it’s an ongoing process. I definitely want to keep pushing myself to do good work, but I have realized that I need to take care of myself in the process. I’m grateful for the incredibly kind people in my life who have reminded me of this. I have started making small and sustainable changes in my routine to create a better balance, and I am trying to get better at it everyday. Read more>>