THE REALITY OF WORK-LIFE BALANCE AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
Running a business is great. You get to set your own schedule, define your goals, and create work you’re proud of. The freedom that comes with being an entrepreneur is exhilarating, but it also comes with immense pressure—especially when things slow down. When the bank account starts to drain, and the pipeline runs dry, the late nights begin: analyzing what needs to change, reworking budgets, maintaining relationships, and striving to uphold the quality of work you believe in.
The juggling act is relentless, and too often, the most important thing—yourself—gets forgotten.
The Pressure of Entrepreneurship
Trying to build a life and a business in Northern BC has been a journey filled with challenges. It takes time to break into a community, to earn trust, and to establish yourself. Here, marketing has long been seen as a dirty word, often misunderstood or viewed with skepticism. Many businesses have been burned by empty promises, overpriced services, and impractical solutions.
So how do we break that stigma? We do it by being real. By being authentic. By showing up as ourselves. But where do we find the time to do this? How do we balance showing up for our businesses without sacrificing our own well-being?
Where It Starts: Prioritizing What Matters
The truth is, the grind doesn’t stop. But that doesn’t mean we should push ourselves to exhaustion. I've been part of the hustle culture, and I’ve lived through the consequences. The first three years of my time here were spent recovering from burnout.
Some people wear their 12-hour workdays like a badge of honor. They pour everything into their businesses, sacrificing sleep, family, and personal time. And while dedication is important, we have to ask ourselves—is it sustainable? Is it truly success?
Or have we internalized the idea that how others perceive our work ethic is more important than how we perceive ourselves?
Redefining Success
Society has handed us a rigid definition of success—one tied to constant productivity, financial growth, and external validation. But what if we redefined it? What if success wasn’t about how much we work, but about how well we live?
For me, success means leading a sustainable life—one that is built on principles of connection, stewardship, and community. It means being present for my partner, my family, and myself.
It means forming healthy habits, like:
✅ Starting the morning with a book instead of my phone
✅ Prioritizing movement—whether it's yoga, hiking, or just stretching
✅ Creating boundaries between work and personal time
✅ Letting go of guilt when I take time to rest
Because at the end of the day, real wealth isn’t measured in revenue—it’s measured in time.
The Balancing Act: Professional & Personal Boundaries
🔹 A Flexible Structure
Having a plan is essential, but that plan should be adaptable. A rigid work schedule can be just as stressful as no schedule at all. Structure should serve you—not the other way around.
🔹 Clearly Defined Goals & Actions
Instead of running on autopilot, know what you’re working toward. Define what success looks like for you beyond financial goals—is it having dinner with your family every night? Is it being able to take weekends off? Build your business around these priorities.
🔹 Giving Yourself Grace
Some days will be overwhelming, and that’s okay. We need to learn how to give ourselves permission to rest without feeling like we’re falling behind.
🔹 Knowing When to Turn on the Jets—and When to Pull Back
There will be seasons of hustle, but there should also be seasons of rest. Recognizing when to push and when to step back is key to sustainability.
Giving Business Owners More Time: The True Measure of Wealth
As entrepreneurs, we start businesses to create freedom—but too often, we find ourselves shackled to them.
The goal shouldn’t just be financial success, but time freedom—the ability to enjoy life outside of work, to be present for the people we love, and to take care of ourselves. That’s why I’m passionate about helping business owners reclaim their time. Whether it’s through efficient branding, streamlined marketing strategies, or creating systems that actually work, my goal is to help others step out of the endless hustle and build a business that supports their life—not the other way around.
Because we only get one shot at this. Let’s make sure we’re living it, not just working through it.
