What’s the right balance between work and non-work time? The traditional 9-5 has slowly disappeared with the emails and zoom and texting going far beyond traditional business hours. We asked members of our community to share with us how they think about work-life balance.

julia chebotar | Health Supportive Chef / TV personality & Nutrition Consultant

I try and make self-care very important. I take care of my clients daily and when coming home tired and exhausted cooking for myself is something I struggle with. So I make sure to meal prep on my days off. I make sure I always have staples in my fridge like celery, kale, apples, cucumbers, pineapple, tomatoes, onions, garlic, eggs, bread, and canned proteins like sardines, tuna, and anchovies. Sardines are an excellent source of vitamin B-12. This vitamin helps your cardiovascular system and gives you energy. In addition, these fish contain a healthy amount of vitamin D. Along with B-12, D is necessary for good bone health throughout your life. Read more>>

Michelle Loretta | Speaker & Strategist for Event Business Owners

I used to think balance was a 50/50 equation early in my career. In fact, I started my first business as a stationery designer thinking that I would be able to have all this free time for yet-to-be-born-children by dictating my own schedule. I didn’t realize as a young entrepreneur that I would often end up working crazier hours than I did working for someone else. Read more>>

Haidar Hachem | Co-owner/head brewer of Shojo Beer Co

Prior to becoming a brewer, I was in the field of engineering. My 9-5 was sitting in an office and then going out after work was over. But this has completely changed ever since I became a brewer. My work is kind of intertwined with my life; not in a bad way either. What I mean to say that is when I work, I brew, clean and drink! But now what’s happened is that as a part of brewing, to work you need to grow. So how do you grow? You go out, meet other brewers, learn from them and drink! Read more>>

Caroline Olson | Boutique Owner

I am a mom to two boys so work life balance is very important to me. Life has many seasons, sometimes this allows me to be with the kids more and work less and vise versa. I do not think there is ever a perfect day to day balance. I have had times in my life where the store needs a lot of attention and I have to sacrifice my time with the kids. These times are tough! I try to make a rule to let work wait once I pick the kids up. From 3PM until bedtime is my time with the kids and work can wait! Everyone will always have a different balance you have to decide what is most important to you and find a way to prioritize those things. Being a small business owner will consume you if you don’t have a working and evolving plan to prioritize things! Read more>>

Sara Godbout | Artist, Graphic Designer, Homeschool Teacher, and Entrepreneur.

My work / life balance is constantly changing to fit the rhythm of my home and family. I work from home and also homeschool both of my daughters so at times it’s definitely challenging but I get better and better at it every day. At the start of this year I began taking advantage of my husbands four day work week and have taken two days a week to sit at Starbucks and do what I need to do. I also wake up very early when he leaves to work (I’m talking 2-3am) and use that as a way to get a head start on my day and finish anything I wasn’t able to the night before. Read more>>

Jenna Colelli | Registered Nurse, Energetic Alchemist, Spiritual Healer, & Author

I’ve been in the healthcare industry for over 12 years and I was always taught to put the patients first before anyone or anything else. I’ve learned over the past 1 1/2 years through personal experience that this is simply not sustainable. We spend so much time focusing on others that we forget the importance of pouring into ourselves. This is where work life balance comes in. Read more>>

Jolicia St Louis | Candle Maker & Programs Strategist

Before being a mom of two, I was employed at a church and my life was very much consumed with work. I was constantly on the go and never really spent much time at home. Since then, I’ve gotten married and had my youngest child and now I value having a healthy balance. I set boundaries for myself to make sure I unplug at a certain time and tune in to my family. I also make a conscious effort to take family trips and create lasting memories. As a business owner it can be hard to take a step back from your business because there’s always something to be done. I’ve found that those things will always be there, but time with your family is precious so you have to make the most of it while you can. Read more>>