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.

Ann Schwartz | Acrylic Collage Artist

I received my B.A. from the University of Florida. I married and moved to New Jersey to teach. I was always painting and exhibiting my work in my free time. Then had my two children. I couldn’t get back to teaching so became a realtor. I had a week’s vacation and took a sculpture workshop. I began exhibiting and sold my sculptures for many years because it was easy to balance art and selling. My husbnd, Don, and I moved back to Florida in 1997. Read more>>

Leigha Hager | CEO of Rebel Creative Studio & Rebelology Podcast Host

Work life balance is such a personal thing and should be evaluated on an individual basis. For me, I allow my body and my mood to create my daily schedule. As a creative person, creativity comes as it pleases. To ensure a steady flow of it I make sure that I’m well rested, eating the healthiest foods I can, and working out regularly. For me, work life balance means I allow myself to feel free with my schedule. If I want to block out an hour in the morning to go to the beach I will do that. If I want to take the afternoon to go to a workout class I will do that. If I want to stay up late to finish a project or submit client proposals, I will do that. Read more>>

Shaina Ramsey | Salon Owner/Hair & Makeup Artis

Work life balance was nonexistent for me when I first started working for myself. I was balancing a job, cosmetology school, mom life and figuring out how I was going to build a successful salon business. I had this idea that if I wasn’t sacrificing or even suffering, I wasn’t working hard enough. Now, I know that’s not true. I know I can work hard AND carve out time to rest. I can’t give my all from an empty cup. Rest does not equate to laziness. Today my work schedule is a balance of work and rest with plenty of times for family. Read more>>

Henna Hiltunen | Salon owner & Creative Director

Starting this company, for the first year I was working 90-100h per week and made sure the business got up and running and achieved the level of stability that I wanted. I am happy I did as we became a successful business, but then had to take the decision to slow down and find a better balance. Now I appreciate my time off and I am over all a happier person, a nicer employer and a friend and take some time to do sports and other activities and that is so important I find. Read more>>

Shelby Bettencourt | Salon Owner, Stylist, Educator, and Mentor

I think balance is an unachievable theory if you want to be successful. Rather then trying to have the things in my life balanced, I aim to have them flow and think of what is my priority this season, knowing that it is just a season in my life. (and that I am allowed to change my priority next season.) Read more>>