The Coronavirus has given many us an opportunity to pause and think about life, our purpose, and even the right work life balance. What’s your perspective and has it changed over time?

Elle Truax | Custom Hat Maker

Since opening up Björkstam Hat Co. I have definitely shifted my priorities. I graduated college in 2019 and had this die hard urge to immediately dive into a career and start my adult life. I found a job and instantly started questioning what I was doing sitting behind a desk every day 9-5. Read more>>

Cody Laun | Voice teacher and classical singer

I used to subscribe to the mentality of “you have to work until the job is done, no matter the cost to your personal/family life.” I am working PRECISELY to care for my family, and part of that is actually being WITH them! I set clear boundaries now, and my family has benefitted greatly. Read more>>

Meli Tierra | Musician & Singer-Songwriter

Work life balance is one of the most challenging parts of being an entrepreneur. Throughout the years I’ve found myself engrossed in the places I work and felt a fierce loyalty to the small businesses especially. However, I’ve realized that making time to pursue music is imperative to my happiness and well-being. Read more>>

Jason Kroening | Family Man & Aspiring Photographer

As I have gotten older, and especially after becoming a parent, I found the 80:20 work to play ratio I had been running since my early-twenties was burning me out in my thirties. The realization of how deep in to the salary rat-race I had gotten hit home HARD. I have an amazing family, the money, and a home to call our own. By my own definition; I have it all. I should feel as if I had “made it”, yet I felt incomplete. Read more>>

Grace Power | Esthetician and Entrepreneur

When I first started my business, my husband worked out of town and we had no children or pets so I was able to devote all of my time and energy into my business. We did take a 2 week vacation and I remember it feeling like much too long to be away from the business. I may have been a work-a-holic but I loved it. I worked on holidays and I rarely saw my family. Read more>>

Cindy Wright | Small Business Owner & Barista

Previous to starting my own business I was working as an engineer and because I was also starting a family I have worked every type of workplace scenario there is such as full-time working in the office, full-time working from home (usually with a new baby) and everything in-between. I had quit my job in anticipation of an out-state-move right as the COVID pandemic and ended up not working for 1.5 years before starting the coffee shop. Read more>>

Tenisha Dunlap | Non Profit Organization Founder

When I first started my business, I use to have the hustle and grind mentality. I use to work, work, work like Rihanna would say, ever weekend I was busy. But now over time, I’ve changed my mindset and now it’s grace and grind. Now, I try my best to work smarter and not harder. I haven’t mastered this but I understand that now less is more. You can actually do less and be more balanced and fulfilled when you use strategies in business. Read more>>