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.

Ivette Flower | Certified Leadership & Positive Intelligence Coach

I don’t believe in work-life balance. That statement gives you the false illusion that work and personal life should somehow be equal. I believe in work-life flow. I like to think of work-life flow in different seasons of life. When my 3 children were babies (they were all 2 years apart) I was able to stay home with them. During that time I barely had time to take a shower let alone feel like life had an easy flow. Since I valued being home with them it was all worth it. When the youngest transitioned to full-time kindergarten and the other children were more independent I was able to work part-time. Read more>>

Julia Lofstrand | Photographer

Over the years I’ve learned the importance of finding the time to take care of yourself- physically, mentally, and emotionally. Seems simple, but when I was younger I got caught up in constantly being in “go mode”, and found myself making poor choices- my inner and outer world was really suffering. Sometimes I travel a lot for work and it can be very draining and ungrounding. My job involves being around large groups of people too, which is exciting, engaging and fun! Read more>>

Cort Carpenter | Country Music Recording Artist

As a full-time singer/performer in the country music world, the work life balance gets difficult sometimes. Playing shows, touring, and just trying to keep up with the everyday trends gets exhausting. Since I have a 15 month old son now, my everyday schedule has changed drastically due, but in a good way. Instead of being mentally abused by the music business every single day, I’m able to step away each day and just be with my son one-on-one which really is refreshing. So overtime, it has changed, and it keeps on changing everyday. Now I actually have a better balance and know when to shut down the music side of things each day. Read more>>

Emmarose Villatoro | Esthetician & Wax Specialist

My work life balance definitely has its ups and downs these past few years. When I was working for a corporate I could barely find time for myself and my friends. I would be so burnt out all I wanted to do was sleep and i couldn’t find the joy in life anymore. Now since I have opened my own business, I can hang out with my friends and family more often. I’ve even started going to the gym more often and taking care of my mental and physical health. Read more>>

Berenice Echavarria | Realtor, medical field and mom

Balance is so important yet so challenging between being a mother, working my regular job, working on my business and finding the time to work on myself. Finding the balance to do all these things has definitely being very challenging. As a single mother of two boys and having a teenager now has been hard, I’ve found ways to make it all work somehow someway. Sometimes life throws unexpected things your way and you just have to roll with the punches and always keep moving forward no matter what. Read more>>