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.

Claire Wright

Work life balance is very hard as a business owner and often times I have been forced to make changes because of the demands of one or the other. For example, when I started my business ten years ago I would often work 14 hour days in the shop and even sleep on the floor some nights because I was too tired to drive home. I didn’t mind and as I was single and without children I could do this. Now, I am married and have a 2-year-old child so my personal life demands more of me. Read More>>

Tia Harris

My work life balance has shifted dramatically over the years – when I started my career, I was interning at a top PR agency in Chicago, where I was making $800/month. I had to work three jobs to make rent and had no balance because I was just trying to make ends meet. After accepting my first full time, salaried position, I was able to quit one job, but still waitressed nights and weekends – living in downtown Chicago in your 20’s is expensive. Read More>>

Dan Zokaites

I have gone from a very simple life with my wife and I owning a small 600 sq ft house in Ridgway. We have now expanded to having a daughter, two vibrant businesses in the San Juans, and more space to accommodate the family unit.

Throughout the course of these changes we are still focused on what truly matters to us and continue the same framework of keeping life simple. Although we have more things in motion our priority continues to embrace our outdoor lifestyle, parent thoughtfully, and embark or adventures and life experiences with friends and as a family unit. Read More>>

Patricia Eagle

I think of balance as the distribution of energy among my creative, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual spaces. Over my lifetime, my focus of energy has changed. It used to be more on the mental (work) and physical (athletic interests), then the emotional needs increasingly became more important (dog companion, marriage and friendships), followed by spiritual and creative (contemplative and writer)––which the blend of those last two feels natural in my life. What helps me most with my balance is walking my prayers each morning. Read More>>

 Jack Mckeon

As a working musician, I am constantly balancing the work of growing a small, independent business, while maintaining commitments at other jobs. With the high costs of touring, recording, and promoting music, it is necessary for me to work part time and freelance jobs in between shows and tours. In the past, these jobs have felt like a punishment, or a reminder of how far I still have to go in my music career. Recently, however, I have come to appreciate this balancing act, as its caused me to think harder about what I want. Specifically, I had to realize that when it comes to financial success, I am mostly looking to be able to create as much art as possible – primarily writing and singing songs – and that success for me is being financially secure enough to maximize the time I have to create. Read More>>