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.

Teresa Smith | Life Coach, Author, and Motivational Speaker

Wow, work-life balance, it’s an ever-evolving dance in this digital age. I used to think I had it all figured out, but life had a gentle yet powerful way of nudging me back on track. You see, earlier this year, I hit a point where the scales tipped too far. I was hustling hard, juggling commitments left and right, until my body said, ‘Hold on, time for a pause.’ For four months, I was forced to step away, reassess, and reconnect with what mattered. It was a harsh lesson but a crucial one. I realized I had been neglecting the most important relationship, which was my relationship with myself. Read more>>

Shaterra Williams | Businesswoman.Healer.Mother.Inspirer

I was once one who lacked balance in multiple ways. I was always such the hard worker, allowing little time for any other portion in life. I will say becoming a parent (even in the preparation phase) has helped tremendously. Parenting has encouraged me to live more for myself. I think about the balance as literally life changing, for the better! Once I started to incorporate things more meaningful to me (outside of work), life honestly became easier. Read more>>

Georgia Tardy | Artist, Educator and Entrepreneur

When I first started my business I had no concept of balance. I took any jobs without considering my capacity or bandwidth. For an early-stage entrepreneur, this is common and most times necessary to grow your business. However, operating this way is a fast track to burn out which happened to me many times over the years. Over time I learned from my mistakes, learned to say no without guilt and, prioritized my mental health and wellness. Now I perceive balance not as a time-management tool but as a state of being. I filter the way I take on new projects and have a personal criteria for saying yes or no to new opportunities. Read more>>