Mom Interviews

I’m not sure what that term means. I remember it being a poll question on a study that Microsoft fielded on employee satisfaction when I still worked there. At the time I assume I answered that I had terrible work/life balance. I worked too much and I spent too little time with my family. What I’ve realized - and it sounds a bit hokey - is that having my own business means that it’s about quality not quantity. I’m definitely working harder and longer than I have in any other work environment but for some reason it feels more in balance.

Tonight my husband and daughter went to the Sonics game and my son and I went rollerblading (or at least he did) and then for a pizza. We find ways to spend time together talking and that’s the most important thing for our family.

Keep the end goal in mind. If you are giving up a 60 hour-a-week job at an office another 60 hour-a-week job running your own business doesn’t mean it’s any better just because it’s your own. For us the end goal is freedom. We are working extremely hard right now to build our business to be a great success. We know that accomplishing that will provide us with many more opportunities and time in the future to spend as a family.

I ran into a good friend of mine yesterday who started her own business with a friend about two years ago. She started it when her daughter was about two and a half and her son wasn’t born yet. She’s done a fantastic job building a great business over the past couple of years but it’s taken its toll on her family. Her husband is a bit frustrated, her children miss her even when they’re with her and she’s feeling like she does nothing right. She’s decided to step back from the business for the summer and see how she feels at the end of it. Knowing when you’ve sacrificed too much is paramount to your business and personal success.