Success Happy

Small Business Owners- work/life balance?

My question is more geared toward men, but I'll take answers from both. For throse of you that own small businesses, particuarly those in the trades- do you have a hard time with work/life balance? Do you ever take weekdays off or short vacations with your significant other? When really stressed out, do you take it out on your S/O or how do you manage to keep it separate? Has owning your own small business affected your ability to have a good relationship or marriage?

Public Comments

1. I don't own a business in the trades I am a home based business owner. Being happy at home helps me be successful in my business. So yes, it means I will take a day off just because it is a pretty day and spend it with my S/O. Take a trip just because we need a break. I love my business because I love my lifestyle that my business provides. Communication and goals are key. Everyone in the household has to have some common goals that everyone is contributing to. Individual goals need to align with family goals. The business has to take second place to the family objectives. The business is a means to and end. A successful business is not the goal, a successful famliy is the goal.
2. As a woman who works with her husband in the trade field I can tell you that it isnt easy. He works late hours, is always thinking about it, and a weekday off yeah right If we can take a weekend off its a miracle. However, we have come to some agreements. I let him vent about work at home and I am very patient about this. I just listen. We agree that we have to take time off so we plan for a few long weekends a year. (the business will not go under in a day) When he takes it out on me I try to be understanding. I will occasionally call him and tell him that my boss is being a real asshole :) It reminds him that I am not an employee but his wife. I think we have a great relationship but it does bother me to see him get so stressed out. Ithink that you both need to be sensitive of each others needs. 10pm is the cut off for venting. Running a business is an all consuming job because it never leaves your head, you have to make sure you get in life time also otherwise what are you doing it for? It helps to have a S/O to remind you of this and try to balance out the working weekends with the playing weekends. It is great though to help with someones blood and sweat become a successful reality :)