How I Balance My Work and My Life as a Business Owner

The conversation around balancing work and personal life has evolved in recent years as more organizations are seeing the employee productivity and engagement benefits of more flexible work policies. However, can this type of balance also exist for business owners?

We reached out to Thyme Sullivan, a mom and seasoned executive who ditched corporate world and co-founded TOP The Organic Project, which produces organic and biodegradable feminine products with her cousin Denielle Finkelstein, to get her perspective around work/life balance.

It’s Actually Not a Balance, But an Integration 

The first piece of advice that Thyme shared is that business owners should reframe the concept in their minds. It is not a balance, but rather an integration.

“Especially as a business owner, work never disappears or shuts down. Instead of holding yourself to an unrealistic standard, it’s better to build it into your life with feasible expectations of where you spend your time and energy,” says Thyme. “I give myself the flexibility to be a mom and to be a business owner focused on building a successful business.”

Authenticity is Key

Another key to integrating your work and personal lives is remaining true to yourself. Thyme points to Spanx Founder, Sara Blakely, a self-made billionaire who uses social media to put herself out there in a real and relatable way. Being authentic at work, home, and on social media is critical to building a brand.

The honesty to be yourself — an entrepreneur, a parent, a friend, and more — can help necessitate integration between your work, which you are ideally passionate about, and your life outside of work as well.

Be a Role Model

In a got-to-have-it-all-world, it can be really hard to prioritize work, family and other obligations as a business owner.

“So many brilliant women have felt they need to make a choice: career or family,” explains Thyme. “We know that not everyone can conform to a big corporate job and raise a family. There is a new wave of business culture that prides itself on flexibility. We need strong role models that prove you can be smart, have a job or own a business, and be present for your family.”

When you are in charge of your business, this means taking time to go to parent-teacher conferences, doctor appointments or whatever else you need. That time may mean working unconventional hours, but the willingness to do it — and encourage employees to similarly take advantage of flexibility where possible — can help change the overall business culture.

Article that May Interest You: Why Company Culture is So Important

Let Go of Guilt

A big part of the work/life blend is taking care of yourself and removing any level of guilt you may feel. According to Thyme, “there is no badge of honor for getting three hours of sleep a night and working more than 70 hours a week. It’s just unsustainable. Instead, make a conscious effort to choose which priorities matter to you and what you need to do, and then live your full life unapologetically.”

Best Advice

“One of the most important things we can do is to support each other in this integration. Kindness is contagious,” says Thyme. She believes that while owning your own business can be difficult at times, it also can be extremely rewarding and a lot of fun.

Rockland Trust has supported thousands of business owners through every stage of entrepreneurship and life. Our Learning Center offers useful knowledge to help your business succeed and meet your goals.