What’s the right balance between work and non-work time? The traditional 9-5 has slowly disappeared with the emails and zoom and texting going far beyond traditional business hours. We asked members of our community to share with us how they think about work-life balance.

Brooklyn Downing | Baker, Dental Hygienist, and Stay at Home Mom

When I first started brookie bakes, I had just had my first baby and had stopped working as a full time dental hygienist. I wanted to be a stay at home mom and was so grateful I was able to do so. However I wanted an outlet, or a hobby that was just for me. I never imagined it would turn into what it has today. I started by just practicing baking during naps and after bedtimes with absolutely no stress. Today it definitely has become more of a time commitment, and i have to be more aware of balancing my cookie business and my family. I feel like I finally have a good balance as I’ve learned what works for me and my family. Read more>>

Inktuce | Artist

Work life balance is the thing I struggle with the most. I work a full-time job in addition to my art business, so it is very important for me to reevaluate the balance as I go along. At first, making art in my free time was a way to create time for myself when I wasn’t at work or taking care of other responsibilities, as well as a creative outlet. I then became more focused on steadily creating more art and allocating more time to that endeavor. For me, because I don’t solely depend on my art to survive, I try to have healthy boundaries around it. There are many times that I don’t submit to an art show or participate in a market because I feel I would lose out on sleep or other necessary relaxation time in order to make it happen. I also don’t force art to happen. Read more>>

Isabella Joffroy | Yelp Tucson Senior Community and Marketing Director- aka. I connect people to amazing local businesses and uplift the small business community

I think that work-life balance is something that is always changing and evolving. Nine years ago, when I first started with Yelp, I don’t think “work-life balance” was even a phrase that was present in my mind, ever. I said yes to everything, took every meeting, worked late nights, skipped meals, worked through family time, worked on vacation and eventually, I reached burn out. Ultimately, all of it is a choice. How we structure our daily routines is so important and it took me years to learn the power of saying “no” and feeling confident in that. I have found that balance is not something you find, it’s something you create. Read more>>

Michelle Ware | Bakery Owner

Finding and creating a successful work life balance is no easy task, especially for small business owners. As a one person shop, it feels impossible to find an ending to the day because the work never truly ends. When I first opened my business, I worked late into the night, all through the weekend, and found myself feeling burned out. Over time I’ve learned to set boundaries with my clients, even if it meant losing their order. You can only run on fumes for so long until it eventually takes the joy out of what you are doing. For your mental health and for the overall successful of your business, it’s best to set the balance as early as possible. Read more>>