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.

Nicole Davis | Wife, Mother and Business Owner

I believe seeking balance is the fastest way to stress and disappointment. I discovered that we should see harmony instead, which was one of the most clarifying moments in my adult life. When we seek balance, the slightest change can be catastrophic to at least one element of our lives. On the other hand, creating harmony allows multiple things to flow together no matter how different each piece may be. Think about your favorite music group(s) – in any genre. They’re comprised of different talents, personalities, and attributes but when they flow together, the magic is created. Read more>>

Linda Nozart-Frierson | Registered Respiratory Therapist & Asthma Educator Specialist

I used to drive myself crazy with work-life balance but everything changed when I had my miracle baby in 2021. Since then I’ve learned to give myself some grace and now function as a work-life “Jenga” game, moving the same pieces strategically to achieve my goal. Knowing that the pieces may fall but that i can always build again gives me piece of mind. I also make sure that all my roles especially in my career are at harmony with my mission of fighting against asthma disparities. Read more>>

Tracey McKee | Soul Coach, Reiki Master, Vibrational Sound Therapist, Past Life Regression Therapist, and Astrologer

Balance is the driving force behind my business and my personal life. Before I started my business I was an elementary school teacher. Being a teacher was very rewarding. I loved my students and loved teaching. What I didn’t love was the long hours I spent beyond time in the classroom. There is a common misunderstanding that teachers have it easy because they only work 6 hours a day and get summers off. Well, that’s unequivocally not true. Much time is spent outside of the classroom planning lessons, grading, tutoring students, going to meetings and attending continued professional development trainings. I often worked 10-12 hour days as well as on the weekends. Read more>>

Dupree | Artist & Actor

In the past, I’ve always needed a little extra guidance when it comes to finding balance in my life. I have more responsibilities now more than ever executing dual careers,and that guidance is utilized now more than over. As a teen, my father would encourage me to focus on my grades, but to not forget about my social life. As an adult, I still hear my fathers voice reminding me to make time for my family friends, anytime I find myself overworked. As an artist and actor, I’m thankful to have the support of my management to help me find balance between acting and music. I think of balance as a lining or thread in a person’s destiny. Similar to the lining of a dress. Read more>>

Jessica James Henry | Global Community Advocate

Work life balance is a concept that has evolved over time, and my own understanding and practice of it has significantly changed through a personal journey of trauma and healing. After enduring abuse while pregnant, my life was thrown into chaos. I felt the need to constantly keep moving, to stay in a state of flight, to prove to myself that I could overcome all obstacles. This flight response allowed me to stay focused on tasks and work, as productivity became my way of coping with the pain and upheaval in my life. However, as time went on and I began to heal from the trauma, I realized the importance of finding stillness. Read more>>

Emilie Schario | CEO & Founder of Turbine

My husband and I are two full-time working parents and we’ve both come to appreciate that there is no such thing as “work life balance.” Some days have more work than life and some days have more life than work. Rather than look at it on a particular day’s basis, we instead focus on the bigger picture. Did I watch my toddler do something new this week? Did I get a couple of snuggles in the morning? Did I spend one on one time with each of my kids? It is a cliché to say that when it comes to parenting little kids, the days are long, but the years are short. Two things can be true at the same time: you can love your job and your kids, and with the right support system around you, you can figure out an integration model that works. Read more>>