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.

Alexa Gonzales | Photographer

The most important factor behind the success of my newly created business is the act of doing everything with love, excitement and passion. I love what I do, I always have and when you do things with Love, everything always comes out so much better. Not only does it come out much better but it comes to you naturally. Although I’m still learning new things everyday, there’s so much that came to me so natural. Read more>>

Kristina Smith | Licensed Professional Counselor

Growing up, I was always told that I was extremely empathetic. I feel things deeply and I feel greatly for others. I valued this characteristic of mine and knew early on that I wanted to help others. I wanted to connect with people and support them so they didn’t feel alone. I wanted to walk alongside them in their journey and offer my care and support. This ultimately led me to my chosen career as a therapist. I’m in the business of people and people need to be seen and heard. People also need connection and I am able to connect with them through empathy. I think a therapist’s greatest power is empathy. The ability to truly understand someone, their situation, their hardships and to feel with them is powerful and essential to the therapeutic process. Without empathy, I would not be a successful therapist. Every therapeutic relationship is built off of the basis of empathy for another soul. Providing a safe an empathetic place for someone to be vulnerable and work through hard stuff is so important. People deserve to be seen and heard and no one should feel as though they have to walk this life completely alone. Success in my business looks like connection and my client’s allowing me into their lives and allowing me to feel with them and walk alongside them in their journey. I care about people and I’m thankful everyday that my clients let me in and trust me to hold their pain and help them grow. Read more>>

Edwin Joy | Photographer

The most important factor behind my success is putting my clients first. Photography, for me, started as a hobby and never as a business venture. Up until recently, I never charged for any of my work and did every photoshoot/event for free. I’ve always strived to create an environment where their expectations are not just met but exceeded. This, for me, extends beyond the confines of a business’s profitability; it forms enduring relationships. I find joy and fulfillment in understanding and valuing the stories of each client. I believe that this commitment has fostered a reputation built on trust and loyalty from those I am privileged to serve. Read more>>

Charles Read | Founder of GetPayroll

I heard the following maxim many years ago: “There is no traffic jam on the extra mile”. That maxim is how we (My wife and I) designed the business to run from the beginning. We always went the extra mile for our customers and later for our employees. We knew and it was confirmed to us over and over through the years that our competitors would not do so. Did we sacrifice short term profit in doing so? I am sure we did. But our turnover in clients and employees has always been much lower than quoted statistics from our competitors and the marketplace as a whole. We think that makes us more profitable and life a great deal happier than the alternative. Read more>>