As a business owner it’s easy to feel like your work is never done – because no matter how much you do, there is always more that could theoretically be done. Many business owners we’ve spoken with also feel that they have a responsibility to be available to their team and that if they step away they are putting an undue burden on their team. So, we wanted to hear from a broad range of business owners on whether they take vacations and we’ve shared some of their responses below.

Amalia Gal

Aaahh…vacation. A great concept. Like many business owners, I find it hard to step away from the office in order to take a break. However, I know that it’s good to get away and experience a different environment for a while. The last vacation I took was earlier this year, when I attended a friend’s destination birthday event in Cuba. Read more>>

Ella Zoller

I’ve always been a big advocate for taking time away from work. I operate with the philosophy that wiser and more effective decisions (in work and in life) are made when we aren’t burnt out and run down. The ultimate form of taking care of your business is to take care of yourself. I take a short trip every few months for 3-4 nights at a time. Not too much to disrupt operations, but enough time for me to reset. Read more>>

Suzy Phillips

I used to work without days off for years, afraid to take a day off, let alone a vacation, until I burnt out. I had to trust in my managers and staff, and cut the umbilical cord. I found out that I can’t take a day or few days off, unless I leave town, otherwise, I will get calls, texts and find myself at the restaurant for an hour or 6 on my day off. Read more>>

Tom Koch

This is a very tricky topic, as an actor I always feel like I cannot allow myself vacations because I never know what’s around the corner. Plus, since COVID every audition is now selftaped (at least for the first rounds) so if I’m traveling I always have to be packing up some filming equipment, in case something comes up – strangely something always comes up when putting on flip-flops and sun glasses. Read more>>

Wenny Jones

Yes, I do take vacations! As a business owner, I keep things going by creating a travel list and taking the time to curate my own travel goals. It can be either a monthly, quarterly, or annual goal to complete a travel goal. My advice that I give to entrepreneurs that can’t step away from their business for a short vacation is to take time to smell the roses and to take time to appreciate the small victories and progress in your business with a staycation or getaway. Read more>>

Ronna Larsen

Being in the travel industry, it is essential to experience different destinations firsthand to better understand the places I recommend to clients. It helps me gather valuable insights about hotels, local attractions, and the overall travel experience, enabling me to provide more personalized and accurate recommendations. It also allows me to build relationships with local service providers, stay updated on the latest travel trends, and attend industry events. It’s like professional development with a side of adventure! Read more>>