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.

Kirsten Graham

Yes! I am a huge proponent of travel, adventure, and getting out of your bubble. I hustled solo for many years growing my business, and that included a good amount of travel. When you love what you do, jetting off to New York for work is fun, but you’re still working. I did take vacations those first 10 years, but I was never truly not working. I hired an assistant in 2013, and once Anne was fully integrated with our clients, I spent a week on the beach in Sayulita unplugged. It was life changing. It’s so important to rest and recharge, swim in the ocean, stare at the stars, and not look at a damn screen! Read more>>

Jon Terzini

Yes, I take a lot of vacations actually. I’ve made it part of my job really. I’m not complaining. Part of what makes HomeTown Riot work is the travel aspect. I want the designs that go on the apparel to FEEL local, and more often than not I like to experience the place I’m making a design for myself. I usually bring my sketchbook with me and make 10 minute sketches of something about that place that I like – what gives it an aura. I’ll then take that back home and work on a design. Read more>>

Carla Johnson

We often think that vacations mean sacrificing productive time. But the opposite is actually true. Sure, there’s the obvious of getting out of the office, actually getting sleep, and looking at the beach instead of the computer screen. But there’s more to it. Science shows us that a simple change of environment, especially a big change, wakes up part of our brain that turn off when we’re in the same repetitive routine and environment every day. We become more aware of the little things around us and they spark creativity and connections right in front of us that we’re normally blind to. Read more>>