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.

Ysabella Bland

Going on vacations never scared me until starting my business. Knowing you’re the only person that can run your business the way you want it, and that people don’t want to see anyone else running it except you. When your brand is built on your personality along with your products, it becomes difficult to just hire someone while you’re away. Read more>>

Hillary Stifler

Vacations are literally my business. As an innkeeper in a Lake Michigan vacation town, I host people who are typically on vacation. I can see the difference in their stress levels from their arrival to their departure, and many are only staying a couple of days. Read more>>

Tiffany andEvan Jones

We do! It can be tricky, but we found a few weeks here and there that are slower for us. We run a hunting preserve, so we look for time before or after a hunting season, or right after we finish planting our fields. A lot of our work is weather dependent, so we can’t always plan a vacation far in advance, so we stick to locations that we can drive to. Read more>>

Christine Herrin

Vacations are essential in my business — I need to take breaks to make sure I don’t get burned out! I think the trick is to remember that you get to determine what a “vacation” looks like. Sometimes you need to completely unplug, sometimes you just need a quick change of scenery to reset. Read more>>

Lyn Cole

By taking a break from your regular activities, I give my body a chance to recover and replenish its energy levels. This can lead to improved focus, better problem-solving abilities, and increased productivity when I return to work or my usual activities. Read more>>

Stefani Ciotti

Yes, 100% yes. If I’ve learned anything over the past few years, it’s the importance of balancing work with rest. We are living in a time of such intense hustle culture. And as much as the seasons of hustle should be embraced and respected as an entrepreneur, the same should be said for rest (and vacations). Read more>>

Amy Piper

Now that I am a travel writer it is difficult to disconnect from traveling through a writer’s eyes and not think about writing the story of a destination. To not take the pictures of the food or post on social media. As that’s all part of my work now. So even if I am on vacation, it is difficult to not think about all the possible stories. Read more>>

Shannalei Henry

Yes to vacations!! As a business owner, setting boundaries is something that can feel close to impossible but so necessary. Part of those boundaries to me means a start and end time to my day and taking vacations alone or with family. Before I was a business owner I enjoyed stepping away and exploring. Read more>>

Stefanie Hockett

Yes, I do take vacations. At the start of a business, its important to be consistent for your customers so they know they can count on you. In order to be consistent I think you also have to be able to pour from a full cup. Taking time off as a business owner has been integral to my mental health. Read more>>

Amanda Peterson

I take TONS of vacations and go to lots of conferences. Travel is one of the greatest gifts in life; for me it’s a must! Read more>>

Dana Hill-Robinson

Yes, I try to take short vacation 2-3 times per year. For me, it’s important to take the time to rejuvenate and relax, so I don’t get burned out. As an entrepreneur, it can be challenging to step away from your business, even for a short vacation. Read more>>

Myrecia Donaldson

Absolutely! I generally take a vacation every 3-4 months. I believe it is necessary to step away from the business and take time for yourself. Especially in my field, where I am constantly dealing with other people’s problems. Read more>>

Abba Parrott

Yes! Absolutely. You have to take a break and relax! If you burn yourself out, you’ll resent what you’re doing. Treat yourself and reward yourself for all your hard work! Read more>>

Kristine Pack

This is an interesting question for me because part of what I do for my job is to travel so, do I take a vacation? Generally the answer is no because my entire vacation is actually work. It’s difficult to take a vacation because I run the entire business in every aspect and if I stop working, Read more>>

Knowbody

I heavily prioritize vacationing for both mental and financial benefits. The same way that muscle needs rest days to grow, a person and a business also need some rest and some off time to reach the highest potential. As a business owner, it’s very easy to get blinded by the business because it can be all you see and all that you pay attention to. Read more>>

Hani Anis

This admittedly was hard for me when I first started my company. However, burnout became real and a vacation was the only way to solve it. I went on my first unplugged vacation last year in 2021 to Montana to visit national parks with my family. Read more>>