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.

Kate McPike

I am a pet sitter which means I take care of people’s pets while they are on vacation–I go to their home. I have owned my business for over six years. I usually take a vacation (3 – 5 days) once a year. As much as I would like to take a vacation and actually go on a cruise or a foreign country, I don’t feel I can take the time, let alone enjoy myself once there. So I visit a friend in Boise, Idaho, or I go to North Carolina near Chapel Hill to see a friend. That’s it….Idaho or North Carolina. By the way, I live in Phoenix, AZ. In order to make it OK not to take a vacation (in my mind), I tell people (and myself): “I take care of people’s pets so they can take a vacation.” Read more>>

Katrin Queck

Absolutely! I could not imagine a life without vacations. Traveling to foreign countries and experiencing a different culture, language, and food is so amazing. For me there is nothing better than getting a change in scenery and stepping into another world. Unplugging from work is a big part of what makes vacation feel like a vacation and a way to recharge my creative batteries. Read more>>

Shubhi Aggarwal

Yes Of course, Key to a successful business is a healthy and innovative mind; for that it is very important to take few days off work and re-energize yourself. Read more>>

Melissa Gonzalez

I’ve had an interesting relationship with vacations. There have been periods in my life when I was so busy hustling and grinding to make my creative efforts a success while also balancing work and school, that a vacation seemed like it would utterly destroy all of my work. fast forward to the present day and I have learned that vacations are necessary. As a creative person, I am often bombarded with ideas in my head, and trying to execute them all can be draining, to say the least. Read more>>

Maggie Rodriguez

Starting a business and running the show take a lot of time, dedication and sacrifice; specially when you are a single mom. As much as it may be difficult to carve time away from business and everyday home, school and soccer duties, it is key to plan vacations during the year. Vacations are the only time where I get to completely disconnect 100% from work and the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Read more>>