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.

Alessandra Zevara

Traveling is like pressing a reset button, I feel most alive when I travel, and it is my preferred way to spend money on myself. I feel inspired while getting lost in a new place, and come back refreshed and excited to create and live more. I do a lot of writing while traveling, there’s a magic that comes with the alchemy of my own energy meeting a new environment. Read more>>

Cailla Quinn

I come from a background that held very high standards for a strong work ethic. To the degree that as an adult, I can now recognize as unhealthy + unfulfilling. And this certainly speaks to our culture as a whole, especially in the greater Boston area that is so grossly expensive to live in. Read more>>

Joy Sheehan

As a travelholic but also a workaholic, I’ve found it really difficult to step away from my business to take a vacation. I don’t yet have a team of hired employee’s that can manage tasks while I’m away. And for a while, even the trips that I did take would wind up becoming work related, as I do photography and content creation for small businesses through Create Joy Media as well as outdoor and travel influencing for myself at A Jaunt With Joy. Read more>>

Gissel & Victor Ortega

We love to take vacations! We feel like it’s essential in order to reenergize and recenter your mind to go back to working on your business. Before we plan any trips we have a back up agent for any in person showings and we’re available wherever we’re at to negotiate the deal for the client. Our advice for other entrepreneurs who feel they can’t step away from their business is, just take the time, don’t think about it just take a long weekend. Read more>>

Charleslisa King DeJesus

It’s so important to take time for yourself. Vacations are a way for me to step away from my usual routine and indulge in a different environment. Experiencing other places, people, cultures, food, etc. is the best way to broaden knowledge and become more well-rounded. As a creative person in general and a writer specifically, I find inspiration when I travel, especially internationally. Read more>>

Andrew Burns

I find this question really interesting since I am part of the travel industry. It may look like I take a lot of vacations but there is a difference when traveling for work to meet with suppliers, resorts, and tour operators vs taking a vacation whether with my wife, friends, or solo travel. Read more>>

Mackenzie and Josh Jakola

Something Josh and I (Mackenzie) pride ourselves on is making sure to keep each other and our family a priority. For us, this means only taking on so many films a month. We aren’t the videographers who strive to book every single weekend or do double headers consistently, especially during through the Summer (ie: a wedding Saturday and another wedding Sunday). Read more>>

Tyler Nykole

I love to travel, so any chance I can get to go somewhere I will go. While I am on vacation as a business owner I try to keep my social media up to date. That means I am still staying active. I am liking peoples post, commenting on post that I see, as well as posting things on my stories to stay active. If I am not posting content of other people I try to post myself as much as I can so, that people can at least see who is behind the camera. I will post a “10 facts about me” or “what are some things you would like to know about me”. Read more>>

Amy Stout

Taking breaks is absolutely one of the most important things for you to do as a business owner. You might feel like you shouldn’t take a break because no work = no money. Or you might feel like you can’t step away because your business might crumble without you. I’d like to lovingly challenge those ideas. Read more>>

Jainessa Wilson

As an entrepreneur, I believe vacations are pertinent to function at a higher level. You truly cannot pour from an empty cup. Taking vacations as an entrepreneur can cause a feeling of guilt or a sense of not being present for our business. Entrepreneurship is completely different from working a 9-5, it can feel as though work never shuts off and we’re never granted specific “vacation days”. Although we sometimes have control over our schedules, it can feel as though we never take days off since we’re consistently trying to grow and keep our business. afloat. Read more>>

Sara Jo Royalty

Yes and No. Every work trip, I try to add a day or two for actual vacation. I travel so much for work that I find it. Impossible to go on individual vacations. So I try to enjoy the spots that I have to travel for work for the most part this works out well, my biggest issue with this is going certain places like where I am from. It is hard to visit family because I am always out of town for work. It looks like I’m having a great time because I am, but I have to be where I am, I am not always choosing that destination for leisure. Read more>>

Molly Vang

As a small business owner, work is life. Which is why we can’t forget to take breaks once in awhile. And most importantly, live in the moment. I believe it’s essential to take vacations when it makes sense. Make it make sense. Especially if you’re a full-time mom like myself and a sole-proprietor, you will need a vacation. And that’s just a couple of many reasons to take a vacation. Read more>>

Erika E. Wade

Unfortunately, I haven’t been on an actual vacation in years. My work takes me to some amazing places, but I think it’s safe to say I’m in my Grind Season. I don’t advise business owners to neglect themselves or to forget to live. I’m also wise enough to know taking vacations as you’re building momentum and success isn’t for everyone. Read more>>

Jeffrey Everet

Do people answer this one often? Last one on the list so why not try? When starting out working with a few larger bands doing their posters and merch I would get called to do quick posters. Since I take my job seriously, regardless of time, I want to do a good job and give the band, and more importantly, their fans, something amazing. Read more>>

Michele Ragenklint

For me being married to a pilot I may not vacation a lot but travel was the driving force behind my vision of THONGO. I feel it is so important to take time to see as much of this world as possible. I have been taking my children with us since they were born. Every vacation or trip we take may not be the most glorious but it is a brake from the everyday and a bonding experience that is irreplaceable to anything I know. Read more>>

Lauren Yarina

My vacations are technically work vacations. I usually like traveling to fun shows to sell my candles. To make it more enjoyable, I try to either arrive a day early or stay a day or two after so I have time to see a new city, check out an acclaimed restaurant, or just go sightseeing. It doesn’t always go as planned, but I have met some incredible friends along the way. Of course an added bonus is getting into a storefront to have a presence in several cities along the East Coast. Oh and the tax write off. Let’s not forget about that! Read more>>