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.

Dawn Sommers

Vacations play an important role in my small business. My cruises that I have recently grown to love as well as trips to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula allow me to recharge. These give me a break from the hustle and bustle of running a successful small business as well as teaching full time. It allows me to recharge my system. I think of new treats that I can make and different ways to meet my customers’ needs. I do worry about orders coming in while I am away, but those are easily taken care of when I return. Read more>>

Erin Troyk

I absolutely take vacations. Setting your own schedule and adjusting it as needed is one of the biggest upsides in running your own business. The way I manage it is planning ahead. I always let my clients know when I’ll be gone, make sure all orders are submitted into production, and make sure any shipments I have are received and delivered before I take the time off. Lastly, I make sure to bring my iPad with me in case there is a dire order I need to submit but I make sure to set boundaries. How much time I spend on these dire orders as well as how I’d like to be contacted while out are a couple examples. It is important to give yourself a vacation to refresh the mind and most importantly, enjoy yourself! Although different occasions arise, a couple tips I have are to try and limit vacations to the slower months. I also tell clients I will be unavailable one extra day so I can use that day to catch up and prepare getting back into the swing of things. Read more>>

Samantha D’Anna

Absolutely- yes! Take those vacations, spend time away from work, you deserve it! I take a ridiculous number of vacations a year and I wouldn’t change that for anything. So many people I talk to say “oh wow, you’re home. You’re never home anymore” and that is how I like to keep it. When I am home and working, I have a packed schedule, I am on top of editing, shooting and social media. Then when I am on vacation, I turn on my autoreply on my email and don’t answer my phone. I make sure to get things done before I leave to help set me up for success when I get back home and back to work. I communicate with my clients that I am going to be gone, and what to expect because of that. Almost all of my clients are supportive my traveling and taking time to myself because they know how important it is to me. Read more>>

Alex VanLemmeren

I haven’t taken a vacation since opening the storefront location. However, I do try to balance my life by working out in the mornings and getting out into nature whenever I can. I do have a vacation planned for October, right after my wedding season comes to an end. I’m very much looking forward to that! Read more>>

Callie Cullum

Taking a vacation as a business owner can feel nearly impossible at times. Taking a vacation often means more prep work before leaving and piled up work upon returning. I often find myself asking the question, is it even worth it? I’ve been running an award-winning branding agency for the last seven years and know first hand the hard work, determination, and trust in yourself that it takes to build and run a successful business. I also know how hard it can be to step away from it and allow yourself to truly disconnect. However, taking a vacation is critical for both business owners and creatives, and I find that to be even more true post-pandemic. Stepping away from the constant grind allows both your brain and your body to recharge, which in turn gives you more productivity and fresh perspectives and creative ideas upon returning. Just as a battery needs recharging to function optimally, you too need a break to maintain your creativity and productivity. We can’t be “on” all the time, it’s just not possible! A vacation is the perfect opportunity to hit the reset button on your mind. Exploring new places, trying new activities, or simply resting can spark new ideas and solutions you might not have thought of when constantly pushing yourself to your limit with no break in sight. Although taking a vacation can be hard, I ensure I prioritize at least one full week off per year. While I do take additional days off here and there throughout the year, I find that a day or so here and there doesn’t quite bring the clarity and new creativity that a full week away provides. So, don’t hesitate to take that well-deserved vacation – it’s an investment in your own well-being and the continued success of your entrepreneurial and creative endeavors. Read more>>

Brianna West

I absolutely love this question in my line of work. As someone who travels often for a living, and is able to experience a lot of bucket list destinations, many people assume that I am always on vacation! While I can’t deny that I do get to enjoy beautiful locations, taste new foods, meet new people and experience different cultures, there is a big difference in being a digital nomad who is working remotely and someone who is on vacation. I need to plan out my days to make sure that I have ample time to work. I need to look for places with reliable internet connection and quiet enough that I can focus. It takes a lot of discipline to stay focused when everyone is having fun around you, and you have a deadline. However, I do in fact take the occasional “pure vacation” where we are not traveling somewhere for any purpose other than our own enjoyment. These are the trips where we try to relax and take things slower so we can rest and recharge. Read more>>

Lexie + Nick Trivundza

Thanks so much for allowing us to be a part of Canvas Rebel! It’s awesome to be a part of such a cool community! Before we get into why taking vacations are so important here’s a a little background on us. We’re Nick + Lexie and we own Adventure Company, a creative studio that produces and directs films, shorts films, series and commercial advertising. Read more>>

Thario & Kandice Dorsey

Yes, we absolutely take vacations. As a business owner this is needed! There are things we do to keep things going. First, we communicate ahead of time with our clients to let them know when we will be on vacation. Next, we get ahead of our work as much as we can to plan for the timespan that we will be gone. So that means scheduling any blog posts or social media posts to go out, and completing website projects or maintenance before we go on vacation. Read more>>

Arindam Dasgupta

I love taking vacations with my family. I have traveled to countries across six continents. Traveling to foreign countries offers a wide range of benefits that can enrich your life personally, socially, and professionally. It has allowed me to experience different cultures, traditions, and customs. It has broadened my perspective and helps me understand and appreciate the diversity of the world. Each country offers unique experiences, such as trying exotic cuisines, exploring historical landmarks, and engaging in adventure activities. These experiences create lasting memories and enrich your life with diverse adventures. Read more>>