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.

Khia Jackson

Absolutely! I happen to love traveling. And so I travel. Some people love putting together train sets, so they should do that. It’s an interesting dichotomy to me that so many of us ‘work’ in order to fund the the things that make us happy, and then turn around and give more attention to the work than towards our own happiness. Read more>>

Tori Mistick

Yes, I make it a point to take vacations a few times a year and completely disconnect from work. However, I also prioritize personal time within my daily and weekly schedule. I have blocked off my Friday mornings on a regular basis so that I can enjoy hiking with my dogs at our favorite local trails, instead of our usual weekday walks around the neighborhood. Anticipating this outing motivates me to complete my work efficiently. Read more>>

Micaela Blackwell

Yes, I believe rest is crucial for a consistent flow of creativity. My husband and I try to schedule vacations often to have more opportunities to rewind and connect more with our surroundings. I love to travel and go on as many adventures as possible, specifically in places with mountains, rivers, and beautiful scenes. Read more>>

Kate Tumanova

Absolutely! Vacations, staycations, daycations, couplecations, friendcations. I genuinely believe that no matter how busy you are and no matter the pressure, it’s important to take breaks. Charge and re-fuel. The world around us is beautiful and inspiring. The new people you can meet, the new places you can find- it all adds up in your happy memory bank. Read more>>

Whiskey Shotz

I do take vacations from time to time. As a passionate artist and motivated workaholic, I find myself never stopping until my body starts to tell me and forces me to take a break. The thought of going on vacation oftentimes will stress me out as I may get behind on things and productivity slows down, but the truth of the matter is, as reluctant as I am to take a break, rest does improve morale and sharpen the mind which helps the process overall. I always do bring a little of my work with me on vacation though. Shhh don’t tell. Read more>>

Becky Kamp

I will say this, it is hard to take vacations from time to time. The best advice I could give anyone is plan ahead and I mean like a year out. Book the time off in your phone calendar, home calendar, email calendar, etc… If you don’t then you won’t be going anywhere. Also, learn when your down time is with work. Read more>>

Vyoma Gandhi

I love traveling, so vacations are a must. The way I look at it, I work so I can take vacations and reset. Life and work gets really busy, and we tend to ignore the toll that takes on our emotional and mental health. Vacations are a great way to break out of the routine, explore new realms and give ourselves the much needed self care that is usually ignored in daily hustling. You can only help your business if you are good yourself. If you don’t take a break, you will break. Read more>>

Allison Tibbs

As a Wellness Coach, I work with some incredible high-achieving businesswomen and one of the key themes that present themselves when I am helping my clients prioritize and improve their overall physical and mental health, is the struggle that comes with the idea of taking vacations and stepping away from work. Read more>>

Laurel Martin

I do take vacations. Even though I am literally a one-woman show, I find that time away from my business is essential. Not only is it good for my mental and physical health, but it also provides opportunity to find inspiration in new places and experiences. A few weeks before a planned vacation I always send emails to my regular wholesale customers letting them know that I am taking a vacation and giving them a timeline for placing orders if they will need product prior to or during my vacation. Read more>>

Ahoo Sarab

Yes! I go on one long adventure a year. And take a few smaller vacations throughout the year. My long adventures are typically anywhere from 4 – 6 weeks, and usually entail climbing a mountain, in a remote part of the world, which also means I am forced to go completely off-line for a portion of the time. It has always been extremely important for me to step away, to reconnect to myself and my overall life mission. Read more>>

Soraya & Mark Ramirez

Soraya: Vacations are an absolute must for us! A trip to a new and different places is often the source of inspiration. It is so easy to be consumed in your work to the point where you forget about self care. We have all been there. For me for example i have a hectic work life with being a emergency/operating nurse. So a vacation every now and then is a refreshing way to leave all of the stress and come back centered. Luckily for us, vacations can even be profitable if they are done right. Read more>>

Kevin Wilkerson

When one has a business where you can work from anywhere – as I do – then you take “working vacations.” I am used to working from the road so it’s easy for me. I began my career as a newspaper sports journalist and was pretty much born with a laptop in my hands. When I transitioned into public relations, a lot of clients required travel. Read more>>

Adam Smith

I absolutely take vacations, and as a photographer, I believe it is creatively a necessity. Before I started shooting weddings and portraits, landscapes and travel was my sole photography obsession. Creative burnout is a real thing, and shooting the same type of session over and over can start to pollute the creative side of photography. Read more>>

Taylor Dave & Dawn Davis

n the arid embrace of Arizona’s scorching summers, Gardens & Graze navigates the unique rhythm of a desert locale. The sweltering heat prompts many residents to seek cooler temperatures elsewhere, leading to a temporary slowdown in business. As this is our first summer together, we strategically staggered our vacations, ensuring that one of us held the fort while the other embraced a well-deserved break. Read more>>

John Rickgarn

Yes I take vacations! Sometimes staycations :) I value my time and look to build memories not collect “stuff.” Read more>>

Da’Shaun McIntyre

I can honestly say that I haven’t taken a vacation in about 3 years and it sounds crazy to say. I used to take multiple trips throughout the year. I do agree everyone needs a mental break at some capacity; however, I also understand that it will take you longer to reach your goals when continuously take breaks. I believe when I do finally take a vacation not only will it be well deserved, it also won’t be detrimental to my company or my employees. Read more>>