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.

Sarah Mancini

Travel has always been important to me, from as far back as I can remember. Not only is it important to step away from your role as a business owner (as best as you can), it’s important to take these opportunities to soul search and come back with a refreshed perspective. Part of productivity is rest and recovery and it’s my firm belief that travel accomplishes both of those. Read more>>

Maria Endrikat

Yes! I do take vacations & I encourage my employees to take them as well. In a barbershop that is commission based when you are not physically there cutting hair you are not making money. With taking that into account, I really try to make my employees understand that we aren’t made to work our lives away. Everyone needs a reset. As hard as it may be to step away from your business and totally disconnect it is something I feel you, and everyone needs to do to be able to reset and come back refreshed and keeping a positive outlook on things. Sometimes when you take a step back is when your best ideas come to you. Being over worked and/or overtired isn’t beneficial to yourself or your business. So take the vacation! Read more>>

Matt Sweetwood

I am the CEO of Greener Process Systems. My previous gigs were running a $100mm business (with a successful exit) and as a professional speaker, I was on the road a lot – for business. Even now, running a startup cleantech business consumes almost 100% of my time. So, dedicated vacations can be very difficult to find time for. However, since business trips happen frequently, why not use that opportunity in a multitasking way — work and respite combined? Read more>>

Jenn Rivera

This is something I’m really passionate about. Take the d*mn vacation! I’m a world traveler and business owner, but I took advantage of the opportunity to build my business to be remote-friendly from the start. Of course, not everyone has that option depending on the type of industry they’re in or the services they provide, but that doesn’t mean finding work-life balance is impossible. Read more>>

Kelsey Fugere

It has become a regular part of my day to day to try to mix up my visual stimuli on the regular to keep my eyes freshly inspired. Travel is an integral part of expanding my creative consciousness. Every time I return from somewhere unfamiliar, I am blown away at how inspired I feel. It’s so important to expose ourselves to new sensory stimuli and gain a greater understanding for how other people live– it provides an invaluable sense of perspective which I think is important for all humans. Living in Los Angeles, I feel blessed that I don’t have to go far to observe and experience variant perspectives, landscapes, sites and sounds. Traveling to unfamiliar places is important to me and I try to get out of the country at least once a year. Read more>>

Kennedy Crichlow

I think it’s important to take vactions, no matter how hard it might feel to step away from my business. I love to travel and am fortunate that I get to travel for work quite often, but taking a personal vacation, clocking off (even if it’s only for a few hours a day), and spending time with family and friends is a completely different kind of trip. When my business partner, Mary Ralph, and I first started Daily Drills, we agreed that work-life-balance is something that we never wanted to lose sight of. Of course there will be late nights, working weekends, and taxing trips, but running yourself into the ground is only going to be bad for business! I like to think of personal vacation time as an investment into Daily Drills because I always return feeling so refreshed, inspired, and ready to get back to work. Read more>>

Brittani Morganfield

I try to take vacations whenever I can. I find myself needing a change of scenery after working at home for extended periods of time. I do it to either clear my mind to help me work better or if I’m feeling spontaneous! Even if my travels involve work, it helps to change my environment every once in a while to keep myself from feeling burnt out and exhausted from working long hours during the week. Read more>>

Shanda Johnson

Yes, I take at least 3 vacations a year. Being a travel advisor, I take trips to visit new destinations and resorts and in the past would merge that into mini vacations. But I quickly realized, I needed help when I am away, I needed someone to assist with the business when I was away. So I did get someone to assist me, so I could actually enjoy my vacation and build relations at these destinations without interruptions . Taking a vacation is a MUST for entrepreneurs. You need that relaxation period for your mental and physical as well. Read more>>

Kerri Mahoney

For me, vacations are necessary for idea generating. Travel is a top passion of mine – I love walking the streets in foreign cities…. Architecture, store signage, open markets, book stores and packaging all are food for ideation. I find I am most inspired when I am out of my home – the change of scenery and lack of distractions at home help creativity flow. Read more>>

Shelly Barclay

I love to take vacations! In the event business, you are always on call. You need to be available for questions or concerns whenever they come up. Luckily, my phone works everywhere and I am alway happy to take those calls, whether on vacation or home. This is fun for me, so when i get a call in Mexico or Palm Springs, I am happy to get on the phone and talk petals and parties! I also my instagram page @petals_and_parties_ for most of my inspiration for the upcoming party season. Traveling inspires me fresh ideas. My advice to other entrepreneurs is to pick something you love to do. Read more>>

Jakee Zaccor

Yes. I have noticed that everytime I make space for myself, even during a busy day – a walk or a small yoga or breathwork practice can literally shift everything and give me fresh ideas. Vacations are the same, and giving my brain a few days of consistent rest and nature often offers me an entirely new perspective and can improve even the best ideas. I prioritize vacations and make sure to fully unplug in order to come back stronger. Read more>>

Cindy Thompson – Forbes

As a business owner, I usually take a two week’s vacation every year. A few times I’ve closed the business completely mainly because I work alone and do not have an assistant or anyone who can take on the full responsibility of the business while im away. My advice to a buddy entrepreneur or a business owner is, schedule breaks within the year to give yourself time to regroup and strategize your business plan for when you return to work. Read more>>

Angelica Gonzalez

It is a common misconception that in order to succeed you need to “grind” or “hustle 24/7”. but this could not be further from the truth. A business, a team and a work environment are only as successful as the owner, and in the field of mental health, this includes self-care. The first year that you launch your business you may not have the finances or the time to go on a European vacation, but a long weekend staycation or a short getaway may renew your energy to keep going. So many business owners neglect self care, but it is vital to creativity and staying in it — even when times are rough. As a business leader you lead by example and need care for yourself, which sets the example for your staff and creates a positive atmosphere in which the team can thrive. When you step away, care for yourself you see things from a macro perspective and come back ready to continue to focus on your mission. Read more>>

Malili Dib

Taking time off is as important to me as putting in the hard work. Vacationing is the time when you can reset, refresh and most importantly find the inspiration needed to help your business continue to evolve and grow. Burnout is very real, and sometimes the best way forward is simply to take a break! I guess it may be hard for some people who feel like taking said break will set them back or damage the growth of the business, but I think once you let go and incorporate rest time into your schedule, you realize there are more benefits than setbacks. Spending quality time with your family while you sip a margarita on a nice beach may just be exactly what you need to take your business to the next level! Read more>>