Vacation Feels Different When You Own the Shop
When you run your own business, vacation doesn’t really mean “off.” The press might not be running. But the inbox is still alive. Customers send messages. Quote requests come in. People ask about order status. And in this industry, being responsive matters a lot.
That’s one of the parts I struggle with most when I’m traveling. I want to give great service, but I also want to be present with my family.
A Few Things That Help
I’m still figuring this out, but a few things make it easier.
First, set an out-of-office message. It’s simple, but it sets expectations immediately. Most people are completely understanding when they know you’re away.
Second, let customers know ahead of time. If you’re quoting work and you know you’ll be gone next week, tell them. When people understand the schedule up front, it rarely becomes an issue. Problems usually come from surprises.
Third, plan financially for time off. When you work a regular job, vacation time is paid. When you’re a solo entrepreneur, there’s no PTO. If the press isn’t running, revenue usually isn’t coming in. So time off has to be part of the financial plan, not just something you squeeze into the calendar.
The Hard Part No One Talks About
Sometimes you have to choose. Family or business. I wish it was always perfectly balanced, but it’s not. There have been times where choosing family has made a customer upset. Maybe a response was slower than they expected. Maybe a job couldn’t be rushed the way they wanted. Those moments aren’t fun. But at the end of the day, I’ve made a decision for my life and my business. I choose family.
Every time.
That doesn’t mean I stop caring about the business or the people I serve. It just means the people under my roof come first. And honestly, I think building a business that allows that is the whole point.
How do you handle time off as a shop owner?
Do you fully unplug?
Check messages once a day?
Or just keep the laptop nearby and hope nothing catches fire?
Hit reply and tell me how you handle it. I’m always curious how other shop owners balance business and life.