By far the most common conversation we have with the folks we interview is about work-life balance. Starting a business or pursuing a creative career makes finding work life balance really tough because there is no clear start and end to one’s work day. We’ve shared some of our conversations on the topic below.

Jennifer Rodriguez | Transaction Coordinator/Owner

I started in the work field in 1992 as an excited teenager ready to meet people and earn money. I advanced from place to place and found myself starting in the real estate industry as an engaged woman in 1997. For the next 19 years I learned the ways of the title insurance industry working my way around and up through the ranks as far as I wanted to go. During these years I had 2 children. In 2017 I moved on to the mortgage lending industry for the next 4 years to expand my knowledge of the real estate world. My last time spent in the corporate world was working for a friend who owned his own real estate company. Read more>> 

Sarah Rinner | Out of School Time Leader

Work-life balance is the big question. I fall into the camp of “it’s all life” so I look at that balance as work/nonwork time. Is that balance, that ebb and flow, meeting my needs in terms of my health and my family. My needs have certainly changed over time (no surprise). My ability to recognize how I am spending my time, what is taking up my mental, physical and emotional energy absolutely shifted when I became a parent. To my complete surprise, after the birth of my first child, I felt grounded with a renewed sense of adaptability. And terror, obviously, what new parent doesn’t when they are suddenly responsible for a tiny human? I have told many people over the years (and I’m not the first nor the last to say it) – You are replaceable at work. Read more>>

Elizabeth Juarez | Houston Cosmetologist | Barber | Educator

Let me just say after quitting a 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. job and becoming my own boss, it has been the absolute best! By far. I’ve been able to spend more quality time with my babies and family. It has allowed me to arrange, adjust, and be flexible with my time at home and at work.
At first it was hard having to adjust to my work lifestyle and from home. I’ve learned to plan and organize my time in order to successfully operate my business which allowed me to spend less hours at work. Read more>>