Balancing the Hustle: How do you separate business from family time?

This one hit home for me because I had to learn that every customer—and every relationship—is different.

I met an 87-year-old woman named Ms. Pat after she had been overcharged at a U-Haul. I offered to help her move for free, fixed the issues she was having with her phone, and while we were moving her belongings, I ordered DoorDash for her grandchildren so they could eat.

Over time, she started calling me whenever she had a question. Sometimes it was early in the morning, sometimes late in the evening. At first it felt a little invasive, but then I realized that for someone her age, reliability means everything. When people know you’ll answer, show up, and genuinely care, trust grows much faster than any marketing campaign can build it.

That experience also taught me the importance of healthy boundaries. I still make time for my kids, family, fishing trips, and community events because those moments recharge me and remind me why I work so hard in the first place. The business is important, but the relationships we build—both at work and at home—are what make it all worthwhile.

My biggest takeaway is this: be available enough to build trust, but intentional enough to protect the people who matter most. Finding that balance is something I’m still learning every day.

I'm still working on finding that balance. Right now, because I'm trying to grow my business, I catch myself answering messages whenever they come in. But I've learned that if I don't make time for my family and my own health, I won't be at my best for my customers either.

One thing I'm trying to do is set aside dedicated family time where I put my phone down and focus on being present. Building a successful business is important, but making memories with the people you love is something you can't get back.

It’s definitely a hard balance to figure out. I am still figuring it out. Since my business does offer Emergency after hours service calls, I can’t really turn off the phone but I can filter all texts and phone calls before I answer anything. 

after 6pm or over the weekends, if it’s not an emergency it will wait till 8am the next business day. 

The phone is a tool, not the boss. Setting expectations with customers goes a long way.

We are still learning this, but using Jobber is helpful as the crew can see what is coming up & it is on them to look at their schedule! Sometimes we work Saturdays during our busiest season, but we take Sunday off always. You have to have some non-negotiables!

I'm still working on it. Running a startup while working a full-time job makes it difficult to completely switch off. One thing that helps is creating a clear stopping point each evening. I write down tomorrow's top priorities, check my email one last time, and then intentionally move on to something unrelated to work—even if it's just watching Netflix.

One of the most important changes I've made is creating clear boundaries between work and personal time. At the end of each workday, I intentionally wrap up any outstanding tasks, prioritize the next day's work, and put away my phone and laptop whenever possible. This allows me to be fully present with my family rather than mentally carrying work into the evening. I've learned that maintaining a healthy work-life balance not only strengthens my relationships but also helps me return to work the next day more focused, productive, and energized.

So I make sure I spend the time at work and not let it get in the way of my family life. I am a busy guy but I put God first then my family then myself. This is how I make sure I have a balanced life.

I’m still learning this one.

As a startup founder, it’s really easy to convince yourself that every text, email, and phone call is urgent because your business depends on you. The problem is, if you’re always “on,” eventually you’re not at your best for your family or your business.

One thing I’m trying to get better at is building systems instead of relying on myself. Every process I document, every responsibility I delegate, and every decision that doesn’t have to come through me is one more step toward having a business that serves my life instead of consuming it.

I’m not completely there yet, but I think that’s the direction worth building toward.

I have packed up my family, which is my wife and dog and moved to her hometown to be with her family next door and to start my business in a smaller community beings no fun seemed to be available in the bigger town.Also cutting costs with a the wider range state wide , as opposed to county by county. Now we get to spend holidays with the family.