Running a family business is an adventure, isn’t it? As a husband-and-wife duo running our own design agency, we totally get it.
One minute, you’re brainstorming the next big idea, and the next, you’re arguing over who forgot to pick up milk. It’s a rollercoaster of pride, passion, and the occasional family squabble—but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
As we step into 2025, let’s talk about how to not just survive as a family business but thrive. Spoiler alert: it’s all about balance.
The Life of a Family Business Owner
If you’re reading this, chances are your business is more than just a job—it’s your family’s livelihood, legacy, and life rolled into one. But let’s be honest: the line between work and personal life gets blurry.
When your partner or your brother, sister or mom or dad is your business partner, it’s easy for conversations to swing from “What’s for dinner?” or ‘What are your doing later?’ to “Did you send that invoice?” or ‘Did you reply to so-and-so?’. Sound familiar?
Add in kids, family members and the ever-present desire to grow your business, and it can feel like you’re always at work. But here’s the good news—you’re not alone, and there are ways to find that sweet spot between work and family life.
Here are a few things we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way and still not always doing that well!) about balancing it all:
1. Set Clear Work-Life Boundaries
It’s easy to let work take over your life, but trust us—boundaries are your best friend.
- Create No-Business Zones: For us, it’s the dinner table—phones down, laptops away, no client talk allowed.
- Stick to Office Hours: Treat it like an office even if you work from home. When the day’s done, it’s done (we know this is super hard, and we’re writing this after 6pm .)
We’re not perfect at this (as you can tell!), but even small changes, and just being aware of it, can make a huge difference.
2. Prioritise Family Communication
Running a business together means you’re always talking—but are you really listening?
- Have Regular Check-Ins: Schedule meetings to discuss the business. (We find ourselves so many times saying, ‘I haven’t told you this’ despite living and working together!
- Separate Business and Personal Issues: If you’re annoyed about work stuff, try not to let it affect your home life (easier said than done, we know).
And don’t forget to celebrate each other’s wins. Whether it’s getting a big project or surviving a tough week, give yourselves a pat on the back!
3. Delegate and Trust Your Team
This one took us a while to learn, and is still a work-in-progress, but you don’t have to do it all.
As family business owners, it’s tempting to think, “If we want it done right, we’ll just do it ourselves.” But handing off tasks to a trusted team (or even outsourcing) can free up time for the things that really matter—like that family holiday you’ve been dreaming about. After all, time is your most precious commodity.
4. Invest in Personal Growth
Here’s the thing: your business will only grow if you do.
- Pursue hobbies that make you happy. For us, it’s family hikes with our dog Brody and watching our favorite netflix shows (and yes, even Star Wars and Lord Of The Rings!).
- Take time for yourself. Whether it’s a gym session, a book, or a quiet coffee, give yourself permission to step away. This is a big one for us, and we are also doing something separately!
When you’re at your best, your business will be too.
5. Celebrate Wins (Big and Small)
One of the best things about running a family business is sharing the journey. Celebrate it!
- Hit a milestone? Pop some bubbly or plan a family outing.
- Got through a tough week? Even a pizza night can feel like a win.
Life’s too short not to celebrate the little things.
Making 2025 the Year You Thrive
So, how do we make this year different? Here are a few ways that have helped us (that we still need to work on too!):
- Plan a Family Business Retreat: It doesn’t have to be fancy—just a day to set goals and dream big together (we actually did so much work on a trip to Scotland last year that we could never have done in the office and we both said maybe a working holiday is the way forward. It doesn’t feel so much like work looking over fields and not having the to-do list you have at home and at work. You get a chance to breathe that you don’t when you’re in the day-to-day.)
- Schedule Family Time First: Block off those holidays and weekend outings before the calendar fills up with work.
- Simplify Where You Can: Whether it’s automating tasks, delegating or outsourcing, less can truly be more.
- Share The Load – take the time to train others to do something you could really let go.
- Lastly, Saying No is a huge one for us, and we are trying to get better at it. It is a huge one for our mental health and well-being and our relationship.
Why You’ve Got This
Running a family business is not easy, but it’s also one of the most rewarding things you can do. You’re building something special—not just a business, but a life you can be proud of.
And when things get tough (because we and you know they do), remember: you’re in this together.
Here’s to thriving in 2025—and finding that balance we’re all chasing. If you ever need help bringing your brand or website to life, you know where to find us (after dinner, of course!).
