Balancing Business and Family Fun: A Small Business Owner's Summer Journey

The summer holidays are fast approaching, and like many parents across the UK, I'm feeling that familiar mix of excitement and mild panic! Six weeks of no school runs, packed lunches, or that blessed quiet time when the house empties out at 9am. Instead, it's adventure planning, entertainment sourcing, and the eternal question: "Mum, what are we doing today?"

The Summer Juggle is Real

As a small business owner, the summer holidays present a unique challenge. While I'm genuinely looking forward to spending quality time with my children and creating those precious family memories, there's no denying that juggling client work with constant requests for snacks, referee duties over sibling disputes, and keeping everyone entertained is... well, let's just say it requires some serious multitasking skills!

The luxury of uninterrupted work time becomes a distant memory, replaced by snatched moments between trips to the park, stolen hours during afternoon films, and the occasional late-night catch-up session when the house finally falls quiet.

A Silver Lining on the Horizon

But here's the thing that's keeping me motivated through the chaos - this September marks a huge milestone for our family. My youngest will be starting school! After years of school holiday juggling, term-time only childcare costs, and working around little ones, I'll finally have consistent, uninterrupted time to focus on growing Vanessa Gentry Digital Creative.

The prospect of having full days to concentrate on my business, develop new strategies for clients, and really sink my teeth into creative projects is incredibly exciting. It feels like the beginning of a new chapter - not just for my youngest, but for my business journey too.

Making the Most of Summer

This summer, I'm planning to make the most of both worlds. Yes, we'll be packing in the fun - theme parks, beach trips, picnics, and all those magical moments that make childhood summers special. But I'm also planning to combine some of our family adventures with a bit of business development.

There's something wonderful about exploring local family businesses during the holidays. Whether it's that quirky independent café with the amazing play area, the family-run adventure park that's been a local treasure for decades, or the charming farm shop that sources everything locally - these businesses often have incredible stories to tell.

While the kids are enjoying ice cream or burning off energy in play areas, I'll be chatting with business owners, learning about their challenges, and discovering how digital marketing could help them reach more families like ours. It's networking, but with a side of soft play and possibly some very sticky fingers!

The Art of Business Development with a Buggy in Tow

Some of my best client relationships have started with casual conversations in the most unexpected places. There's something about the relaxed atmosphere of family-friendly venues that makes business chat feel natural and genuine.

I've learned that many local family businesses struggle with the same digital marketing challenges - they know they need to be online, but between running the day-to-day operations and serving customers, finding time for social media, website updates, or email campaigns feels impossible. Sound familiar?

Looking Ahead to September

As we head into what promises to be a wonderfully chaotic summer, I'm holding onto the vision of September. More time to dedicate to my clients, space to develop new services, and the ability to really focus on helping local businesses tell their stories in the digital world.

If you're a local business owner reading this while simultaneously trying to entertain your own children, know that you're not alone in the summer juggle! And if you've been putting off that digital marketing project because you "just don't have time right now," September might be the perfect fresh start for both of us.

Here's to a summer filled with family fun, unexpected business opportunities, and maybe - just maybe - the occasional quiet cup of coffee.

What are your summer plans? Are you juggling business with family time too? I'd love to hear about your experiences - drop me a message or connect with me on social media. And if you spot me at a local attraction with my laptop balanced on a picnic table, come and say hello!

Ready to make September the month you finally tackle your digital marketing? Get in touch to discuss how we can work together to grow your business: hello@vanessagentrydigital.co.uk