Not much the first few years as it takes time to get trusted employees and systems in place. It certainly helps to have a business partner. At some point you hopefully begin working on the business instead of in the business (cliche I know, but true) and after a while of that your vacation opportunities kind of explode. I imagine the timeline is different for everyone and every business, but doubt it’s overnight for any.

1. Yes 2) Most recent was 2 1/2 weeks, not the first multi-week one, but also I don’t necessarily do multi-week vacations every year 3) All in probably a month per year 4) October

*Again, we have been in business for over a decade now, I had no expectation of vacations the first few years. When we did go away I took my work with me, computer, customer service phone and all, and worked while the family went to the beach, etc. w/o me…but at least I was around and they got a break. Fortunately, that has all changed. Don’t get discouraged, it’s possible if you step out of the day-to-day long enough to create a plan and work the plan.

8 years in, my wife and I have taken exactly two vacations. We’ve had a few days off here and there but very rare. Meanwhile our employees all get 6 weeks of paid time off and most of them take it.

I take vacation time now, but this was much harder in the earlier days.

It honestly wasn’t until I started hiring overseas, at more affordable rates, that I could afford the employees I needed to take breaks lol.

Highly recommend looking into this, if you haven’t already. It’s truly a life changing situation for small business owners.

There is no such a thing as a vacation when you own a business. That’s what I have been told in the past. Not sure if it’s true…

There is no such a thing as a vacation when you own a business. That’s what I have been told in the past. Not sure if it’s true…

My day job allows me a certain amount of vacation time to accrue every year. I always try to take it so it times out with big projects I need to get done at my business. Vacation is great because it helps me work more. Source: am US citizen.

Really depends on what business you’re in, what I’m doing I have to operate on a big companies schedule and what they do doesn’t take days off.

I’ll have some guys cover for me but I can’t disappear whenever I feel like it.

I still have to pay bills and pay employees and worry about stuff getting taken care of no matter where I am or wherever I’m going

I didn’t take any vacation first 2.5 years. Then a took a full week to go away each year and a few 4 day weekends.

I had a lawyer friend say that I’m lucky because when I go on vacation, the company still continues to have sales and make money. But, he can’t bill clients while he’s gone so he loses money if he takes too many vacations. I replied with, “You get to take vacations?”

Hiring someone responsible to run the company while you’re away is a huge step when owning a small business. Unfortunately, that responsible employee can come with a big price tag

I have “vacation time” but tbh I’m always sort of available and always sort of working. I keep trying to transition more and more for the business to be self sufficient but it’s very challenging.

Looking into hiring overseas?

I’ve seen small businesses shut down for a week. Every employee has the same week off. I’ve seen restaurants, hair salons, contractors, and small brick/mortar shops do this.

I’ve seen small businesses shut down for a week. Every employee has the same week off. I’ve seen restaurants, hair salons, contractors, and small brick/mortar shops do this.

I didn’t take any vacation first 2.5 years. Then a took a full week to go away each year and a few 4 day weekends.

I take vacation time now, but this was much harder in the earlier days.

It honestly wasn’t until I started hiring overseas, at more affordable rates, that I could afford the employees I needed to take breaks lol.

Highly recommend looking into this, if you haven’t already. It’s truly a life changing situation for small business owners.