Should Business Owners Be Able to Take Vacations? A Message to Our Customers and Employees
Owning a business is no easy feat. As a husband-and-wife team juggling the responsibilities of running Bighorn Plumbing and raising three kids, we are constantly immersed in the day-to-day challenges. Between managing operations, making decisions, and supporting our team, there’s always something to be done. It can be difficult to step away, and we often find ourselves thinking: Should we, as business owners, be able to take vacations?
The answer is a resounding yes, and here's why:
1. Rest Is Key to Rejuvenation
Like anyone else, business owners need rest. The demands of running a business—handling daily operations, meeting deadlines, and ensuring everything is on track—can quickly lead to burnout. The stress can take a toll on both our physical and mental health, and we’re aware that without proper rest, our creativity, decision-making, and energy levels suffer.
Taking time off allows us to recharge, come back with fresh perspectives, and bring more energy to Bighorn Plumbing. Not only is it crucial for our well-being, but it also helps us serve you, our valued customers and employees, more effectively. We want to ensure that we are always at our best for you, and sometimes, that means stepping away for a bit.
2. A Break Helps Us Stay Productive
It may seem counterintuitive to step away when there’s so much to do, but we’ve learned that taking a break actually boosts productivity. Working long hours without rest can lead to mental fatigue, which makes it harder to think clearly and make good decisions. When we take time off, we return feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready to dive back into work with renewed focus and energy.
For our team, the same principle applies—taking breaks leads to better motivation, clearer thinking, and improved performance. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
3. Mental Health Matters
As business owners and parents, there are plenty of stressors in our lives. Between managing the company and balancing family responsibilities, mental health can sometimes take a back seat. But we know that mental well-being is just as important as business growth, and we believe that by taking regular vacations, we can step away from the pressure and reduce stress.
Taking a break allows us to decompress, prioritize our mental health, and return with a clearer mind. It’s also important for our team to see that mental health is a priority, and we hope this example helps foster a work culture where everyone feels empowered to take the time they need to maintain their own well-being.
4. Vacations Create Balance
When we first started Bighorn Plumbing, one of the main reasons was to create a better work-life balance for our family. But we quickly realized that without intentional time off, it’s easy to lose sight of that balance. Taking vacations allows us to reconnect with our kids, enjoy quality family time, and step away from work to recharge. When we do that, we come back better equipped to handle both our professional responsibilities and family commitments.
For our team, taking time off also helps create that same balance. It’s important to take a step back to rest, reflect, and return refreshed, ready to contribute to the business with a clear mind. It’s a culture we hope to foster for all of us—not just as colleagues, but as people with families, interests, and lives outside of work.
5. Empowering the Team
know that one of the biggest concerns when taking time off is whether the business will continue to run smoothly in our absence. But we’ve learned that trusting our talented team members is key. When we step away, it gives everyone an opportunity to step up, take on new responsibilities, and grow. This helps strengthen the team and builds a culture of trust and collaboration.
For our employees, this is a chance to shine and showcase their leadership skills. It shows that we trust them and value their contribution to Bighorn Plumbing. The business becomes more resilient, and the team grows stronger, which benefits everyone in the long run.
6. What’s All the Hard Work For?
At the end of the day, all the hard work, long hours, and sacrifices are meant to create a better life—for ourselves, our kids, our employees, and our customers. But if we don’t take the time to enjoy the rewards of that hard work—whether it’s through vacations or family moments—what’s the point?
Vacations remind us why we started this journey: to build a life that’s not only about business success but also about enjoying the journey along the way. By taking time off, we can return to Bighorn Plumbing with renewed passion and energy, ready to continue building something meaningful, both for our family and for our team.
7. This is Why We Don’t Work Nights and Weekends
Some may wonder why we don’t offer emergency services during nights and weekends or work around the clock. The truth is, we value the time we spend with our family, and we believe that setting boundaries is key to maintaining a sustainable business. We know the importance of same-day service plumbing, and we are committed to meeting your needs during regular business hours, providing fast and reliable service when you need it most. But we also recognize that business owners—just like our team—deserve time off to recharge. This is the balance that keeps us at our best, both for our family, our employees and for you, our customers.
Final Thoughts
As a husband-and-wife team, we absolutely believe that taking vacations is essential—not just for us but for the well-being and success of everyone involved. It allows us to recharge, create balance, and come back better equipped to lead Bighorn Plumbing and support our team. We want to show our employees and customers that taking time for rest is an important part of growing and sustaining a healthy, thriving business.
So, if you ever see us taking time away with our kids or stepping back for a while, know that it’s a necessary part of keeping everything running smoothly. It’s not just about taking a break; it’s about coming back stronger and more focused on what truly matters—our people, our business, and our shared success.
To fellow business owners—we encourage you to do the same. Taking time for yourself isn’t just a luxury—it’s an investment in your health, your team, and the future of your business. So go ahead—take that break, recharge, and come back with renewed energy to keep growing and thriving. After all, what’s all the hard work for if we can’t enjoy the journey together?
And to our customers—whether you need same-day service plumbing, know that we are committed to providing you with the best service, and that we believe taking time off makes us even better at doing so!
