That’s the Life Question We’re Exploring Today

If you’re a small business leader, you’ve likely faced the long to-do lists, the constant mental load, and the guilt that creeps in when you try to rest — all while knowing the work doesn’t stop. In this post, I’m diving into what balance looks like (and what it doesn’t), how we can support each other as leaders, and the small ways we’re redefining success beyond the grind.

My Life Journey from Team Member to Business Owner

My path to becoming a small business owner has been anything but traditional.

I started at Simplified SEO Consulting as an SEO Specialist — working directly with clients to optimize their websites and improve search engine visibility. I often carried a full caseload (and then some), helping business owners grow their online presence. Unexpectedly, the company came up for sale. Owning a small business had always been a dream of mine, so my husband and I sat down, crunched the numbers, and made the leap. We reached out to the previous owner, expressed our interest, and within months, we became the new owners of Simplified SEO Consulting.

That shift — from team member to team leader — was enormous. Overnight, I became responsible not just for my work, but for the entire business. I was working 18-hour days, learning the systems, understanding what needed to change, and making key decisions that affected the entire team. It impacted my family life dramatically at first.

I was afraid this intense pace would become my new reality. Thankfully, with time, structure, and trust, I’ve found a rhythm that lets me lead, serve clients, and still spend meaningful time with my family.

Why Life Balance Is So Hard in Leadership

The Constant Mental Load

Even when I’m not actively working, my brain doesn’t stop. I’m always tracking client needs, deadlines, internal improvements, and how my team is doing. That ever-present dialogue is one of the hardest parts of leadership — and the hardest to turn off.

Emotional Responsibility

Leadership means steering the ship and making sure no one falls overboard. I’m responsible not only for my family’s livelihood, but also for my employees’ well-being and the success of our clients. That emotional weight is heavy, and it doesn’t end at 5 p.m.

Guilt When Resting

I struggle with the belief that if I’m not constantly available, something might fall apart. That guilt shows up when I try to rest, spend time with family, or even sleep. It’s hard to be present when a part of me is always checking for problems, emails, or things I might be missing.

Invisible Labor

There’s a layer of work that’s hard to see: the emotional regulation, the mental tracking, the check-ins with team members and clients. These leadership tasks don’t always get credit, but they are essential — and exhausting.

What I’ve Learned (and Continue to Learn)

Redefining Success

Success used to mean doing as much as possible, often working multiple jobs, burning the candle at both ends. But that approach led to emotional exhaustion, fatigue, and frustration. Now, I’m learning to define success differently — with balance at the center.

Success for me today means:

Time with my family
Space to rest and reflect
A job I love that doesn’t demand every ounce of my energy

My value isn’t measured by how much I produce — it’s defined by who I am and how I show up in the world.

Work – Life Boundaries as Leadership Tools

At Simplified SEO Consulting, we don’t just talk about boundaries — we live them.
We protect weekends. We don’t expect anyone to be “on” after work hours. We offer flexible schedules and prioritize work-life balance for every team member, including me. These boundaries aren’t just for our employees — they’re necessary for me as a leader, too.

Delegating with Trust

I’ve had to overcome the urge to “just do it myself.” I work with the most talented, capable team, and learning to delegate based on their strengths has been freeing. It’s still something I work on, but trusting my team to make decisions has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.

Rest Is a Leadership Practice

Rest doesn’t always look like a vacation. Sometimes, it’s a quiet afternoon when the kids are out, a favorite movie, or a walk with music. These small acts of self-care are vital. Rest helps me reset so I can lead with clarity and compassion.

How We Support Each Other at Simplified SEO Consulting

Transparency and Emotional Check-Ins

We start every Monday team meeting by asking, “How are you? Where are you at? How can we help?”
We believe emotional well-being matters more than metrics. If our team members aren’t okay, they can’t show up fully for their work — and we honor that. We provide resources, paid mental health days, and offer space for vulnerability.

Role Alignment and Passion Projects

Each team member at Simplified SEO Consulting has a defined role and a unique area of passion they can explore. Whether that’s technical SEO, social media, or consulting, we encourage our team to pursue what excites them. We support continued education through certifications and learning opportunities to help them grow.

Trust as the Foundation

Our team operates on a foundation of trust. There’s no drama, no infighting — just respect, support, and shared commitment. We’ve even gone on cruises together! That kind of connection isn’t accidental; it’s built intentionally, and I’m proud of it.

What “Having a Life” Looks Like for Me

For me, having a life doesn’t mean jetting off on some luxurious vacation (though I wouldn’t say no to one!). It means I get to enjoy the simple, everyday moments I love — without feeling guilty.

It’s being able to sit down on a Sunday and watch football with my family, fully present and relaxed.
It’s pulling out my yarn and crocheting something just because I enjoy it — not because it’s productive.
It’s picking up a book and getting lost in it, not checking the clock or my email every few minutes.
It’s being at my kids’ events and actually soaking it in — cheering, laughing, and taking photos — instead of feeling like I “should” be doing something else.

There were times when I felt like I had to earn those moments, or justify them to myself. But I’ve learned those are the moments that make my life feel meaningful. Those are the moments that remind me who I am outside of the business — and when I allow myself to enjoy them, I don’t just get through the week… I actually live it.

Closing Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Grind to Lead Well

Here’s the truth: balance doesn’t magically happen. It’s not something that falls in your lap one day when the stars align. It takes intentional choices — boundaries, support, and a whole lot of reminders to yourself that you’re allowed to slow down.

As small business owners, we need to remember: we didn’t build our businesses just to burn ourselves out in them. I didn’t come to Simplified SEO Consulting so I could grind every day until I dropped. My goal is to create something meaningful — and I’ve realized I get to define what that looks like.

And for me, success looks like being able to lead with integrity and still have space to live my life. I truly believe we don’t have to hustle ourselves into the ground to lead well. In fact, the more rested and centered I am, the better I lead.

So I’ll leave you with two questions to reflect on:

What areas of your life have you unintentionally sacrificed to keep the business afloat?

And what might you be able to reclaim if you asked for more support — or gave yourself permission to redefine success on your terms?

About the Author

Mary Walker is the owner of Simplified SEO Consulting, where she leads with empathy, strategy, and a strong belief that sustainable success is built through collaboration. As a small business owner herself, Mary knows firsthand how challenging it can be to balance leadership with real life — which is why she’s created a company culture rooted in psychological safety, teamwork, and mutual support.

With Master’s degrees in Digital Marketing and Psychology, Mary blends a deep understanding of human behavior with effective, data-driven SEO strategies. But for her, success isn’t just about higher rankings — it’s about helping others grow with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

When she’s not mentoring her team or supporting clients, Mary is likely cheering on her favorite football teams, spending time with her five kids, or crocheting her way to a moment of calm. She’s passionate about showing that it’s not only possible to lead well and live well — it’s essential.

Can You Be a Leader and Still Have a Life?