No one can blame you for wanting to take a summer vacation from your business. The sun is shining, the days are longer, and kids are out of school. It’s the best time of year for a break, but you’re worried that will lead to a stunt in your business.
No one can blame you for that either. Stepping away from a business, even one that’s thriving, can be scary. You’re worried that your manager doesn’t understand it the way you do, or you’re the only employee you’ve got. If you step away, there’s no one there!
But rest is essential for humans, and time away from your business can actually be one of the biggest boosts to it. Here’s how to balance your summer vacation with your desire to grow your business.
Set a Time Limit
Most small business owners can’t go on a three month vacation. And that’s ok! Set a time limit on your summer vacation so that you don’t feel guilty or worried while you’re trying to relax. It’s ok to take just a few days or a week away.
Your summer break just needs to be enough for you to really unplug and recharge for a few days. So determine how much time you’ll feel comfortable taking away and then take that.
Hire Someone to Watch The Business
If you have a business that needs an eye on it 24/7, hire someone for the time you’ll be away. Whether that’s someone to man your inbox or to man your storefront, there’s always help to be hired.
Write out very clearly your expectations as well as a list of duties for your help. Give them the access they’ll need, like codes to front doors, or social media passwords. This will allow you to take your summer vacation with the peace of mind that your business is taken care of.
Let Customers Know
Smaller businesses have the upper hand here. When you’re a smaller business, you (hopefully) know your customers in a more intimate way. You can let them know you’ll be closed for a few days and they won’t desert you. Being upfront, polite and kind os a great way to remind your customers that you’re a real person who need a break, without leaving them high and dry.
Give customers at least three weeks notice, so they have enough time to place orders with you before you head out.
Have a Plan For When You Come Back
Know exactly what you’ll be working on when you come back, and set yourself up for success with that. That means having an outline of where the business will be going, and what you need to do to get it there. Say you’ll be releasing a new product one month after you get back. Create your marketing plan before you go, so you can put it into place right when your vacation ends.
[Related: 3 Ways to Get Your Business on Track After Summer Break]
