As women business owners, you already understand the complexity of juggling multiple roles. From running your business to supporting loved ones and contributing to your community, achieving work-life balance is both a strategic goal and a constant challenge. While generic tips to manage stress and avoid burnout are available online, sometimes what you really need is advice tailored to your unique experience as a business owner in the Midwest.

With that in mind, we connected with a couple NAWBO-Iowa members who shared their personal strategies for prioritizing wellbeing amidst demanding schedules and high expectations.  Their insights are a reminder that while self-care is an individual pursuit, there is so much we can learn from others’ experiences.

		Thank you so much to Dorene A. MacVey, PCC, CPC, ELI-MP, Founder/Head Coach/CEO of ithrive31, LLC and Kate Banasiak, CEO of Diversified Management Services for your thoughts, time and vulnerability!
Dorene A. MacVey	Kate Banasiak

What has been your biggest work-life balance challenge as a woman business owner, and how have you addressed it?

Truly the best way that I addressed it all though was when I stopped caring about how anyone else defined balance, including myself and started focusing on how I wanted to feel in the moments that mattered for me. The truth is there are going to be weeks where work wins and weeks where home wins and giving myself permission to let go of the guilt behind either allowed me to better experience the joy of being present where my feet are in the moment. 
  - Kate

My biggest challenge is maintaining a positive, resilient mindset when expectations don’t go as planned—both at work and in life. How I approach setbacks, challenges, or disappointments is everything. Staying adaptable and grounded has been essential in navigating these moments.
  - Doreen

Are there specific resources, communities, or programs that have made a difference for you?

Community is vital to me, both in business and life. I seek out my “tribe”—people who push, challenge, and inspire me while aligning with my values. These are smart, creative individuals who are not only on my side but also fun to be around.

I also invest in organizations like NAWBO and ICF Iowa, which help me elevate my business. On a personal level, I lean on friends who keep me grounded and encourage me to grow. I’m intentional about who I spend time with because the right connections bring immense energy and positivity.
  - Doreen

My women’s networking groups are a great resource. I also have a personal “board of directors” that involves everyone from close friends to business associates. I also prioritize investing both time and money in a business coach and mental health resources. It can be easy to put yourself last and I find that those resources help me stay accountable to being my best self. 
  - Kate

What personal routines or rituals have helped you recharge and stay grounded?

The biggest thing that has helped is to set aside time each week for an audit of how everything is aligning with my core values and definition of success. If week after week it is feeling out of alignment, then I spend time looking further into that by evaluating people, process and capacity. This helps me be honest with myself about whether it is a timing thing (being everywhere I want to be) OR more about HOW I’m using my time. 

For example: if I know I have a high stress week at work I might pop into the heat and eat section at Costco for meals. It takes less time and brain power to put a meal on the table, allowing me to be more present with my family. 
  - Kate

Achieving work-life balance starts with curating my schedule. I aim for the right mix of productive client meetings, energizing networking opportunities, and “white space” to explore new things. Monitoring how I allocate my time is key to maintaining my energy and focus.  I delegate tasks that don’t align with my strengths or drain my energy, whether at work or home. For instance, I’ve relied on a home cleaning service for years—it’s efficient and frees me to focus on what matters most. I make it a point to schedule activities that energize me, like a mid-day movie with friends, a Zoom call with family, or a reconnection lunch with a former client. These moments bring joy and help me recharge.

I’ve learned the importance of saying no to opportunities or requests that don’t align with my goals or bring personal energy into my life. This helps me stay grounded and true to what’s most important—both at work and at home.
  - Doreen

How do you prioritize competing demands between business and home life?

Flexibility with grace is my mantra. There are times when family obligations take priority, and I’m okay with my business stepping back temporarily. Conversely, I’m not afraid to put in long hours when client demands are high. Balancing these tradeoffs while staying focused on the bigger picture—creating a positive impact in both work and life—is what keeps me grounded. Smiling through the journey and offering myself grace is how I stay resilient.
  - Doreen

Have you seen any changes in work-life expectations in your community or industry?

As a company, we have worked hard to align with our partners and employees on our values of being a “people first” business. We are making good progress in figuring out where the boundaries lie so that our employees can feel connected to success while leading a fulfilling life outside of the office. 
  - Kate

Work-life expectations seem to be more personalized now. There’s greater acceptance that everyone has unique needs, and there’s less pressure to conform to a one-size-fits-all approach. This shift allows people to create work-life rhythms that truly work for them.
  - Doreen

What is your best tip for creating and maintaining a good work-life balance?

Own your results. As a business owner, I’m accountable for the outcomes I achieve—in both my work and life. If something isn’t working, I adjust my priorities and push myself to align with my goals. I love this aspect of business ownership because it gives me full control to create the life I want while making sure my priorities reflect what’s most important to me.
  - Doreen

I lean into finding resources based on what feels out of alignment that might teach me tricks and tips. If, when I do my weekly audit, I feel blocked on working through a problem I will take time to figuring out how to include some time for creativity in my schedule. If I’m feeling unorganized in an area, I look to one of my favorite ADHD online coaches to see if they have anything that can help. 
  - Kate

Thank you again to Doreen and Kate for sharing their wellness practices. We hope their stories provide inspiration and practical ideas for your own self-care journey. By fostering connections with fellow women leaders, sharing experiences and learning from each other, we can make progress toward healthier, more fulfilling lives.