I’d like to share the incredible vacation blessings we had in 2007 and how they were possible. For us it is particularly exciting because in 2004 and 2005 I don’t think we even took a vacation at all–back then we couldn’t afford the extra gas or the expense of traveling, even in the most simple sense. We appreciate the success of Matt’s Wholesale Works and the flexibility of Startup Princess. Perhaps there’s something in this post that will help you to consider how you can also enjoy more vacation and family time in 2008.
How We Took 5 Weeks of Vacation in One Year and Maintained our Income
1. We’re Entrepreneurs
Since Matt and I both have our own businesses, we have the flexibility and opportunity to call the shots of when we will and won’t work, including taking off in the spur of the moment if we feel like it or taking off in the middle of the week, etc. there’s no one to report to or to arrange schedules with. We love being business owners, don’t you?
2. We Have Mobile Businesses
Fortunately we have internet and phone-based businesses (to think that my dream for 3 years was to be a store owner! what was I thinking!?) we love that we’re able to relocate at will–perhaps we’ll rent a villa somewhere in Europe for a month or travel the country in an RV for a Summer–the possibilities are endless and exciting!
3. We Enjoy a Solid Client Base
In the last 2 years Wholesale Works has enjoyed a steady flow of repeat clients, many who rely on us regularly and we don’t have to stress about finding new customers, they find us. Word of mouth is our biggest marketing campaign (thanks to everyone who keep sharing the great deals on consumer electronics!). We’re active in networking groups like Startup Princess, Corporate Alliance and BNI.
4. We Have Reliable Distributors
Our distributors have consistent inventory stocked and process orders promptly. Some of our distributors even “blind” ship so we can ship directly to the client without revealing our source.
5. We Have a Dependable Support System/Sub-Contractors
Matt works solo however he has excellent connections he relies on during busy times or when needed if he’s out of town. I have Leslie Smoot, my new partner here at Startup Princess who oversees our events and manages other projects we have going–recently I was out of town until just a couple hours before an event, yet I knew everything would be taken care of and it was. It’s critical to have dependable partners in your life! I also have the blessing of our partnership/grant with the local small business development center, Laurie Ann has been my Admin Assistant for the past six months, everyone should have a “Laurie Ann”!
6. We Work Crazy Hours/Lots of Hours Prior and After Trips When Necessary
When we went to Florida for 2 weeks in June we had to work really hard for the several weeks prior not only to pay for Disneyworld and the Beach Condo, but to cover the income of the time we were going to be playing, so that meant long days and lots of extra work before to meet our goals–but we all were working for a common goal and it really bonded our family to “make a wish, make it happen!”
7. We Keep Communication Lines Open While We Travel
While it’s not ideal to answer your phone on vacation, a missed call may mean the chance to pay for your vacation! Sometimes we just make it a “hotel” day and enjoy the pool, etc. while one spouse catches up on work, etc.
8. We Vacation Off-Peak Season for Our Businesses
We know when the phone will be ringing off the hook for Matt’s business (Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve), so we won’t plan to go out of town during that time-ever. The slowest month for him is January, so it’s a great time for us to get away.
9. We Extend/Combine Work Trips with Vacation and Find Opportunities to Work While on Vacation (when possible and appropriate)
This Fall I went to BlogWorld in Vegas (hitched a ride with Janet Meiners) and my family drove down a day later spur of the moment, picked me up and we continued to drive down to California together. While I was there I contacted Entrepreneur magazine friends and tried to connect (although this was unsuccessful because of timing) but I did connect with Startup Princess Jamie Dadant who met me at Downtown Disney to enjoy an hour of business chat and meet up for the first time.
10. We Travel Creatively & Cheap
Priceline is our favorite online source, (Hilton in Anaheim for $19, Double Tree in San Diego for $39) but we’ve had a few set backs with them (my husband once had to sleep in a room under construction because they overbooked and there wasn’t another hotel available anywhere in the city). We use the Bidding for Travel forum to help us see what to bid for, it has been very successful for us. We also look for off-season deals, once we traveled in November to London RT from SLC for only $205 including taxes! If you’re in college still, check out STA Travel (I used this until just a couple years ago when I graduated with my master’s, maybe that PhD program is looking better? ha!)
Another favorite is to volunteer to get “bumped”, my husband can do this easily when he’s traveling on his own (I don’t do this when we’re ALL together) and he’s gotten us at least 8 flights for free this way.
We’re also not afraid to bum it with tents, friends, family, or do trades for airfare, hotels, or timeshares! One of Matt’s clients recently deeded his timeshare over to us for a plasma tv…pretty awesome. 
Today’s Magic Wand: Don’t forget to bring business cards when you’re on vacation…we’ve made some excellent contacts/clients while just hanging out at the pool and in line for a ride at amusement parks.
What ideas do you have to share? What works for you? We want to hear!!
This post was written by Kelly King Anderson, Founder of Startup Princess.
Great tips. We do some very similiar things. Also having the luxury of two businesses, we get to enjoy great flexibilty and mobility. In addition, both of us have business partners, so it is nice to have someone “holding down the fort” when we travel. A week after officially launching my business, we spent seven days with my husband’s family in Captiva Island, Florida and never missed a beat. I dedicated the middle of every day to fun and family and spent the mornings and late evenings working. It was the absolute best of both worlds. My husband also travels quite frequently for his business, so we have plenty of free tickets and hotel stays to use. When he has to be gone a little too much, I always have the option to go along for the ride, and it’s much easier to use frequent flier miles when your schedule is flexible. We already have three trips planned for ’08! Freedom sure makes up for a lot of the challenges of business ownership.
Hey there SUP Kelly, thanks for sharing your experiences and ideas… I only WISH we had frequent flier miles. Lucky you! Wishing you a wonderful 2008 with more freedom to create the life and business you dream about.
Hi, this is a wonderful example of the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Instead of working a stress filled job where you fuss and fume about work “infringing” on vacation, you actually integrate work in a balanced way into your whole life. This is more like the way our ancestors lived and worked, back before the Industrial Revolution. Great article.
Anita
Hello Anita! What an honor to have you visit us. I never thought of how our lifestyle is like our ancestors…you’re right! They did all work and play side by side as families. I love that. I hope we can do more of it! Thank you.