This week is one of those times when being an entrepreneur has proven to be a fabulous way to earn a living. I love what I do, and wouldn't own a business if I didn't enjoy helping my customers, employing others in a family-oriented environment, and giving back to my community through service. But had I been working as an employee in an office (or other) setting, I may have missed out on some unexpected family time.
Currently, my two children are living in Taiwan. My daughter moved there in January 2015 and had only been home once last summer for a few weeks. I also took a trip to Taipei late last year to visit her and see where she lives, meet her friends, and experience the culture. My son moved in January to help my daughter start a soccer camp for underprivileged youth. They are currently 15 hours ahead (and 16 when we "fall back") so I don't often get to talk to them "live" let alone see them.
Saturday night I received a message that Rebecca was leaving Taiwan the next day (her Monday) to fly with an intern back to San Francisco. I asked how soon she had to turn around and go back home as I was hoping I could see her. She was able to book a flight to LA and stay a few days before heading back to Taipei. She would arrive Monday afternoon. Armed with this information, I was able to rearrange my schedule so that I could see her on such short notice.
I went to the office on Sunday and got as much work as I knew had to be done. When my staff arrived Monday morning, I had my administrative assistant reschedule appointments that could wait for me to be in the office, have an employee plan on attending a networking lunch I had paid for but would miss, and prepare for a prospect call scheduled during the time I wanted to spend with my daughter. Having my staff available and willing to assist me for me to be with my daughter made it all possible.
Because of my business and the staff helping me run the office, I was able to leave in the afternoon to pick Rebecca up from the airport and spend hours with her that I'd have normally been behind my desk. Today I took off so we can do some things she wants to do that she can't while away, and tomorrow we're going to see her best friend who had a baby last year and lives a few hours away from our home.
Entrepreneurship offers many benefits, and my schedule flexibility is one of them. Yes, most of the time I work a lot of hours; more than if I worked a 9-5 job. But these moments I get with my daughter this week are irreplaceable and I'm thankful my business is allowing me to spend precious time with her before she flies back home on Friday.
