Are You in a Position to Vacation This Year?

The Washington Post ran an interesting article this week, reporting that many small-business owners are starting to consider taking vacations again – after about two years of forgoing them.

The article largely blames the recession for halting business owners’ time-off travels. In support of this theory, I’ve heard of many salon owners who’ve had to downsize staff and pick up more hours themselves because of the economic challenges of the last couple years. And for the very smallest salons – where the owners are the only workforce – vacations may always be but a pipe dream.

I think it’s wise to watch your funds and stick close to home when the season demands it. However, for those salon owners who never get away – be careful that you don’t set yourself up for a burnout. Even just a few days away can do wonders for your mental health and allow the creative juices to start flowing again.

Once you’ve made up your mind to escape, there’s the ever-nagging issue of how much – or maybe even whether – to keep in touch with the salon while you’re away. Most salon owners feel they have to make themselves accessible in case something comes up that only they can resolve. Just make sure you clearly communicate the boundaries of appropriate contact to your manager, so you really do get a chance to leave work behind. When the new and improved “you” returns, your employees may just start encouraging you to get away more often!

So, is there a vacation on the horizon for you, or have you mastered the art of the staycation (chilling at home or close to it)? Did you vacation less the last couple years – and was it because of the economy? Share your thoughts via the “Post a comment” option.

–Karen

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