I used to be that business owner with four full-time staff who erroneously decided that “no one else can handle” things. Please don’t believe the lie I did for ten years. There is another way, and bottom line, your organization gets healthier when you implement the systems to have focused time away. Your personal life gets richer. You are less exhausted and stressed. The business benefits from applying the planning steps needed to step away.

Have you convinced yourself of the lie that “once things slow down,” you will take that quality time away with your family/partner/ or just yourself to pursue your life dreams or bucket list?

Let’s face it. Life doesn’t last forever. If you are ready to own your time, reclaim your life, and live for something other than keeping your business afloat, I’ve got you.

“Taking time away and fully unplugging from the company is critical. Too many owners look back later in life and wish they would have found more time for family and friends. Do not make that mistake. In addition, taking time away from the company also benefits the business. It gives your leadership/management team a chance to see how well they can perform without you.”

“If you plan ahead, create social connections on the trip, go far from your work, and feel safe, 94% of vacations have a good ROI in terms of your energy and outlook upon returning to work. Just make sure you plan the trip at least a month in advance, as one of the key predictors of vacation ROI is the amount of stress caused by not planning ahead.” 

A business owner since 2007, Mary Jo now helps other small business owners to do such things as preparing their businesses so the owner can take a “real” vacation. She believes every small business owner should be in control of their business and not vice versa. 

MJ knows all too well the realities faced by today’s small business owners.  She was the executive director for six different state professional associations for 14 years and the owner of an association management company for ten years simultaneously. MJ realized she had been worn down by traveling 26 weekends a year for several years in a row.   

There was no end to the cycle.  Her business owned her.  To stop, or even slow down, meant a literal end to her livelihood.  Her company had become a lifetime sentence.  No chance for parole. 

Rather than become another victim, MJ decided to help herself, and in the process, commute the sentence of female small business owners and help them break this cycle of their businesses owning them. She became the mentor that she had needed all along. 

She is passionate about “future-proofing” businesses to succeed and last as long as the owners want them to. That’s where she came up with the idea of preparing your business for vacation. 

Mary Jo enjoys travel and has visited 30 countries, all 50 states, and 33 parks. An avid reader, she has read thousands of books and is finally writing ones of her own. She enjoys being a member of the Burlington Better Speakers Toastmasters group.

In addition, Mary Jo volunteers with The Demand Project in Tulsa, OK, USA, which exists to eradicate human trafficking, online enticement, child sexual abuse material, and the commercial exploitation of children through prevention, protection, recovery, and restoration. A 501©3 nonprofit, TDP provides services and resources for adult and child survivors across the United States. 

Mary Jo Ross 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryjorichardsross/
maryjo@maryjoross.com
mjross@mjexecconsulting.com                   
text: 918.261.8951 

Co-author and Publisher

Peter Biadasz, President of Total Publishing And Media, has authored/co-authored 18 books including “Write Your First Book,” now in its 2nd edition and “More Leads,” a handbook for networkers.

He is also a very active public speaker. His areas of expertise include Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, as well as a degree in Psychology, aiding him to build bridges between the often-diverse worlds of social and natural sciences.

Enjoy Peter’s Video Shorts on YouTube and Facebook. Feel free to contact Peter at peter@TotalPublishingAndMedia.com