Work-Life Balance for Entrepreneurs, Yacht Chef Edition
Let’s talk about work-life balance for entrepreneurs—specifically when you’re building a brand while working full-time as a yacht chef. These last few weeks? Absolute chaos. When I’m on charter, I’m up early, prepping breakfast, thinking two meals ahead, and on my feet (and in the heat) all day. Guests don’t stop, so I don’t stop either.
If you want a real look behind the curtain, check out the “Day in the Life of a Yacht Chef” video pinned on my Instagram profile. Spoiler alert: it’s not all crystal waters and plated pastries. It’s tight spaces, long hours, and zero off-switch. And somehow, I’m also trying to run a business.
So how do I do both without completely losing it? Here’s a real, slightly chaotic, but honest look at how I approach work-life balance as an entrepreneur at sea.
What Actually Gets Done
During charter trips, I simplify everything. There’s no time (or brain power) for product uploads, SEO tweaks, or redoing photo descriptions. My business gets scaled back to two non-negotiables:
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Social media – I try to post a Reel, a Story, or something every day to keep Funky Chef visible.
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Customer service – Emails and DMs get answered, even if I’m answering them while stirring béchamel.
These two things keep the wheels turning. Everything else—marketing campaigns, backend fixes, newsletter planning—gets benched until I'm back on land.
That’s the reality of work-life balance for entrepreneurs when you’re working two full-time jobs.
Health Is the Foundation
There’s a quote by Steven Bartlett that I’ve really clung to lately:
“Your health is a temporary loan. One day, the bank will ask for it back.”
That hit me. Especially because I’ve seen what burnout looks like—physically, emotionally, financially. And I never want to be there again.
If you haven’t read his book The Diary of a CEO, you absolutely should. It’s full of reminders that success is empty if it comes at the cost of your health.
So even when I’m slammed, I make health a non-negotiable. Every day I try to:
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Drink 2L of water (1L has to be before coffee)
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Move for 30 minutes (usually Pilates, post-lunch service)
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Switch off my phone at night
You’d think being a yacht chef would be active enough, but the truth is I average around 2,000 steps a day—on a good day. My galley is small, and I’ve dialed in my routine so tightly that there’s barely any movement involved. So getting outside to move—just a little—is key.
These aren’t groundbreaking habits, but they’re what keep me running. Without health, I can’t show up for my guests, my business, or myself.
The Power of Boundaries
In the yacht world, there are no natural boundaries. You live where you work. The workday never really “ends.” Which is why I’ve had to create boundaries manually. My favorite one? Do Not Disturb mode.
After dinner service—usually around 11pm—I clean down, prep for the next day, and then switch off. Literally. I put my phone on DND and leave it in another room. That tiny act gives my mind space to breathe and helps me sleep. Otherwise, I’d scroll until 1am replying to emails or tweaking Shopify listings that can 100% wait.
This kind of separation is what makes work-life balance for entrepreneurs sustainable over time.
Making Time for Relationships
There’s another layer to balance that doesn’t get talked about enough: relationships. Not just romantic ones, but friendships, family, even my connection to the incredible women who support Funky Chef.
The irony is that even though I’m constantly talking to people all day—guests, crew, suppliers—it can still feel incredibly isolating. That’s why I make a real effort to stay emotionally available. That might mean a quick call to my folks, a voice note to a friend, or just taking a second to check in with myself.
Connection grounds me. And honestly, work-life balance for entrepreneurs has to include the people who remind you who you are outside of your to-do list.
Letting Go of the “Do Everything” Mindset
I used to think I had to be everything, everywhere, all at once. Perfect chef. Hustling founder. Social media queen. Admin machine. But that’s just not real life.
Now, I measure success by consistency, not intensity. Some days I’m on fire, ticking boxes left and right. Other days, I’m just proud I drank enough water and didn’t snap at my husband. Both are valid wins.
I’ve learned to let go of the guilt that comes from doing less. Because the truth is, you can do anything—but not everything. Especially not all at once.
Planning for the Off-Season
When I’m off charter or on holiday, that’s when I ramp up. I plan content, fix up the website, brainstorm new designs, and sort out logistics for upcoming drops. I basically work in sprints—preparing as much as I can for the next period where I know my time will be limited.
This is how I build breathing room. Without it, Funky Chef would stall during every guest trip. With it, I can maintain some momentum, even when my days are consumed by galley life.
Redefining Work-Life Balance (On My Own Terms)
Here’s the thing no one tells you about work-life balance for entrepreneurs: it’s not a static formula. It’s fluid, ever-changing, and looks different week to week.
Some weeks, Funky Chef gets all my creative energy. Other weeks, I’m just trying to make it through breakfast, lunch, and dinner service without crying into my mise en place. Some days are magic. Some are messy.
But what’s shifted for me is the understanding that balance doesn’t mean everything is equal all the time. It means knowing what matters right now, and being okay with the rest taking a back seat.
Final Thoughts
If you’re trying to juggle two lives—or even just trying to keep your creative dream alive while doing something else to pay the bills—know this: you don’t have to do it perfectly. You just have to keep showing up in a way that’s sustainable, healthy, and aligned with your values.
For me, that means prioritizing health, protecting my time, staying connected to people I care about, and giving Funky Chef the love it deserves in the pockets of time I have.
Because balance isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters most—and letting the rest wait.