Work-life balance at Top Women
A work-life balance takes realization – and understanding – that family, home life and personal goals play a big part in a healthy career.
“Flexibility is huge. It’s very important to people – to be able to help each other.” said Lisa Makowski, VP of marketing and customer experience at United Hardware Distributing Co., as she discussed the topic of having a work-life balance, at the recent Top Women 2023 event at the Sheraton Riverfront hotel in Chicago, hosted by HBSDealer.
A big, enthusiastic crowd of both women and men gathered to enjoy networking opportunities; celebrate achievements of women in the hardware and building industries; and listen to topics such as the Work Life Balance panel.
Work stress affects home life and relationships, this panel of two discussed.
“I used to have vacation days left over,” said Megan Menzer, owner of Newton’s True Value. “I didn’t use them - But I now use it all. We put our home activities on a planner and we accomplish them. Getting that balance is key.”
Lisa said to her fellow panelist and the audience, “I still struggle because I’m a ‘yes’ person, and I put a lot of stress on myself to try and do everything. But I set boundaries now. Make time for my family.”
She looked around the audience: “Prioritize what’s important to you.”
The VP cited two startling instances that helped her realize her work-life balance needed to be better: “My child slammed my laptop shut one day. She wanted time for just us. That was one of the most memorable moments for me. Another one was when I fell asleep right at my computer – I was there all night. The next day I could barely function.”
She said she learned to delegate and stop trying to take it all on herself.
Megan said her most memorable moment came later in her career when she took a cue from her parents who always set aside time for family, no matter how busy their lives were running the family business.
“I realized I dived too deep into my work,” said the hardware owner. “I had placed a cot in my office. I was working around the clock. At one point I passed out and my husband brought me home and put me to bed - I slept for two days.”
She said, “I had to take care of myself and my family. It was then I hired an assistant.”
As a result of seeking balance, Lisa said she now uses the Skylight Calendar, a WiFi-connected digital display that showcases the family’s schedule.
“It sits on our counter and our kids mark off chores and events they’ve completed,” she said.
Many in the audience were taking notes on custom notepads provided for the event or on their own cell phones and devices.
Megan offered a tip for the work environment: “If it’s important for managers to take days off, it’s important for the entire team as well.”
She said, “everyone works for each other at our hardware business and is on board,” with covering for each other because everyone understands the importance of being there for their families.
“My dad inspires me,” she said, “he’s always there for us – he’s my mentor.”
When this owner needs some stress relief time to herself she goes to the gym – it’s her therapy. “I’m into sports and workouts and I also do bikini modeling and fashion shows.”
The audience gave her a thunderous applause.
Lisa said she is passionate about dance as her outlet. “I’m a competition dance mom. I’ve also joined the mom’s dance team, which meets every Thursday night.”
Another big applause came from tables full of attendees smiling and cheering.
Other panels during the Top Women event also received tremendous support, and positive vibes flowed through the air - vibes that you could feel.
One panelist during the Top Women event seemed to sum up the whole theme of Top Women when she said: “Be good listeners. Be willing to help and train others. Sometimes the people you are helping, help you see things in a new way.”
