Cruz and Co

We know tax. Let us look after yours.

  • Home
  • About
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Clients
    • Testimonials
  • Services
    • Tax Consultant and Compliance Services
    • Small Business and Sole Trader Accountant
    • Outsourced Accounting Solutions
    • Business Structure
    • Outsourced CFO
    • Working Visa Refunds
  • Resources
    • Tax Refund Process
    • Client Assistant Schedule forms
    • Downloadables
    • Helpful Links
    • Rental Property Cashflow calculator
    • SMSF Tax Refund Process
  • Contact Us
  • Blog

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Is Work-life Balance a Myth for Start-ups

By: Alan Manly 

aaaThe decision to launch a start-up is often justified by statements such as “it was time to do something on my own”, “now was as good a time as any” or “it’s too good an opportunity to pass up”. These statements, while high on enthusiasm, are low on balanced consideration. While all opportunities carry a risk and demand confidence from the risk-taker, start-up founders are right up there amongst the hardcore thrill seekers.

Being involved in a start-up provokes various reactions. Polite folks suggest they knew you would take this route. Others flatteringly suggest you will be the next Steve Jobs or Richard Branson (it can be hard to know if they are being kind or mocking). Of course, some sophisticate will question your decision by asking whether you value work-life balance, the suggestion being there is a clash between the two.

I do not accept this suggestion. After all, how can there be a conflict when one is equally part of the other? Work and life are, to me, the yin and yang of my existence. If you love living – and what you do – why would you need a peace agreement between these two complimentary and vital activities? If I couldn’t work, I would only be half a person.

Any discussion of work-life balance is, of course, not applicable to those who have chosen to launch and grow a start-up. That’s because a start-up isn’t work, it’s a passion. People driven by such passion are sometimes called workaholics and a symptom of their addiction is the fact that they don’t suffer from work fatigue, they simply need sleep to recharge before resuming their start-up duties. To these enterprising folk, life is work and work is life.

Start-ups are fuelled by this philosophy and the core aim of those involved is the potential success of the venture and, of course, their own personal success. As barriers to success are identified, they are greeted with delight and overcome by applying the strategies in the business plan, or simply explained away with a quick strategic variation. In this way, all news is interpreted as good news…although, over time, challenges may slowly become less exciting.

Regardless of whether the eventual outcome for the start-up is a win or a loss, entrepreneurs are richer for having invested in experiential learning. That said, this learning process does involve a personal cost for entrepreneurs…the full extent of which won’t be apparent until after the lesson is learned. Potential costs can include the destruction of material wealth along with a heavy toll in terms of health and personal relationships.

Entrepreneurs who survive a start-up experience, now mindful of the personal toll, often have a new found respect for the concept of work-life balance. I learnt that despite all the sacrifices I made along the way, that launching a start-up takes twice as long, costs twice as much investment capital, and is twice as hard, both physically and emotionally.

I survived my start-up experience due to a decision made thirty years ago by my then new partner that relieved me of control of social engagements but ensured they. I am fortunate that she is smart and assertive in taking the view that our social life is vital for her and me. Social diary bookings are very rarely broken.

Launching a start-up is essentially a marathon. Entrepreneurs who succeed are long distance runners more than sprinters. Planning to survive what is a physical and emotional undertaking is all about applying the right resources at the right time. How lucky is the entrepreneur who has someone who takes them out of their compulsive obsessive zone and provides a distraction called real life? I was that lucky.

Source: Dynamic Business

Testimonials

  • Kellie Pincham

    Director
    Automotive Parts Retailing business

    Cruz & Co offer a great professional and friendly service. Ritchie gave me confidence running the business knowing that he was readily available for…

    Read full testimonial
  • Daniel Robey

    I have and continue to recommend Cruz and Co to many businesses and individuals who are looking for a business advisor and accountant that goes over and above…

    Read full testimonial
  • Vanita Aloda

    Restaurant Owner

    Ritchie Cruz is my Accountant. We have a solid 10 year relationship.

    Ritchie as always provide me with honest and efficient service.

    Is a great communicator, always replies efficiently to…

    Read full testimonial
  • Zac Fryer

    Director, Import and Distribution Company

    Ritchie Cruz provides and high level of accounting expertise and goes above and beyond in answering any queries we have.

    Read full testimonial
  • Jonathan Fambart

    Business Tax – Travel Industry

    Cruz & Co was introduced to me this year and it was the best decision for my sole trader and personal taxation affairs. Ritchie the…

    Read full testimonial
  • Regina Wang

    Business Tax – Beauty Salon 

    Ritchie has been managing my tax matters as a sole trader for 2 years+. Always very responsive to my questions and make effort to reply…

    Read full testimonial
  • Napoleon Guines

    Director, Travel Company Operations

    Ritchie Cruz and Co are accommodating and have excellent service.

    Cruz & Co have impressed me the most is due to their efficient service.  They are…

    Read full testimonial
  • Dr Krish Perananthan

    Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry

    Ritchie was recommended to me by my father and I have also continued to recommend him to my friends. He is reliable, efficient and has a…

    Read full testimonial
  • Jae Kwon Yoo

    Business Tax – Electrical Contractors

    Ritchie is awesome. He is very professional and responsive and he is always there to help you. He even replies during weekend. He needs some…

    Read full testimonial
  • Jonathan Yeoman

    Director, Technical Design Company

    This is a new business startup and Cruz&Co. have provided great help, guidance and reassurance from the beginning.

    Ritchie has provided us with excellent service and…

    Read full testimonial

© 2025 Cruz & Co.

  • Home
  • About
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Clients
    • Testimonials
  • Services
    • Tax Consultant and Compliance Services
    • Small Business and Sole Trader Accountant
    • Outsourced Accounting Solutions
    • Business Structure
    • Outsourced CFO
    • Working Visa Refunds
  • Resources
    • Tax Refund Process
    • Client Assistant Schedule forms
    • Downloadables
    • Helpful Links
    • Rental Property Cashflow calculator
    • SMSF Tax Refund Process
  • Contact Us
  • Blog