When you've built a business from the ground up, in an industry known for its exceedingly high failure rate, it can be hard to let go and enjoy the ride — even when you've appeared to beat the odds.
It may have taken five years, but Jared Valentine, co-owner of the Open Face eatery in the South Wedge, ultimately began finding a way to distance himself a little from the place he helped design and open seven years ago.
"It's still really difficult, but I've gotten better about not thinking about work when I'm not there," he said . "I slowly started making some changes because I needed to have a little more control over my life. I had to look at my free time as part of my job, and schedule it."
Valentine realized something needed to change when he started missing family events, including some weddings and funerals. He wasn't going to the gym or spending time with his dog, and simple jobs around the house that he used to enjoy felt more like chores. He lost touch with friends.
"Everyone understood what I was doing, but it was hard," he recalled of his former schedule, which had him at the restaurant between 12 and 14 hours a day, six days a week, with additional hours spent on paperwork at home.
Now, in addition to the programmed breaks, Valentine has learned to trust that his employees will do things the way he would want them done in his absence. "I don't think I've properly put it to bed so that I can be a free spirit, but there's an awareness now that I have to make time for myself," he said. "And I make sure it's quality time — without thinking about work in the back of my mind."
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