One Entrepreneur On Balance: Ashley Paz

This is part of a series called "The Entrepreneurs On Balance."  This interview is with Ashley Paz.

What are your general thoughts on balance (do you think it's realistic, achievable, a top priority, etc.)?

I started an eco-friendly wedding planning and design company to preserve our resources for my children, who are my top priority.  My company is named after my daughter, and I think this is a big sign to my clients that my work/family balance is a huge aspect of my business.  And I think this fact has given me great success.

What have been your biggest struggles when it comes to finding or maintaining balance between your business and personal lives?

Children get sick, and brides have disasters, and my family lives five states away.  So when I have a sick child it’s difficult as it is for any working parent.  But it is also hard for me at times when my work week might be full of meetings and I’m not able to do the things that I enjoy with my daughter.  But if I have one very full week with work, then I will make it a point to make extra time for my daughter the next week.

What have been your keys to success when it comes to finding or maintaining balance between your business and personal lives?

I have a home office where I am constantly entertaining clients, as well as my 2 year old daughter. Keeping organized has been my key to success.  I map out my week, and schedule play time and trips to the park and ice cream runs.  I also schedule phone calls with clients, date nights with my husband, and alone time.  This keeps everyone happy including this mama!

Do you have any techniques or routines that help you maintain balance (example, keeping a daily journal)?

I have implemented practices that allow me a great balance.  These include a daily to do list which keeps me organized, a great team of wedding planners who know the ins and outs of every event so that we can support one another fully, and a mission statement that directly addresses our commitment to family.

How important is balance to your success as a business owner or entrepreneur?

Balance is vital to my success as an entrepreneur.  As someone whose job is to give people a stress free experience while planning events such as weddings, it is very important to ensure that everyone around me is happy.  Otherwise I would not feel as if I were doing my job properly.

Any final thoughts on finding and maintaining balance?

Planning socially conscious events is something that I have a great passion for, but my children are the reason for that passion.  So for me balance isn’t just something that I strive for, it’s the only way for me to succeed.  And I feel that the great balance that I have achieved is one of the things that have allowed me to be so successful.

Ashley Paz is the owner/founder of Vera Green Productions and Designs, a company that specializes in planning eco friendly and socially conscious weddings and special events.  A pioneer in this specialty of event planning, Ashley is also a devout mother to 2 year old Vera and Vivian who will make her grand appearance in September 2010.  You can follow the happenings of her company on the web at www.veragreenproductions.com or on their blog www.veragreenproductions.blogspot.com.