Family First: How I Balance Being a CEO & Spending Quality Time with Loved Ones

Being a boss is powerful, but being present with family? That’s everything. Success means nothing if you can’t share it with the people who matter most.

Running a beauty business, especially one that supports brides during some of the most emotional and meaningful moments of their lives, is truly a dream come true. But being a CEO goes far beyond schedules, strategy, and staying on top of trends. For me, it’s about balance. Because while I pour my heart into my work, there’s another role I take just as seriously: being present for my family.

The truth is, the beauty industry never really sleeps. There are early mornings, late nights, travel days, and weekends that fill up fast. But no matter how full my calendar gets, I’ve learned that success doesn’t feel complete unless I’m making space for the people who matter most. Family isn’t what I make time for after work—it’s part of my foundation, and it grounds everything I do.

I’ve set non-negotiables. Dinner with my loved ones. No-phone Sundays. School pick-ups when I can swing them. And honestly? These moments fuel me. They keep me inspired and connected—not just to my “why,” but to who I’m doing this for.

Being a CEO means knowing when to hustle and when to pause. It means carving out time for love, laughter, and real connection in between the meetings and makeup kits. And while the balance isn’t always perfect, the intention is always there.

Because at the end of the day, building a business that thrives and a life that feels full? That’s the kind of success I’m most proud of.

Motherhood to CEO Life

As the founder of a beauty business built on intention, I’m deeply involved in everything—from creating signature bridal looks to mentoring artists, planning content, and overseeing the daily ins and outs of my brand. I take pride in creating experiences, not just makeup looks. Whether I’m prepping a bride for her big day or working behind the scenes to elevate my brand, I show up fully.

But being a CEO doesn’t mean being on 24/7. It means building a business that reflects my life—not the other way around. Being a CEO doesn’t mean being available around the clock.Being a CEO doesn't mean being available around the clock. It's about constructing a business that mirrors my lifestyle, rather than conforming my life to fit the business.

Becoming a mother to my two beautiful girls shifted everything for me in the most beautiful way. It gave my work deeper meaning and my hustle a clearer purpose. 

In the whirlwind of running a business, motherhood keeps me grounded. It reminds me that success isn't just what I build with my hands, but the love and presence I offer at home. My children are, without a doubt, the driving force behind everything I do. They've taught me that my presence in their lives, not just as a CEO, but as their mom, is the most impactful gift I can offer. Being there for them, supporting them, and actively participating in their lives is infinitely more valuable than any professional accomplishment.

Why Family Comes First

No matter how many brides I glam, events I plan, or goals I chase, family is the heartbeat behind it all. It’s not just a feel-good quote I live by—it’s the foundation of everything I’ve built. 

Long before I became a CEO, I was a daughter, a sister, a wife, and a mother. These roles taught me strength, patience, and resilience in ways no business class ever could.

I’ve always believed that a life well-lived isn’t measured by how full your calendar is, but by how full your heart feels at the end of the day. And for me, that fullness comes from being surrounded by the people I love. Whether it's cuddles after a long wedding weekend, family dinners where we all leave our phones in another room, or spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen with my kids—those are the moments that give my life texture and meaning.

Yes, I’m deeply committed to my clients and my team. I take immense pride in being a leader, a visionary, and a creative artist. But I also know that being present—whether it’s answering a FaceTime from my college student, catching up after a long day with my teen, or being a soft landing for my husband—is just as important. These aren’t things I squeeze in between meetings. These are the moments I protect. They’re the non-negotiables I build my schedule around, because even though my kids are older now, showing up still matters—just in different, deeper ways.

And here’s the beautiful part: when I put family first, everything else in my life flows with more intention. I create from a place of love. I lead with more empathy. I show up more aligned, more grounded, and more me.

At the end of the day, success without connection feels empty. My family reminds me who I am outside of my brand—and because of that, I get to pour into both with more heart. I don’t have to choose between being a powerhouse and being present. I get to be both. And that, to me, is the ultimate definition of wealth.

The CEO Life: Behind the Scenes

From the outside, the CEO life can look glamorous—flawless makeup, perfectly styled shoots, traveling the world, and curated content. But behind every polished moment is a woman juggling a million moving pieces with intention and heart.

My days start early and end late, often filled with back-to-back timelines, makeup trials, product orders, client check-ins, and creative planning. There’s no such thing as a “typical day,” and that’s part of what I love. Every bride, every face, every story is different—and I take that responsibility seriously.

But what people don’t always see is the in-between. The late nights spent perfecting a timeline. The quiet car rides between weddings where I reset and reflect. Picking up my daughter from school. Balancing the pressure to evolve and grow while still making it home in time to ask how my daughter's math test went, or check in on how my college kid is adjusting to newfound independence.

I’ve learned that being a CEO isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing the right things with clarity. It’s knowing when to be in full boss mode and when to delegate. It’s staying creative while also being strategic. It’s leading a team and a vision, but still staying grounded in my why.

The hustle is real—but so is the joy. Watching a bride see herself in the mirror for the first time, watching my team grow in their craft, watching something that started as a dream now touches so many lives—that’s the magic that fuels me.

The Balancing Act: What Works for Me

Balance, for me, isn’t about having everything perfectly in place—it’s about intention. Some seasons are full of client work and back-to-back weddings, while others give me space to breathe, reconnect, and create. But through it all, I’ve found a rhythm that works for us—one that blends my passion for beauty with the life I’ve built with the people I love.

One thing that’s been a game-changer is turning some of my work trips into mini family getaways. When I travel for weddings or brand projects, we often turn it into a little escape. My husband and kids come along when they can, and we treat it as part business, part bonding. It’s our version of blending hustle with memory-making—and honestly, those are some of our most cherished moments.

Even better? We create content together. Whether we’re capturing hotel tours, scouting beautiful locations, or behind-the-scenes footage, it becomes something we collaborate on as a family. Everyone gets to be involved in the brand, in their own way. And that makes it feel less like work, and more like us.

What works for me isn’t rigid structure—it’s flexibility, trust in my team, time-blocking with purpose, and knowing when to log off. I’ve learned to protect space for my family without guilt, to plan around the moments that matter, and to remember that saying “yes” to one thing means saying “no” to something else—and that’s okay.

It’s not always easy. But the beautiful, sometimes messy, sometimes magical mix of CEO life and home life? That’s the balance I’ll always choose.

What I’ve Learned (and What I’m Still Learning)

Motherhood has given me a unique perspective and taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, empathy, and time management. It’s shown me how to hold space for others while still protecting space for myself. It’s taught me how to lead with compassion, how to pivot when plans change, and how to give grace—both to my kids and to myself.

I've learned that you don't have to have it all figured out to show up fully. That presence is often more powerful than perfection. That my children don’t need a flawless mom—they need a present, real one. Someone who listens, someone who tries, someone who models strength and softness in equal measure.

As a CEO, I carry these values into every part of my business. The empathy I’ve gained through motherhood has shaped me into a more compassionate and intuitive leader. Years of managing a household have naturally strengthened my ability to multitask and stay organized—skills that translate seamlessly into leading a team and managing demanding schedules. And at the core of it all is love—the same love that drives how I care for my family is the energy I pour into every bride, every client experience, and every corner of my brand.

But I’m still learning. I’m learning to let go of guilt when I can’t be everywhere at once. I’m learning that rest is productive. I’m learning to ask for help and to trust the people around me. I’m learning that every season has its own rhythm—and it’s okay if balance looks different from one week to the next.

What I know for sure is this: my children inspire me to keep growing. They’ve helped shape the woman, the artist, and the entrepreneur I am today. And I’ll keep learning—because that’s what evolving with grace really looks like.


The beauty of life is that it's constantly evolving, and the balance between work, family, and self is a journey—not a destination. So, embrace the chaos, celebrate the wins, and give yourself grace in the moments that don’t go as planned. You are a force, and your strength is in the way you show up—every single day.

For more inspiration, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and tips on balancing it all, follow along on Instagram and TikTok. No matter where you are in your journey, you’re not alone. We’re all navigating this wild, beautiful thing called life, together.

Barbie Patel

Barbie is a serial entrepreneur with extensive experience in Marketing, Beauty, Branding, and Manufacturing.

https://www.cinderellabridez.com
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