Episode 109: Building a Business & Balancing Ambition While Working Full-Time with Kayla Hutchinson of Lucky Dog Design Co.
In this episode, I sit down with Kayla Hutchinson, the creative force behind Lucky Dog Design Co., who balances running her own stationery business while also working full-time as an email marketer at a tech startup. Kayla shares her journey of juggling both roles for the past 7.5 years, offering valuable insights into maintaining balance, avoiding burnout, and living life at a sustainable pace. If you're looking for inspiration on how to manage multiple commitments without sacrificing your well-being, this episode is for you!
Balancing a Business and Full-Time Job
Kayla starts by sharing her approach to balancing her full-time job with her business. Her secret? Prioritizing health, relationships, and personal time. She follows a structured morning routine and uses time-blocking techniques to ensure she can manage both work and business responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed. Support from her husband, who helps with day-to-day tasks like cooking, also plays a huge role in her success. Kayla’s story is a testament to the power of a supportive environment and mindful planning.
The Decision to Maintain Both Roles
Kayla explains her decision to keep both a full-time job and her business, despite having tried running the business full-time before. She opened up about the major burnout she experienced and how returning to a stable job allowed her to regain financial security and focus on her mental health. Now, she’s able to grow her business at a more intentional pace. Kayla highlights the importance of finding what works best for you, even if it means taking things slower.
Preventing Burnout and Staying Grounded
A key takeaway from Kayla’s journey is her strategy to prevent burnout. Having been through it once, she now prioritizes rest and self-care through activities like journaling and hula hooping. Kayla emphasizes how important it is to schedule regular breaks and include activities that refuel you. She also shares her thoughts on the comparison trap many entrepreneurs fall into and how staying focused on her own journey—and the life she wants—helps her stay grounded and avoid unhealthy pressures to grow too fast.
Throughout our conversation, Kayla reminds us of the importance of knowing our limits, prioritizing self-care, and growing at a pace that aligns with our personal well-being. Her story is an encouraging reminder for anyone balancing multiple responsibilities.
Kayla Hutchinson is a paper nerd who has been handmaking stationery since 2 years old. She owns a stationery shop, Lucky Dog Design Co., that brings cheerful and colorful paper goods to folks across the world. Her studio is based in Metro Atlanta, Georgia, where she lives tucked away in the forest with her husband and pup.
Learn more about Kayla and Lucky Dog!
Lucky Dog Website
Lucky Dog Instagram
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
There’s no shame in having a full-time job while building a business. Relying solely on your business for income can take a mental toll. Financial security allows you to grow your business slowly and healthily without the constant pressure to perform.
Managing a full-time job and a business requires accepting your limits. It’s essential to prioritize health, relationships, and well-being over trying to do everything. Knowing where to focus your time will help to avoid burnout and promote sustainable growth.
Instead of measuring yourself against others, focus on your own definition of success, what aligns with your values, and what brings you joy.
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight—it creeps in slowly when self-care is neglected. Be mindful of signs like losing interest in your creative work or feeling overwhelmed. Regularly assess your workload to make sure you’re not running on empty.
Take time to review your business processes and identify tasks that aren’t adding value. Twice-yearly audits allow you to adjust your approach, remove unnecessary steps, and focus on what truly moves your business forward.
Rest isn’t the opposite of productivity—it’s actually an essential part of productivity. Prioritize rest through activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Whether it’s journaling, taking a walk, or spending time with loved ones, rest refuels your creativity and prevents burnout.
This episode is sponsored by Indigo Ink Printing, my go to printer for all my greeting cards! Go check them out, your project will be in the best of hands.
