A more personal topic: Having (or not having) a family while building a business?

In Turkey, we say: "You can’t hold two watermelons in one hand." It simply means: focus on one thing at a time.

I think when it comes to family life, its really hard to gauge what is "enough" or when you "neglect them" until conflict arises. It might be presumptuous of me to say, but sometimes I'm guilty of taking my loved ones for granted, and I don't usually know until its been expressed loud and clear.

Of course, some people are more in tune with the going-ons in their household and can manage these roles better, but generally, (in my opinion) your family should be a priority (especially with kids), and the onus is on you to find time and energy for your work.

Needless to say, different people have different priorities. Its hard to give a definitive answer on this great question.

Imo both schools of thought are touching on important requirements for building a business:

On the one hand, you need a lot of time/resources to build a business. Someone who has to raise kids may not have the time or financial freedom to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors. (Though things might be different if your spouse is the main homemaker/caregiver. I do wonder how much time entrepreneurs who find family/kids is beneficial are spending with their family).

On the other hand, most entrepreneurs also need a good support network. Building a business is stressful, and I can see how your family/kids could serve as that much needed support network. (But again, I don't think you can be the main caregiver for the kids—if you're trying to be the main caregiver and trying to build a business, I think you'd just increase your stress overall lol)

Great topic!

For me, both are incredibly important! Since last year, I’ve been a father, and my wife and I have been together for 9 years (though not married for that long). Not once has it crossed my mind to build a business or create something without having a family.

First, because that’s the whole point of business/life – to have people to share it with. Your partner/kids/parents are the type of people you want in your life to be around you forever.

Second, in terms of happiness – the more time you spend with your loved ones, the better. Why wait until I’m 50 to become a father and miss out on 20–30 years of life without a child? I want to spend 60–70 years with my kids. Why deprive myself of that? Same with the partner - why not to be with my wife 60 years instead of 15-20?

Third, what’s better than building something with the person next to you? Building a family, becoming a better version of yourself, and growing a business (not necessarily as business partners, but having them beside you through the journey).

And honestly, having a child doesn’t get in the way of my work. Sure, it requires attention, but I want to give it attention. People tend to overdramatize these things. I’d rather spend one hour with my child than watch Netflix.

Such an interesting topic! I see family as my anchor—the people who welcome me home no matter how work goes. They’re both my motivation and my reality check for better time management.

Personally? I’m not yet ready for marriage/kids (it feels like gambling without mental preparation!). For now, I’m happy balancing work with my mom, sisters, and partner as my core family. Maybe someday my perspective will change, but today, this feels right.

What fascinates me is how these priorities shift across life phases—no one-size-fits-all answer!

For me, it’s just my wife and I — so everything I do, work included, is about building a secure and comfortable future for us. Work is important, but it’s a means to support the life we want to live together. I work hard during the day so we can enjoy evenings and weekends together, without distractions.

My answer in any version, with or without family. Family allows you to become better, but even without family you try to do more for the sake of the company. If there was an opportunity to change something, I would not change it. There are people who cannot withstand family problems or combine life with work.

That’s such a thoughtful question, Nika. For me, I’m somewhere in the middle. I don’t have kids yet, but I do have a partner and a close-knit family, and they definitely keep me grounded.

There have been stretches where I let work completely take over, and it actually made me worse at both — worse at being present with my family and worse at thinking clearly about the business.

I think what’s helped me is getting better at setting boundaries!!! ...and finding ways to work smarter, not just longer. I’ve also gotten really interested in how technology and tools can help free up time and make work more meaningful, so I don’t always feel like I'm choosing between your work and the wifey. Hopefully there'll be even better tools by the time I have children in the mix (fingers and toes crossed in AI).

There are times when personal life (read spouse, kids) need more attention and there are times when professional life needs more attention. But an overall balance is surely needed.

I believe family is a big support and stress buster. And one has to define some rules to ensure balance.

That said, sometimes passion takes over everything and that's when it intrudes heavily on personal life for a bit of a prolonged period like 6 months or so. So, does required a conscious effort to maintain balance

This hit deeper than expected.

To be honest, I’ve always viewed building a business as something that requires your full mental bandwidth, especially in the early stages. There’s chaos, uncertainty, and moments where the line between work and you completely dissolves.

So for now, my version of balance isn’t about separating personal and professional life , it’s about being intentional with the energy I give to both.

Each to their own. I’ve got 3 kids under 7, running a product, managing a small team, investing, and advising a couple startups. Still make time for school runs, sports, all the usual stuff. Yeah, some days are hectic and long, but you figure it out. It’s all about managing your time.

I think, it depends on the business you are trying to build. For example low early revenue startup may be difficult to build with family and kids. But something like SaaS, kids and family may provide additional motivation.

I'm a dad of two little kids (4 & 2) and building my SaaS “GOAT” on the side – mostly late at night after everyone’s asleep.

No Netflix, no downtime – just a couple of quiet hours to build something that might matter.

I’ve got ultra-clear focus windows. No time for overthinking or founder theatre. I build what works – and what I can ship in 2 hours.

Pragmatic over perfect.

Slow, but consistent.

With family, not despite it.

It only works because I have a partner who supports it – and who I try to be just as present for. Sure, I don’t always crash into bed at the same time. Sometimes I’m debugging a stubborn issue late into the night.

But I still come to bed. And I make space for us, too – not just sprints and shipping.

Why do it?

Because maybe, one day, I can quit the 9 to 5 and trade meetings for more time with my kids.

Maybe that day never comes. But I’ll know I gave it my best – and didn’t miss the moments that really mattered.

This is so difficult. Taking care of a family is such a big responsability and it will eventually affect your startup life. This is why I say "if you want to start a company, do it when you are young when you have less personal obligations, greater health, plenty of energy.