Nature shows us that there are balances that must be maintained. For every night, there is a day, for every winter, a spring. Entrepreneurs are challenged with balancing their work and home lives – a difficult but certainly meaningful task. Orison Swett Marden, founder of Success Magazine, said that “Work, love and play are the great balance wheels of being.” I interpret balancing work and home as something grander: Having It All!

With four sons, a supportive husband, and her own business, Shirley Point has it all. The 40 year-old owner of The Point Salon & Spa shows us that with a little finesse, having it all is not out of reach.

Shirley’s passion is unwavering in her roles as wife and mother, but there was a time when her career aspirations were going unfulfilled. Her work / home balance was off. Shirley yearned to create her own business, and summoning her experience as a hairdresser, she put her business plan together and contacted TACC to add a little counterweight. “TACC did so well!” Shirley says, “Calling to offer information that’s been really good for business!”

Shirley opened the doors of The Point Salon & Spa in October of 2004. “Cuts, styling, color, foils, massage therapy, manicures and pedicures, body wraps – everything you need all-in-one. We’re a one-stop shop,” says Shirley.

Between all of the drop-offs and pick-ups that come with children, the delicate balance between work and home is maintained with the help of Shirley’s family. Shirley takes care of the children in the morning, getting them to school. Her husband finishes work in time to be with them in the afternoons, allowing Shirley to close the salon during the evenings. “I have a good husband who helps me a lot,” she says. “If I didn’t have him, I would be alone to handle it all. I wouldn’t be where I’m at,” Shirley says with certainty. “But we handle it all between the two of us.”

Clients utilize services offered by The Point to achieve balance in their own lives too. After all, working feverishly until the inevitable burnout sets in is no recipe for success. People need to play, occasionally spoil themselves, or at least stop and smell the flowers every now and again. “If you feel good about yourself you perform better,” Shirley says.

Cleverly hiring two former entrepreneurs experienced in the industry, and keeping her family close, Shirley ensured the necessary support to feel good about her self during difficult times. “The industry people have provided me with good information,” says Shirley. “It’s not jealous or competitive. My mom and my family have given me a lot of encouragement too. There’s times when I wanted to give up, but they were there to say ‘You can do it’. It’s nice to have people who give you that extra push!”

Offering her own helpful push to entrepreneurs, Shirley says, “Have a good support system. Owning a business isn’t like a job where you work and go home, it’s more time and more work, but it’s worth it!”

Advice that saves you time at work affords you more time at home, and Shirley’s recommendations are noteworthy to entrepreneurs who share this goal. “Check out other people and shops that are doing what you want to do,” she says. “Study how they do their thing. Don’t go in blind, do your research.” Following this one lesson saves people time and money, making it easier to achieve that graceful work / home balance.

Shirley aims to upset the balance in the future, steering The Point to tip the success / failure scales in her favor. “There will be nothing but success!” she exclaims. “That’s the only way I can look at it.”

 Shirley Point
The Point Salon & Spa
#202 - 7592 Vedder Road
Sardis, BC  V2R 5V9
604.847.0535