How an entrepreneur strives to balance a busy life

A busy and thriving entrepreneur strives to find balance between her passions in business and motherhood

By Anais Guimond

Hi, my name is Anaïs. I am a serial entrepreneur originally from Quebec City; Interior Designer and owner of Nis Interior Design, as well as the Founder and CEO of Atlantic Cirque Ltd., a school of circus arts established in 2002, located in beautiful Nova Scotia.

Circus Arts meets Interior Design meets Motherhood

During my career as a circus artist, I have performed hundreds of shows and taught many students in three circus schools I have opened over the years in Quebec, New-Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

I have always had a strong artistic side, both on stage and at home. Reinventing the space I live in through paint, design, and decor has always been something I’ve done. When my husband and I bought our house, it was my chance to fulfill my dream of designing a space from the floor-plan stage, to the construction phase, to the final decorating touches. Taking on this main floor renovation was an opportunity for me to see if I should turn this passion into a new business.

Needless to say, I loved every step of the project and quickly signed up for the Interior Designer course at the Vancouver Interior Design Institute. Since graduating from the program with an additional certification in Home Staging & Property Styling, I am living my passion for design with every new client, and every new project. I continue to oversee the daily operations of Atlantic Cirque while balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship.

Balance is all about proper scheduling and prioritization

Balancing entrepreneurship with Atlantic Cirque and Nis Interior Design, motherhood, along with time for friends and taking time for myself is all about proper scheduling and knowing what to prioritize when.

When I started Atlantic Cirque in 2002, I was 23 years old. I didn't have any children, so I worked around the clock for years and although it wasn’t healthy... it was necessary at the time.

With 19 years under my belt for the circus school business and a great team around me, it is now easier to plan ahead, knowing when we are busier and when my time is needed there. As far as the interior design business, it’s all about a balanced schedule.

Between site visits, meetings with clients, and research and design work on the computer, I do my best not to book more than two meetings per day. This way, it allows me to take additional notes in between meetings while the information is fresh, and it keeps me available for contractors on last minute decisions that have to be made on the spot.

It allows me to be home for the kids when they get home from school and spend a bit of time with them before focusing my work on the computer (3D renderings, products research, mood board creation, pricing, etc.) while they do homework.

I'd be lying if I said I don’t work weekends.

Weekends are often reserved for family and friends, but I'd be lying if I said I don’t work weekends. I work every day of the week, but I do prioritize more personal time on the weekends.

I do need to learn to say no or to tell potential clients that I won't be able to work with them for a few weeks. I would say this is my biggest struggle at the moment.

I feel very fortunate to be as busy as I am and to have found a good balance between entrepreneurship with my two life passions; circus arts and interior design, and motherhood.

Anais Guimond is an Interior Designer and owner of Nis Interior Design, as well as the Founder and CEO of Atlantic Cirque Ltd, a school of circus arts established in 2002. Since graduating from the Interior Designer course at the Vancouver Interior Design Institute with an additional certification in Home Staging & Property Styling, Anais is living her passion for design with every new client and project while continuing to oversee the daily operations of Atlantic Cirque, balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship.