Juggling Parenthood and Two Small Businesses: Life Behind Livit Adventures and Westward Waves
Running one small business is full-on. Running two — while raising a two-year-old who doesn’t go to childcare — is something else entirely. Between surfboards, guest bookings, and toddler snacks, our days are a blur of sand and snacks (so many snacks).
We often get asked how we manage it all. The truth? Some days, we don’t. But we’ve learned to embrace the chaos — because somewhere in between the early mornings, the beach days, and the endless to-do lists, we’ve built a life that feels deeply ours.
Finding Our Own Version of Balance
Balance is a funny word when you’re running Westward Waves and Livit Adventures with a little one in tow. Some mornings, we’re answering messages while building block towers or chasing seagulls at the beach. Other days, one of us is leading a surf lesson while the other keeps the camp running — and our toddler entertained with puddles, pebbles, and anything else that keeps them happy for five minutes.
We’ve stopped chasing the idea of perfect balance and started focusing on flow. Some weeks, the businesses need more of us; other times, our little one does. The key has been to move with the tide — quite literally.
Letting Our Child Grow Up in the Middle of It All
One of the unexpected joys of this lifestyle is watching our child grow up surrounded by sea air, open space, and community. They’re learning early what hard work looks like-that sometimes we’re busy setting up surfboards or welcoming guests, but we’re doing it to create something special together.
They get to see the world we love; the beach, the outdoors, the people who come to enjoy them and that’s something we wouldn’t trade for anything.
Teamwork, Coffee, and the Community That Keeps Us Going
None of this would be possible without teamwork both between us and from the amazing people around us. From friends who lend a hand at the campsite to the locals who support our surf school, it really does take a village (and a lot of coffee).
We’ve learned to laugh at the madness, accept help when it’s offered, and remind ourselves that slowing down sometimes means more gets done in the long run.
Why We Keep Doing It
There are moments that make all the juggling worthwhile- when a guest tells us they’ve had the best week of their summer, when a beginner stands up on their board for the first time, or when we finally sit down at the end of a long day with tired smiles and sandy toes.
Parenthood and small business life aren’t easy, but they’re full of heart. We might not have much downtime, but we’ve got the sea, the outdoors, and a growing little human who’s learning what it means to build a life you love.
So here’s to all the parents running on caffeine, sea breezes, and stubborn determination. It’s messy, it’s hard, but it’s ours- and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
- Mark & Meagan
Livit Adventures & Westward Waves, North Devon