Erica Goes on Vacay

-- by Erica Akitani-Bob 

The other week, I took the first fully offline vacation of my career, and miraculously (if you consider careful planning and a phenomenal team as acts of God), the world didn’t burn down. So, I’m sharing my experience and unsolicited peer pressure. 

Early-stage founders and operators often walk a tightrope between expectations and reality. The subtext of our employment agreements carries an implicit social contract to be the instrumental drivers of the company’s success, while we all hope for the work-life balance we never had in traditional corporate life. There’s an irony in how generous startup vacation policies are contrasted by a "never not working" culture. The pressure to constantly hustle, combined with makeshift infrastructure and often limited human capital, can make the idea of taking time off seem absurd.  

But it turns out—it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. 

The Build-Up to Logging Off. As expected, the day before vacation, I was anxious. What if something urgent happened? What if the team needed me? But here’s the truth: my team was more than ready. We had spent weeks preparing, ensuring every detail was accounted for, and I felt confident in their ability to handle whatever came up. It was like watching a relay race—passing the baton and trusting they’d cross the finish line. 

The Reality of Being Offline. Being offline felt like breaking an unspoken rule. For the first day or two, I kept glancing at my phone, muscle memory urging me to check emails or Teams messages. But as the days went on, I started to relax. My team had things under control, and the world didn’t end. I later realized that stepping back wasn’t just good for me—it was good for the company too. Removing a member of the team allows everyone to take a clear look at their role and responsibilities and highlights any gaps in existing processes—observations that help the company function better in the long run. 

It also doesn’t hurt that our firm has a policy of being fully offline and not responding while out of office, a philosophy I was kindly reminded of by our founder, which played a huge role in making this possible. This policy wasn’t just a suggestion; it was a practice ingrained in our culture. Knowing that I had the full backing of leadership to unplug completely made a world of difference. It gave me the peace of mind I needed to truly step away, and it reinforced the positive work culture we strive to maintain—a culture where taking care of oneself is seen as a key component of taking care of the company. 

The Takeaway. What I learned from this experience is that taking time off isn’t just possible—it’s necessary—not just for your mental and physical health, but for the health of your team and the company. 

So, here’s my unsolicited peer pressure: if you’re on the fence about taking a real vacation, just do it. Plan meticulously, trust your team, and then switch off. You might be surprised by what happens when you do. 

And as for me? I’ve already got my eyes set on my next break. After all, the world can handle itself for a week or two—especially when you’re part of a team that’s just as committed to the mission as you are.