Entrepreneurs got some insights into finding work/life balance yesterday at a Bermuda Economic Development Corporation seminar.

Balancing Act, held at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, saw approximately 30 attendees made up of business owners, new entrepreneurs, and others.

Eager to provide attendees with an opportunity and safe space to share their experiences, the Balancing Act seminar was formatted as a supportive discussion group guided by panellists, Preston Ephraim of Om Juicery, Tania Kowalski, health & happiness coach, Pamela Baritt Nolan, chief executive officer of Transform Bermuda, Duane Lowe, of Lowe’s Towing, Maxim Alkon from the Association of Diagnostic & Psychological Services and Kallie Marcus, of Kinetix Yoga Studio.

“We want to help entrepreneurs learn practical techniques that can be adopted into their everyday life and hear from fellow entrepreneurs that have managed to find the happy medium between running a successful business and a happy, healthy home life,” BEDC officer, Dennis Carter said.

A BEDC spokesman said attendees surveyed agreed that the seminar was very informative, and its discussion format was very powerful — with one participant suggesting holding this particular type of seminar monthly, with follow up sessions.

“A big thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate and co-facilitate this session,” Ms Baritt Nolan said. She said it was a privilege to work with BEDC and her co-presenters to share and discuss the art of balance.

Ms Kowalski hoped this would be the first of many opportunities to work together to co-create and support a thriving entrepreneurial sector in Bermuda.

“I’m glad that the seminar opened up so many needed conversations,” Ms Kowalski said. “It was great to be a part of it.”

Closing the seminar, BEDC executive director, Erica Smith thanked the panellists for being so open, adding that “it was a different experience and a new format for BEDC, but a great one. It was definitely needed by the attendees. I want to thank all of our panellists and those in attendance for agreeing to give of yourselves and for sharing your wisdoms”.

She also thanked the audience for their open and honest participation and continuing to provide the feedback and support that BEDC needs to move Bermuda’s local businesses forward.

The seminar was the third in the series of BEDC quarterly seminars. The next will be held on November 21 and will focus on how to identify opportunities and looking for that “next big thing”. For more information on this seminar and BEDC’s upcoming seminars, e-mail info@bedc.bm or see www.bedc.bm.