Is Running Your Own Business the Best Way to Recognize Your Priorities?

An Interview with Elyse Sunshine

Having the last name Sunshine is truly meant to be for Elyse Sunshine. She has such a positive attitude towards life, family and her career. As an entrepreneur, she has taken the risk of leaving a large successful law firm in order to build her own, thus succeeding in having the career she wants and the quality family time she enjoys. Running her own business had given Elyse the flexibility that is vital to having a successful career and a happy family. She has proven that by learning to prioritize and being organized, women can balance both a career and a family with less stress and anxiety and be very successful.

Schmooz: Elyse, can you tell us how you ended up on this path?

Elyse: After law school, I articled for a small boutique-style law firm that specialized in Health Law. I really enjoyed working in a small firm that specialized in one kind of law. When they merged with a bigger firm, I realized I started to miss the smaller firm feeling. A colleague and I contemplated the possibility of opening our own boutique-style law firm specializing in Health Law. In 2011, we decided to take a chance and open up Rosen-Sunshine.

S: Many people would say that leaving behind the security of a big firm and going out on your own was a big risk. What thoughts were going through your mind as you made that decision?

E: We both turned 40 and recognized that it was a good time to make a change. One thing that made it easier was that I knew my colleague well- he is not only a good friend, but we work well together. We had the same vision for a boutique-style Health Law Firm and the same approach to work and life. Having our own firm was a great way to bring some flexibility into our lives too. At the time, my kids were also getting bigger and more independent, so I knew I would be able to devote the time to growing the firm.

S: How have you been able to find the balance between your work life and family life?

E: It takes a lot of organization!!! I am very lucky to have good support and I work hard at it every day. I may not be home with my kids all day, but in the evenings and on the weekend I structure my time so that I get some great quality time with them. Quantity is not always in my control, but maximizing the quality of the time spent with my family definitely is.

It is so important to be able to be honest with yourself and recognize what your priorities are. It is also much easier once you know what it important and what you want to spend your time on.

S: You obviously are very passionate about your family and your law firm, what else do you enjoy being a part of?

E: I currently sit on the board of the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund, a charity that is very near and dear to me after losing a close family member to Melanoma. I am also a devoted dog lover and recently became a volunteer for Just Paws, an organization that rescues dogs and makes every effort to find them foster families. They are then hopefully adopted into loving homes. I started out by fostering a dog, Dodger and ended up adopting him. Fortunately, our other dog, Crosby (we have some hockey fans in the house!) was okay with this!

Any final Words of Wisdom for our readers?

E: “It is so important to be able to be honest with yourself and recognize what your priorities are. It is also much easier once you know what it important and what you want to spend your time on.”

Elyse exemplifies many things, including being a woman that is successful in both her career and family life! It is clear that Elyse has a great understanding of what it takes to be a business owner, from a personal and professional point of view. We were delighted to spend some time with Elyse at Schmooz, and share this interview with you! To check out some of our other blogs about Entrepreneurs, read Rachel Bartholomew's 3 Founder Lessons or Odeyemi Adaran's learning about Networking.