After 5 PM: Reclaiming My Time to Build My Dream

Let me start with this: I love what I do. Both of what I do.

By day, I serve in a leadership role at my 9-5. I sit at tables I once prayed to be invited to. I lead, I support, I guide, I decide. It’s fulfilling and important work, which I don’t take lightly. But when the sun sets, and the emails slow down (or at least I stop answering them), I shift into a different role — the CEO, designer, marketer, and fulfillment department of Designs by MTK, my small business that I built with love, intention, and a whole lot of late nights.

But here’s the thing — some days, it feels like my 9-5 gets more of me than my dream does. And if I’m being honest, that’s not the balance I want.

The Struggle Is Real

As a Black woman in leadership, I don’t have the luxury of coasting at work. I carry the weight of representation, of excellence, of showing up even on the days I feel like hiding. And let’s keep it real — when you’re in management, “9-5” is just a figure of speech. It’s meetings that run over, fires that need putting out after hours, and always being available.

But while my 9-5 supports me financially, my business fuels me spiritually. It’s the manifestation of my creativity, my passion, and my purpose. And when I give my job more energy than I give my dream, I feel the imbalance in my spirit.

The Shift: Intentional Investment

I had to get honest with myself. My business wasn’t growing the way I wanted it to because I was treating it like a side hustle when it was supposed to be my legacy. So I decided: I was going to invest in Designs by MTK the same way I invest in my 9-5.

That means being just as intentional about my business calendar as I am about my work meetings. It means blocking off time after hours to plan content, fulfill orders, manage my inventory, and tend to my finances. It means saying “no” more often at work so I can say “yes” to myself.

It also means delegating more at work, which doesn’t always come easy. But if I’m going to lead effectively, I must trust my team to rise to the occasion. The more I delegate, the more space I create to pour into me.

Here’s What’s Been Helping Me

1. Schedule Your Dream Like It’s a Meeting: I literally put “Business Time” on my calendar. If it’s not scheduled, it’s not happening. I treat my business hours with the same respect as my work meetings.
2. Set Boundaries with Work (even if you’re the Boss): I had to unlearn the habit of answering emails at 10 p.m. Unless it’s urgent, it can wait. My dream can’t.
3. Batch Tasks for Your Business: One night is for social media, one for order fulfillment, one for finances, and one for planning. That structure has kept me sane.
4. Outsource When You Can: I’m still a “one-woman show,” but when the budget allows, I plan to hire help—even if it’s just part-time. Until then, tools and systems are my assistants.
5. Protect Your Weekend Like It’s Your Peace: I may not get to rest as much as I want, but my weekends are sacred. I pour into my business, but I also pour into myself. You can’t create from an empty cup.

Final Thoughts

Balancing leadership at your 9-5 with building a business isn’t easy. It’s a constant dance, and some days one side will win. But what matters is that I keep showing up for both. I’m proud of the work I do during the day, but I’m building something after hours that will one day let me choose how I spend all of my hours.

To all the Black women out here leading in boardrooms and building in their living rooms — I see you. Let’s continue to show up for our purpose, not just our paychecks.

Because our dreams deserve more than what’s left over after the 9-5.