How to Set Summer Hours Without Losing Momentum in Your Business

Jul 12

3 min read

Let’s be honest: summer hits different when you're a female micro business owner.

There’s no out-of-office button for your entire business. You're thinking about client deadlines, content schedules, and whether you can answer emails from the beach without looking like you're working on holiday (which… you probably are).

But here’s the thing: you can slow down for summer without letting your business slip. You just need to set clear summer hours and communicate them clearly.

Here’s how to do it in a way that protects your time and keeps things ticking over.

1. Decide What Summer Business Hours Look Like for You

Before you tell clients what’s changing, get clear on what you actually want.

Are you:

Working reduced days?
Shifting to shorter hours?
Taking whole weeks off?
Only working on client projects, not business development?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But the key is to be intentional. You’re the boss - summer hours are meant to serve your life, not mimic a 9-5 with sunburn.

Grab a calendar and map out the next 6–8 weeks. Block out any holidays, childcare commitments, or "I just need a break" days. Then slot in your working hours around that. Make it visible (Asana, Google Calendar, even a post-it on your desk) so you’re not tempted to overbook yourself.

2. Communicate It With Confidence

Once you know what your summer hours look like, it’s time to share the plan.

Start with your current clients. Send a friendly update by email letting them know:

Your working hours or days between X and X
Any planned time off in advance
When they can expect replies to emails or messages
How emergencies or last-minute requests will be handled (if at all)

Here’s a sample line to steal:

“Just a quick heads up that I’ll be shifting to summer hours from July 15th - August 31st. I’ll be working Tuesdays to Thursdays and checking emails twice a day. If you have any upcoming deadlines or need anything urgent, just shout by [insert date] so I can make sure you’re covered.”

Set the tone you’d like them to mirror - warm, respectful, and proactive.

3. Set Up Autoresponders That Actually Do the Work

Your out-of-office (OOO) isn’t just for holidays. Use it as a mini gatekeeper all summer long.

Set a clear, helpful autoresponder that reminds people:

When you’re online
When they’ll hear back
What to do if it’s urgent
Where to go in the meantime (your FAQs, resource hub, Collective page, etc.)

Here’s an example:

Hi there! Thanks so much for getting in touch. I’m working summer hours until 31st August and will be responding to emails on Tuesdays–Thursdays. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can, but if it’s urgent, please pop “URGENT” in the subject line. In the meantime, feel free to check out [insert helpful link] or join the What She Said Collective for support all summer long!

You can also add your summer hours to:

Your email signature
Instagram bio
Your contact form
Any client onboarding documents

Visibility = fewer awkward follow-ups or missed expectations.

4. Protect Your Time Like It’s Revenue (Because It Is)

Setting summer hours is a brilliant first step. Sticking to them is where the real magic happens.

Some tips:

Don’t apologise for working less. You’re not being lazy - you’re being intentional.
Batch content in advance (Metricool is your best friend here).
Turn off notifications when you’re not working. Your nervous system will thank you.
Say no to “quick favours” or “can you just…” messages that sneak in outside your hours.

If boundaries are new to you, remember: you’re building a business that fits your life - not the other way around. You’re allowed to rest and grow.

5. Create Systems to Keep Things Moving

Just because you're working less doesn’t mean the wheels have to fall off. A few simple systems can help you keep momentum while taking a step back:

Use Asana or Trello to track tasks and keep your brain clear.
Pre-schedule content via Metricool so your socials don’t go silent.
Hire a VA to manage your inbox, handle admin, or keep your client onboarding/offboarding running smoothly.
Template your responses to common emails and questions (bonus points if your VA can send them for you).

You didn’t start this business to work through every heatwave.

By setting intentional summer hours and communicating them with clarity, you give yourself the breathing space to rest, reset, and recharge - without your business grinding to a halt.

You’ve got permission to unplug. Just build the structure that makes it possible.