This startup founder works 11-hour days — but still makes time for family and fitness: ‘Find your own rhythm’

It’s often said that “there’s no such thing as balance” in entrepreneurship, but startup founder Desmond Lim disagrees.

The CEO and co-founder of Workstream, a HR, payroll and hiring platform for hourly workers, says that balance isn’t just possible — it’s also necessary.

Running a company can be very taxing, said Lim, who works about 11 hours a day on average.

Not only are the hours long, but it can also be mentally consuming. “The emotional ups and downs are always very challenging ... The highs are very high, the lows are very low,” said Lim.

“Every year, you still think the company could die. And then I just try to remind myself ... you are still alive, healthy, everything is good,” he said. “And the other thing is, you cannot stop thinking about work. I dream about it.”