Two Boys, a Business, and a Food Forest

By Marja Jacobsen – Director, Valla Digital

Running a business and raising a family is a juggling act, and when you throw in a farm, it becomes a high-wire act. At Valla Digital, João and I have learned to blend professional ambition with family life, creating a rhythm that works for us.

Prioritizing and Planning

With two young boys and a full-acre food forest, planning is essential. We schedule tasks around school runs, client deadlines, and farm chores, using practical systems that keep both business and home life flowing.

Combining Strengths

We complement each other professionally: João handles SEO and digital growth, while I manage branding, websites, and day-to-day marketing. At home, this teamwork extends to family responsibilities, creating balance and shared ownership of tasks.

Lessons Learned

• Boundaries matter: Set clear work hours to be present with family.
• Automation helps: Tools like Monday.com, ClickUp, and project management systems save time.
• Celebrate small wins: From a successful client launch to a thriving crop in the garden, each achievement counts.

Balancing business, family, and a farm isn’t always easy, but it’s rewarding. It keeps us disciplined, practical, and focused – qualities we bring to every client project.