Software startup founder chased growth with 70-hour weeks until his child's question exposed the main problem with his work-life balance
Cache Merrill
, founder of the
software startup
Zibtek, spent years working 70-hour weeks to grow his business. Juggling client demands and late-night deadlines, he believed long hours were necessary to secure a better future for his family. But in the process, his presence at home faded. One evening, a simple question from his child, asking why he no longer joined family dinners, stopped him in his tracks. It made him realise that his
work-life balance
was out of sync. That moment marked a turning point in both his
leadership style
and his understanding of what true success really means.
The cost of chasing startup success: 70-hour weeks and missed moments
Cache Merrill, founder of the software development startup
Zibtek
, was all-in on building his company. Launched in 2009 while raising three young children, the startup demanded everything he had. He regularly worked 60 to 70 hours a week, waking up before dawn and working late into the night. Client deadlines, meetings, and constant decision-making left him with little time for family. What began as a noble pursuit to secure his children's future slowly created a quiet distance from them.
As the company grew, his presence at home diminished. Dinners were missed. Bedtime stories faded. Weekends blurred into workdays.
Merrill
believed he was doing what was necessary for success until one evening, his child stopped him in his tracks with a simple, heartfelt question: 'Daddy, why don't you eat with us anymore?'
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
The 5 Books Warren Buffett Recommends You To Read in 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
That innocent question cut deeper than any business setback. It revealed a truth he could no longer ignore: in chasing professional goals, he had unintentionally become a stranger in his own home. It wasn't criticism, it was clarity. And it marked a turning point in both his life and leadership.
Redefining the main meaning of success: From provider to present parent
Shaken by that moment, Merrill knew something had to change. He reassessed what success really meant, and realised it had to include being present for his children, not just providing for them. He began setting clear boundaries: logging off in time for dinner, being fully available for bedtime routines, and actively engaging in family life again. It wasn't easy at first, but each small step helped rebuild the emotional closeness he had lost.
According to a
story
first reported by Business Insider India, this shift deeply influenced how Merrill led his company as well. He no longer viewed leadership through the lens of constant availability. Instead, he embraced a healthier, more sustainable style, focusing on outcomes rather than long hours and fostering a workplace culture that prioritised well-being and balance.
He started encouraging his team to step away from their desks when needed, avoid overwork, and talk openly about stress. He modelled empathy and
emotional intelligence
, making it clear that taking care of personal health and relationships was not only acceptable, it was essential. As a result, Zibtek began evolving not just as a business but as a human-centered organisation where people felt truly valued.
The main truth about leadership: It starts at home
Merrill's journey offers a powerful reminder: true leadership doesn't begin and end in boardrooms; it extends to the dinner table, bedtime routines, and the quiet, everyday moments that often go unnoticed. In a world where 'hustle' is often equated with worth, he learned the hard way that presence is a more lasting measure of success.
Today, he continues to lead Zibtek with the same entrepreneurial spirit, but with a renewed sense of balance. He no longer feels pressure to be the first in and the last out. Instead, he strives to be available wherever he's needed most, whether that's in a client meeting or sitting beside his children at dinner.
His story challenges the outdated belief that professional success must come at a personal cost. Instead, it shows that by integrating compassion, awareness, and boundaries into leadership, it's possible to thrive in business while also nurturing the relationships that matter most.
Also Read:
ChatGPT and other AI bots other blocked in this US state as fear grow over mental health risks
AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
PM Modi to inaugurate Bengaluru Yellow Line metro today: Route length, cost, stations & more — 10 key things to know about the project
Yellow Line of Namma Metro to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PTI photo) NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Yellow Line of Bengaluru's Namma Metro on Sunday, marking a major expansion of the city's mass transit system. The 19-km corridor from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra under Phase-2 will link residential neighbourhoods, industrial hubs, and tech parks in the southern belt. Here's a detailed look at the key highlights. 10 key things to know about the metro and its launch 1. Route length and stations The Yellow Line will cover a route length of over 19 km and 16 stations. It will connect RV Road (Ragigudda) in south-central Bengaluru to Bommasandra, improving accessibility for thousands of daily commuters. With the latest addition, the operational length of Namma Metro will cross 96 km. This will make Bengaluru's metro the second-longest operational network in India after Delhi Metro. 2. Areas served The corridor links key residential zones like BTM Layout, HSR Layout, and Bommanahalli with industrial and tech clusters such as Electronic City and Bommasandra. It also connects to educational institutions and healthcare centres along the route. 3. 16 stations on the line (North to South): RV Road (Green Line interchange) Ragigudda BTM Layout Jayadeva Hospital (Pink Line interchange) Central Silk Board (Blue Line interchange) Bommanahalli Kudlu Gate Singasandra Hosa Road Konappana Agrahara Electronics City Infosys Foundation Huskur Road Hebbagodi Bommasandra Silk Institute 4. Phase-3 foundation stone Alongside the Yellow Line launch, the PM will lay the foundation stone for Phase-3 — a 44 km expansion with 31 elevated stations, costing over Rs 15,610 crore. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Prettiest Icons In The History The Noodle Box Undo This phase is designed to cater to the city's growing population and traffic demands. 5. Project cost The line has been developed at a cost of around Rs 7,160 crore, as part of the Phase-2 expansion of the metro network. It includes elevated stretches, modern station designs, and integrated facilities for last-mile connectivity. 6. First ride by PM PM Modi will travel from Ragigudda station to Infosys Foundation–Konappana Agrahara station. He will be joined by Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, MPs, and other dignitaries. 7. Public operations start date Regular commercial services will begin from 5 am on Monday, August 11, ensuring minimal gap between inauguration and public use. 8. Train frequency Initially, three trainsets will operate on the line, with a frequency of one train every 25 minutes. BMRCL plans to scale up frequency as ridership grows. 9. BMRCL operation and maintenance The Yellow Line will be operated by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), a joint venture between the Government of India and Government of Karnataka, ensuring uniform standards across the network. 10. What next? Phase II of the Bengaluru Metro is planned at a sanctioned cost of Rs 35,055 crore and will include extensions of the Green, Purple, Blue, and Yellow lines. Phase III, spanning 44 km at a cost of Rs 15,611 crore, will have its foundation stone laid during the Yellow Line inauguration. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays , public holidays , current gold rate and silver price .
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Chinese diplomat Liu Jianchao taken in for questioning: Report
Liu Jianchao, a senior Chinese diplomat widely seen as a potential future foreign minister , has been taken away by authorities for questioning, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. Liu was taken away after returning to Beijing in late July from an overseas work trip, WSJ reported, citing people familiar with the matter. China's State Council Information Office, which handles media queries for the Chinese government, and the Chinese Communist Party International Liaison Department did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Liu, 61, has led the Communist Party's body in charge of managing ties with foreign political parties. Since taking the role in 2022, he has travelled to more than 20 nations and met officials from more than 160 countries. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Undo Liu's busy schedule, especially his meetings with the former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, stoked expectations that the former ambassador and ministry spokesman was being groomed to be the next foreign minister. His detention marks the highest-level probe involving a diplomat since China ousted its former foreign minister and President Xi Jinping's protege, Qin Gang , in 2023 following rumours of an extramarital affair. Born in the northeastern province of Jilin, Liu majored in English at Beijing Foreign Studies University and studied international relations at Oxford before taking up his first post as a translator with the foreign ministry. Live Events He has served in China's mission to Britain and later as ambassador to Indonesia and the Philippines. During his time as ministry spokesman, he was known for humorous off-the-cuff comments while making a no-nonsense defence of China's interests.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Why Trump says the US jobs report is 'rigged': How the numbers are actually calculated
US jobs report controversy explained: What causes monthly employment data revisions. (AP Photo) US President Donald Trump has criticised the latest US jobs report, calling it "rigged" on his social media platform, Truth Social. The controversy arose after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revised the employment numbers for May and June downward by 258,000 jobs combined. These revisions sparked debate over the accuracy and reliability of the monthly jobs data. The revisions showed that the US added 19,000 jobs in May and 14,000 in June, rather than the initially reported figures of 158,000 and 144,000 respectively. Economists quickly pointed out that such revisions are routine, reflecting updated survey data from businesses that respond late. The president's comments have raised concerns about politicising a key economic indicator. How the jobs report is compiled Each month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases an "employment situation" report that includes data on employment, wages, and hours worked. The report is based primarily on two surveys: an "establishment survey" of approximately 121,000 businesses and government agencies, and a "household survey" of individuals about labour force participation, employment, and unemployment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sore Knees? These Foods Could Be Your Natural Solution Undo The establishment survey covers various sectors of the economy and is considered the main source for monthly payroll employment estimates. The establishment survey collects data from employers during the week that includes the 12th of the month. However, not all businesses submit their information immediately. As a result, the BLS publishes initial estimates which are subject to revisions in the following two months, once additional data is received. This process ensures that the employment numbers become more accurate over time. Why revisions are routine and necessary According to the BLS, the initial employment figures are revised twice in the succeeding two months to incorporate late survey responses and to adjust seasonal factors. This means that changes, whether upwards or downwards, are normal and expected. Ryan Sweet, chief US economist at Oxford Economics, told Yahoo that the recent revisions, although large, fall within the BLS's confidence interval of plus or minus 136,000 jobs per month. For example, the May payroll data was revised down by 125,000 jobs to 19,000, and June by 133,000 to 14,000. Sweet also noted that these revisions are not significantly larger than those seen historically. Larger revisions tend to occur during times of economic disruption, such as the 2008 financial crisis or the Covid-19 pandemic. Month Initially Reported Jobs Gained Revised Jobs Gained Net Revision (Jobs Lost) May 158,000 19,000 139000 June 144,000 14,000 130000 Political reactions and impact on trust President Trump's comments on the jobs report followed the release of the revised figures. He stated on Truth Social, "Last weeks Job's Report was RIGGED," as reported by Yahoo. The remarks come amid ongoing political debates over economic performance and data transparency. William Beach, McEntarfer's predecessor as BLS commissioner, said in a Yahoo interview that the commissioner does not handle the preparation or estimation of job numbers, but the damage to trust is done. He warned that it may take time to restore confidence in the figures. Declining survey response rates One challenge facing the BLS is the declining response rate from businesses to the establishment survey, which has raised concerns about the reliability of initial estimates. Researchers from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco reported in March 2025 that despite lower response rates, the incoming data does not show increased noise or uncertainty compared to the past. Ryan Sweet said the lower survey participation means the initial jobs estimate is less clear than before but stressed this is not a fault of the BLS. The agency continues to adjust its methodology to maintain the accuracy of the labour market data. Annual benchmark revisions and past controversies Beyond monthly updates, the BLS performs annual benchmark revisions based on wage and employment data from state unemployment insurance records. One such revision in August 2024 revealed the US had 818,000 fewer jobs in the previous 12 months than initially reported, a figure later revised to 598,000 fewer jobs. President Trump has referenced these annual revisions as evidence of data manipulation, though economists explain that such adjustments are a normal part of maintaining accurate economic statistics. Why jobs data revisions matter While revisions may cause confusion, experts emphasise their importance for long-term economic stability. Michael Madowitz, principal economist at the Roosevelt Institute, wrote in a blog post that transparent revision processes contribute to the reliability of US economic data, as quoted by Yahoo. Alex Jacquez, chief of policy and advocacy at the Groundwork Collaborative and former Biden official, noted that large revisions often coincide with unusual labour market conditions, such as the post-pandemic labour force re-entry or economic uncertainty from tariffs and immigration changes. The recent two-month revision, the largest since 1968 excluding recession periods, may indicate strains in the US economy, reinforcing the need for cautious interpretation of initial jobs reports. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
