When Liane Agbi launched her web design agency in April 2021, she was armed with some business know-how but little grasp of boundaries or schedules. The result? A thriving company that came at a steep personal cost—until a wake-up call from her husband prompted a major overhaul. By tweaking three key work habits, the 34-year-old entrepreneur from Jersey City, New Jersey, not only strengthened her marriage but also grew her profits to $192,000 in a single year. Here’s how she did it.
Initially, Agbi’s days bled into nights, with work trumping everything else. She’d cut dinners with her husband short, reduce interactions to quick hellos and goodbyes, and push date nights aside. “I couldn’t switch off my work brain,” she admits. That changed late in 2021, shortly after their wedding, when her husband asked a pointed question: “Is this relentless grind the life you envisioned for us?” His words hit hard, exposing an unsustainable reality she hadn’t fully acknowledged.
The first shift was hiring help. Agbi brought on extra hands to lighten her load, allowing her to step back from the endless hustle. Next, she embraced automation, setting up systems to handle repetitive tasks—freeing up time and mental energy. Finally, she turned her husband into an accountability partner. “I’d check in with him about wrapping up by 6 p.m.,” she says. “It kept me honest and gave us evenings back.”
The results were transformative. Agbi slashed her work hours, wrapping up by 6 p.m. instead of stretching past dinner. Her relationship flourished with reclaimed time for connection, and her business didn’t just survive—it thrived. Productivity soared, and profits climbed to over $190,000, a leap she credits to working smarter, not harder. “I used to think success meant sacrificing everything,” she reflects. “Now I know it’s about balance—and having the right support.”
Agbi’s story, verified by Business Insider for accuracy, underscores a simple truth: small, intentional changes can yield big wins, both at home and in the bottom line.