Teil Henley: The Art of Balancing Sacrifice — and Success

October is National Women’s Small Business Month — a time for recognizing the ingenuity and resilience of women entrepreneurs across the country. But for Teil Henley, fine artist, textile designer, small business owner and the wife of PGA pro golfer Russell Henley (currently 3rd in the Official World Golf Ranking), the true art isn’t in the studio — it’s in the daily sacrifice.

The Henleys have learned how to navigate ambition, love and career — along with three young children — in their relationship. The key? Knowing when it’s time to give and when it's time to spread your wings. Their blueprint for success will resonate with women business owners everywhere who are familiar with the delicate act of juggling it all.

A Telling Metaphor

Henley didn’t know her craft would turn into an entrepreneurial pursuit right away. She knew she liked art as a child but didn’t make it her career path until after her freshman year at Auburn University. That summer, she got the chance to showcase her work, which has a fresh, distinctive contemporary style and vibrant palette. It wasn't until she visited a Columbus friend in Charleston and saw her studio that she thought she could make a go of it.

"I took out a loan, got my own studio took on commissions — and painted all day, every day,” she says.

Henley has since authored two books, took up textile design, and in 2024, opened a business — her first brick-and-mortar shop called Mish Mash — along with above noted artist-friend-mentor Lulie Wallace.

The storefront is, well, a mish mash of three things in one: a painting studio, a retail shop, and a packaging, shipping and fulfillment center. This theme continues into the Henley’s personal lives — which thrive on a mix of family goals and business aspirations.

And just like painting, life can be messy. Says Henley: “There are a million ways in which my work has evolved. The world wants to say that we can do it all as women — be mom of the year and CEO — but I think something has to give.”

The following pearls of wisdom form a blueprint for those striving for the holy grail of work-life balance:

1. Embrace Selflessness

Ask Henley what powers a marriage between a creative artist and a professional athlete, and she’ll say it’s not about putting yourself first. Henley’s week might start with sketching a new series for her wallpaper collection but then pivot to the needs of her family — packing lunch for her children, rearranging meetings around Russell’s tournament schedule. This can mean hitting pause on her own dreams so her husband can chase his. It’s a struggle countless women entrepreneurs can relate to.

When Russell’s at the height of his season, “I see myself as a 'helpmate' for him before my identity in a career," says Henley. "There were two choices when we got married: Do I want to just go paint in the studio all day, not travel with my husband and put a strain on our marriage? Or do I want to go and support him? I want a great marriage, of course. So that's been my choice time and time again.”

Takeaway: Accept that sometimes you will be the one sacrificing, but trust that the support will be reciprocated — and your moment will come.

2. Understand Each Other’s Worlds

Gaining a deep, mutual understanding of each other’s roles and pressures can also be key to making it all work. Concerning the creative unpredictability of Henley’s business versus the high-pressure life of a pro athlete: “We have different worlds, but we respect the demands of each,” says Henley.

How do they put themselves in each other’s shoes? They make it fun. When he’s not touring, “Russell loves to hang out on the day bed in my studio. I like to ask for his opinion — because you don't have to be an artist to talk about what's good or what's not.”

He's also very open to learning: "I teach him things like the basics of negative space, understanding the proportions and how to see where the light source is coming from."

And then there are the times when they’re traveling: We might be sitting on a plane, and Russell will say, ‘Hold right there.’ And he'll draw my profile. It’s a great source of laughter. It really is. It's about the same as if I swung the golf club.”

Takeaway: Respect each other’s boundaries — set rules so both can thrive.

3. Adopt Rituals, Routines and Respect

Staying in synch isn’t accidental — it’s by design. Henley credits the couple’s steady relationship to shared rituals, like coffee on the porch before a busy day and routines that keep their family connected.

"Every single morning, our kids wake up at 7,” says Henley. “But Russell and I are up at 6, and we have time together. We discuss anything that's going on, and it's such a cherished time because it's quiet and just the two of us. We’re also spiritual and we’ll discuss our faith.” 

Also, though hard, setting rules can go a long way. Says Henley: “We don't go more than one week apart. There may be a rare two-week stint that's just unavoidable. But other than that, we stick to the plan.”

Takeaway: Create rituals and routines that support both your endeavors and your relationship.

4. Believe in Family Values

For Henley and Russell, family is both a priority and a source of strength. Despite Henley’s expanding business and Russell’s tournament schedule, “I don't want to look back one day and think I missed all these years with my kids because I was at Mish Mash or painting,” she says.

Attaining the holy grail of work-life balance means having some flexibility in your thinking about what you do and its demands: “The great thing about art is that I believe you can put it down when you need to and pick it back up,” says Henley. “I think having that freedom and flexibility make me feel like I could do it forever.”

Taking time away from rigid work schedules can also work to your advantage. When she's away from the canvas, Henley says, "All I’m thinking is, 'I can't wait to paint that!' So I come back to the studio with a lot of energy.”

Takeaway: Communicate openly about expectations and pressures with your partner — and have flexibility to dump preconceived notions about your work.

5. Know When to Let Go

The tough reality is, at some point one partner’s goals may overshadow the other. There are times when Henley knows she has to take a pause from her business — and that’s OK.

This willingness to put the group above the individual is, she believes, the real art of sacrifice. For her, it’s not martyrdom — it’s a conscious, joyful decision.

When looking at Henley’s social media feed, she has a busy professional life. But you'd be surprised: “I'm first and foremost a mother 90% of the time. When I paint, I use that whole day from eight to five and paint as much as possible, maximizing that time as efficiently as I can. I know it's not going to be like this forever — just for right now.”

When her artwork has to take a backseat, she has some seasoned strategies for business sustainability.

“I have people in place now to where I can come to work, do the creative, make the doodles for my textiles. Then someone else turns them into a product line," says Henley. "I’ve learned as an entrepreneur that you need to delegate!”

Takeaway: Prioritize family — let it be the guiding star for business and personal decisions.

Lean Into the Blueprint

Henley’s choices show that a mix of selflessness, strategy and love can be a winning combination. And when it works, “You’re just not going to believe where you’ll end up!” she adds.

That’s because sacrifice — when chosen with open eyes and an open heart — is not loss. It’s the formula for lasting success.