Love Is A Full-Time Job

WRITTEN BY MONA HOLMES-NISKER
PHOTOGRAPHED BY HARTONO TAI

February 2010 - Vol 6, No 2

Most couples would say working and living together isn’t possible. Three Long Beach couples say otherwise.

Masy & Jim Bunnell
Owners, Total Network Solutions

A typical day for Jim and Masy Bunnell starts at 4 a.m. Masy feeds 10-week-old son Parker, checks emails until 6:45 a.m., and then wakes up five-year-old Sophia. School drop-offs start at 8:30 a.m., after which Masy heads into the office with Parker. Although the Bunnells tend to spend early mornings running a number of errands, the two manage to always appear alert and energetic.

For this couple, life is all about family and community.

From their day-to-day business operations to their participation in the non-profit community, their success is built on their close-knit relationship and love for Long Beach. The Bunnells own Total Network Solutions, which provides IT services for businesses in the city. Masy said she loves spending up to 40 hours a week working with her husband because it allows them to squeeze in quality time together. Masy appreciates the conversations at work without the kids. “There’s a lot of jokes or ‘I forgot to tell you this’ moments, which are very special to me,” she said.

Two years ago, Masy quit a demanding job in politics to join TNS, which wasn’t always smooth sailing. “I gave my notice about four times in the first six months!,” Masy laughs. “To all of a sudden come from one industry (politics) to another (technology) was a challenge. It was very humbling.” By getting on board at TNS, the Bunnells were able to have what most couples want: more family time.

Jim credits much of the company’s success to his wife. “I put everything in her hands and don’t worry about it. We wouldn’t be in the position we are now without her,” he said.

After Jim launched TNS in 1998, the couple wed in 2004, welcomed their daughter Sophia in 2005 and their son Parker last November. Everything became a balancing act. “Masy never lets me get too far in the work zone and lose sight of what’s really important, which is family,” said Jim while smiling at Masy.

In addition to their annual family vacation, last year the Bunnells went on a romantic Italian getaway to Rome, Florence and Venice. Recently, the couple spent their weekly date night on the rooftop at Michael’s Restaurant.

When the Bunnells are not working and making time for each other, they make an effort to get involved in other activities.

The couple volunteer with numerous non-profit organizations. Jim found his calling when asked to serve on the Long Beach Day Nursery board. The nursery is the area’s oldest childhood care facility providing low or no-cost day care to working parents.

Masy discovered her passion with Children Today, a local organization that provides free child care and family support services to children experiencing homelessness in the City of Long Beach. Children receive specialized early care and education services designed to counter the traumatic effects of homelessness while parents receive assistance transitioning from homelessness to a home.“Families receive dental care, immunizations, or planning for families to transition from homelessness to their first apartment,” said Masy, who has been on the board for almost two years. “I love it.”

Jim is quick to attribute the success of TNS to the generosity of the Long Beach community that has supported them. “We’ve grown so much as a couple and as a business,” said Jim. “We owe a lot to the city for where we are today.”

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