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balance. kids, work, + being a professional.

Writer's picture: catherine + jackiecatherine + jackie

Updated: Feb 25, 2020

Life can be hard when it comes to balancing everything. Catherine + Jackie are mothers, wives, + professionals. They are learning the "how to's" of balancing their roles in everyday life one day at a time. They decided to compile a list of questions, that they felt would give some insight to their viewers who may be struggling with similar balancing acts. The best part of answering these questions was that Catherine + Jackie opened up and learned a lot about themselves + each other.


 

How do you balance your personal / family schedule and your business schedule?


C: Honestly… it depends on the day. I wish I had a cut + dry answer to this. I could use all the advice I can get from other working moms. However, I def try to create as much balance as possible + if it’s not working my husband will be the first one to say something. Trust me. - The mornings are dedicated to my kids, 100%. I can’t even take a call or answer an email until everyone is up, dressed, fed, packed, kissed + out the door. When my kids are at school I am more free to focus on everything else. I make lists, and lots of them… I work off those lists all day with hopes that my evenings can then be dedicated to my family ( husband included! ) this doesn’t always happen. I have to get better at putting down my phone + stepping away in the evenings. I tend to eat dinner + work at the same time these days. But so does my husband, I have chalked it up to the fact that we are both young ( haha! ) professionals with our own companies + we have passion for what we do. Sounds like a nice excuse! Balance is tough and everyone has their own idea of balance, if it works for you and your family then do that, because at the end of the day that’s all the matters.


J: I agree with C on this one… it depends on the day. I am realizing that I have a great sense of how to balance other people’s needs but not so much my own. When I have something scheduled for my daughter like swim class or library, it always happens without question. When meetings are scheduled for F + F, they always happen. When I schedule things for myself on the other-hand, those things are always the first to fly out the window. I need to start creating more space for scheduling ME time and sticking to it so I can be a better wife, mother, friend, business partner, ect… (See below for my new ME time plan! lol)


 

What does your self care routine look like?


C: I struggle with consistency in my self care routine. Sometimes I am lucky to sneak in a shower in the middle of the day. But the one thing I never miss is washing my face + using a face oil at night. I’ve tried so many trendy self care routines + always found that my best approach is to just go with the flow and whatever I have time for works for me + that's ok. I might not always get as much water as I might have wanted + I may not make it to barre class as many times a week as I wish but I do give it effort + feel like I am healthy in the aspect that I am happy with being able to do simple rituals like wash my face + use my fav face oil ( cocokind facial repair, it's the best! ). Balancing kids + your personal self care routine could be its own self help book topic.


J: Right now I don’t have much of a “routine” but things that I make sure to do that fill my self-care “bucket” if you will. Being a mom is freaking hard. Becoming a mom and starting a business within the same 3 months is freaking crazy. Without these very small acts of kindness for myself, life would be much more difficult.

Perinatal Therapist - oh so necessary.

Face Masks - Two Nellie naps a week - mama does a face mask!

Podcasts + Audible Books anytime I am driving.

Monthly Book Club - a group of like-minded friends to share ideas, laughs, + wine.

Nellie’s bedtime routine has gotten earlier as of late so this week I am signed up for two 7:30pm yoga classes and I am beyond excited Looking forward to taking advantage of early bedtimes + adding to my self-care “bucket” with some much needed ME time.


 

What were you scared of the most when launching Feather + Finn?


C: Oh sh*t I have to do this. No like, I really have to do this and put myself out there to the world. If you don’t know me personally ( yet ) I am a very quiet + reserved person. I love sharing my emotions + opening up with my family + friends, but when it comes to exposing my creativity it’s tough.


J: I was most afraid of balancing my time and not being able to give my daughter the time she needs or Feather + Finn the time it needs. Now that I am in it and working on finding balance, I am realizing that I am capable of so much more than I give myself credit for.


 

You learn so much about yourself when starting a business - what is something you’ve learned about yourself personally + professionally?


C: This is easy - for me personally + professionally I have learned the same thing about myself… I DO NOT CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK. Boom! I said it. It took me a long time to realize this was something I was capable of, but when launching Feather + Finn it all became apparent. I don’t need the approval of anyone to pursue my passion. I just stuck to my vision + didn’t let others sway me. I shared with the world my vision without having self doubt. And that is amazing. It’s also amazing for me as a co-founder, I have a high level of self confidence and I can share that with my co-founder + show her exactly what I am capable of.


J: I am capable of so much more than I give myself credit for. I can cross everything off my to do list while working from home by answering emails, calls, + text messages, sending POs, staging, photographing, + editing content, all while caring for my daughter by bringing her to class at the library, nursing, + keeping her on her nap schedule. It takes looking back at a day like that and thinking about all that I accomplished in 24 hours to realize how capable I am but it is pretty freaking cool.


 


What’s the first thing you do in the morning?


C: roll over and kiss my 3 year old son, drake. he is typically in bed with us by like 6am + seeking breakfast. I don’t even set an alarm clock anymore, kids are like clockwork.


J: I kiss my husband goodbye as he leaves for work + snuggle my 5 month old, Nellie, who is ALL smiles in the am. Then coffee + a smoothie.


 

How do you take your coffee?


C: cold brew with cold foam + 3 pumps of sugar free vanilla - the biggest one they have.


J: It is completely dependent on the day - iced coffee black or an iced flat white made with almond milk + sweet cold foam. Two total extremes.


 

Do you make your bed everyday?


C: I literally can’t even go about my day knowing my bed isn’t made! So yes! The best part is my husband totally doesn’t get it - he doesn’t see the point in making the bed if we are just going to sleep in it that night. It drives me crazy!


J: My mom is going to be so disappointed… I’m working on it. I love when I do but it doesn’t always happen.


 

What is a piece of advice you can give to a mother who may be struggling with saying “no” to a work obligation when her kids + family need her.


C: this literally just happened to me last week + this week. First off, there is this wave of guilt that comes over you where you just aren’t sure what to do. Your children are very clearly your first priority, and need you. But first things first, exhaust all scenarios + options you have before jumping into action canceling all meetings + buzzing off to school to pick them up. Remember you are a professional + like everything else you can give yourself the grace to take a minute and make the best decision for your family and yourself. Of course, if it’s an emergency run to those kids faster than you’ve ever run… BUT… if not, think it through before making any quick decisions. In today's incredible + evolving world, working moms are popular and bring amazing qualities to a company. When creating a business relationship set the table that your a mom and your children come first. Devise a plan + explain the plan to all people involved in your personal and business connections for the day. If you are open + honest with your business relationships you will be granted the grace you want. It also totally helps to have a co-founder ( like I do ) who guides you through all the above. Reminding you of your own words and allowing you to get through the guilt phase and come up with a plan. You have the power to say “no” without sounding like a total you know what + keeping your work relationship in a good place.


J: This is short + sweet for me… Trust your intuition. If something feels right, do it. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t. At the end of the day, your family comes first no matter what.


 

What is one professional goal you have set for Feather + Finn?


C + J: Oh this is tough... the goal list is so long because we are such a new company. One that comes to mind instantly for both of us is creating a community of women who utilize our event space to promote themselves + build their dreams with us. At the end of the day it’s about the community we build + the support we give to all the amazing companies that are in our same boat. This is so silly, but one of our fav feelings is when we are scrolling through Instagram and something truly resonates with us. We get that “Ooohhh… I wanna share it with our followers” vibe. It reminds us how we are all in this together + how important it is to support each other.


 

In 3 words describe Catherine.


J: supportive, creative, + passionate


In 3 words describe Jackie.


C: nurturing, bubbly, + my person ( 2 words, but it’s true )


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