Life can get extremely busy and hectic - especially when you’re a career mum running to the office in between changing diapers or tucking your little ones into their cots at night. Francesca Peskops manages to run her own successful events company and look after two young boys, by being extremely time efficient with her lifestyle. Read on to find out more:
Name: Francesca Peskops
Website/blog: www.eventemporium.com.au
Social media:
Facebook
Instagram
Tell us a bit about yourself and your child/children….
Well, like most mums I am busy! I have two young boys and run a business. I started Event Emporium ten years ago just after I had my first son so the last decade has been flat out. I’m a real foodie, passionate about travel, and love being out in nature. So I also try to carve out some ‘me time’ to do those things.
What is the name of your business and what does your work entail?
My business is named Event Emporium and we are a boutique events agency in Sydney, running incredible events all over Australia for big brands like Samsung and Disney. I’m the co-founder and creative director of my business so am largely responsible for the big ideas our clients need to execute their events. I’m also the internal comms point person, I love developing each of our team members to help them build the unique skillset that successful event managers need.
What made you decide to be both a mum and a career woman?
I had reached the top of my game and the next step was to own my own events agency. I was lucky enough to know another events expert and friend who was keen to join forces. At the point in my life when we started Event Emporium I had just started my motherhood journey. So the business has grown with my family. They are both interwoven and I can’t imagine one without the other, I love my work and my family.
What challenges do you face balancing both roles and how do you overcome them?
Well the obvious issue is time! Most mums can sympathise with this. Sometimes I need to do a long day in the office but the kids day at school is short. I share the childcare with my husband who also works full time. Generally one of us will do the morning and another will do the after school care. Our kids are old enough now to walk themselves home from school so that’s freed us up a little!
I have also had to become good at compartmentalising. So when I’m at work and need to be creative I can get in the zone. Likewise, when I’m with the kids I can focus on them without fretting about work.
What is one tip you have for unwinding after a stressful day?
My tip would be to completely change the tune by getting outside into nature and don’t take any technology with you!
What is one fun weekend activity that your family enjoys together?
We live by the beach so we go for walks and swims together nearly all year round.
What is one time-saving parenting tip you can recommend?
Use the time you’re in and out of the car to take meetings on the phone. Get a good phone connection set up and do your staff meetings done on the way into the office! This saves me at least two hours a day.
What benefits do you think there are to being a career mum?
I’m not a time waster! I want to spend quality time with my family and productive time on my business so I’m 100% dedicated to whatever I’m doing at the time.
Lastly, what do you do to ensure you maintain a strong bond with your child/children, despite having numerous responsibilities?
We spend our weekends together. We also make sure we spend several weeks together each year on holidays away from our laptops.
Disconnecting and spending time with your family, especially during designated family time or when on a trip, is one of the best ways to bond! No matter how busy you are, if you make the most of the time that you have, there’s no limits on what you can accomplish.
