Susan is married with two young boys, and lives just outside of . She is the founder and designer of Susan Driver jewellery designs.
Q. What does a regular day look like for you?
A. I tend to burn the candle both ends. On mornings in Summer when it’s light I will get up and walk our dog and in Winter I will still try to get up and have my first coffee before the boys stir. Once everyone is moving I will check emails than drop the boys off to school, after that I might try to fit in a swim or head straight into the workshop where I design and make the Susan Driver jewellery. As is it an online brand I am constantly checking emails during the day. Apart from the help I get from Concierge Collective and my PR in Sydney it is all me at this stage so the juggle changes day to day. I pick the boys up most days, some days I head into the studio for a couple more hours or into the early hours. Other days I am back on the laptop once everyone is in bed.
Q. Do you feel as though you have enough ‘spare time’ in your week for things that you like doing?
A. I know I have neglected my fitness, so my promise to myself is ensuring spend any spare time I have becomes a routine for some cardio or pilates – fingers crossed. Spare time is hard when you are still trying to combine the jobs of mum on call with being the only employee trying to build a business, you grab what time you can am or pm.
Q. Do you feel your work and home lives are balanced?
A. I think it is a case of scheduling your time, however life is so fluid I find that balance is the first thing to go. Some people seem to have nailed it, I am not there yet, but working on it.
Q. Name three things you can’t live without?
A. It will sound cliched but my family, my friends and lots and lots of laughs.
Q. Do you have any ‘guilty pleasures’ in regards to your time?
A. Reading – which sounds crazy, but when you are in business build mode you really feel if it is not family time it should be work time, not twenty minutes on the bed reading time.
Q. Do you have any help around the house, and how has having them changed your lifestyle for the better?
A. All that said, I do have help. I truly value and consider myself fortunate, I have a weekly cleaner on a Friday who leaves everything spotless and a lovely ironing lady on a Monday whom I cannot see over the baskets of folding and ironing I leave her. My mother-in-law picks the boys up one afternoon a week and feeds them then my husband picks them up, and I have a wonderful group of friends if I need to call on someone. As mentioned I found the Concierge Collective at a point where I was spinning in circles not sure which project to tackle first when they all seemed urgent.
Q. What next big exciting event is on your ‘list’?
A. Ash clouds permitting my husband and I are heading to Bali for a couple of days to look into some business setups and I am looking forward to moving Susan Driver the brand into the next stage over the next few months, so those schedules are sure to be in motion again.