When it comes to a healthy work-life balance, Nadia, our e-commerce manager here at Laura Canada, has mastered a seemingly impossible feat – juggling a thriving career with motherhood. Whether she’s at work, overseeing the websites for Laura and Melanie Lyne, or watching her boys play soccer or baseball, Nadia is always striving to be her best. And, even with a full-time job and an active home life, Nadia still finds time to enjoy some of her favourite treats – Starbucks lattes and chocolate croissants.
Define what work-life balance means to you and how it relates to your own life and career.
I get to do what I love but, more importantly, spend time with my family, which means the world to me. I have three amazing boys and they make me so happy. I’m lucky to be their mom. Growing up, I knew I wanted to have a successful career. I was ambitious and constantly strove to be the best I could be in everything I did but, in my heart, I always knew I wanted to be a mom. To me, work-life balance means that I’m privileged to be able to accomplish both.
What do you actively do to achieve this balance?
I spend time with my friends, whom I consider my extended family. We’re happy simply being in each other’s company, catching up and enjoying the finer things life has to offer, like chocolate croissants and Starbucks lattes. I’ve also taken a liking to yoga because it’s a great way to rebalance. Besides strengthening your body, it quiets your mind.
Describe your role at the office. What makes it unique?
Working in e-commerce is fun and exciting. Technology changes all the time so we need to be innovative, creative and willing to adapt to change. I love what I do because I get to collaborate with various teams. Managing our websites is a collective effort and requires the expertise of many talented individuals. What makes my role unique is that I get to learn new things every day.
What types of activities do you enjoy outside of work?
Having three boys (four, including a husband), my life tends to revolve around sports. However, being a sports lover myself, this suits me just fine because I get to watch my boys play soccer and baseball. If they’re not playing sports, we’re watching sports. As of September, my home revolves around NFL football on Sundays, Monday nights, Thursday nights and, sometimes, Saturdays. I therefore live by the motto, “If you can’t beat them join them!”
Do you have any advice for someone trying to juggle the demands of their work and home life?
Yes, it’s important to plan and be well organized, preparing meals, meeting work deadlines and helping your kids with school projects, but it’s also important to stop, breathe, have fun and live in the moment. We’ll miss too much if we’re always worrying or thinking about what we have to do tomorrow.
