Where do you currently live?
Avalon, Sydney, Australia
What currently keeps you busy?
A nine month old baby girl and a 3 month old business.
With your beautiful brand Prodjuice, what drove you to launch such a business? I previously owned a café, it was a fun, successful business but I set it up in such a rush I never really considered the work that would be involved, it’s an all consuming business owning anything in hospitality I think. I knew I’d never do that again, give my entire life up to work, so I was looking for something with a simple business model. Juice, fresh, in a bottle, what could be more simple? Or so I thought…perhaps I haven’t quite got the life/work balance perfected, but I am closer than I was.
What have been the major joys to date with Prodjuice? Pouring bright pink watermelon juice into the very first labeled Prodjuice bottle, it’s so fulfilling to see the brand you’ve been working so hard on coming to life! And of course selling out at our first Markets was a joyous occasion.
With Prodjuice, what have been the biggest hurdles you have jumped? Oh gosh…. perhaps it was single handedly moving 6 pallets of glass bottles (10 000 bottles) from one side of our warehouse to the other using an industrial crane & a Kennard’s Hire palette jack. Yep…that was an interesting day.
What do you do to stay healthy, and live a balanced lifestyle? Try my best; I’m by no means strict or perfect. I don’t have set regimen I just try to consume fresh, nutrient rich food as often as possible. I make a lot of things myself from scratch; I have a real interest in beautiful produce and fresh food. In terms of exercise, it kind of fits in to my lifestyle naturally. I surf, paddleboard, do yoga and walk a lot for enjoyment so it’s never a chore, it’s just part of life. Having said all that, I suffered from Chronic fatigue as a teenager so learnt some real lifestyle tools that are so engrained in me now I don’t even think I notice I do them. I guess I sleep well, eat well, exercise, meditate and it all helps me stay on track. I know the warning signs of becoming ill again and I know how to stop it in it’s tracks pretty quickly these days.
How do you approach meditation? With an open mind. Just let it be I think.
What does a typical day look like for you? At the moment….chaos! I’m working from home with my baby here as much as possible, so I do all the normal Mummy things in a day plus the work things. Mediation fits in when Edie naps, or right before bed, it helps me sleep. We’ll take some breaks in the day for a walk to the shops or a play at the beach. If it’s a week when we’re selling at the market’s things get even crazier. I’m off to the markets at 4am on a Friday and pretty much work away from home through until the end of Sunday. At the moment I’m just doing whatever I can to get everything that needs doing done. I wish it’s was more under control, but it’s just part of the ebb and flow of life. Things will settle soon.
What do you do daily that is non negotiable? My dear friend Laura taught me the art of Vedic Meditation, ever since it’s been a non-negotiable part of my day. I meditate preferably twice a day, but always at least once. If I’m really stressed three times and if I have a spare hour I’ll do a round.
How do you define creativity? You know, I think there’s more to it than we generally perceive. Everyone has the capacity for it, but it’s how or if we choose to use it that makes the difference and I think this rises from consciousness. Creativity is not necessarily art or design or even music or dance; to me it is lateral thinking, problem solving, expansion of the mind, pushing to a new place. To be creative is to give birth to something new. The best creative’s seem to let this come from within, it is never forced, it just is. You just have to learn to access it, that’s what separates people.
What brings you the most joy in your life? My daughter, Edie Sunshine. She is exactly that, a little golden light.
What do you define as happiness? Defining happiness is difficult, but I think learning to realise you can’t continue to think ahead into the future and hope for happiness. Be present and except the now and joy will come naturally. So many people think they will be happy one day when “this” or “that” happens or changes in their life, but the reality is, you have to wake up that day and choose to be happy yourself, right there and then.
What do you consider your greatest achievement to be? Giving birth to a pretty perfect baby girl.
What qualities do you seek in people? Honesty, humility, ambition, kindness, compassion, support, knowledge, loyalty, dedication, creativity. It’s nice to surround yourself with people you aspire to be like. I’d like to think they rub off on you.
What is a saying or motto you live by or that is relevant to you right now? I ask myself everyday “What are you grateful for today?”.
