Welcome to the third interview in my Working Mum Series with Aimee Dunne, luxury event and wedding planner. I had the pleasure of first meeting Aimee many years ago as she organised our wedding back in 2013 at Hedsor House. Aimee is amazing at what she does, from the idea generation stage at the beginning of the planning process, all the way through to the organisation on the big day, nothing was too much trouble, and everything was possible – even when things went wrong. She created a fairytale wedding for us with memories that we will cherish forever. I personally couldn’t recommend Aimee enough if you’re about to get married or are planning an event. She has also planned some fab events abroad which look amazing. Check out her Instagram and website here for some of the latest – serious cake and flower envy!
I hope you enjoy the interview…it seems like two of us have a Zara addiction!
Lisa
xoxo
Lisa at Cityrunmum talks to AIMEE DUNNE:
- Please introduce yourself – what is your job, how many children you have, where you are from, etc?
I’m a luxury wedding and event planner, based in Beckenham, South East London. I have two children, Lola aged 11 and Shay 6.
- How many days/hours a week do you work?
My hours are slightly crazy as a planner and certainly not 9-5! I usually checking my email at 5am to clear my inbox before the day starts, then dealing with client meetings and calls or venue visits during the day and often evenings. I also often work weekends as many of my clients can only meet over the weekend or I’ll have weddings or events generally on Saturdays.
- Describe a typical working day in your household (i.e. morning routines with nursery/school drop offs to evening)
5am in the office at home checking emails. I have the kids up by 7am, breakfast and get them ready for school so we can leave by 8.30am. Then I’ll either have meetings, generally in Central London but they can be at client’s homes, so will either drive or catching a train. Fortunately my husband is a professional footballer so he finishes work by 1pm and can be back to collect the kids from school. I try and get home by 5pm so I can see the kids and help with dinner and homework – we like routine in our house. There is definitely a bit of juggling though if I have evening meetings and my husband Alan has evening football matches, so we have to make sure we know each other’s schedule well!
- How do you balance working life with motherhood? And what/who do you rely on to make it work?
I’ve learnt that striving for a balance is hard and often there is not a ‘balance’ as such. Some days things are easy, and others are completely crazy, so it’s just about getting on with it and making it work as best you can. As working mums we’re always looking for this perfect balance, but we also have so many demands on us that it’s hard and we need to be realistic and kind to ourselves. I rely on my husband to make things work and it really is a team effort and down to good planning. I also confess to having a cleaner and someone to help out with the kids when Alan and I can’t be at home due to work.
- What is the best thing about being a working mum?
I love that my kids see me work and do a job I love. I think it’s good for my daughter to see that women can do whatever they put their minds to but also the reality that it’s not always easy and it takes teamwork. Likewise, for my son, to see what women can do and what a working mum does. When they meet someone I want them to see that both parents can work as well as be around for their kids, but it’s all about teamwork. We always talk about being a team in our house and I think it’s really important my kids learn that. I also get to do a job I love and also spend lots of time with my kids. Ultimately nothing beats being a mum.
- And the hardest?
Juggling things and when you can’t balance everything. Sometimes it’s hard to schedule everything and keep everyone happy. At the moment my daughter is in her final weeks of primary school and has a busier schedule than me. I’m also in the middle of planning a big event and it’s hard to be at everything that’s important to her at school and also manage my own schedule. This is the reality of trying to keep everyone happy and balance everything as a working mum!
- How do you unwind? Balancing motherhood with work can be relentless so what do you do to relax when you’re not at work/with the kid(s)?
I like to read and take my mind somewhere else rather than worrying about schedules! Also hot yoga which is also great for helping me to relax.
- What is your proudest mum moment?
I have so many but when I get told how wonderful my kids are, how polite they are and how hard working they are at school and generally what lovely happy kids they are. I love my job but my kids and their happiness is the most important thing to me and sometimes when life is busy you wonder how well you’re managing it all and question if you should be at home full time. When I see how happy they are and when I’m told this, it makes my heart smile!
- Do you feel that motherhood has changed you, and if so, how?
Absolutely, and for the better. It makes you realise what’s most important in life, and appreciate all the little things and precious moments. As your kids grow up you realise how quickly time flies by and you learn to appreciate and make the most of all the wonderful, precious moments you have together and also just to appreciate the simple things in life that really matter.
- What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing working mums at the moment?
Juggling everything. People see images of woman that have it all and seemingly easy lives with wonderful jobs, happy marriages and beautiful happy children. They often don’t see how hard this is to achieve and the struggle that goes on behind the scenes. Juggling everything is hard and as working mums we sometimes need to be a bit more realistic and realise it’s not all so easy.
- What is your proudest work achievement?
I have loads but when clients tell me how happy they are. Planning weddings and celebrations for people is a wonderful thing to do for a living and when you’re thanked for this and see the joy it brings people, it’s really special.
- What does ‘flexible working’ mean to you’?
Juggling! Being flexible is all about being flexible when needed and juggling. Woman saying, I’ll work from home one day or work 10-4, for example, doesn’t always work. True flexible working means working around our schedules, both our work and personal schedule, and understanding that this changes, a lot!
13. What are your go to stores/websites/blogs for your working wardrobe, and what are your staple pieces as a working mum?
Zara. I’m always in Zara and have a bit of a bad online shopping habit there! I find they’re just great for a working mums wardrobe. I also travel a lot, with the kids and also with work and they do some great clothes for travelling – also for the kids wardrobes.
- Finally, what advice would you give to new working mums? I.e. those who are just going back to work from maternity leave, setting up their own businesses, or going for a new job?
Be kind to yourself. We expect so much of ourselves as working mum these days, and we could do with being a little kinder. Our babies grow up very quickly and we should cherish the moments we have with them; we can’t get them back. Plan your work or your business but also be realistic and be open to plans changing. Our lives and businesses can take us down different paths we didn’t expect so be open to this and trust your intuition; women have the most amazing intuition and we all need to listen to it more. Also early mornings, I swear by them!
