Welcome to August’s Working Mum Series. I hope you’ve all managed to have a lovely holiday or break over the summer. Whether that’s a ‘staycation’ or further afield, making the most of the good weather is key before Autumn and winter set in.
This month’s interview is with Zara McGregor who is the Founder and designer of gorgeous jewellery brand – Refined Delux. Zara talks a little bit about her brand below, and I have also added a link to the website and Instagram page. Be warned, you will want everything you see – there are so many divine, classic pieces that will last a lifetime. You will probably recognise the Halo pearl earrings that I have and treasure – a firm favourite in my jewellery collection.
Zara’s interview gives us an insight into her working life as a mother balancing numerous roles. Her answers will resonate with many, in particular her response to question 11 about the current challenges facing working mothers. Her references to ‘super mums’ and ‘comparison’ (which we all know is the thief of joy) are important to recognise and acknowledge in our era of raising children . We are all different, doing our own things, in our own ways and we must remember that. Particularly when using social channels.
I hope you enjoy Zara’s interview as much as I have, and please do feel free to drop me a message/comment if you have any questions or would like to be part of the series.
Lisa
xoxo
Refined Delux
Website – https://www.refineddelux.com/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rdlux/
- Please introduce yourself – what is your job, how many children you have, where you are from etc.
Hi, I’m Zara and I’m the founder / designer of Refined Delux (or RDLux for short) Jewellery Label. RDLux is all about jewellery without compromise – precious, luxe and eco-conscious. Our jewellery is made either in our Shropshire studio or within small-scale Goldsmiths.
I have one child and work in Finance alongside building my jewellery brand. I am from Shropshire but between my husband and I we have a multi-cultural family heritage from Asia to Europe and the Caribbean.
2. How many days/hours a week do you work?
I work full time in Finance and work on my Jewellery brand in my (very limited) spare time in between being a wife and Mummy.
3. Describe a typical working day in your household (i.e. morning routines with nursery/school drop offs to evening bedtime)
Our routine has been flipped on it’s head since Lockdown – my husband and I have both worked from home throughout with our little boy here too – it’s been an interesting time having a 2 year old around trying to juggle everything! Routines are crucial for us – before and since Lockdown, we have them for nap time, activity time throughout the day and for wind-down time from 5pm which includes bath time, story time and bed time. Once we’re back into the swing of nursery as of September it will all change again!
4. How do you balance working life with motherhood? And what/who do you rely on to make it work?
I think this is what has been most challenging during Lockdown as before, it was easy to clearly designate time to work and then to our son – I have had some serious mum-guilt throughout Lockdown at trying to ensure he has enough stimulation and education as well as play time and chill time too whilst I am working. I’m not sure that there is a magic formula (if there is someone please let me know!) but we always like to make sure that he has quality time with us both every day.
My husband and I have to be a really strong team – this has been particularly evident throughout Lockdown, sharing the balance of work and childcare. We also rely on our parents for lots of support, we are really lucky to live close by to them all so our son (pre-lockdown) spends good time with all of his Grandparents.
5. What is the best thing about being a working mum?
Since becoming a mum my motivation around work has definitely become all about providing for your family and striving to do everything I can to make our lives the best they can be – setting a great example of being hardworking but also making sure we have wonderful family holidays and time together too. With my jewellery brand I’m always conscious of what my legacy will be and having something to hand on to our children.
6. And the hardest?
Missing out on the little things your child does and says throughout the day…the bonus of lockdown has been the ability to be around him all day and witness lots of these that we wouldn’t normally be able to.
7. How do you unwind? Motherhood (as well as work!) can be relentless – what do you do to relax?
I like to make sure we have a family holiday every year – for me, its key that my husband and I get to switch off and have some fully-relaxing time. Week to week, my relaxation time is mostly spent on Jewellery as that’s what I genuinely enjoy doing but I also love relaxing with a cup of tea and a (rare) 10 minutes to myself to watch something on Netflix or YouTube.
I also try to invest time in a skin-care routine every evening and a Manicure every fortnight (I’ve learned how to do my own nails during Lockdown!) – I know self-care is so important so I’m trying to get better at making the time for it as its usually the first thing to go on busy days.
8. How do you manage your relationship with your husband/partner as well as working and juggling the daily life of raising children?
Pre-lockdown we had gotten back into the swing of having date nights away together which had been wonderful but in recent weeks instead we have ordered in from one of our favourite local restaurants and had an evening just the two of us after our son has gone to bed. It’s key to keep enjoying time together – laughing, relaxing and having fun so that you don’t just go into auto pilot in the day to day routines. My husband is also really supportive of my Jewellery brand and I’ll often ask for his opinion or advice on important decisions or strategies. Making time to invest in each other’s interests – being interested in what each other is doing so that you can support each other’s hobbies, ventures or whatever it may be.
9. Do you feel that motherhood has changed you, and if so, how?
Absolutely – although I always wanted children I never anticipated the unparalleled love, joy and patience that motherhood has shown me, it has definitely rekindled interests (eg. Researching nutrition, natural health and well-being) and shown me strengths in myself that I didn’t realise, as well as definite (& essential) skills in multi-tasking and organisation!
10. Can you tell us one lesson that you have learned from your child/children and one that you have taught them?
My son has definitely taught me about being present – I’m so conscious of how much screen time I have when he is around and not missing out on even the tiniest but most amazing things he does because I’m preoccupied with something that is ultimately far less important.
Most people who meet our son comment on what a happy child he is so I’d hope that we are giving him a happy and fulfilling childhood – we always try to teach him good manners, how to stay safe, to be careful and to be clean and tidy but balance that with lots of cuddles, fun and playtime. I think Balance is a key word I have used frequently throughout the journey of motherhood so far – it’s a constant consideration for me in making sure he has the best balance all round.
11. What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing working mothers at the moment?
For me I think its comparison – in a world filled with examples of ‘what good looks like’ its so easy to constantly compare to what others are doing or how they’re doing it, I’ve had to really work hard at staying true to myself, not trying to live up to examples of others and instead do what I know is right for me, my business and of course my family. It’s taken me a good while to understand that doing your absolute best – with whatever time you have – is all that you can do and as long as you’re sure of that in yourself that’s an amazing achievement. I think there is often an unspoken expectation on women with children to be ‘super-mums’ and actually every one completely is but in their own personal way.
12. What does ‘flexible working’ mean to you’?
I’m lucky enough in my Finance job to have experienced real support for flexible working so for me, it means having the flexibility to do your job / work your hours in the routine or pattern that best suits you. Again, lockdown has really magnified this (although lockdown has had its drawbacks I think there is also a lot of positive to be taken or to be learned from us all having to adapt to such a different way of life) and I am so lucky to have had a manager who completely understood my position and supported me however I needed.
Having my own business is probably the opposite of this in that being a small-business at the moment I have to utilise every spare moment to get things done – being agile and adaptive is key to this and having the flexibility to pick something up and run with it when you have the time whilst still being effective.
13. What are your go to stores/websites/blogs for your work and everyday wardrobe, and what are your staple pieces as a working mum?
I am a huge fan of (of course) @Cityrunmum and also @wearetwinset, @HannahCoffin @Hollyannascarsella and @NatalieBrown01 for all round working Mum inspiration – whether that’s fashion, lifestyle or Mum-hacks.
I am trying to be more sustainable with my own wardrobe so buying pre-owned where I can, investing in pieces that I know will last and buying items that are classic over trend-led. I always love Reiss and Zara as my go-to high street stores.
Staple pieces for me include:
- A Luxe Tracksuit – Reiss have just launched a new collection that were instantly on my wish list
- A silk skirt – something you can dress up or down – great with a t-shirt and denim jacket for the nursery run.
- A go-to dress – I have a bit of a dress obsession as I always feel most comfortable in them so finding really beautiful dresses that give you instant confidence makes getting ready in a rush so much easier!
- Capsule Jewellery pieces – I always find that whether I’m in a tracksuit or a dress, adding my favourite pieces of jewellery completely finishes my look and makes me feel put-together. RDLux was founded on this ethos – versatile and lasting jewellery that means you don’t have to compromise on quality.
- 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?
I’d say take a step back and reflect on who you are before diving back in – being in the midst of having a new baby and the incredible emotions that go with that can make you forget ‘you’ and what an amazing job you have / are going to do. I found that doing my hair and makeup and getting dressed for the office (pre-lockdown) really helped boost my confidence and was exciting after months in Maternity clothes. This also helped me to re-discover my own true style as getting ready was fun again.
If you’re setting up a business or starting a new job write out your aspirations – don’t limit yourself, believe in what you can achieve and know your strengths, skills and attributes (which are now probably even broader and stronger having become a Mum).
Most importantly, know what’s important to you and where your priorities lie – work to live and not the other way around.
