THE BIG QUESTIONS
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL TITLE?
Lauren: I am an entrepreneur, accountant and nutritional therapist.
Vicky: I am a blogger, content creator and event producer helping busy entrepreneurs seeking healthier ways to eat and live.
WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
Lauren: My days are varied which is the way I like it. It can involve working with Vicky on creating content for The Reset, meeting nutrition clients and also using my accountancy expertise to further my husbands property business. I also do a lot of CPD!
Vicky: A mix! Contacting brands about sponsoring or exhibiting at events, writing content for my blog, developing recipes and photographing the results, scheduling social media for The Reset or my own blog, or sorting out logistics and schedules for events I’m organising.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD AND WHAT CHANGED?
Lauren: I wanted to be lots of different things (which hasn’t really changed). The ones that stick out though include a pilot and a civil engineer. I still want to get my PPL.
Vicky: I wanted to be a vet when I was small! Then I wanted to work in classical music, which is exactly what I ended up doing for 10 years, organising concerts and tours around the world.
WHAT ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU HAVE?
Lauren: I hold a Bachelor of Commerce from U.C.D, a Professional qualification in Management Accountancy and a Diploma in Nutritional Therapy.
Vicky: I have a first class Honours degree in History from Southampton University.
WHAT’S THE BEST CAREER ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Lauren: Not specifically career advice but “if it doesn’t feel right it’s probably not” was the best advice I’ve ever been given. It can be applied to pretty much everything.
Vicky: Do you know what, I’m not sure I’ve ever been given any. I was told by one mentor to “stop worrying, get married and have a baby” - so that’s probably the worst advice!
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY?
Lauren: Any woman who has a successful career and has a family is a role model to me. When I worked in the Corporate world I saw how difficult it was to juggle.
Vicky: I tend not to have role models, I don’t want to (and can’t) replicate someone else’s experience and strengths. The people that inspire me the most are friends and family who are forging their own paths and setting up their own businesses.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT WORKING ENVIRONMENT?
Lauren: The flexibility and the impact that I have.
Vicky: Totally with Lauren on this - the flexibility to fit around the things I consider important and actually seeing a direct impact of the work you put in on your audience and customers.
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR DAILY WORK ROUTINE IF YOU COULD?
Lauren: I’m relatively new to working for myself so sometimes I’d appreciate a little more me time but that will come.
Vicky: More hours in the day?! I’d love to be able to afford a shared work place to interact with more people and be continually inspired by others and what they are creating. I hope it will come!
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME?
Lauren: I’m quite happy to let my career evolve naturally for now. As long as I’m learning I’m happy.
Vicky: Not a clue and I’m comfortable with that. Hopefully still a multi-hyphen career, doing lots of things that I love and make me feel fulfilled.
DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN BE THE SAME PERSON AT WORK AND IN PRIVATE?
Lauren: Yes I think being your authentic self in work and in private is the key to your success in all areas of your life.
Vicky: Absolutely. I’m a terrible liar and I’ve never been good at being fake or putting on a front. What you see is what you get in every aspect of my life.
WHERE AND IN WHAT ROLES ARE WOMEN IN THE LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AT YOUR COMPANY?
Lauren: Well seeing as it’s just myself and Vicky right now its 100% female however when I worked as an accountant in banking there were very few women who worked in senior roles.
DOES DIVERSITY MATTER TO YOU?
Lauren: Yes but it’s more important to have the right person for the role. People need to be judged on their skills and suitability for a role.
Vicky: Definitely, I don’t think people can be inspired if they don’t see others that are like them achieving what they dream of doing.
HOW GOOD IS YOUR WORK LIFE BALANCE?
Lauren: It varies…my husband works for himself as well so we talk about work a lot. But we enjoy it so for the most part so we don’t mind.
Vicky: It’s fairly good, but when you’re running your own business or businesses sometimes it feels like all you can think about and any hour can be used to work! I find it hard to switch off sometimes, but I do prioritise getting to the gym in the morning and give myself a cut off time in the evening for getting off phone and laptop.
WHAT QUALITIES DOES BEING IN YOUR ROLE NECESSITATE?
Lauren: Can I say everything?! Some that stick out are communication, positivity, drive and determination
Vicky: Creativity, communication skills, organisation and adaptability.
ANY FINAL COMMENTS?
We've made changes in our lives in the last few years, both big and small, to reach where we are today as a Nutritional Therapist and event producer and food blogger. If you want to find more fulfilment, to manage your stress better, to have more fun, to worry less and to find likeminded people to help you achieve your goals and ambitions, The Reset is for you.