The past few weeks have been VERY busy.  I have quite a few new clients, a wedding that I’m planning, a new company that I’m trying to launch this year, AND I’m in graduate school and it’s finals!  I have been working around the clock with very little sleep, gym time, food time, play with puppy time, etc.  I was speaking to my friend and he explained that I just need to stop and go to bed.  However, I feel that whenever I get ready to do that, my brain thinks of “one more” thing to do.  I’m sure that this is not just the life of a busy entrepreneur but the typical story of many individuals who really enjoy the work that they do.  I really don’t see it as work, which is probably the problem.  My girlfriend and I were talking and she was explaining that she gets about 4 hours of sleep because of her ventures.  It’s very funny because her bbm (Blackberry Messenger) status is “I’m married to my CPA for now” and I can relate.  The work/life balance is being neglected at the present time, but I shall return to it in a few weeks.

Please tell me I’m not the only one doing this crazy cycle to myself.  Do you do the same thing, or what do you do to balance it all?

Tags: balancing, life, work
Posted in All In A Days Work, Balancing It All | 4 Comments »

When thinking about this interview, I thought it would be pretty normal from the perspective of having known Erika for approximately 4 years.  However, after delving into my questions, I really began to understand and have a deeper appreciation for my friend.  This profile was really supposed to be about her career path and successes as a business woman, but I have decided to shed light on how strong of a woman she is.

Erika Swilley took a life altering situation and made it her career mission.  At the age of 17, Erika’s brother (younger by 4 years) was killed in a car accident while being with friends.  This was the summer before her senior of high school.  She described some of the family dynamics of a father losing his only son, and a sister losing a bother that she was very close to.  Even at 17, she had a mature mindset about the tragedy.  When most could have had an array of emotions about the causers of the accident, Erika had a very mature take on it.  She was very fortunate to have a family that came together and provided a great support system, but even more so, the opportunity to take the situation a step further.

Erika’s brother dreamed of playing in the NBA.  So, Erika kind of takes her position with the Detroit Pistons as part of her brother.  In her position she helps individuals and communities on an everyday basis, which is sometimes her inspiration.

Erika says that from this experience she has realized that “your life and the people around you are so precious, and you have to know and make the best of your time here.  There are no guarantees in life.”  I found talking to  her about this to not only be surprisingly, but also inspiring to see how Erika took an absolutely horrible situation, and has made lots of good come from it.  I am SURE that she is making her brother proud.

To get back on the business-side of things, Erika’s desire to gain professional experience began while she was in high school, when many are not thinking about their future lives.  In high school, she got her feet wet by interning at Chicago radio stations in their marketing and promotions departments.  From there (in college), she furthered her professional experience by working at a marketing firm that worked with record labels (different artists campaigns).  During the school year she worked on campus but planning events for students.

Upon graduating from college, her first job was at a marketing company in Chicago, and her client was Ringley Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus.  While in that position, she traveled the nation doing community work and promotions, with the local cities that the circus went to.  After that, Erika worked with the Chicago park district creating programs and marketing campaigns that kept at-risk youth off the streets.  After gaining that experience, she joined the Detroit Pistons team and has been with them for 5 years.

When I asked about how she balances her personal life, with her time consuming work life, she stated that it’s definitely hard to balance the two, but she tries to leave work at work and surround herself with good people and family/friends.

The one word of advice she gives, that she wishes another successful woman would have told her, is that “you’re always going to be looked at different because you are a woman, you have to work much harder and you’re not going to be able to please everyone.”

Q & A:

What college did you attend? The University of Missouri-Columbia

What was your major? Marketing, Communications, and Sociology

What are your favorite beauty products? Moroccan oil products (shampoo condition, hydrating mask for hair.  Less is more.  Natural beauty is the prettiest.

What’s your guilty pleasure? Getting my nails and hair done.  I get them done more than the average person.

What’s your favorite book? I have quite a few, but the one I will say is something that can appeal to everyone.  It’s “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss.

I have a greater appreciation for life, and an even better one for my friend.  I hope that this may help or inspire you, if going through a similar situation.

Posted in All In A Days Work, Balancing It All, You Go Girl...Let Me Hear Your Story | 35 Comments »

I attended a meeting this evening with a group of women who have been friends for over 20 years (almost as long as I am old).  As an outsider, it was so interesting to see that the concept and interaction of “girlfriends” is the same regardless of age.  These women gossiped in the same manner, talked about “fine” dudes the same way we did and essentially had the young, “sex in the city” flair that me and my 20-something year old friends have that we think is unique to us.

It’s funny because I truly believe that 30 is the new 20.  These women (of which are our mothers) wear the same clothes as us, hang at the same spots as us, and have our “homeboy’s” looking at them like they’re just as fly as us.  All I can say is that I am happy with this shift.  I am happy to see women embrace their age with grace, elegance, yet still have a sense of sexiness and feminity.  I also LOVE that women are taking care of themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Looking at them makes me not worry about getting older.

This concept was kind of why I created this blog.  I have been inspired by so many of these diva-like women who can balance successful careers, family, travels, fitness/healthy lifestyles, etc. that I thought I should share the wealth.

Once again, it feels so good to kick back and kick it with your girlfriends.

Posted in All In A Days Work, Balancing It All, Girls Nights | 3 Comments »