Mother’s Day
People Passion has a particularly strong connection with motherhood, as our Director, Lara was pregnant with her youngest son, Jack, while raising two young children, when she thought it would be a perfect time to conceptualise her passion and create People Passion.
People Passion accidentally (but proudly) are a team of women, and over 50% of our team are mothers, juggling raising children, their passion for their careers and making time for themselves. Lara is the ‘OG’ People Passion working-mum, knowing the importance of having a workplace that supports mums to be able to have a career they’re passionate about, while also being able to be there for those special moments with their kids.
This Mother’s Day we interviewed our People Passion working-mums, they all have had their own unique journeys within motherhood and their careers, and we feel particularly proud to work alongside them.
If you’re a new mum, working mum, stay at home mum, solo mum, future mum, step-mum, fur mum, a solo dad, or you just simply love your mum – then this one’s for you, Happy Mother’s Day.
Lara
Mum to 3, Fur-mum & Founder and Director
Tell me about your kids:
I have three adult children - Ryan is 30yrs of age and a training Captain at Air NZ, recently married. Paige is recently engaged to Nic which is very exciting another wedding to be part of and Jack recently finished his BComm at Otago and works locally in a Marketing role, living at home (which is a yay for Mum). They grow up so fast and I am extremely proud of them all, they have worked really hard, showed huge resilience and determination with their careers. I also have two four legged kids, Hungarian Vizsla’s, Max and Memphis who are very spoilt and get away with far too much!
You work alongside your daughter, Paige - what do you love most about this?
Her energy, confidence, and passion in everything she does within People Passion. She is also my best friend, so having her as a business buddy is really neat.
You started PP when you were pregnant, and also raising 2 young children and being 6 months pregnant with Jack at the time, while still working part-time as a lecturer at Manukau Institute of Technology. What is your advice to mums wanting to chase their passion, or start a business?
Do it slowly, put a plan in place and make sure you have a strong family support system that believes in you! Be brave and believe in your purpose, you will learn loads of valuable lessons about people, do not rush the journey as your family grows up too fast so nourish your time with them. Make sure you still have time for you and your wellness, or it catches up with you during your journey in business.
What is your advice for Mums wanting to return to the workforce?
Discuss options with your employer around returning gradually, do not rush returning back, you will enjoy the journey so much more. If your employer is unable to offer flexi hours then make sure you have put an organised plan in place and support system.
What is your advice for Employers on what they could do to support working mums?
Consider a gradual return to work, be flexible and you will reap the benefits with engagement very quickly. Change it up, don’t do what you normally do!
How do you take care of yourself while juggling so many different things?
I have realised that my mental health is key to my physical wellness and my performance. I have gone to the gym on and off throughout my time of building People Passion however the most precious time I have found is being out in nature – getting up early and sitting outside, weekends adventuring to the beach and the forest is what I need to look after myself.
As the PP team is made up of woman there is a strong sense of motherhood for current and future mums – how do you think this contributes to this PP team?
It is key to connecting the team, aligning values, personal growth, supporting each other and growing one another.
What do you love about being a mum?
How my heart feels full when my children are around me, they make me wake up everyday with a smile.
Katie
Mum to 2 & Sales and Recruitment Partner
Tell me a bit about your kids, their names.
Mykayla is 6 years old and is one sassy girl, very social, kind and caring. Brody is 4 and a real character, loves to have a chat and a bit of rough and tumble.
What does a day look like for you?
The kids bags and clothes are all ready the night before, we are up at 7:00am then kids have showers, get ready and we are out the door at 8.15am for day-care drop off, school drop off and then I’m into the office at 8.40am. I finish work at 2.45pm to collect Mykayla from school, come home have afternoon tea and then collect Brody at 4pm from day-care. We then come home, do a few chores, wee bike ride or play and then prep dinner around 5pm-ish, followed by baths and bed around 7-7.30pm. I then do dishes and a few chores before sitting down at 8pm with hubby to watch a movie or Netflix series.
As a working mum, what did you look for in a role, and perspective Employer?
A Company that offers flexibility, has a good reputation and people I can see myself working with.
How do you manage motherhood among your workload?
This really can be a struggle at times. Let's not lie, changing hats and roles can be hard and we all get the guilts of not giving 100% to all roles as a mum, wife and employee. I keep lists and chip away at things.
What is your advice for mums wanting to return to the workforce?
Do what is right for you and your family and if something doesn't work, then don't be afraid to communicate with your Employer and ask to make changes. Since the pandemic, Companies and Leaders are more flexible with working situations, so put plans in place for all parties
What is your advice for Employers on what they could do to support working mums?
Check in regularly to ensure they are coping and have support, not everything is smooth sailing so adjustments might need to be made along the way.
How do you take care of yourself while juggling so many different things?
I like to take time out to meet a friend for coffee, go for a walk or more recently play tennis in the evenings.
What do you love about being a mum?
Watching my babies develop, learn and grow, they bring so much joy and laughter to our family
Kelli
Mum to 2 & Accounts Partner
Tell me a bit about your kids, their names.
Ella is 7, she is very kind, super helpful, lots of friends, loves sport, art and playing pranks.
Finn is 4, he is very cuddly (mummy’s boy), athletic, lots of energy, idolises his sister.
What does a day look like for you?
Wake up times vary either 5:30am (this is a good day!) right up to 7:30am (this is a bad day haha). I make breakfasts and lunches, have a much-needed coffee and hop on the bike whilst Ella and Finn eat breakfast and chat on Facetime with Nana and Grandad, then make their beds, get dressed and open the curtains.
Mornings are chaotic! Trying to get Ella and Finn out the door is a battle, they like to play or argue (depending on how they wake up). Once out of the house, I drop Ella to school then Finn to day-care and some days we have swimming lessons at 8am. I get to work between 8:30-9:15am and finish work at 4pm on a Monday and 2:55pm every other day. I also work from home on some days, to fit my work schedule in with their afterschool activities.
Then it’s home to make dinner, bath and feed children, do homework with Ella, read books to Finn and put them to bed. My chores then start; washing, baking, cleaning and if there is time left maybe a little TV.
As a working mum, what did you look for in a role, and perspective Employer?
I needed part time hours, a flexible Employer, with the ability to do some hours from home and a great team, which I have.
How do you manage motherhood among your workload?
It’s a struggle but you just take it in your stride. I do my best not to say to Ella and Finn “I am busy” as I always have time for them, but it is important to show them that work is important also. I am always doing things to keep Ella and Finn happy, and this sometimes means I don’t get much time for me, but when I do, I make it count.
What is your advice for mums wanting to return to the workforce?
Choose the right job, one you love and an organisation that values you and brings out the good in you. If you are spending time away from your family, you want to make sure you are having fun and enjoying it. It will seem hard and overwhelming at times and that is okay, you are not wonder woman. It’s okay to enjoy your job and enjoy being at work. You are not a bad mum for being away from your children, embrace that ‘you are still you’.
What is your advice for Employers on what they could do to support working mums?
Be flexible, be kind. Even the most organised people cannot control children, most mums I know feel bad going to work and leaving their children, they carry so much guilt and when they run late or must leave early, this adds more guilt.
How do you take care of yourself while juggling so many different things?
I do my best at trying but often I let this slip. I make sure I exercise, and have some time alone, time with my husband and the odd girl’s day/night out.
What do you love about being a mum?
Cuddles! Huge hugs followed by “you are the best mum in the world”, my heart melts. Watching both of them grow and turn into their individual mini Brad and Kelli.
Kat
Mum to 2 and Recruitment Partner
Tell me a bit about your kids, their names.
Matilda is 9 next week she is a sweet conscientious soul with a bit of sass to keep me on my toes and Archie is almost 7 he is very cheeky but very chill.
What does a day look like for you?
The mornings are always all-go, getting the kids ready for school and getting myself ready for work. I’m generally in the office around 8.30am and finish about 4.30pm, and then of course the kids have afterschool activities.
As a working mum, what did you look for in a role, and perspective Employer?
Flexibility is a must, as I work around my husband's shifts and rosters. I make sure that Employer’s know what my situation is and what I need, it has to work for everyone.
How do you manage motherhood among your workload?
Having a really good support system, good communication and really good planning.
What is your advice for mums wanting to return to the workforce?
Make sure you have good support around you, it’s okay to feel anxious and overwhelmed, but reach out and talk to other working mums for advice or your Employer/potential Employer. Don’t be hard on yourself; it’s a juggling act, we are so hard on ourselves as women and as mums.
What is your advice for Employers on what they could do to support working mums?
Make sure that there is open communication, be flexible and supportive.
How do you take care of yourself while juggling so many different things?
I make sure that I take time out for myself. My Husband, Andrew, will take the kids out so I can have some quiet time, catch up on study or do some baking. I also love spending time in the pool where I can get in some good thinking time.
What do you love about being a mum?
I love seeing my little humans grow and tackle the world and seeing things from their perspective, coming home to them after a big day and seeing what they’ve achieved makes my heart so full. I want them to know that women can work, study and still reach our goals all while managing busy lives and households.
Amy
New Mum and Recruitment Partner
Tell me a bit about your daughter.
Sadie is 10.5 months and extremely cheeky and energetic!
What does a day look like for you?
On days that I’m in the office, I typically get up between 6-6.30am to make a coffee, then Sadie wakes around 6.30-7am so we get her up, play with her for a bit, give her breakfast and get her day-care bag sorted. My Husband works from home, so while he entertains her and gets her changed, I get myself ready for work and then out the door at 7.50am to drop Sadie at day-care. I start my workday in the office at 8am and finish at 4.30pm, to pick Sadie up from day-care. Then it's home for some more playtime, dinner, and bed for Sadie at 6.30pm.
After 6.30pm is our time out – so we cook dinner, watch TV and depending on the night, we each have sports practice.
As a new mum, what helped the transition to return to work after having Sadie?
The consistent communication while on parental leave and still feeling like I was part of the team while I was off.
Lara and I had open communication and I had the ability to be flexible and ease back into it with a few hours here and there, then a few days from home, then a few days in the office – it never felt like a big transition it was really organic.
How do you manage motherhood among your workload?
I am quite an organised person naturally, but you just have to consciously make time to “switch off”. Weekends are for Sadie and after work it’s all about her until she goes to bed. You have to be kind and let go of your own expectations of yourself.
What is your advice for mums wanting to return to the workforce?
It really does “take a village”. You need support networks, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or admit when you are struggling, and it all becomes too much. Everyone’s been there even the ones that look like they have it altogether. I found transitioning back to work easy because I love what I do – find what you love; and if possible – ease back into it, by starting with a day or two from home, and slowly increase your hours from there – and if it’s not working for you then be honest and find something that will work for you and your family.
What is your advice for Employers on what they could do to support working mums?
Offer true flexibility and encouragement, and communicate, communicate, communicate!
How do you take care of yourself while juggling so many different things?
When Sadie goes to bed that is my time and I have just started playing netball again which I love – make sure you put some time aside each day for yourself.
What do you love about being a mum?
I love watching how much she changes every day, and those giggles and cuddles can’t be beaten! I am excited to watch her grow and be a strong role model for her.
