Allana Frisken is the founder of reformer Pilates studios, Muse Pilates Studio, and plant-based protein powder brand, We Are Wylde.
Looking for your dream role at a start-up or scale-up? Check out global career opportunities at The Nudge Group.
1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
After school I completed a Bachelor of Commerce. I really didn’t know what area I wanted to be in and tried out a few different industries including real estate and events management. I met lots of great people and learnt so much along the way, however I always knew I wanted to own my own business and run the show.
Now an entrepreneur, I own a group of reformer Pilates studios Muse Pilates Studio and a brand called We Are Wylde; a collection of plant-based protein powders designed specifically for women.
2) What does a day in your life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
My husband and I have two children, Harvey (3) and Poppy (4), so usually I wake up and play with the kids and get them breakfast. I then usually exercise before getting ready for the day and then start the working day. I don’t really have any set hours, I just do what needs to be done each day according to what projects are on with the businesses.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
My role is completely flexible and usually remote unless I have anything specific to be done in one of the studios like photoshoots or team meetings. Not having to rush off to work early in the morning, not getting home until late or having set hours or location, means I can work around my life not fit my life around work.
4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
To me, work-life balance means one thing ~ freedom. Not having to rush off to work early in the morning, not getting home until late or having set hours or location, means I can work around my life and what I want to do, not fit my life around work.
I might choose to go to the hairdressers in the afternoon or go for lunch with a friend or attend a course and if there’s still work to be done, I’ll pop back on the computer when the kids are in bed.
To be in control of when and where I do my work and how much work I do is a great feeling. There are times when several projects all fall at the same time and life gets a bit crazy and then that’s offset with times when I can work for just half a day and spend more time doing things that recharge me, like a lovely day spa visit!
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
I have stopped tidying my own house every morning, doing washing, dishes etc which used to take hours. Instead, I now have help!
This alone has mentally freed up so much space for me and it really starts my day off right and puts me in a good head space to just be able to enjoy time with my kids and husband, exercise and start the day without having to worry what’s being done around the house.
My husband is really busy as well and owns his own business, so it’s helped both of us to be able to focus more on family time and strategic business activities instead of household stuff. The best investment I’ve ever made!
I have started getting regular remedial massages, it used to be a one-off occurrence or a treat but it just fills my cup so much and nourishes my body and soul, so I’ve made it part of my weekly routine. Some weeks there might be too much going on to fit it in, but for the most part it’s a regular time when I can really switch off and recharge.
The last 12 months, I have really been focussing on exactly what I need and letting go of the guilt surrounding getting help around the house or taking some me-time. The mantra has been “let it be easy” and I’m LOVING it.
6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
Chillpreneur by Denise Duffield-Thomas and The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks.
7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?
Can’t live without my iPhone of course! Two other products I’m obsessed with are my LED facemask (I pop it on every night before bed and listen to a meditation) and my Vanilla Bean Booster Wylde protein powder, I have it every day!
8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
I wish I had read this interview a few years ago! I don’t know if there’s anyone actually. I’ve come to learn that you can pretty much do anything if you actually believe you can do it, be willing to learn how and ask for help from the right people.
I think those people out there who are asked “how do they get the time to do it all?” or “how are they so successful but don’t work 16 hours a day?”, have developed a mindset to let things be easy and learnt to ask for help.
9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
Ask for help! There’s a real stigma around asking for help, especially for women who are usually known as “the carers” and need to do everything for everyone else before they can help themselves or take time for themselves. It’s added so much joy to my life to ask for what I need and graciously accept it and it’s also helped me be able to grow my businesses by freeing up the mental load.
Before you go…
If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Balance the Grind, let’s talk here.
Join our community and never miss a conversation about work, life & balance – subscribe to our newsletter.
