Angel Cindy is the founder and managing director of Restive Creatives, a creative agency offering strategy, branding, social media brand management, and more services.
1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
I’ve never been someone to take no for an answer. The advertising industry is one where mostly men call the shots, so I took a different approach. I started making content that would connect emotionally with people, and that’s how I started building Restive Creatives, a rebellious end-to-end creative agency.
I’m always looking to shake up the industry by not following the boring old rules, or some say, by the book. We focus on partnering up with our clients to build their business together, like we’re their in-house team.
One thing I do ban from Restive Creatives is a cookie-cutter approach, because that belongs in the kitchen, not in our clients’ business!
2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
I’d love to tell you that I wake up at 5AM, meditate for an hour, do my HIIT at 6AM and get onto emailing people at 7AM. But that would be lying.
Instead, I wake up at sometime between 6AM and 8AM. It depends if I had a late night due to working late/my anxiety. I try to meditate for 3 minutes (but sometimes I fail), and I go on a morning walk to give my brain some space.
I then get my brain in gear, and try to solve any problems on my plate today.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
Yes! I was extremely lucky that when we started out, we didn’t have enough cash to rent an office space for everyone to work together.
My agency is set up to create a community where everyone can build towards their dream no matter where they’re working in the world. Our system has been built since day one to cater for working online. Creative Rebels don’t need to be in space to make change!
4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
When you’re working at a bootstrap start-up, work-life balance means nothing. For me, balance is when you give your brain a rest instead of constantly being bombarded.
When I need to rest, I put my phone in airplane mode and put on some lo-fi music. It gives me a chance to think about the things that really matter, rather than having to deal with spot fires that can pop up in a start-up.
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
I recently was able to quit smoking. I used books to help me – Progress Journal from MiGOALS, Atomic Habits by James Clear, and Mel Robbins’ Take Control Of Your Life.
6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
I’m dyslexic, so I prefer listening to audiobooks. 5 of my favourites are:
- Love Is Not Enough – Mark Manson, which taught me that you need more than a fairytale to have a long relationship.
- Built To Sell – John Warrillow, which gave me a different perspective on business.
- The Body Keeps The Score – Bessel Van Der Kolk, which showed me a different way to train your mind.
- Sell It Like Serhant – Ryan Serhant. If you’re looking for a fun book about sales, this is the one!
- Take Control Of Your Life – Mel Robbins. If procrastination is an issue for you, then this book will help.
7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?
We’re a technology-focused start-up, and in my personal life I love using the latest technology.
Firstly, I use my smart LED lights to set the mood, no matter what that is.
I also use YouTube to teach me anything I want to know, as well as find music that isn’t listed on Spotify or Apple music.
Finally, I couldn’t live without my Ultrawide LG 40″ retina monitor. It helps me see every detail of my work.
8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
I’d love to know more about Elon Musk’s work-life balance. As someone that’s such a public figure, how do they take time to rest? If I’m not getting enough rest, then it impacts my mood and bandwidth as a creative.
9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
I feel like when you’re a founder or entrepreneur, you’re signing your life away. If you want to be in the start-up game, then having a work-life balance is something you’re aiming for when you’re retired.
Even then, I’m sure you’ll get bored. If being an entrepreneur is in your DNA, you’ll always want to be creating things. I take time off work when I’m resting my body and mind so I can create more the next day, and can continue to grow my business.
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