Angus Barge is the co-founder & CEO at Mojo, a men’s sexual wellbeing app dedicated to helping men around the world lead happy and healthy sex lives.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
After graduating from university, I moved to London and began a career in shipbroking. I worked in the industry for several years and spent a lot of time travelling the world helping ship operators run their fleet acquisition programs.
During this time I learnt a lot about fast and loose dealmaking, I actually think this has been hugely beneficial in my current role and working within the startup environment. Following my stint in shipbroking I studied counselling and psychotherapy at Regents University in London.
I’m currently CEO and co-founder of Mojo, a men’s sexual wellbeing app dedicated to helping men around the world lead happy and healthy sex lives.
2) What does a day in your life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
I don’t tend to set an alarm as I like to wake up naturally thanks to Matthew Walker’s book ‘Why we sleep’. Before I’m even up (and I hate to admit it) I check my phone.
After I’ve caught up on my emails and messages I spend 20 minutes running, practising yoga or meditating – it sets me up for the day and is great for my mental health.
Generally speaking I try to dedicate different days of the week to internal meetings, external meetings and deep work. Prioritising my schedule like this means I don’t jump between tasks or focus on inbox zero.
I also spend a lot of time with potential candidates due to our current recruitment drive and networking with investors who might be interested in our next round of funding.
In the evenings I make a conscious effort to switch off and enjoy socialising with friends or watching TV (I’d recommend Succession).
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
Absolutely. The Mojo team works from home every Wednesday and Friday as it allows for deep work and ensures everyone takes time for their well being. After all, nobody wants to spend their weekend doing their washing! As a small team we believe time in the office is hugely important as it encourages strong creativity and collaboration amongst teams.
4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
Finding the right life balance is all about knowing what and who is important to you and making enough space to enjoy it. I’m guilty of spreading myself too thinly and always trying to achieve too much in my professional and personal life.
Luckily, I have an incredible group of friends who are great at bringing me back to the present and encouraging me to slow down when I need to. I’d like to think I would do the same for them.
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
Lockdown was full of firsts for me. I learnt to play the piano, obsessed over planting trees and prioritised spending more time with my family. Since COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed I have sadly let the keys and the trees slip but I continue to put a lot of time into my relationships with my parents and sisters – my dad and I are constantly in a game of online chess!
6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
Human Kind by Rutger Bergman is a wonderful read. Bergman flips our pessimistic view of humanity on its head through some really insightful stories of human kindness.
7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?
The Peloton app. I love the competition it creates with my mates and their 20 min yoga classes are great for a quick morning stretch.
8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia. There is so much about that brand that I admire. I’ve just bought a copy of Let My People Surf and can’t wait to learn more about it.
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