Beatrice Nacor is the Community Lead at The Commons, a Melbourne-based co-working hub, where she looks after entrepreneurs working in the space.

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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your background and career?

At the age of 18, I graduated my Bachelors in Business in the Philippines and worked as a Research Analyst and Digital Campaign Manager, both equally challenging and related to my field of study.

Then after my family moved to Australia, I decided to pursue my interest in fashion and started a career in Retail management. For the past 5 years, I’ve had the privilege of building both Australian designer (Alannah Hill) and International label (Coach) businesses both in Melbourne and Sydney.

And just recently, I’ve taken a side step and decided to transition to the Executive Office industry.

Quite a journey I must say!

2) What is your current role and what does it entail on a day to day basis?

I am currently a Community Lead at a co-working space in Melbourne, looking after entrepreneurs and on the side, I am also supporting my partner’s food business venture and I am aso rebranding my own fashion label, @shop.loveb.

3) What does a typical day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?

Monday to Fridays I go to the office and while I’m still settling in my new role, my priority has been just learning and ensuring that our community is looked after, nurtured and the environment is collaborative.

During the weekends, I work on the businesses that my partner and I have. We share ideas, visit prospective sites and also do some taste testing.

No day is the same for me, because after a 9-6 workday, I could be having meetings for my brand, or helping my partner out with his branding or menu!

4) Do you have any tips, tricks or shortcuts to help you manage your workload and schedule?

I love my notebooks, I find that planning what I need to achieve in advance helps a lot and ticking them off my list in order of priority gives me a sense of direction as to what I should be doing next.

I am also very particular with my time, the people that I have worked with can attest to how punctual I am to every meeting or event I’ve booked in.

5) In between your job, life and all your other responsibilities, how do you ensure you find some sort of balance in your life?

I make time for things that make me incredibly happy such as spending time with my family, partner and my dog, may it as simple as staying in for the weekend playing board games or watching movies to traveling twice or three times a year to reset and spend quality time with them.

6) What does work life balance mean to you?

It means being happy to come work on a Monday morning, because you know that you love what you do and you allow yourself to do the things that matters to you the most in between.

7) What do you think are some of the best habits you’ve developed over the years to help you strive for success and balance?

Reading self motivation and business books consistently inspires me. I also found that surrounding myself with like-minded and optimistic people as much as I can makes me feel like I can do anything I put my heart into.

8) Are there any books that have helped you improve over the years?

Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth and Dare to Lead by Brene Brown.

9) What is the number one thing you do to make sure you get the most out of your day?

I rest effectively to make sure I’m always present with my work and others.

10) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

Loving your work does not mean treating it like its your life. You need to allow yourself to do other things that can make you happy.

May it be a quick coffee catch up with your friend during your break, a chapter a day of your favourite book or a 5 min meditation before you go to bed.

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