Dannii Reed is a family and lifestyle influencer, content creator, writer and host of the Mummy Republic podcast, where she covers the highs and lows of modern motherhood.
Learn how the most successful leaders, artists, founders, executives, writers and athletes structure and manage their days. Sign up and stay up to date!
1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
My previous career and current role are vastly different. I spent 13 years in corporate finance with much of that time spent in leadership or business development.
However, after a year of maternity leave (including a high risk pregnancy and juggling a baby with a medical condition), I resigned from my role a few months ago and am now forging my new path as a content creator, presenter and podcast host, all while being a mum of course.
I’m a big believer that life will always find a way to push you in the right direction and I certainly believe that has been the case for me.
2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
No work day for me is ever the same, but that’s one of the perks of what I do. Most of my work is flexible, and I can adapt to different circumstances.
For example, I was recently engaged to create content to be used in promoting a photoshoot location. I dropped my daughter to school at 8:30am, and brought my son with me. Not every opportunity allows me to bring my children along but my family is my priority at the moment so if I can make it work, I will.
I always try to arrive early so that I can get on top of emails and Instagram messages in the car while my son sleeps. I’ve learnt how to prioritise tasks into the timeframes available to me.
The rest of that day included more content creation work for clients, and getting creative with future project concepts. I’m at my most creative in silence, which I don’t experience much of these days, so nap time is usually the prime opportunity to organise and record podcasts, write articles and organise my upcoming schedule.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
Flexibility is one of the best parts of my work arrangement right now. I can work from anywhere at any time, as long as I am organised.
As with any business though, there are times when tasks need to be actioned urgently, or campaigns are scheduled to go live during dinner time or school pickup – but in comparison to my previous role, this style of work suits my lifestyle really well.
4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
Work-life balance was something I really struggled with in my corporate career, and the lack-of which is one of my biggest regrets looking back from when my daughter was younger.
It was a huge decision to walk away from the comfortable income and stability that my previous role provided, but this change has allowed me to focus on doing what I actually love, and spend more quality time with my family.
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
My corporate career was always very high pressure and fast paced, so slowing down and straying from the need to be switched on and reactive at all times has been a challenge, but a very welcome change.
Going through life altering events like we did during our pregnancy and journey with our son, your perspective on everything shifts. We don’t always need to be busy to be productive, or over committed to be successful.
Sometimes taking a step back allows you to reboot and inturn increase productivity. I have learnt that you can’t plan everything, sometimes you have to lean in and adapt, and that can often bring the greatest results.
6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
Personally, I’m a big fan of the Seize the Yay podcast. I think it’s incredibly inspiring and grounding, especially for anyone looking to succeed in an entrepreneurial career. I also love Untamed by Glennon Doyle, it’s a great book for anyone looking to build a personal brand.
7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?
Instagram and content editing apps like Lightroom or InShot are definitely up there for me as I rely on these heavily for my content creation work. I would also say Spotify and Apple podcasts as these are the main source of distribution for my own podcast – Mummy Republic.
8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
Jules Sebastian. I think she works incredibly hard but also seems to carve out enough time to be an amazing mother and wife – she almost makes it look easy!
9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
I recently interviewed inspiring young CEO and mother, Belle Lajoie, who believes that as parents we need to throw the idea of balance out the window. “Balance is not a concept that goes with motherhood. Motherhood is beautiful because it’s not balanced”.
That notion has sat with me ever since. Loving your job and loving your family and friends is not mutually exclusive. At times one facet is more heavily weighted than the other and that’s ok. You just have to find what works for you in each moment and be kind to yourself.
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.
