Khadija Jomaa is the founder and creative director at The Kollectiv Agency, a full-service communications agency, specialising in beauty, fashion and lifestyle.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
I am a young, 23 year old entrepreneur, who began her career in retail whilst juggling between different degrees. My time between work and University made me realise that I was not passionate about retail or studying law. Deep down I knew my passion was breaking free of the traditional 9-5 and diving into the media world.
During COVID last year, I took a leap of faith and decided to start my own media agency, which is now a full-service communications agency, specialising in beauty, fashion and lifestyle.
My current job description is the Creative Director at The Kollectiv Agency.
Essentially my role is to journey with small businesses and implement strategies to scale their businesses by connecting to their audience using online platforms via storytelling.
2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
Unfortunately, due to lockdown and restrictions, a lot has changed for myself, clients and workers. This means we are unable to visit clients and create content (for those who are still operating), some projects have to be put on hold.
However, to keep momentum until things are back to normal, I ensure my routine runs as they would on normal work days. In saying so, my day starts at 4.30 AM.
Waking up early allows me to set my intention, mediate, manifest, exercise and give me more hours to be as productive as possible. I also like to use this time phone-free. This routine allows me to practice mindfulness and helps me start the day with as much calm as possible.
Following my wake-up routine, I dedicate time to responding to emails, checking in on my work girls and setting the tasks for content for both myself, TKA and clients. Whilst doing so I like to have a podcast playing in the background.
Once work commitments have been taken care of, I dedicate time for myself and do things I don’t usually have time for when I’m consumed with work on normal days. Lately, I’ve been walking around my neighbourhood, cooking dinner, painting and all things self-care. To finish things off I will complete my skincare routine, read a little and call it a night at 9.30 PM.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
Yes, definitely. This is what I love about my job! I love the fact that all I need is my laptop and phone. It gives the team and I freedom to work wherever!
I have also used this time to create a creative office space from home and it has made the world of a difference to maintain motivation.
4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
Reflecting on my pre-COVID work-life, I’ve actually realised my time was not very balanced between the two. My morning routine is still the same, however after 8 AM my time would solely be spent working. This means rushing from client to client and neglecting my own well-being. I guess you could say lockdown has taught me a thing or do about balancing calm between the chaos.
“Slowing down” during lockdown has also given me more time to get creative through culinary ventures, being present during a meal, reading and getting creative with painting. To my surprise, all these daily tasks are actually moments of art in themselves and added to my appreciation of creativity and expressing myself in different ways.
So going back to work after lockdown means implementing all these new things I have learned from slowing down and begin to work with a sense of mindfulness and calm. It’s a hard goal to achieve considering the nature of my job is quite swift, however I feel like it is attainable with time.
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
Yes, actually I have added little changes into my daily routine that I feel really help me grow. For instance, I have made meditation a habit and I can’t go a day without it! I have also started journaling in the morning. I write down my thoughts, a list of to-do’s and things I am grateful for. It’s now very important for me and has become a form of relaxation (de-cluttering of this mind that is constantly dancing like a monkey) haha.
A habit that I’ve also been practicing is spending time away from my phone. It’s so easy to be consumed with what’s happening on social media and sometimes the seamless scrolling is quite robotic. Removing myself from my phone allows me to spend a few hours working on myself which I know will reflect into the business and allow me to align with all my values.
6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
Yes! My favourite books I would say are:
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.
- Blowing My Way to the Top by Jen Atkin
My favourite podcasts are:
- Super Soul with Oprah
- On Purpose’ with Jay Shetty
- Life with Marianna with Marianna Hewitt
I’m really into self-development currently and the theme is apparent in my book and podcast selections.
7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?
My favourite app right now is Tiktok. Since joining the TikTok platform I have been exposed to so many creatives across the globe who share their knowledge on all things habits, health, business, beauty, fashion and lifestyle! It’s a great app and I guess I’m attracted to the authenticity of the content and creators.
‘I am’ app it’s a daily affirmation app which I love!
Of course I can’t live without my phone, it allows for both work and leisure.
Oh and my skincare products and diffuser!
8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
I can’t think of one particular person, because I learn different things from different people all the time! A few people I’m inspired by would be Jay Shetty, Marianna Hewitt, Rhonda Byrne & Oprah
9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
Yes, remember that great success comes with the small habits you build overtime. Habits are so important to reaching your goals and full potential. Motivation is transitory and good habits create sustainable results.
Don’t get caught up with looking at other people’s success; you lose focus on chasing your own goals.
Believe in yourself and do whatever it is you want to do.
Choose the unknown, this is where you find who you are.
Never stop learning.
Take time to do things that resonate with who you are and be present. Sometimes, we get caught up with the digital world and forget to live in the now.
Read, paint, dance, explore and create. There is an artist within all of us that is waiting to be brought to life.
Spend time with your family and appreciate every single moment.
Most importantly, stay true to who you are and live your purpose!
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