Lauren Quinn is the Marketing Lead at Spacecubed, a company designed to support a community of entrepreneurs and change-makers.

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

After studying Mass Communications at university, I landed a job in a digital marketing agency as a Content Writer. I always loved writing, but here I learnt how to complement my writing skills with marketing, and provide value to business owners who were looking to grow their offerings.

It was also great exposure to the entire digital marketing industry, and I got to work, and learn from some of the best in the business. I then transitioned from agency to full-time client work, which led me to my current role at Spacecubed where I lead the Marketing department.

We have six core brands that I manage, as we work to intersect communities, with skills and technology to help them succeed in the future of work.

It’s a super interesting role that changes every single day – but I’m grateful for the chance to be challenged daily, work with some really great people, and have an impact – which I truly believe we’re able to have in our areas of focus.

2) What does a day in your life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?

Through the work week, I have flexibility between my home office and our CBD locations. If I’ve got meetings, I tend to head into the city, but if I’m looking to get some focus work done, then I’m best to stay home and away from the endless coffee conversations!

A recent workday would include morning standup to connect and get across what the rest of the team are working on (this is done via Zoom), check on incoming tasks and action items from my inbox, generally there are 1-2 meetings which can range from operational or strategic internal meetings, to meetings with our community or partners.

Most meetings end with more action items! At the moment, I’m working on something special to share with Spacecubed’s 10th Birthday, and it’s holding a lot of space in my brain, but I’m so excited for it all to come together. Then after work, I head straight to reformer pilates, and walk my two dogs. Dinner, bed + repeat. 

3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?

Flexible working is at the core of our offerings, which then directly translates as well into our team. Remote working has really helped me save daily commute time (as I live 40-45 minutes from the CBD), and it’s helped our team work on communicating in all kinds of different formats for when we can’t rely on being in person together.  

4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?

I’m in a stage of my life where I have a bigger focus on work, than life haha. Which initially sounds a little sad, but in my opinion it’s the best thing for me and my current career trajectory. Work hard now, and (ideally) enjoy the benefits later on when I’m at a place that I feel happy (ask me about this in 10 years and see if I’ve reached that yet!).

I do set parameters for myself on working hours etc. and never like to miss out on my fitness schedule, or spending time with my loved ones. So, while those are high priorities for me, they fit super nicely into my flexible schedule, and kind of allow me to get the best of both worlds – while mainly focusing on my career growth. 

5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?

I remember being younger and having this obsession with being ‘busy’. To me, being busy equalled being important and if I wasn’t busy, then maybe I wasn’t an asset, or as valuable to those around me.

But lately I’ve realised that these things are so far away from being directly related to one another. I have such a high action quality in my work life (according to my DiSC profile), and so I’m often getting work done, faster than work is coming in.

So now I’ve learnt to appreciate the quiet times, because it doesn’t mean I’m not important. Now I look at it like, I’ve done great work today/this week and achieved all my outcomes – so let me relax!

6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?

Work tends to take up my brain 99% of the time I’m awake, and probably while I’m also asleep haha. So for books, podcasts, etc. I like to think of these as entertainment pieces where I don’t necessarily have to learn something.

I love romance novels – I love the way they make you feel, and like you can escape from the world we live in. My recent favourite was Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. So, so vastly different from anything to do with my work, but so beautiful and such a great story of acceptance and differences.

For podcasts, I can’t go a week without listening to Shameless, the pop culture wrap up. This one, I definitely learn something every time, but it’s fun, and it’s a different way of looking at things that I really enjoy. 

7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?

I switch between the new, shiny things as quickly as they come out. Workwise, Canva is a lifesaver for me because I never studied design. It’s also a great WA success story that I love to watch grow. But probably like most people, my phone and computer come everywhere with me, and when I don’t have them, I have my Apple Watch, so I’m never far from a notification haha. 

8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?  

I genuinely get excited seeing behind the scenes bits and pieces from anyone in the public eye. The Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish documentaries, while I know they’re constructed and edited, and probably only giving us such a tiny insight into their lives – being able to have a sneak peak into their lives is so fascinating to me.

It’s more of the ‘life’ bits that interest me, especially when we see so much of their work. Bring on more of those on Netflix and that’s where you’ll find me every weekend! Also, Emma Watson – more Emma Watson content! 

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

Comparing yourself to people is always a trap. Even on this blog, I spent time crafting my answers and thinking about my responses! It’s a highlight reel, and while it’s exciting and aspirational to read about other people and their journey, yours will always be unique to you. Spend time focusing on yourself, and your goals, and that will get you through. 

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