Luke Baker is the founder of VentureSense, where he specialises in supporting start-ups and small to medium enterprises.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
My background is in owning and operating Small to medium sized businesses. With some experience on larger organisations Boards. My current role is as the founder and operator of VentureSense. VetureSense invests in and supports start-ups and underperforming businesses.
2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
My work days vary from day to day quite significantly. To start, I only work 3 days a week but am contactable the other two if needed.
I try to spend face to face time with each of the companies I am invested in weekly so an average day could see me with one business for cash flow forecasting in the morning and with another business in the afternoon for monthly financial reviews.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
It absolutely does. I designed VentureSense and it’s offering so it can be done from anywhere in the world at any time.
Whilst I place importance on face to face time when I am in Australia my business partners understand that for at least 4-5 months of the year I will be operating from overseas (Pre-COVID obviously). For example I usually spend the northern fall in NYC and work from a shared office there.
4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
This is something I explore with all the founders and business owners I work with. In my opinion your business is there to service you and the life you want to live.
Your business is not your life and your life is not your business. I feel very fortunate to have VentureSense in the position it is today to really allow me to prioritise my lifestyle.
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
Travel is the main thing that has changed for me. As I mentioned above I will typically spend 4-5 months overseas each year spread over 4 or 5 trips. So getting used to being in Sydney for an extended period of time has been an adjustment. Although it has also allowed me to prioritise other things.
6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
The Knowledge Project podcast is a must subscribe.
7) Working with premium executive support service The Well-Suited Group, how has Lauren and her team helped you work towards balance in your job and life?
Working with founders of start-ups and business owners whose businesses are underperforming means I’m often dealing with individuals that are running flat out and don’t quite have the budget for a full time assistant.
This is where The Well-Suited Group provides an incredible service that can help these people find a bit more balance and not at the cost of a full time hire.
8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
No specific names come to mind but I am always interested in hearing from people who don’t appear busy and people who don’t feel the need to tell you how busy they are.
9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
I live my work life by a few rules that I do everything within my power never to break.
- Your business/work role is to provide you the life you want to live. So structure it in a way that does this.
- Personal funds are never the solution to business problems.
- First in best dressed when it comes to your calendar and this includes personal events, etc.
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