Maria Golushko, Co-Founder & COO of The One Two, a start-up disrupting what they call the “lazy” lingerie industry, with meticulously tested, beautiful and comfortable bras.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
I was born and raised in Siberia. Linguist by degree, I started my career in software development in Russia and China before moving to Australia and entering the world of management consulting at McKinsey & Co.
Most recently I spent time in New York where I was a co-founder of a couture fashion brand, Jahnkoy. I’m now excited to take on a new venture as a co-founder and COO of The One Two.
2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
6am wake up call, quick swim/exercise and morning meditation (I swear by it). Focused work time to push on priorities before meeting with Margot lunch time for creative problem solving together followed by more meetings.
Emails/important admin to push through late afternoon. Working with different time zones assumes working after dinner. Quick walk to get some fresh air and unwind before bed to start again tomorrow.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
Given we’re still a start-up, we’re lucky to have lots of flexibility and not being locked into an office space just yet. Most of our team works remotely but with regular in person meetings.
Living in Bondi, we’re lucky to have lots of locations with amazing views at our fingertips, that we feel improves our productivity and wellbeing
4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
Since I left corporate and started working for myself, work-life balance is no longer something I’m searching for. I’m working on something I find extremely exciting and all consuming. Now it’s about mindful energy management vs work-life balance as such.
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
I started playing tennis regularly again (for the first time since graduating University). It gives me structure, a feeling of progress that builds up both my fitness and confidence as well as an opportunity to improve mental balance on and off the court
6) Do you have any favorite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
I’m currently enjoying Rest by Alex Pang where he’s exploring a concept of integrating deep work, deep rest and deep play into your everyday life. Which I think is the next frontier in the work-life balance conversation.
7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?
Does WhatsApp count? Staying in touch with my family and friends outside of Australia is absolutely fundamental for my mental health and happiness.
8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
Albert Einstein. I admire people who are fully absorbed by what they do and become accomplished in a variety of disciplines. That requires some advanced energy management and efficiency (no pun intended).
9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
Burnout is outdated and not necessary. We have to up-skill in understanding ourselves and what gives us energy, to bring more of it in our day to day lives (both inside and outside of work).
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