Prue Rocchi is the founder of ROCC Naturals, a natural and sustainable oral care brand that uses vegan friendly formulas with completely biodegradable packaging.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
Hi, I’m the co-founder of ROCC Naturals, Sustainable Oral Care. Before ROCC, I spent ten years in varied Marketing and Public Relations positions.
I kick-started my career as a fashion publicist in New York, then, after moving home to Melbourne, transitioned over to marketing. I’ve been fortunate to work with quite a few different companies, but what has stayed consistent is that I’ve always worked for brands within the health, fitness, and wellness field, which has always been a personal passion of mine.
As a fashion publicist, I worked on Saturdays in NYC (a surf fashion brand), then back home working as a Marketing Manager at Triple M (heavily sports focused). Then my last role before ROCC was in the fitness industry.
I share my co-founder title with my husband, although he has a full-time job and other businesses he runs, so I’m the dedicated go-to at ROCC. We’re a start-up that is only seven months old; my role encompasses everything from product development, logistics, marketing, copywriting, bookkeeping, customer service and whatever else is thrown my way.
2) What does a day in your life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
It’s a 6 am start to move the body in some way; I’m also pregnant, so I’ve been focusing on strength and Pilates classes. In 2022 I started the 5-minute gratitude journal that I love. It helps me stay aligned on what’s important and who I want to become.
By 7 am, my two-year-old daughter Coco is up – it’s breakfast, laughing, and chasing her around the house trying to dress her before a drop off to day-care or grandparent.
I typically try to keep my mornings free from meetings – It’s my peak productivity time – so I dedicate this time to more complex tasks – like copywriting, strategy or writing a pitch deck.
Lunch is ALWAYS home-roasted veggies and protein. Eating well during the workweek helps me maintain strong immunity and energy (although the latter is lagging later in pregnancy).
The afternoons are when I schedule my meetings and research. I connect with my digital agency to talk performance or brief next month’s assets. We’re developing new products now, so I’ll spend time speaking to packaging suppliers and touching base with our chemist.
Once that’s done, either my Husband or I will pick up Coco. The 5-7 pm timeslot is somewhat of a chaotic mix of play, dinner, bath and (hopefully) bedtime.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
Absolutely. One of the key reasons I started my business is to design my job to suit my family. I choose my workdays to suit my family, and I can work from anywhere.
I’m still very traditional with the hours I work, I think that’s a hangover from the corporate world. Even though I run my own business and report to no one, there is never Prue-time or going out for lunch. Wouldn’t that be nice?
I was in a co-working space, but due to Melbourne’s lockdown, I started working from home, which, while pregnant, is an absolute treat when your body is a little all over the shop!
4) What does work-life balance mean to you, and how do you work to achieve that goal?
With a young family and an even younger business, work-life balance is a juggling act.
I’ve learnt to put boundaries and a strict schedule (an excel document) in place to help our family achieve this balance weekly. Some weeks I absolutely nail it, and sometimes it goes completely out the window – sick child, impossible deadline – but that’s life. I try to use the weekends to reset (yes, that means a Saturday afternoon nap) and get back on top of it again.
I’m fortunate to have a husband who values work-life balance as much as me – we’re constantly juggling schedules to make sure we’re switching off from work – whether it be getting that workout in or a dinner with friends.
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits from changing your life?
I’ve been less social with friends and family, which I miss. That is primarily driven by Melbourne’s four-month COVID lockdown. Even though we’re out of lockdown now, social interaction hasn’t returned to what it was – especially in group or event form. I’m hoping for a turnaround later in the year!
6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
I typically have a podcast reflecting my current obsession.
For business, starting ROCC Lady Brains and the journey of now-successful founders was insightful.
For fitness or self-improvement, Rich Roll or Brene Brown are two of my favourites.
For pregnancy/family-related, Beyond the Bump and Birth Bath and Beyond are an equal part hilarious and educational?
7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?
I like to keep it minimal. The last thing I want is another device or app that will send me a notification! My two favourites (and have been for years) are:
Spotify. Music and work go hand-in-hand for me.
- MyZone heart rate monitor. I love seeing the data from a good workout! And seeing how hard my friends are working out motivates me!
8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
I know I’m meant to nominate a person here, but I really want to hear from anyone who’s successfully juggled a young business/young family/still has date nights with their partner, see’s their friends/family on weekends. No guilt involved, and everyone listed above is extremely happy. Is that too much to ask?
The interview/book is to be told in a relatable and humbling way that will make me laugh and have very practical tips on implementing. That’s who I want to read about.
9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
What works for me won’t work for you (I have an excel spreadsheet to timetable my week, which I’m sure some people would laugh at, but hey, whatever works, right?)
Once you discover how to balance work-life, put those boundaries up to protect it fiercely. Note, this may include saying no or asking for help (which can be hard to do if you are like me!).
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