In this interview, we meet Scarlett Knight, the innovative founder of Alkaline Labs, a direct-to-consumer functional nutrition brand. Scarlett’s journey is not just about entrepreneurial success; it’s a story of balancing the demanding role of a startup owner with the joys and challenges of motherhood.
From her early experiences in family businesses to the creation of Alkaline Labs, Scarlett shares how she juggles her professional ambitions with her personal life. As she discusses her typical day, her approach to work-life balance, and the lifestyle changes that keep her grounded, Scarlett offers a glimpse into the life of a modern entrepreneur who is redefining what it means to blend business acumen with family responsibilities.
Let’s start with your background! Can you share with us your career journey and what you’re currently up to?
My career journey has been a little bit unconventional, growing up in family businesses, which I started working in from a young age. It instilled invaluable skills that I don’t think I would have learnt as quickly otherwise. Currently, I’m launching my startup, Alkaline Labs.
A dietary supplement company born from my passion for helping people improve their health and genuinely feel their best. One of the biggest things I focused on during every step creating Alkaline Labs was coming back to my mission, A.M Green isn’t just a product; it’s about delivering real results that you can feel in your everyday life, and I wanted to make sure that was infused in every aspect of the company. I wanted to create a supplement brand you can trust.
We’d love to know what a typical day is like for you. Could you describe a recent workday?
Being a stay-at-home mum that owns a startup definitely keeps things interesting! No two days look the same. Mornings are generally dedicated to my son, but before anything else I drink my A.M Greens to fill up my own cup first (which he usually steals a sip or two of).
We’ve got our little morning routine together, making breakfast, and usually watching something inspiring on YouTube while we have breakfast. Work kicks in after that, answering messages and emails. Then I usually plan my day, my secret weapon and productivity hack is my productivity method planner. I live by the beach, which definitely contributes to my work life-balance.
I try to break up my day a few times a week by taking my son for a walk by the beach around lunchtime, which always helps reset me and is the best way to break up the day. After lunch is usually my biggest work / studying block. Afternoons are mummy-son time, and once he’s asleep, I dive back into work. Lately reading has been helping me get out of work mode before bed.
Can you define work-life balance for yourself and share with us your approach in maintaining it?
For me work-life balance means making sure I enjoy the journey I’m on rather than racing to the finish line. I believe there’s no point in having success if you can’t also enjoy your life. It’s about finding joy in the small moments, being present, and infusing your day with things you love.
Loving what I do is also a big part of it for me, I think even if your dream job is a work in progress, there are ways to make it more enjoyable. It’s all about adding in little things throughout your day that make you feel your best.
Change is constant, and it’s essential for growth. Have you made any lifestyle changes in the past year to improve your work-life balance?
One simple but game-changing shift I’ve made is to avoid checking my phone first thing in the morning. I think this is such a simple change and a lot of people talk about it but it really does make the biggest difference. It helps me set my energy for the day and respond intentionally rather than reactively. Starting the day on your terms makes a world of difference.
We’re always on the lookout for new resources! Can you recommend any books, podcasts, or newsletters that have helped you in your journey towards balance?
My life coach, Olivia Marie, has had a big impact on my perception of work-life balance. She helped me shift my mindset and helped me let go of the idea that I had to constantly be doing something. Taking time to fill your own cup is a power move and as a consequence it boosts productivity and success.
Before we wrap up, do you have any final words of wisdom or insights on work, life, or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
I think one of the biggest keys to work-life balance is having passion for what you do. I love what I do, and that makes all the difference. Following my dreams is a key element in having work-life balance. When your work is driven by passion, it becomes fulfilling, and work-life balance becomes a natural outcome.
