Tara Croker, a proud Wiradjuri woman, is a successful marketer and entrepreneur. She founded Yaala Sparkling to share the delicious tastes of native plants and to increase First Nations representation in the native food industry which is currently less than 2%.
Let’s start with your background! Can you share with us your career journey and what you’re currently up to?
I’ve spent my career as a Marketing Manager working for a variety of brands in tech, media and Indigenous affairs. I am passionate about healthy living, business and sharing local plants with the world to connect people. I am grateful to have found my ikigai in the work I do with Yaala Sparkling.
We’d love to know what a typical day is like for you. Could you describe a recent workday?
My days vary depending on what’s happening in the business. I always start my day with a glass of water, then a coffee in the sunshine. After that, emails and fulfilling orders. Meetings with suppliers, stockists,
Can you define work-life balance for yourself and share with us your approach in maintaining it?
I make sure to take time for myself and rest when I need it. I can’t go for too long without spending time by the sea or among trees. I find nature to be so soul filling. I always have a holiday booked to look forward to. Experiencing new places and going on new adventures fills my cup and allows me to reset. In weeks when I have to work long hours, I make time to eat out, spend time with loved ones or go on a local adventure.
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?
I am trying to adopt more of the nine habits of the blue zones of the world (pockets with the highest life expectancy). One of them being that I sold my car so that I have to walk more in my daily routine. I also implement small habits from proven studies to improve health and longevity such as checking my vitamin levels regularly and tracking my health stats. I turn the latter half of my shower cold, I eat plant based, and I intermittent fast.
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?
Diary of a CEO – Steven Bartlett. I like to listen to practical advice and get ideas on unique approaches to business from experts in a range of fields.
How I Built This – Guy Raiz. Listening to the stories of those who have started a successful business motivates me to keep going.
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?
As a startup entrepreneur, you wear the hats of every function in the business and it can be a steep learning curve entering a new industry. It’s important to navigate the journey with the right people surrounding you who share the same values and really believe in what you’re doing.
