Balancing the Grind with Tim O’Sullivan, Co-Founder at Bae Juice

Tim O’Sullivan is the Co-Founder of Bae Juice, a Korean pear juice created for hangover relief, as well as the part-owner of a 125-seat cafe.

1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?

I currently run two businesses. I’ve part owned and ran a cafe for the last 4 years. We turned it from a 35 seated venue to 125. I absolutely love working in a cafe its extremely hard work but massively rewarding.

For over 2 years we have created and built our product and brand Bae Juice. Our 100% Korean pear juice consumed for anti hangover relief is in over 100 stores and were excited in its direction.

As far as my career background to lead me to this position its pretty much non existent. I was expelled from school in year 10, barely passed year 12 and had a 5 year gap year working part time jobs.

So I think just working and being free was really refreshing. When I had to opportunity to take on being apart of the cafe it really helped me learn about business and what it takes. I think that helped the growth of the cafe as well as launching our own product.

2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?

Cafe wise its usually a 10 hour day serving coffee and running around like a mad man. I work five days a week including every Saturday and Sunday so its pretty taxing coming into what I hope is always a massive week but working at the cafe helps fund Bae Juice so something I know I have to do to also take pressure off day to day life (rent, etc.).

I have Monday and Thursday off for Bae Juice its usually up early having breakfast with my girlfriend and unwinding into meetings usually with people helping with our advertising, distribution, etc.

Spend some time on LinkedIn reaching out to new media or opportunities and lately we have been organising partnering up with an events company to build our brand awareness.

3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?

Nope! I have my commitments at the cafe, it’s all pretty hands on and with Bae being pretty fresh it needs the TLC in these early stages.

4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?

To be honest I don’t have a plan to execute this. I just try to tick all the boxes as I go: Keep the cafe running and applying self, make sure Bae Juice is consistently growing and having the best chance at success and also trying to be a good boyfriend, friend, uncle etc so just trying to make things work and so far its been working for me personally.

5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?

Not really! Like my previous answer I go with the flow and its working so far. Still love a beer, sleep ins, I just feel I make the most of the time I switch on.

I haven’t changed much as I’ve been really happy and content so think thats a testimony to some early success is just making sure I’m in a good place.

6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?

I don’t read any books unfortunately. Mum has always pushed it but I have only really read Specky Magee, only have just started listening to podcasts as I love featuring on them. Funny Business by your previous guest Lachlan Bradford is one I love. Easy listen and I get bits from every one.

7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?

My phone is everything, I run the socials for the cafe and Bae juice and I am constantly online answering Instagram messages or posting so I think it’s the most important item for me daily. Also when my neighbours and partying listening to Rain app is a game changer.

8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?

No one in particular at this stage. Anyone who is authentic but always wants the most our of themselves.

9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

I just think keeping it real is best. I still have massive nights, make a shit load of mistakes, get grumpy and watch Love Island. But I think for my businesses and career when I need to switch on I always can and I think that comes with ownership and being accountable but something I find others can’t do.

So having that ability to come to life when need to, get tasks completed and nail important meetings takes preparation, confidence and belief. Not degrees and being a genius so normal lives can be lived as well as pursuing and doing great things.

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