Mia Freedman: Work/Life Balance, Side Hustles and Changing the Culture
Dec 10, 2018
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Guest Mia Freedman, founder of Mamamia, discusses work/life balance, side hustles, and challenges women face in the workplace. She emphasizes finding a market in the gap for side hustles and not letting perfect be the enemy of done.
Work-life balance should be approached flexibly, not as a rigid ideal.
Career success can be boosted by injecting humor and showcasing relevant skills.
Internships are valuable for kickstarting careers and should be mutually beneficial.
Core values are crucial for shaping business culture and should evolve with company growth.
Empowering women in business through courses and support fosters diversity and innovation.
Deep dives
Mia Freeman's Successful Career and Empowering Insights in Business
Mia Freeman, a powerhouse in Australian business, started with a blog that grew into a podcast empire and authored 'Work -Strive Balance'. She challenges the notion of work-life balance, arguing it can set women up for failure, akin to the pursuit of a 'thigh gap'. Freeman advocates for a flexible approach, likening balance to a 'hokey-pokey' of leaning into various life aspects.
Standing Out with Humor and Experience in Careers
The value of humor in career endeavors is highlighted by Mia Freeman, citing an anecdote where a humorous cover letter piqued her interest. She emphasizes the significance of showcasing capabilities directly related to the job and the advantageous impact of relevant experience, even if non-traditional or gained through internships.
Navigating Internship Strategies and the Role of Side Hustles
Freeman discusses the importance of internships in initiating careers, reflecting on her own start through hands-on experience. She challenges the notion of unpaid internships as exploitative, advocating for mutually beneficial arrangements. Emphasizing the value of side hustles, she encourages exploring passions without immediate financial pressure.
Core Business Values and Transition from Startup to Scale-up
Freeman delves into the significance of core values in business culture, adapting them as the company grows from startup to scale-up. She stresses the need for aligned values guiding actions, citing the transition from 'move fast and break things' to 'measure twice, cut once'. Freeman's hands-on creative focus leads her to create innovative projects within a larger company.
Empowering Women Through Lady Startup and Business Initiatives
Freeman's latest venture, Lady Startup, aims to empower women in business by offering courses and support for entrepreneurial ventures. Reflecting on the importance of female-led businesses, she underscores the market demand for supporting women entrepreneurs and fostering diversity in the business landscape.
Challenges, Opportunities, and Balance for Women in Startup Ventures
Discussing the hurdles and opportunities for women in startups, Freeman highlights the quest for flexibility and control over working hours. She stresses the transformative impact of technology on enabling women to launch businesses and emphasizes the pivotal balance between personal responsibilities and career aspirations in startup endeavors.
Personal Narratives, Sharing Information, and Amplifying Messages
Freeman elucidates the power of personal stories in engaging audiences and inciting change. She emphasizes the value of sharing information and amplifying messages to empower communities and foster dialogue on important social issues.
Navigating Personal and Political Change Through Shared Experiences
Freeman encourages individuals to navigate personal and political change through shared experiences and mutual storytelling. She underscores the significance of fostering empathy, understanding, and collaboration to drive societal shifts towards greater equity and inclusion.
Podcast Interview Insights and Nonverbal Communication Strategies
Reflecting on podcast interview dynamics, Freeman shares insights on nonverbal encouragement as a vital tool for engaging interviewees. She touches on the importance of building rapport through eye contact, body language, and seamless transitioning during conversations.
Inspirational Books and Influential Business Reads
Freeman delves into impactful reads like 'Lean In' and 'Building a Story Brand' that have shaped her business philosophy. She highlights the role of books in providing inspiration, guidance, and fresh perspectives on leadership, storytelling, and personal growth.
