Growing up with a stay at home mum has inspired Janelle Keys to get the balance right herself. Working from home provides the opportunity to achieve that, but it needs to be worked at. Janelle explains her approach to Leah Gibbs.
What kind of environment did you grow up in?
My dad worked in the RAAF and my mum stayed home to be there for my brother and I. We had a very happy up-bringing.
What kept you going when times were tough financially?
I only noticed tough financial times when I moved out on my own. What kept me going is that I had no other choice. You either worked harder and spent less, or you didn’t make it!
What ‘normal’ jobs have you done?
Worked in two print shops as the Customer Service Rep and Prepress.
Were you ever tempted to get a ‘real job’?
Yes, but the benefits of working for myself are irresistible
Do you see your life as a balance between ‘life’ and ‘work’, or are they well blended?
A bit of both – with two small kids at home, work and life are naturally blended together, but I do try to put boundaries in place so that there are ‘mum’ times, and ‘work’ times.
How do you balance ‘life’ with ‘work’ from a time point of view? What routines do you have?
I try and work when the children don’t need me. I often start my day a couple of hours before they get up, then do a couple hours through the day when they’re occupied with playing or other activities. I also have 3 days when they’re at preschool – so they are my full ‘work’ days.
What do you see as the essentials for a happy existence?
I really value my family and spending time with them, so I try to work around them, and they respect my need to work, so when I do need to put work first they’re really supportive.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing your business?
Having the time to handle bigger work loads.
How many hours do you work in a typical working day and do you work weekends?
6-8 (sometimes more if needed). I try to keep weekends as family time – unless a job is particularly urgent.
Can you describe a typical day?
Get up about 5am and work until the kids get up at around 7am. Do ‘mum’ stuff and take my son to school. Work for about an hour whilst my kids are busy with an activity. Have morning tea and do things with the kids. Have lunch.
Work for about two hours whilst the kids are busy with an activity. Pick up son from school and have afternoon tea.
Work for about one hour, and then sign off ready for the day, ready to do more mum stuff.
What qualities do you respect and value in people you work with?
Honesty, respect, initiative and having fun!
What do you do in your spare time?
Shopping and Movies
Who or what other businesses or business people inspire you?
Kristina Karlsson, founder of Kikki-K
Name your three favourite websites – the ones you visit regularly?
Do you Twitter?
No
Do you blog?
No
If you were able to invite any three people to dinner, who would they be and why?
My three closest friends (assuming my family will be there also). If I ever had time to have a dinner party I would want to spend that time with people who are important to me.
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
The ability to clone myself.
What is the biggest challenge in being self employed?
Being isolated from others, and managing money.
What community organizations are you involved in? Why is that important?
I’m involved in my Church, and the kids’ school and preschool.
Contact Janelle Keys on (02) 4578 6897 or 0400 786 489. www.picturethisgraphics.com.au
Leah Gibbs is the Founder and Business Manager of Lifestyle Careers.
Lifestyle Careers is an online recruitment job board. Our niche and specific focus is the advertising of flexible employment and work at home positions. It is designed for professionals wanting to balance their work and personal life.
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Janelle
i also agree with you Trust, Honesty, Respect for each other and initiative nature are important in people who work with you.