The business or professional woman I most admire are so many professional women. The two that immediately spring to mind are Alex Polizzi and Karren Brady. Both have a no nonsense attitude that I admire, and a pragmatic approach to business based on facts, alongside consumer psychology. They also both display a cutting sense of humour that I share myself. I’d love either to join me for a coffee, to while away an afternoon in Hyde Park, laughing uncontrollably and sharing stories of life, love and business.
To juggle my work and life balance I always make sure I’m available for the children and spend as much time with them as possible. We do “almost” everything together while I have great one on one relationships with them all too. I did forget for a while, why I do all this, and worked silly hours, but now I have a cut off point when the phone goes off and the internet is unplugged!
My biggest career break was…I don’t remember one single break it was more a succession of events that lead me to where I am now. I still don’t consider myself a success as I see a long road ahead to get where I ultimately want to be. Maybe the break has yet to come!
The biggest influence on my career was my father. He taught me that life is short and only I can change my circumstances, through hard work and determination. He told me I could be whatever I wanted to be and not to accept second best.
One thing that makes me mad in business today is how the internet has made it possible for almost anyone to work from home which is fabulous for mums like me yet, so many small businesses are being taken advantage of by people who call themselves marketers, writers or SEO experts. It really makes me angry, especially when clients fall for it and lose a lot of money!
Boardroom quotas are necessary or nuts?
I’m undecided on this. Of course it would be great to have more women in the board room but I think the problem starts earlier, if we create more opportunities for these male dominated positions, there will naturally be more women in the boardroom, rather than forcing a quota.
My one tip on negotiating a pay rise is to ask. For a lot of people, myself included, it can be embarrassing to talk money, especially when putting a value on yourself and your worth. As an employer, I much prefer someone to ask, rather than brooding and feeling as though they’re not paid enough – that’s how resentment builds.
In five years I’m hoping I’ll have really mastered the work life balance and will be doing more of what I love, and less of what I don’t. I don’t look that far ahead but I have recently come full circle, from working all the hours to realising why I started on this journey in the first place. I began for my children and my own quality of life.
My number one piece of advice to young women starting their careers is believe in yourself. Even if others think your dream is pie in the sky or unachievable, you can do it. Every step you take, no matter how long it takes, is one step closer to your dream destination. I’m still on my journey!
My favourite wind down activity is taking time for a bath in the evening and especially adore aromatherapy – my brain now associates the scent of lavender with time to switch off.
The last book I read was Behind Closed Doors by BA Paris, this took over my mind, and I had to devour it in 2 sittings as I couldn’t bear waiting for the end to come.
The one thing I can’t live without…Would it be too twee to say my family? Those aside, I think I’d have trouble living without my iPhone as I can do so much from anywhere and make sure I never miss an opportunity.
Martina Mercer is the editor of Sunday Woman Magazine, a freelance writer and a marketing consultant for brands such as Motor Quoters and Money-Mate.
She has three children, from five to 15 years old, and spends her free time pretending to be a dinosaur, discussing politics with teenagers, cooking, gardening, painting and fighting intergalactic enemies with her children on the PlayStation.
