Name: Amanda Kessler
Location: Colorado
Company: National Insurance Company & Rodan + Fields Dermatologists
Professional Industry: Insurance and Skincare
Job Title: In-House Counsel & Independent Consultant
WIXII-ISM™ FROM AMANDA:
“I feel blessed to have had an amazing role model in my mom. She is an attorney as well, and really showed me how a woman can do incredible things professionally while also managing to be a truly engaged, loving and supportive parent…I learned from my mom that a good “mix” doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to be pretty. It just has to work.”
“In very part time hours, around small children, I’ve built a thriving side business that is giving me professional options I never thought possible. The best part is I get to sponsor and mentor other women in starting their own businesses. It is an amazing gift to be able to help others create something of their own, a true “Plan B”.”
“About a year ago, a mentor told me the best thing she ever did was outsource as much of the minutiae as she possibly could, so she could focus her time and energy on the things that really matter – first her family, then her business. So, I’m outsourcing what I can. ”
AMANDA’S STORY:
Meet our featured Wixii™, Amanda Kessler. She is 39 years old and mother to two daughters ages 3 and 5 years old. She received her B.A. in psychology from Miami University and J.D. from the University of Colorado. She currently is a full time attorney for a large insurance company as well as a Level V Executive Consultant for Rodan + Fields Dermatologists.
One interesting fact about Amanda is that she worked as a line cook at a restaurant in Yellowstone National Park for a summer in college….and still can’t cook to save her life.
AMANDA’S CAREER PATH:
I started practicing law at 25, as a deputy district attorney. I spent 2 years as a prosecutor before joining a firm where I did insurance defense litigation. After 18 months with the firm, our biggest client hired me to come in-house, where I’ve been for 10 years. I enjoy my job, and wasn’t looking to add anything to my plate. But, two years ago I learned that the doctors who created Proactiv were launching a sequel brand focused on aging skin. They were offering entrepreneurs a virtual franchise opportunity in this brand, which was previously the top seller at Nordstrom. I would not describe myself as entrepreneurial, but it was such a compelling, low-risk proposition, I knew I had to give it a shot. It was the best professional decision I’ve ever made. In very part time hours, around small children, I’ve built a thriving business that is giving me professional options I never thought possible. The best part is I get to sponsor and mentor other women in starting their own businesses. It is an amazing gift to be able to help others create something of their own, a true “Plan B”.
AMANDA’S MINDSET AND WORK-LIFE MIX:
CURRENT MINDSET
I personify a practical Capricorn, who must have a plan at all times. I need to be busy, and get more done when I’ve got a lot on my plate. But, I’m not as organized as I’d like to be. I’m a list-maker, who relies on a paper planner because I need to see/touch my lists. Unfortunately I’m generally ambitious when forecasting what I’m going to accomplish in a week, and often fall short. I’m learning that perfect is the enemy of good, though, and cutting myself some slack. I’m risk-averse by nature, which is probably what drew me to law (I like operating within the confines of a concrete set of statutes or rules). But, my other business has completely stretched me, and I’m learning to thrive outside of my comfort zone.
CURRENT WORK-LIFE MIX
Mom, wife, CEO of household, full time lawyer, part-time business owner, friend, and Bar Method enthusiast. I work four days/week (32+ hours) as a lawyer for a major insurance company, fitting in a workout over lunch twice per week and once on the weekend. I spend 12 -15 hours per week on my own business, generally after my girls are in bed and on Fridays and some on the weekend (though I don’t work on Sundays if at all possible). I try to have a special outing or event with the family weekly, as well as a date night twice a month. I’ve realized that I can’t do this without help. My mom keeps my girls after school until I can get home, and is immensely helpful with their school work, laundry, and making dinner. I also don’t know what we’d do without Supper Solutions, which is a business I buy fresh, pre-assembled entrees that I can pull out of the freezer and whip up easily for dinner. I also have a cleaning service, as well as a fantastic sitter who cares for the kids every Tuesday night so I can have one uninterrupted work night for my own skincare business, and my kids still get lots of attention. It’s not perfect. I definitely drop balls at times. But I know that the juggling I’m doing now is going to set me up for better work/life mix in the future, and I have no doubt that my girls know that moms can work, provide and get things done.
Describe a “day in your life” from waketime to bedtime:
I wake up at 6:00 and get the girls and myself dressed and ready for the day. My husband leaves for work early, so I often do the morning routine solo. Getting 3 and 5 year olds to get dressed and out the door while attempting to get myself made up and somewhat professional looking is the hardest part of my day. I’m still working on efficiencies to make this less of a struggle, and look forward to reading other Wixiis’ morning routine ideas! We’re in the car by 8:20, and I drop my Kindergartner off first, then my preschooler. I get to my office at 9:00 and start my day. Twice per week I take a Bar Method class over the lunch hour. Otherwise I work through lunch. I leave work at 5:15 or 5:30 and make calls for my own business on my drive home. My mom usually has dinner started or close to done. The girls and I sit down to eat, and my husband, Steve gets home midway through dinner. We take the girls up and try to have stories read and everyone in their beds before 8:00. Then I clean the kitchen, get things ready for school the next day, go through mail and all that other household admin stuff. I’m in bed by 9:00 with my laptop, and then I work on my business for an hour or two, usually turning lights out by 11:00.
How does your current mindset/attitude empower and/or frustrate your ability to thrive in your work-life mix? How has your mindset/attitude toward life changed over time?
I thrive on order and consistency (my husband would say I’m anal retentive), and that is an interesting combo with trying to balance being a mom, a wife and having two careers. I’ve had to let go of a lot. The house isn’t as clean as I’d like and I haven’t had my hair highlighted in 7 months. But honestly I’m OK with that. I’ve loved that recently women have acknowledged that while you CAN have it all, you really can’t have it all at once. About a year ago, a mentor told me the best thing she ever did was outsource as much of the minutiae as she possibly could, so she could focus her time and energy on the things that really matter – first her family, then her business. So, I’m outsourcing what I can. I have people clean my house, assemble our meals and deliver our groceries. For the things I can’t outsource, I’m choosing the activities that will have the most profound impact on my family, and giving myself a break for not getting everything else done to my prior standards. It’s been major personal growth! Not easy, but definitely worth it.
What specific actions, choices, steps and/or decisions have you made (or would you like to make) to better manage your work-life mix?
I’ve gotten lots of help, and am thinking of getting more!
Please share specific tips for effectively managing your time and schedule.
Three things I can’t live without: 1) A paper planner. I found one that allows me to list all of my tasks that I need to accomplish in each of my roles, then delegate each task to a day of the week, then list out my appointments for the day on the schedule portion. Having my life, there in front of me, in a one week spread has proved invaluable. 2) A bluetooth headset. I do a lot of calls in the car, while I’m emptying the dishwasher, while I’m doing laundry. My business requires significant time on the phone, so I’ve embraced multi-tasking. 3) A subscription to Audible.com, from which I get personal development and business books that I can listen to on my phone. If I’m driving, I’m developing!
If you could change one thing about your work-life mix, what would it be?
I’d love to take a nap. Someday…
Is there anything you would like to share about work life mix?
I feel blessed to have had an amazing role model in my mom. She is an attorney as well, and really showed me how a woman can do incredible things professionally while also managing to be a truly engaged, loving and supportive parent. I’ll never forget one Christmas Eve when I was in elementary school. My mom had been in trial all month, and on the way home from church at about 9:00 p.m., she realized she hadn’t yet made it to the grocery store to get food for Christmas dinner. This was before stores were open on major holidays. So, we stopped at a 7-11 and she let my brother and me pick out whatever we wanted for our “special” Christmas dinner. And you better believe we went hog wild with some interesting convenience-store food options. Now, as a parent, I know that was gut-wrenching for her. But, as a child I just remember thinking she was the best mom ever for letting us have a treat like that. I learned from my mom that a good “mix” doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to be pretty. It just has to work.
