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The balancing act Three high-powered mothers share their approach to balancing career and parenting

C O M P I L E D BY: D I A N A B E L L- H E AT H E R

We have come a long way since the day where new mothers had to stay home as their sole role, yet now there can be the challenge to try and balance it all. It’s not easy, and at times you can feel the “mum guilt” but putting yourself first on occasion can do wonders for your home life, and inspire the little ones to see no bound aries in what they can achieve themselves. We speak to three high-powered mothers from the region and beyond who have made it their career to make the balance tip in their favour.

VALERIE MESSIKA Founder and Artistic Director of Messika Jewelry, living in Paris

How has your career mindset changed since having children? My happiness in my career has come from the perfect balance between my family and work life, managing the time for both is extremely important to me. I’m a full-time businesswoman but also a mum. Each day is com pletely dierent. I multitask on so many things, both work and personal life at the same time. How did it feel going back to work? As a CEO and artistic director I never really le€ my job for time o as I continued to remain updated with all things Messika. I love my job and feel honoured to have the career that I do, but I also make sure to enjoy every moment of my children.

There are momentous career moments that are missed, for example, I couldn’t be at the opening of my flagship store on rue Saint-Honoré because I was giving birth to my second daughter that day. However, I am so lucky I have the career and family life that I do.

What do you do to set boundaries between work and family? Messika Paris is at foremost a family business, so work and family are closely linked. My job is about my family story and Messika showcases the ori gins of how my family created the brand. We are an extremely strong and close family unit, that gets involved in all things work. I couldn’t imagine my everyday-life without them. During those moments of madness, how do you find calm and balance? I am lucky to be well surrounded by my family, which is very important for me. Taking a moment to spend some time outdoors, relaxing in fresh air either by myself or with my daughters is the perfect way to find calm. Do you have any rituals or mindfulness practices for personal wellbeing? I have a personal fitness coach and I do yoga. I also use an app for meditation.