Hello Clemence - Tell us tell us a bit about yourself: What do you do, how old are your children and what happens with your kids when you are at work?
I am Clemence de Crecy, French Mumpreneur in London for over 15 years. I am a lawyer by training but moved to Marketing and PR very soon in my career and in March 2006 I launched a lifestyle PR agency in London called Clementine Communications www.clementinecom.com and in 2008 an agency in Paris. Working with international brands and running pan European campaigns is very much a day to day job that I still enjoy so much!
I am blessed with three wonderful boys, 6, 5 and 2 years old and juggling, like every mum, busy work schedule and crazy schools activities!
1. One word to describe how being a WoMo makes you feel?
Superwoman
2. What’s the funniest experience you have had juggling kids and work?
Fun moments mainly when they were really tiny, breastfeeding whilst running a conference call with clients or again having boobs leaking at a formal corporate dinner with a client… Most recently my life is much more organised with our super Au Pair at home so unless I receive a call from School which scares the hell out of me each time, things are running pretty smoothly in the Crecy Crosbie household !
3. What is the one piece of advice you could offer another WoMo?
Go for it! If you are proud of what you do and do it with passion everyday, everything will work out well for the family too! But mainly do not forget to hire a super au pair and have a large to do list on your fridge !
4. What’s the least amount of sleep you’ve gone to work on and how did you cope?
Perhaps a couple of hours – it has been going on for 6 years now so getting used to it! It won’t last forever as the kids are growing fast so I am trying to see the positive and enjoy every minute.
5. What have you learned about yourself as a WoMo?
Amazing the amount of work one busy mum can do ! I have had to learn to work faster so I can concentrate on the priorities in my life.
6. If you had a working mother’s anthem or mantra, what would it be?
Keep going, you just keep going!
7. What is your guilty pleasure to combat WoMo guilt the best?
Playing tennis and a large glass of wine….
8. Would you rather be dealing with a tantrum or presenting in a board meeting?
No doubt… the board meeting
9. If you asked your child / children what your job is, what would they say (exact quotation if possible)?
‘Maman you are creating newspapers’
10 . What’s the one thing you wish you’d known before you became a WoMo?
No more lazy Saturday mornings in bed
11. To date, what has been your best WoMo achievement?
Celebrating the agency ‘s 10th Bday with great and loyal clients and a wonderful PR team around me.
12. What do you want to teach your kids about working mothers?
I have three young boys and I am sure they will grow to respect men and woman equally in their work space environment whatever they are doing in the future. I want them to know that they can become whatever they want to become if they work hard and no one should decide for them. And when come the time to meet a girl, to respect her choices too if she is another WoMos!