Hey Emma - 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 Emma Sayle one of the UK’s leading ‘sex-entrepreneurs’. I launched the elite adult-party brand Killing Kittens in 2005 which I am expanding to achieve worldwide success! In April 2014 I published via Harper Collins my first book, ‘Behind the Mask’. When I’m not dominating the male-heavy adult entertainment world, I run the Sisterhood. The Sisterhood is a group of toned-to-perfection females boldly going where not many girls have gone before, competing in extreme and adventure sports and raising money for charity.
I have a nearly 2 year old and another one due in October. I manage to juggle it all with the help of a very tolerant legend of an au pair and a nursery that doesn't do school holidays.
1. ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE HOW BEING A WOMO MAKES YOU FEEL?
Superhuman.
2. WHAT’S THE FUNNIEST EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD JUGGLING KIDS AND WORK?
3 weeks after giving birth I was running a launch event in a country mansion in halloween dress up and my boobs started leaking, so I had to sit in the carpark at midnight expressing with one hand whilst answering late emails and texts with the other hand from party attendees.
3. WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD OFFER ANOTHER WOMO?
- Don't fight it, you've just got to go with it.
- Have a daily to-do list and diary so you don't lose track of time - I have a old school A4 diary where everything goes and there is nothing more satisfying than crossing off to-do lists.
- Make time for yourself no matter what (and it is possible) - do not feel guilty telling your partner that you will be sat in the bath for 30 minutes with a book and glass of wine and are not to be disturbed.
4. WHAT’S THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SLEEP YOU’VE GONE TO WORK ON AND HOW DID YOU COPE?
There have been nights where I'm not entirely sure if sleep ever happened due to a mix of busy work head and full on sick toddler up all night. But I'm very quick to change my mindset and be thankful for everything I've got, focus on the positives, and tell myself it's not forever and I've just got to ride the waves.
5. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF AS A WOMO?
That I'm capable of being way more productive in a short space of time than before. What used to be 2 hour meetings I now do in 30 minutes. I've leant to fly through the white noise of irrelevance and realise what matters in all aspects of my life now - and that I'm actually a superhero.
6. IF YOU HAD A WOMO ANTHEM OR MANTRA, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Probably my signature strip: 'he asked me what's my favourite position, I said CEO'.
7. WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE TO COMBAT WOMO GUILT THE BEST?
Reformer pilates - it's my selfish time and no-one or nothing will make me cancel a session, combined with large amounts of wine.
8. WOULD YOU RATHER BE DEALING WITH A TANTRUM OR PRESENTING IN A BOARD MEETING?
Same sh*t different shovels to be honest. Probably presenting as more of a captivated audience who actually care what you say.
9. IF YOU ASKED YOUR CHILD / CHILDREN WHAT YOUR JOB IS, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY (EXACT QUOTATION IF POSSIBLE)?
Mine is/will be too little, so at the moment 'juice mummy' as bottle is hurled at me is probably who he thinks I am.
10. WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU BECAME A WOMO?
That having a lie-in should not be taken for granted, or the ability to read a page of a book uninterrupted. I would have not taken them for granted.
11. TO DATE, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST WOMO ACHIEVEMENT?
Tripling my business turnover whilst being pregnant, having a book published, not taking any maternity leave but juggling childcare so I still feel like I've spent quality time with the little person and I'm still sane... just.
12. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT WORKING MOTHERS?
That they should be given a medal monthly and treated with unbelievable respect, and make them understand the sacrifices WoMos make in the juggle to make sure the kids have enough love and attention but yet a roof over their heads and food on the table, which is sometimes hard to get right and kids need to be aware of that juggle and respect it. I would like to teach my daughter that the world does not owe her a living, neither does a man, and it's up to her to get out there and go for it. I'll teach my son to respect any girl with a drive or a passion who wants to earn her own living and understand that that is her choice and not theirs.
Big thanks to Emma - our featured WoMo, and thanks to author Clare Bennett for providing our 12 "Meet the WoMos" interview questions.