For this week, we engaged in a conversation with two business leaders at Greenpoint, a Melbourne-based communications agency. Nicola Trotman, the co-founder and agency director, and Skye Vadas, the creative director, are both working mothers who at one point announced their pregnancies just a week apart with the same due date. This experience has brought about differing but complementary experiences as to how one can balance the demands of the business and parenthood.
ISB: What inspired you to set up Greenpoint?
NT: I fell into PR by accident, I was originally a journalist and a freelance writer before giving the ‘dark side’ a try and going out on my own. The beauty of starting a business when you’re 24 is you really feel invincible; we had nothing to lose, no financial commitments, let’s just throw everything at this thing and see if it works. You’re more adaptable and we went where others didn’t, we were willing to try different things. Starting a business now with the knowledge and experience I have, as well as the responsibilities of a family and a home, is a whole different ballgame. Being naive was a blessing, we could never have imagined we would be working with the brands we are today.
ISB: How have you been able to balance being mums and entrepreneurs, especially during your respective maternity periods?
NT: I would be lying if I didn’t say my passion and drive for work really took a hit after becoming a mum. But over time, my passion has reignited, which came down to reevaluating my why. As a business owner, you don’t get the luxury of maternity leave, I took eight weeks but still checked in during that time. That certainly isn’t the case for every business owner but when it is a husband/wife duo, time away is few and far between.
SV: I was so lucky to have been able to enjoy six months of maternity leave and be supported by Greenpoint in the lead-up to, during and post-maternity, which meant that I could fully switch off, enjoy getting to know my beautiful new baby and settle into our new family flow. That meant I was able to come back to work refreshed and ready to step into a new, more senior role upon return with motherhood equipping me with more determination, mental strength and clarity. I am very aware of how lucky I was to have that time and support and I urge more employers to support pregnant and parent workers, because when you authentically invest in your people, you will see the return, and everyone wins.
ISB: In what way has motherhood influenced your respective approaches and values as business leaders?
NT: I thought I was busy before becoming a mum; running a business and being a mum is a whole different ball game. I have always been great at time management so luckily can juggle it, while still finding some time for myself in the mix. Being organised is key and time blocking works wonders, as well as setting expectations and boundaries. As work is taking away time from family, it needs to be worthwhile and I also appreciate the sacrifices other parents make at work too, so it needs to be worth their time, too.
SV: I wholeheartedly agree with Nicola here – time management is everything, and open communication with those around you is essential. I give my work 100 per cent focus and make the most of meetings and dedicated work time, so that come the end of day, I can take solace in having had a productive day and be able to give my complete focus and attention to my family.
ISB: Can you tell us about your efforts in championing women in business and leadership roles?
NT: We have a pretty fair split in our team of women and men in leadership roles as everyone brings a different dynamic and perspective. PR is a very women-heavy industry so it is fairly common to see women in leadership roles. Of course, being a small business and navigating maternity leave isn’t without its challenges but the best thing you can do for a female leader (or any team member) is to hold their position should they wish to start or expand their family and support them throughout this process. Having gone through post-partum myself, it has changed my perspective
ISB: What is your vision for Greenpoint in the next couple of years?
NT: We’re expanding into new markets, particularly more lifestyle-focused, and actively pursuing opportunities interstate and internationally, targeting sectors that are on the rise. We also recently announced our partnership with the Bali Bible to offer resorts and hotels a unique blend of PR and marketing, while helping Bali Bible maximise its potential as an influential travel guide. We’re also exploring the integration of emerging technologies, including AI, to enhance and streamline our service offerings.
ISB: What would be the most important lesson that you believe every aspiring entrepreneur, especially female entrepreneurs, should take to heart?
NT: To be a successful entrepreneur you have to be willing to go where other people won’t. It is about forging your own path and trying things, and if it doesn’t work, try something else. To be successful in business you need to be “all in”, at least while you are laying the foundations. Juggling a business with a family is hard but it all comes down to what chapter of your life you are in, whether you want a family, already have a family or just want to be totally career driven. It is about finding your balance and what works for you.
SV: Take time to check in with yourself, to align on what your goals are, the best path for you to achieve that, and also what you enjoy and what makes you happy. Building a support network around you is also essential – be it friends and family, or seeking out mothers groups, women-in-business groups, or working-mums-in-business groups! Having people around you who share your aspirations, hold you accountable and want to see you thrive, is invaluable.
