Work-life balance is a familiar concept now, but it hasn’t always been that way. Just a few short years ago Executive Director of Service Management, Lori Johnson, found herself struggling while balancing work and life as a mom. From the time she was a child Lori knew she wanted to be able to support herself and not rely on anyone. So, she set out to have a career. However, she also always knew she wanted to have kids, too. Lori was a mom of one when she came to Simantel in 2008 and was delighted when the owner at the time, Susie Ketterer, explained she didn’t ever want an employee to miss moments in their child’s life because of work. Lori felt like she really had it all – a career and a family. Yet this nagging feeling set in.
Balancing work and life as a mom was becoming difficult. At times, Lori felt she wasn’t enough for her son and sometimes didn’t feel she was enough for her job. Work was rewarding, though. Lori was involved in a brand launch for Knapheide and the project had been selected to pilot a new approach for how work flows through the agency, which ultimately sparked her true passion. But by the time her second child was born, Lori knew something had to change. So she approached ownership about creating an alternative work week that would help bring more balance to her life.
Listen to Lori explain how she weighed sacrificing her career growth against having extra time for her kids. You’ll also hear how Lori eventually worked her way up to a senior level position and even found her true calling heading up service management; thanks in large part to the flexibility she was given by other working parents to ensure she was not only taking care of Simantel, but also taking care of herself and her family – all before work-life balance was even a thing.
To hear more, head over to MarketingSweats.com and check out our very special Season 6 where you can hear a full interview with Lori and other Simantelites as they share their Point of Pride in celebration of our 40ish anniversary. Learn more about Lori.
