Venetia Archer shares her top lessons & hacks for juggling business and motherhood in a male dominated industry.
Venetia is a mother, founder and CEO of Ruuby APP an on-demand beauty & wellness services platform taking London and south of France by storm. We sat with Venetia to discuss about the juggle of running a business and raising a family. Can motherhood really give us some of the top skills needed in business that nobody told us about?
Venetia can you tell us a bit more about RUUBY?
Ruuby is an on-demand beauty bookings platform, offering clients the ability to book a host of luxury beauty treatments to their door. From Nature Bissé facials, to Aromatherapy Associates massages, and everything in between, we are able to deliver luxury services within 60 minutes across London. In 2019, we launched its Black Label membership offering – the ultimate in personalised, luxury beauty and wellness for individuals and corporate partners, both in the UK and internationally.
What are the most challenging aspects and the most rewarding moments of balancing motherhood and the role of CEO?
The balancing act is most certainly a challenge. I now have two children to manage - my business and my baby! It is incredibly rewarding. I love that I have the creative and strategic outlet that comes with running a business, as well as the joy of coming home to my gorgeous child. The challenge is around managing the balancing act. When the business is particularly stressful or busy, it can be hard to be away from Penelope, and I need to work hard to ensure I don’t bring the stress home.
What is a profound lesson that your children have taught you about yourself as a mother that has impacted you individual and professionally?
Efficiency. As soon as a child comes along, there is no such thing as free time. On a professional level, motherhood has taught me the importance of ensuring I manage my time well and delegate. I would say that I am a much better CEO now I am a mother, as I focus on the most important things, and make better decisions faster.
Have you felt that motherhood comes with a label? Other people or even investors assuming you can't be a mother and also perform your best at work? How do you prove people wrong?
One of the labels I hate most is “Mumpreneur”. What does that even mean? To be fair, I haven’t experienced discrimination here, and have always been honest about having a family. I have been asked whether it has changed my ambitions for the company, but I just tell the truth - it hasn’t.