Inspiring Mom: Shea McGee of Studio McGee + McGee & Co
In celebration of Mother's Day, we reached out to a handful of working moms who inspire us, and we asked them to share their thoughts, insight, and advice on motherhood and balancing mom life with work life. Follow along all week to see our featured moms and read more!
Today we're featuring Shea McGee, the founder and CCO of Studio McGee and McGee & Co, and mother to Wren, 5, and Ivy, 2. Shea and her husband, Syd, are the power-house duo behind their namesake interior design studio and online furniture + homewares store. We love Studio McGee's beautiful interiors (#housegoals) and Shea's fun personality and style favorites. Despite juggling her in-demand businesses and busy schedule as a working mom, Shea manages to make it all look effortless. Below, she shares what an average day in her life looks like, her thoughts on work-life balance, what she's learned from her children, and more.
WHAT DOES YOUR AVERAGE DAY LOOK LIKE AS A WORKING MOM?
I wake up, get ready for the day, and our girls sit on the bathroom counter with me while I put on my makeup. We eat breakfast together and then I run out the door! I am never at my desk because my work day is scheduled down to about 15 minute increments with meetings, approvals, photoshoots, filming, etc. I never take a break at work to maximize my time and just sneak snacks into meetings, ha! I go home at 2:30 and then play with our girls, make dinner, and then try to make it to the gym! I get home and then it’s time for the bedtime routine! Once the girls are in bed, Syd and I usually watch a show (while working on our laptops). We have to force ourselves to go to sleep because usually it’s the only part of the day where we can actually hangout just the two of us.
HOW DO YOU FIND BALANCE BETWEEN MOM LIFE AND WORK LIFE? OR DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS SUCH A THING?
I think that the answer is yes and no. There are many days when I can come home and completely tune out work and there are other days when the situation calls for me to be responding to Slacks, emails, and texts. I try to minimize the latter because I find that I get overwhelmed and do nothing very well when trying to multitask work/mom life.
HOW HAS MOTHERHOOD INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR OCCUPATION OR CHANGED YOUR PERSPECTIVE TOWARDS WORK?
Motherhood has taught me that time is precious and that it’s possible for me to do in 5 hours what it takes others to do in 8 hours. It has also instilled a great sense of respect for whatever path other mothers choose for themselves and their families. The way I juggle things may be different than the way you do things, and I’m okay with that.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER OTHER WORKING MOMS?
Find a schedule that works for YOU and try your hardest to stick with it.
WHAT'S YOUR FAMILY'S FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND THE WEEKEND?
One thing we have found is that 2-3 day getaways are our family’s love language. Something about going somewhere really forces Syd and I out of work mode and into fun mode.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND AN HOUR OF ALONE TIME OR A DATE-NIGHT WITH YOUR SPOUSE?
It may sound boring, but we love going out to dinner and hiding our phones for the night.
WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT MOTHERHOOD?
It gives you a chance to be silly again. I’m not funny, but my kids sure think I am. We dance in the kitchen and they never judge my moves.
WHAT HAS MOTHERHOOD TAUGHT YOU OR WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR CHILDREN?
Motherhood has taught me more patience and compassion than I have ever felt before.
WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED RECENTLY?
Always find time for the things that make you happy to be alive.
Photographs: Kate Osborne Photography