September 15th 2024.
Jessica Marshall considers her public relations company, Hive, to be her "first baby." Jessica, who is 35 years old, had her son, Leo, via a scheduled C-section. The night before the procedure, she was up until 2am working on an important business pitch. She explains to The Agency, "There was a lot riding on this pitch and I needed to get it done." Even in the week leading up to the birth, Jessica attended three work events. And after Leo was born in March, she jumped right back into work, despite some criticism from people who questioned her decision not to take any maternity leave.
Living in Sydney, Australia, Jessica and her husband Michael, who is 39, had been trying to conceive for two years before they finally welcomed Leo into their lives. She shares that they experienced some losses along the way, making Leo's arrival even more special. Throughout her pregnancy, Jessica was constantly asked about when she was going to slow down and how long she planned on taking maternity leave. These questions were difficult for her to answer because she didn't have a plan in place.
As a business owner, Jessica found it extremely challenging to "switch off" or step away from her work. She explains, "The only time I had taken any time off in the past five years was to go to Europe last year, and even then, I was still somewhat available." This made it difficult for her to envision taking a traditional maternity leave.
In 2018, Jessica started her own PR agency, Hive, from scratch. She became "obsessed" with her job, as she had previously hopped between various roles such as a beauty therapist and community college teacher. She felt a strong commitment to her team and wanted to continue helping the agency grow, even after discovering she was pregnant with Leo.
Some people judged Jessica for her decision not to take maternity leave, but she tried not to let their opinions affect her. However, she acknowledges that other women may feel overwhelmed and guilty when faced with similar criticism. She firmly believes that it's important to teach her son the value of hard work and passion, and to lead by example.
After giving birth to Leo via C-section, Jessica spent five days in the hospital, working from her bed. For the following six weeks, she ran her business from home. During this time, Hive started discussions with the Matildas, Australia's women's football team, about a skincare campaign. Jessica recalls, "It was an unbelievable opportunity and a pinch-me moment. The conversation couldn't be delayed, and I was so excited to be a part of it." She also had multiple events to attend and media opportunities to take advantage of, all while breastfeeding her newborn.
Although her decision not to take maternity leave still feels like the right one for Jessica, she admits that it hasn't always been easy. Sleepless nights, missed meals, and juggling work and motherhood can take a toll. But she also recognizes that these challenges are a part of life, and she's grateful to have the support of her husband, who is a hands-on father and executive coach.
Before Leo was born, Michael spent six months helping Hive's staff transition and implementing more flexible processes. Now, the couple splits their days between their businesses and home, with a clear understanding of each other's responsibilities and needs. Jessica says, "It's always a juggle, but we are super conscious of that. No matter how planned you are, things always change. But I have also learned to be super agile and focus on the things that matter."
Now that Leo is six months old, he often accompanies his mom to events and meetings. Jessica can breastfeed him while working on major campaigns, and she has the freedom to set her own hours and take breaks when needed. Even the family dog, Chip, is a regular at the office.
Aside from the challenges of managing a team and balancing a busy schedule while taking care of a newborn, Jessica has faced criticism from others. After speaking about her experience on social media, she received messages questioning how she was "doing it all" and telling her to "enjoy the baby bubble." She found it disappointing to see other women be more vocal and disgruntled, with some questioning her abilities as a mother. But she also received a lot of support from people who were inspired by her story or could relate to the struggles of being a working parent.
As she continues on her journey as a working mom, Jessica is unsure if she would take more time off if she has another child. She explains, "It would depend on the child, their needs, and what Michael and I could handle." But for now, she is happy with their current setup and believes that it's possible to have it all – a fulfilling career and a happy family. She adds, "You can have it all, and all doesn't mean perfect. It means feeling happy and fulfilled, and doing what feels right."
Jessica and Michael feel grateful that they don't have to adhere to the traditional 9-5 work schedule. They have a good balance between work and family life, and Jessica believes that this is a valuable life lesson for their son. She concludes, "Parenting comes with challenges, but so does life. Michael and I have chosen these challenges and we are facing them together. I couldn't think of a better life lesson for our little boy. Leo is loved, and I'm doing my best. And in the end, that's what really matters."
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