Now, onto 
our role model. How do high achieving women with multiple priorities do it all? We kick off our role model series with Julie Lenzer Kirk (pictured left). She is the author of “The ParentPreneur Edge: What Parenting Teaches About Building a Successful Business.”
Julie Lenzer Kirk – about whom you may have read previously on this blog(http://hotmommasproject.blogspot.com/2007/08/kids-they-get-it.html) – is a Hot Momma in the truest sense of the word. Here is some Q&A from which we can all benefit:
Q: What are you working on now / What is your big focus?
As any entrepreneur with ADD, I have several projects I am working on. One is corporate training where I am giving workshops on work/life balance and creating a flexible work environment. The other major project I am working on is international training for women entrepreneurs. I am preparing to go on a two week trip to South Africa (taking my 14-year-old daughter with me!) to conduct regional seminars for women in business. My ultimate passion is in empowering people to have the life they want and I currently do that by preaching about the benefits of work/life balance and providing a “Boot in the Butt™” to entrepreneurs.
Q: How would you rate your level of professional drive 1-5? (5 = highest)
Even after accomplishing many of the professional goals I set out to (building a company, cashing out, writing a book), my drive remains high – a 5. Just can’t keep still!
Q: How would you rate your level of personal drive (e.g., expectations for personal/family life) 1-5?
Considering I still take 4-6 weeks off in the summer to spend time with my family at the beach, I would say that my personal drive is high as well. A 5.
Q: How would you rate your ability to balance both of these spheres? 1-5? (5 being best)
I think I do well balancing both work and family. Not that it NEVER gets hard – because it does – but I am able to step back and look at balance over time, making it easier to judge. I would say I am a 4.5.
Q: What was your lowest balance rating ever? Why?
Oh, it goes through phases. When kids are struggling with school or other things or when work is extremely demanding. The year my dad died at 58 of cancer – 2002 – was probably a low point. It was my hardest year personally but my greatest revenue year in business.
Q: What are the top three things that enabled you to get from your low rating, to the level where you are today?
1. Perspective. I had to believe the imbalance wasn’t going to last.
2. Support, at home and at work.
3. Patience. Sometimes you just have to wait for things to even out!
Q: You market to a bunch of different corporations and groups, how do you make the time? How do you prioritize?
I have to admit: I am not the most organized person in the world. I keep my lists and try to focus on at least two strategic activities every day, like writing (an article or a blog) or reaching out to someone I haven’t connected with in a long time. The days when I get sucked into reacting all day or doing e-mail, I can feel it like a bad hangover.
Q: What is your typical day and how many hours do you work per week (please attribute business, personal, other).
You know, I stopped counting the hours a long time ago. I prefer to go with the flow. I try to get up and do some exercise (not doing so well with this!) and first work on the one (or two) things I MUST get done that day, whether it be personal or work related.
Q: How is this schedule different from when you ran your business that you sold?
When I was running my software business, I had an office and employees. A lot of people outside my family depended on me for things. I find my schedule now is much more flexible and fluid than it was then.
Q: What is your top tip to women trying to “do it all” and be happy?
Make sure you define what “it all” is in your own terms and quit worrying what other people consider to be ‘success’. More women drive themselves nuts because of what they think others believe they should be doing rather than what they know they should do. They don’t live fulfilled lives and it shows.
Q: What did we miss?
Businesses need to realize that there is a monetary benefit to providing their employees with work/life benefits. When we treat employees as the complete humans that they are, we get back so much more from them than if we treat them as pawns in our own little business game.
Resources: (Here are some great resources Julie shared)
http://www.mompreneursonline.com/
http://www.excellentworkplace.org/
Julie’s links:
Read Julie’s bio here
Click here for Julie’s blog
See videos of Julie’s teams of women entrepreneurs here
Julie featured in “Posh Goddess of the Day” blog – love this concept!