Chatting with Andie Mum Ina Odak, from ‘Work Life Mama’
Here at Andie Kids we love sharing mums that we follow and admire, and that embody the Andie Mum! We made friends with the gorgeous Ina Odak last year and we just love following along with her cute adventures with son Luka, and watching as her new business ventures come together! She is the face behind Work Life Mama and The Retreat Studio We are so excited to share with you our interview, asking her all the questions you are dying to hear!
Can you tell us a little about your career journey leading up to ‘Work Life Mama’?
Perhaps a little unconventional! I spent nearly 15 years working in corporate before I had Luka. I worked in senior HR roles in Australia and overseas. About 5 years ago, I started my lifestyle blog, then Sneakers + Soul which grew organically into a lot of content creation work for small + large brands. Given my extensive business background and new skill set in social + digital media, I was sought out for coaching and consulting work, for small business in particular. Late last year, I was lucky enough to be able to bring all my passions and experience together into what is now Work Life Mama. We’re all about supporting entrepreneurial Mama’s, across business and creative services.
What are your tips on how you juggle motherhood and a career?
My last Journal post was exactly on this topic! Seriously, check it out here. I’m certainly no expert but have learnt a thing or two over the years, not only from my own trial and error but also the incredible community of entrepreneurial women I’m lucky to be a part of.
The best advice you were ever given as a mother?
Oh, I’m not even sure. I’m a big believer in your life, your way.
What exciting things have you got coming up in 2018?
One of the most exciting ventures at the moment is the launch of our boutique accommodation The Retreat Studio [@the_retreat_studio] on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. It’s a multi-purpose space designed for rest, work and play and launched a few days ago on 1 March 2018!
We are all following along with your renovation, do you have any tips for other mothers about to go through the same thing?
Man, it’s bloody hard work! I get asked this a lot so I’m thinking about writing about it in more detail. I’m not sure if I have any sensible tips – all you can do is try to be as organised as possible yet flexible (things will not go according to plan), allocate projects based on your respective strengths if you are doing things yourselves and remember that there is an end in sight … eventually! We’ve been documenting some of our journey over on @soul_abode and we’re hoping to be finished in April so fingers crossed. We did our reno as owner/builders so it’s definitely had it’s challenges.
How has your style changed, if at all since becoming a mother?
Honestly, it hasn’t changed very much – I just stopped wearing all my corporate gear! Haha. Simple, functional, elevated basics – that’s my jam.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Driven, optimistic and intuitive.
Lastly, what’s your favourite item from the Andie Kids Summer Collection?
Awww, I love so many of the pieces but I’m a die hard lover of stripes so can’t go past the Jailbird set 🙂
