Embracing the Juggle: Michaela Boone Tackles Life as a New Mom
Step into terra alma’s Michaela Boone’s world, where she excels in her commercial real estate career as the company’s CFO and COO while mastering the art of being a new mom. In this interview, Boone shares her insights on prioritizing family, redefining work/life balance and the invaluable support systems that have enabled her to thrive.
Boone starts her day with a tag team strategy alongside her husband—morning shifts involve caring for their adorable bundle of joy. Workdays follow a get-to-business outlook, with Boone emphasizing, “9 to 5 is serious business time.” And let’s face it, she values her time and emphasizes streamlining and tackling the workday. Previously more lax with her schedule, Boone now runs a tight ship. Her work shift is her opportunity to check boxes and complete tasks minus any distractions. When the evening comes around, that’s her time to spend with her family and take in each moment.
“I do my best. If something is not that important, it probably gets pushed. There are only 24 hours and I prioritize what I can. I’m super organized.”
Entering the mom-preneur realm, Boone discovered that work/life balance is an everyday prioritization dance. In this new reality, she shared, “I don’t think work-life balance exists anymore because being a mom is technically still work, so it’s just work and more work.”
In the pre-motherhood era, Boone acknowledged the immersive nature of her career, working late into the night fueled by a passion for her job. However, the arrival of her son prompted a fundamental shift, compelling Boone to establish clear boundaries to prevent burnout in the demanding landscape of her profession.
One quote in particular had a significant impact on how Boone separates her work from her personal life was: “The only person who remembers how late you work ends up being your child.” For Boone, it’s extremely important for her to be a present parent and soak up each moment outside of working hours. If this means taking on fewer clients and letting her foot off the gas a little, she will do it. This allows her to separate her work and family life, ensuring each sector of her life receives her full focus and achieves a successful balance.
“I’m intentional now about what clients I take on.”
Boone’s secret to focus and productivity? Daycare, the unsung hero of modern parenting. As she drops off her little one, she settles into a no-nonsense work mode. Out of the house equals out of the distractions zone. Boone “spills the tea” on her tricks—farewell social media apps, and hello lofi music beats. Oh, and relying on a planner? It’s her daily GPS for navigating the mom-preneur highway.
A true parenting partner, her husband lends a significant helping hand, securing their successful formula for raising their new son. If a networking event beckons, he steps into “daddy duty.” Boone also remarked on her exceptional village: her mom from Charlotte, North Carolina who will readily come visit to watch her son, and her mother-in-law in Powder Springs who often lends a helping hand at a moment’s notice. Every Sunday, a friend cooks her family dinner, and others ensure anything she needs appears at her door to simply show support. The network of family and friends she’s built enables her professional pursuits and allows her to shine bright as both a new mom and a champion in her field.
“I have a very strong village and I don’t know where I’d be without them.”
She recognizes that not all moms have the same priorities. Some lean towards a career-oriented focus, while others center their lives around family. Boone emphasizes the importance of avoiding comparisons with other mothers and instead advocates for making necessary changes to find a personal balance that works.