Managed Ella-Hannah II Audio.txt
English (US)

00:00:00.040 — 00:00:27.720
What would you say it's like to work with me when I'm stressed? Oh, it's an interesting experience. Being a founder isn't that glamorous. I would say I am three quarters stressed and one quarters unstressed. The advice for any new business trying to go into those areas where you get like a really cheap office in a really great area is don't do it because there's no Wi-Fi.

It was Cafe Nero used to be had to use their Wi-Fi. And then there was a pub at the road. We'd have to do meetings in there. I was on FaceTime to like producers being like. And it's stunk.

00:00:32.520 — 00:03:31.100
So we're back. We're back guys, we're back. It's about a month since the last time we did this. Yeah, apparently I look very casual today. Yeah, I don't know what I've just said today. This is new. And I just, you know, when you buy something new, you have to have to wear it. And me and Hannah have been up so early.

Well, I have decided this month that I'm going to be one of them. And I've been getting up at for this, which sending me voice notes at 4 a.m.. Do you know what? I honestly thought you hadn't slept. That's old Hannah. The new Hannah is. I get up at four and I get to the gym for five. I was like, what is going on? Um, I get to the gym for five, but I'm still more.

Yeah. So basically, I was up really early. And you know, when you're just, like, trying everything on, I might want to wear this, but nothing's going. And I had to wear trainers this morning because we did 10,000 steps already today. And the thing is, is everyone keeps me comment on how casual I look. I forgot we were filming today because in my head all I was prepared for was, so we're moving offices, so this lovely space we're in now is good.

From March will be no more, and we are moving to a more central location where we're looking at Soho Regional Street, NoHo. Would you like to explain what NoHo is? It's like Fitzrovia in like the areas surrounding Soho. It's not quite Soho. NoHo. Um, and if anyone have watched Amanda Land, they'll find that funny.

Oh, because she, she bought, I think she lives in Chiswick and calls it an abbreviation. Um, but we have this lovely guy called Charlie. We just adore him. And he has been. He's like our broker. Yeah, for the new office. So he has been taking us around, and, you know, we have. We did, um, Covent Garden before.

Yeah. And the advice for any new business trying to go into those areas where you get like a really cheap office in like a really great area is don't do it because there's no wi fi. I used to do me and at one point we'd be stood on different ends of this pissy alleyway chatting rubbish like we, we got on FaceTime till like every week and it's stunk, you know, like the Pret subscription.

But I think it was like at the time it was Cafe Nero. Yeah. And we were just regulars in there because we had to use their wifi. And then there was a pub at the road. We'd have to do meetings in there. I actually this is a really fun fact. So Grace, once she came in, this was years and years ago about year two. I know what you're going to say.

She had to do a live for PLT, but we had no wifi Five because of the office location. So we went and took her to this pub for the office. And then she's been with us for don't like for for from the beginning, you know. And she stood there next to this pub on the wifi, OnLive, talking about Christmas on the streets of Covent Garden, because we had no wifi and the pub had no seats, but it was raining.

The beauty was Grace wasn't as big as she is now, so people weren't stopping her. But I remember a couple of people did and she was like,

00:03:32.620 — 00:07:52.200
we were like, guys, what, five minutes? That was the time. It was a time. But anyway, it went really well. We saw some really nice offices with Charlie. Our broker was amazing. Gave us a little pep talk at the start. So it was our first time meeting him and he was like, whatever you do guys, because me and Hannah, we can get carried away with.

We're quite friendly and enthusiastic. And he said, whatever you do, don't give too much. You said, no. He said, no smiling, no saying you liked it. And I did break that twice. Yeah. I kept going, oh, this is lovely. And I hadn't kept being like, sh. Yeah, because we can't give anything away. We want to get the prices down.

And I, you know, realistically for us this is like a where we go next. This has been our big go off this like this. But I would say I very much pick this off this. Whereas this is one we're picking together. And it's kind of like a married couple. I want a really nice office. Ella is in charge of budget. I'm there with our budget sheet going absolutely no way.

Like beautiful offices, but just it's just not necessary. But the one office I want I'm willing to sell a kidney for. So, yeah, Hannah was coming up with all kind of routes on how we could make it work. It was beautiful and it was a lovely location, but we've seen some great ones, and I think we kind of know roughly.

But the problem is, is we are moving in March. So. And just for context, it is currently October. This is kind of our next long term office. Be there for a couple of years. And I know not all businesses really believe in office spaces, but for me and what we do here, and I know you feel the exact same as me because we are very in sync.

I believe the office is really fundamental for what we do and having our team be really collaborative. Yeah, I like the bond. I like the chatting, and I also like the fact I built my own little office and I can separate myself. Yeah, I think also the social aspect of like after work drinks when we have clients in taking them out.

And I think that was really key to where we want to be based and being more central. So it's easier for talent. Yeah. And yeah. And we love it when talent come in. Like we're really, really social people. But so that was kind of our update of today. But that was this morning. We did 10,000 steps and I won't lie.

Guys we we are with knackered. We're not spring chickens anymore. It's more funny because actually at one point I had to start stretching because my lower back gets really painful. Oh, Charlie, the lovely Charlie, our broker, sent us an email yesterday and was like, make sure you wear trainers. And it made me realize as I own that I don't actually wear like I wear heels quite a lot.

of wires, which I think my feet were a little bit deformed. Yeah, maybe I just did not feel like myself this morning walking around. Someone thought that Ella was going to a dance class. Yeah, she actually decided not to wear normal trainers. She actually wore her running trainers, so I took it really serious.

I am wearing just like air forces and always tells me off wearing them because she says the Air Force is out. I don't believe they can ever go out. I think if they're fresh. Yeah. No, no. But actually they're selling dirty ones. Now that get cleaner as you wear and no one knows if that's the ones or not. I stand by that.

They're out, I stand by, they're really good for 10,000 steps. And, um. I'm. Ah, you've changed into your heels. Now, can you show everyone, please? Her little kid in here. It's not that different to what I'm wearing. Really? No. When did we become kitten heel people? Because we both are. I feel like it's been a this year thing.

No, I think it's been the last couple of years because it was a slow burn. It used to be we would wear these massive heels to work, and then we'd end up with blisters, and we have to wear really ugly flats for a few days after. Oh, it's in like the kid? Yeah. Okay. When do we start really bringing them back? But, like, in the office.

And, like, most of the girls don't really like getting heels. I want you to have a little catch up with you, like usual. Yeah. So I thought, hey, take everything out of the chat and just put it into the pot. Let's get the cameras involved. You know why not? Cause it's giving. Documentary. Um, so, first topic of the day of the catch up.

So I guess the theme I think of this month has been competitiveness and edge. And I think as a business, we're constantly moving. We're constantly, constantly evolving. And I would say that I have to be anxious about being more competitive. And you obviously my safe space at work. So let's let's divulge because what would you say it's like to work with me when I'm stressed?

Oh,

00:07:53.800 — 00:10:01.180
um, is it is it interesting? It's interesting because there's always a solution. Like, we always find a solution very quickly. Yeah, I think it's just solution. I think when you're stressed, you think of the worst possible scenario and then tenfold. I get the paranoid as well. I get really paranoid. I think you're a bit of a hypochondriac as well.

Like if you get stressed, you then like, think you're dying as well. So that doesn't help. But I think there's always anxiety. Yes. Yeah, you definitely have that. But I think there's always a quick solution. And I think it's just like talking. I think we discussed this in the last one, but I'm very like methodical and can break things down and be like, okay, well why are you feeling like that?

Okay. Well this is happening, I think this and I and that's led to that. And we break things down and we're like, right, okay, let's take a breather. One thing about Elon and I'm sure you don't mind me saying, Ella, you're very similar to my other friends too. But Ellen likes to please everybody. Oh my God.

No, no, I really give myself to it because I've really heard myself. I've been around a lot of different people. Recently I've just got back from a shoot in Italy and it was like a whole crew and obviously, you know, chatting to like different kinds of people. And I just felt myself going to this therapy. Well, why do you feel like that?

Well, why do you. Why do you think? And I'm like. And I catch myself doing it and I'm like, shut the fuck up. No, but people don't want to go deep all the time. I told, I told you about a conversation I had, and I was like, I'm just so proud of you. You really got to the depths. And I was thinking I was just trying to chat some shit.

Yeah. But I think going back to you being stressed, it is usually because with work stuff, there's always a solution. Right. And I think we get to that really quickly. But I think with you it's usually other triggers outside of that that has led you to get to this like crazy scenario in your head. Know some of the scenarios I've come up with have been quite iconic and like really at one point I was like, people are listening to us.

00:10:02.260 — 00:19:45.120
Like, I really got in, like a weird paranoid stage last year. And I think people, I'm so bored of everyone glamorizing like I've. The other day I was talking on on LinkedIn about the found fluent sir. I feel like I've conjured this term, but I probably haven't. And, um, and it's like founders who really, you know, glamorize work and, you know, they've built this whole massive following.

But actually, I would say being a founder or or being top of the of a business anywhere isn't that glamorous. And it's actually more stress, um, as than than not stress. I would say I am three quarters stressed and one quarter unstressed, but the only beauty of getting a bit older now is I do know how to turn it off when I get home I can easily go right Monday.

Problem? Yeah, and I never used to be able to, you know, but I think it's really helped both of us as well. We actually said it earlier to Charlie, our lovely broker. Hopefully he listens to this week Charlie how like I hopefully you know, we meant it when we said we wanted to adopt you. Um, but our weekends.

Are like, take this man is an older man, a lot older, and I would say late 50s. He's married late 50. He's like his, like, just really 50. 60. So I think the fact that we're trying to adopt this man. Yeah, we said we wanted him to be a doctor anyway. Work. Anyway, I think what's helped both of us is our weekends.

Yes, because I think they're so sacred to us. It me and you both were saying this earlier to Charlie that he was like, when do you get drunk? And I, when we both say, well, I said, I don't actually drink on the weekends, I don't drink on a Saturday. And I might have a little glass of wine with a roasting on a Sunday, which is actually, I think, how Jesus would have wanted it, but 100%.

Um, so for me, I was saying to Charlie, the conversation is how wild we go on the weekends. And I said, I usually don't drink on the weekends, or I try and not go out because for me, it's I love having such a different lifestyle on the weekends where I don't go out. I look after myself. I spend time with the people I care about the most, and it's like it's our sacred time and you're the same.

You have very wholesome weekends. Yeah, I think, well, what are you gonna do now? You're not decorating your house? It's kind of done. My weekends are just chilled because I feel like so much goes into the week here. Like we're here, there and everywhere. I'll be honest, I'm tired when it gets to Saturday.

I don't want to go out. And do you know what's so weird? I said to Jack last night, I feel like I'm having a bit of identity crisis because I went. I saw my friend last week and she was like, let's stay out. Like, let's go to this bar. And I was like, no, I need to get the train home. I've got work on Friday. Yesterday I, um, went for the team social.

Oh, how was that? It was really good. Everyone's. And it was, you know, I love the team socials because we all get to bond together and we go out and we went to a Pizza Hut event and, um, house party And then we went clay pigeon shooting, which was virtual. And, um, is that what it was? Yeah. Virtual. I'm sad I missed that.

Um, I had a finance, by the way. It's petrifying. Good. Uh, he was. I think he came, like, first out of, like, the whole. Everyone there. He was amazing. I was like, at 1030, I was like, I'm going to go, guys. And everyone was like, what the hell? You never like, you're always the last one out. Like, you're so boring now and then.

I have it as well. When I went to this wedding with hood Up, it was 5 a.m. and I was like, I'm done. And then she. Everyone stayed out until the sunrise. And I'm now boring. But I like sleep. I like to be home by midnight. 1:00. We have stressful jobs, but I feel like it's almost that humbling of like I am getting older.

I think aging is something I really struggle with a little bit, just because I've never heard you say that. I find I find it scary. It really petrified me. Hey, I it petrified me that I am a woman of a certain age. And there is, you know, you do have a body clock. And I also think when you're you're a CEO, I think, you know, there's an expectation of women and then people kind of assume, okay, I can tell you, I have been asked several times when I'm planning to have children and I'm like, do you know and just ask a man?

I know, I think women have it tough anywhere in this industry, let alone as you get a bit older. And like I've always been very honest, I was always the youngest person in the room, and I found that really something I was proud of, you know, to be with the big boys. And now, you know, it's creeping up. And I the other day.

Right. Do you know what happened to me? I went to a party. Um, and it was, I went to a party with my partner, and he. It was like someone he's worked with. And there were these, like, young girls in the toilets, and they were, like, talking to me. And I think they thought I was really young, and I was. And they were just talking to me about all this, like, gossip stuff.

And I was like, you know, I'm very friendly person. And then they went, they were like, how old are you, babe? But these girls were like 18. I went, I'm 31. And they went, oh, One of our interns, God bless us all, obviously did not mean to offend me, but she thought she thought I was meant that she thought I was mid-thirties, which obviously nothing wrong with being mid-thirties.

But you're 28, 28. And, um, I was like, hey, I'm 28. And like, she just went bright red. Your job is fine. Yeah, but can I ask you a question? Because I feel like it's something that I've been doing recently, and it's been a big topic of conversation between me and my boyfriend at the moment is a lot of our friends are either getting engaged or having children.

Yeah, and getting pregnant. Like when I tell you, I could probably count on like, I probably know ten people that are pregnant or engaged at the moment. And for that to be like close personal friends of ours, you can't help but compare. I do compare, but I'm also very much I don't think you have to choose, but I do think, especially when you're a bit younger, you kind of make the choice of where I'm going down this family route.

I'm going down his career route, and for a long time I was just career heavy and career was all I cared about. And, you know, and I think I my career is still just as important, but I've learned to balance it a little bit more and understand. And the one thing I understand now is actually when it comes to my deathbed, this job will not be there looking after me and make sure I'm okay.

And one day people will forget. Maybe the job I've done well, hopefully not if I've done my job right. But you know, I think for me, you know, when you go through personal things or like maybe you lose someone or you have some illness in the family or whatnot, start to put things into perspective slightly.

And where I had that last year with the last couple of years, it's like perspective changed. Everything sort of changed for me, which which, which led me to being quite petrified. The fact that I am getting older and I'm maturing, and I also and I don't know if we talk about it enough, especially because I think you hear about more maybe for women who are maybe in their force or whatnot.

But I really miss who I was a few years ago, but I also don't. I have this weird feeling at the moment where I'm like, God, I really miss Hanna. Then the things I used to do and I didn't realize they were the best days of my life. And now I'm like, but I actually really love the life I've built and I'm really proud of it.

This is weird transition of going from someone who doesn't quite feel an adult and you, but you know you are and you can do the things you want to. Being an adult and having responsibilities. But also, I love that about my life and I'm so ready for the next stage of my life. But you also feel like you're grieving the past, like reminiscent of like us now.

Wouldn't do what us now did, like even two years ago or a year ago. But I think that is just life's path, isn't it? I think you just mature and, like, realistically, we wouldn't be if we were doing things that we did like three years ago, going out in 3 a.m., we would we wouldn't enjoy that. No, and I don't I really hate clubbing.

The last time I went to a club was for my 30th and I. There's a picture of me and Ella, and we're both so drunk and we've got notes just everywhere because it was like tape or something like that. And it's just like a picture that you would never see again, because we do not club. But yeah, it's weird. It's a weird feeling of feeling.

It's a I don't know how to describe it. Where do we. Because I think it's kind of like morning, morning, a loss of you, of your oneself. And although I don't have children, I know some of my friends who have children, it's something that they sort of speak about, of going, oh, everyone thinks you're a mom and that you feel like you're your identity and having to go through that crisis.

And I think that also scares me, and it's something that I wish especially CEOs spoke about more of once you've had a child, especially if you're a CEO, founder and whatnot, and that identity does massively change. How does that affect your job? How does that affect the identity you feel at work? My biggest fear is not feeling myself, and it's my also my biggest fear when it comes to like any sort of like hurt or loss or whatnot.

I love who I am right now. I don't want that to change. And how do I stop myself from changing further? I think it's just fear of the unknown. It is scary. It's really interesting because it makes you think, you know, obviously they may be in different industries and have different careers, but it does make me think a lot about what would that mean for us, like if we were to think about having children

00:19:46.160 — 00:21:37.189
petrified, but we mean you do have a bit of a plan of if we needed to take time off for different reasons, so should something ever happen where like it's quite dramatic, such as maternity, um, or a loss or something like that. We kind of know the steps that we would take in order of feeling each other's shoes?

Yeah, I think so. I think it's weird because we've never had anyone gone with. No. And it's such a crazy thing because I think for so long, like we keep saying, we've always been the youngest in the room. It's something that naturally wouldn't come up for us because of our age. Whereas now I feel like we know our team and our team, our team, you know, we knew where they were at.

So it was never really a worry. And it isn't a worry. And we really worked hard to make sure our maternity policy feels right for our team and they feel appreciated. And it's you know, I think a lot of women are really scared to go on maternity and what their future in, in the, in the world of work looks like. And I've always wanted people to feel really supported here and encouraged.

But yeah, for me it's a bit different. Um, like even for you, I guess you have a maternity policy. Technically I don't, I can kind of come back whenever in my head I would have a baby and be back at work within two weeks, 100%. But that's my in my head so happen. I can't imagine not having a baby with a laptop on my own, but I think it is a, you know, a bigger thing of women having this pressure.

You know, like I'm, I'm only 28. Do you feel pressure to have a baby? I don't feel pressured to have a baby, but I do find myself thinking and comparing. Well, they're younger than me. And having kids and getting engaged. Yes, they don't work in the industry and they don't have the job that I have. But it makes you think, okay, well, when that time comes, is it?

You know, how

00:21:38.230 — 00:25:07.770
can I balance having a family? Because you can balance it and you should be able to balance it. And we are creating an environment where we're encouraging that. But it just makes you think what does that look like? But you gave up the idea of doing that younger to to focus in your career. Yeah, because I think I did and I'm happy with that.

I'm happy. Yeah, 100% that decision for me because that fits me and who I am. Yeah. And only when I hit my 30s did I actually think maybe that's the way I do. The point that I'm trying to make is it's never been my first thought ever. Even, like when I. Yeah. Like when I was younger and think like I never thought I'm, you know, wanna be a young mom.

Like I want to have a fat. It's just never like I'm. It's never been like, the first thing that I've thought of. I think mad because I didn't want that. Yeah, but this is what I'm saying, is that now that you're seeing your close friends and to that era of their life, it you can't help but think, oh my gosh, like, should I start thinking about that?

Like, what would that be? What that look like? And it's not that I want that. It just makes you think, what would that be like? I don't know if I should say this, but do you not remember the time I was really upset because someone was drunk and at an event and said to me, I can't wait to have a baby because. So. So we got a little bit of a chance for you to fall off.

And I was a bit like, I don't remember that it was at the MTA. Yeah. They were like Excel. I definitely did cause I was really upset, but I was like, right, is that how people see it? And and then I just thought in my head. I think that's really and it was obviously a man who said it. And I think, how, how dare you feel that way?

Because I honestly think women are so strong. Women can do anything, anything they want. They can do it all. And especially, you know, obviously, we interviewed my friend Huda, who's a makeup artist, and I and I genuinely believe she has it well of like, if you have a good support system, you can do it. Or I would listen to a podcast with Emma.

Agreed. And Steven Bartlett, I think I've spoke to you about quite a lot about she talks about planning if you're in a woman of high position and I really like that. But she also did have children a little bit later, and I think I love that she sort of kind of normalizes it because what is there's no right time.

But we are aware as women we have a body clock and what's safe for your body. And I think as long as it's safe. Yeah. Then absolutely. I think that's what it comes back to, isn't it? Is that my friends that have got kids or are having kids always say like there is no right time. And I think in my mind I'm like, oh no, oh no.

Like, oh no. Like when. And that hasn't come yet. So it's like Will is it like like Will I know, like I think you're never going to be ready either. It's such a powerful place in society. Now where actually there is no right way to do life. No longer are people judging in the same way. And it's really special to see that.

So yeah. Power to my friends. Because the absolute bad is yeah, I like it. But this is kind of like just a food for thought. One for us. And we'll do it again in a month's time. We'll just see what's on our minds. It's just been like brainwashing with each other. But it's been nice. I've enjoyed it. This is the best kind of combo for me.

Well, thank you for watching. If you enjoyed this, this, um, brain Rock session, please join us again for the next one. Like, subscribe. Bye. Thank you so much for watching this episode of managed. If you loved watching, please make sure you're following us so you can receive updates on our next episode.

I'll see you next week.