We get so excited to share these working mom features with you! These ladies are some of the most incredible, talented people in the industry and all do so while managing major companies. Today we have the Editor in Chief of one of our favorite wedding magazines, Jennifer Stein! Jennifer is the Editor in Chief, publisher, and owner of Destination I Do Magazine…are you impressed yet!? We loved hearing about her typical work day and what keeps her going, even when the stresses of being a working mom stack up.
Name: Jennifer Stein
Company: Destination I Do Magazine
Title: Editor in Chief / Publisher / Owner
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Kids: Noah (two years)
What does a typical day in your position look like?
That’s actually a really tough question to answer because each day is completely different. My job has changed a bit because it’s much less travel-oriented than it used to be. Before I had my son, Noah, who I lovingly call the “hitch in my travel giddy-up,” I would travel to many of the amazing destinations you see in our magazine. Now, I’m able to visit two or three a year. Not that I’m complaining, because I love my son to the end of the earth and back and I enjoy what I do so much at work. Plus, being in the office more often allows me to really focus on growing the business.
The only parts of my day that are the same from one to the next are the way I start and end my day. I usually start with a little quiet time. I either read the Bible or a book which helps me start my day on a positive note. I’ve noticed that just throwing myself into the day without this makes me feel quite scattered. Because I have so many things to juggle every day, starting with a positive affirmation really helps ground me from the start. After my coffee has kicked in and I’ve snuggled my toddler to the point he’s saying “no more kisses mommy!,” I check my email and make sure there aren’t any urgent requests that need my immediate attention.
Once I’m in the office, you might find me doing anything from working with our Associate Editor, Courtney Cox, on a story idea or layout we need to provide feedback on if we’re in production, to writing or researching an article for an upcoming issue. I also work closely with our sales team to make sure our customers’ needs are being met and to ensure they have what they need to get their job done. Our National Sales Manager, Debbie Armer, and I often meet about new ideas to introduce such as Pinterest contests or promoting our digital edition.
Each day I have a list to get through and do my best to prioritize. The closer we are to production, the heavier my list is with editorial to-do’s (which are my favorite!). After an issue has gone to print, my days are filled with reflecting and meeting with our team to see what we really liked or things we need to include for the future. It’s a great practice as I believe when we communicate the things that worked and what didn’t, it helps us grow with each issue.
I typically end my day in the office by starting a new list for the next day and making sure my desk doesn’t look like a bomb went off! There is something about working in a tidy space that helps my mind focus.
The best part of my day is, hands down, going home to see my husband Tony, son Noah and our two dogs – Snoop Dogg and Kylie. I am usually greeted with hugs, smiles and doggie kisses. Who wouldn’t want to go home to that kind of greeting?!
How do you balance being a working mom?
It’s not easy, I’ll be honest. I’ve figured out a few things along the way. First of all, my family trumps anything business related. If they need me, I will drop everything. I expect the very same with anyone who works with me. Life is messy and when you have a family, they should always come first. With that being said, I’ve never been more committed to my job or my company. By compartmentalizing while I’m at work and doing my best to keep strict office hours, it allows me to focus on my job. When I’m at home, I do my best to put the iPhone away and focus entirely on my child. Right now, he’s at the stage where he’s 100% all about “mama.” If he’s going to give me 100% of his attention, I think he deserves the same in return. It’s not easy with text messages, emails and calls coming in before or after hours, but unless it’s urgent I try to wait until the next business day. I also bring my son with me everywhere when I’m not working. He comes with me to run errands, go to the gym or grab a bite to eat. I’m not afraid to travel with him – truth be told he had flown 12 times by the time he was a year old.
And honestly, if I didn’t have such an incredible husband, all of this would fall apart. Tony is the glue that holds my world together. He’s the biggest cheerleader for this company and for me, and passionately believes in what I do, so he’s the proverbial cherry on the sundae.
Has there ever been a breaking point when you didn’t think you could do both? What got you through?
Absolutely! Wow, when I first came back to work after having my son, I felt like I was underwater trying to breathe through a straw. It was scary, actually. Some parts were so overwhelming that I literally don’t clearly remember them. I don’t mean to sensationalize this, but when I try to recall those times it’s like I suppressed them the same way you would if you had PTSD. The thing that actually got me through was counseling. I initially went to this counselor because my mom recommended I try a technique called EMDR due to my fear of public speaking. In order to start seeing this counselor I needed to fill out a questionnaire on my stress levels and answer other personal questions. Our first meeting she looked at me and said, “Who do you think you are, superwoman?!” We talked about how much I had on my plate and how much trouble I was having staying on top of life. Just having someone recognize the pressure I was under attempting to make everything perfect validated what I was experiencing. Turns out by trying to make everything perfect, nothing was! After a few sessions, journaling and reading the Bible, I started to find myself again. My biggest take-away from this was that I needed to check my perfectionist/people pleasing expectations at the curb. This is also when I implemented starting my day off with positive quiet time. It’s such a simple thing, but makes a world of difference in my life.
What is your favorite part about your job?
The day we get to see the color proofs of the new issue. It’s a physical result of something which started out as a series of intangible ideas which I was lucky enough to work on with an amazing group of people. The colors, the details, the cool fonts, the research – it’s the creative process coming to fruition at that very moment. There is really nothing more satisfying in my job than that.
What is your favorite part about being a mom?
I finally have a playmate and someone to laugh at my silly jokes! Noah and I have so much fun together. We run around, build forts, dance and sing (he LOVES to sing), make silly sounds, color and just be goofy together. Sure, there are times where I need to be “mom” and help teach him things or discipline him, but when we are just laughing and having a good time – it fills my heart to the point I’m sure it will burst. Kissing his chubby, soft little cheeks over and over are a close second.
What you wanted to be when you grew up: A business owner
Beauty secret: Icing your face – it helps shrink pores
Celebrity style crush: Gwen Stefani
Secret talent: I can bake a darn good pie
I can’t live without: Air conditioning
Loved reading this. Just curious, it sounds like you have an office outside of the house. I’m just wondering if you have a nanny for your son during the day? I’m struggling as I can only work during nap time (until I have to get older daughter at school) and then at night after both girls are in bed. Trying to see if I can get a better system in place as I’m exhausted now that morning naps are no longer happening.