Ashley Finnegan:
Vice President of Marketing at Maven Construction Group and Partner at MomCeo. Wife to Leith, Mommy to Callum, 2, and expecting baby #2 in July.
Owning your own business can be time consuming, but Ashley Finnegan never lets her work get in the way of family time. Along with her husband, Leith, Ashley successfully balances her work at Maven Construction group with her partnership at MomCeo, all while spending quality time with 2-year-old son, Callum, and prepping for a new baby!
What does your typical workday look like?
One of the benefits of having your own business is that there’s no typical day and I love that! I wake up between 5-5:30 a.m., pray and read my daily devotional. I always do a quick review of my short- and long- term goals as well. These keep me focused on the bigger picture and not just on tactics. This quiet time in the morning is really important and helps me get my mind right for the day ahead.
After I drop my son off at school, my day can go a few ways. I usually have multiple in-person meetings. A big part of the way that I build our restoration business is networking. That doesn’t just mean getting to know a lot of people, it means getting to know them well (think Keith Ferrazzi’s “Never Eat Alone”). I will often join my husband, Leith, on one of our jobsites. He’s been in the restoration business for over 15 years, and I’m only in year two, so I still learn a lot from him every day. Staying in tune with what’s happening operationally is important to effective marketing.
“Put down the phone, turn off the TV and use the time you have in the evening and on weekends to connect and engage with your kids.”
How do you balance work life and family life?
There are many stressors that come along with being in business for yourself, but one of the upsides is being able to create a strong work/life balance. Spending quality time with my son is really important to me. Some days I choose to pick him up early from school, and that gives us extra time together in the afternoon. Since my husband and I are in business together, it’s easy to get caught up in work 24/7. We’ve both had to commit to making sure that we spend time together as a family without discussing work-related topics.
What advice would you give to other working parents?
Try to limit the guilt of having to work and not being able to stay home with your children. The important thing is to spend quality time with them when you’re able to. Put down the phone, turn off the TV and use the time you have in the evening and on weekends to connect and engage with your kids. And, if you are truly unhappy with your work/life situation, then make a change. There are options that allow you to build a career AND spend more time with your family.
What sacrifices/compromises have you had to make?
I worked in Tampa for years before meeting Leith. Our entire dating relationship and the first two years of marriage were spent long distance — basically just seeing each other on weekends. That was a tough time for both of us, but it was important for my career, so we supported each other to make it happen. The experience and knowledge I gained during that time has been invaluable in shaping my career today.
When and how do you make time for yourself?
Health and wellness are really important to me. I carve out time four to five days a week to work out, usually SweatBOX for three to four days and class at Barre Forte. Staying healthy is one key to being effective in business. Leith and I try to do date nights every couple of weeks and spend a weekend away together every six months. I also love cooking fresh, homemade meals for my family. It’s a mental escape for me and a way to unwind.
Who is your greatest inspiration?
I know this is cliché, but my parents have always inspired me. I grew up in a household with two working parents, but I never felt like I didn’t get enough time with them. They always left work at work and focused on quality time with our family when they were home. They instilled in me the core values that have helped me to be successful today.
Who is your biggest supporter?
Hands down, my husband. We are a team, not only in business but in life. He works incredibly hard and has made many sacrifices to give our family the best life possible. He is always my sounding board and my motivation. Since the day I met him, he’s encouraged me to pursue what makes me happy. He has been my biggest fan and has shown me unending support with the launch of my own recent business, MomCeo.
WHAT IS YOUR COFFEE ORDER?
Caffé Americano, black!
MY GO-TO BREAKFAST
Warm lemon water, two eggs, and rolled oats with fresh fruit, almonds and chia seeds, as well as my peak performance vitamins (can’t live without those). And, since I’m pregnant right now, I’m hungry again about an hour later!
5 THINGS YOU MUST HAVE AT WORK?
I’m always on the move, so my iPhone, iPad and digital calendar are key. I also can’t live without my notepad; I still go old school with paper and pen! Lastly, business cards are always a must-have.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: I HOPE I HAVE TAUGHT MY CHILDREN
Positive core values that give them a moral map to help make good life decisions.