A Note from Ellie: How I’m Working to Streamline, Delegate, and Thrive in Motherhood and Business in 2025
Running a business while raising little ones is a balancing act—and let’s just say more clients than I’d like to admit have seen my kids pop into Zoom calls this year. But it’s also exactly why I started Birdie. I wanted to do work I love with people I admire while having the flexibility to be present for my family. The other day, between client calls, we were outside making snow angels. And when my son has his school concert, you better believe I’ll be there, front row and teary-eyed.
And while 2024 tested every system I’ve ever created—I’ve never seen more change in the PR and marketing industry—the name of the game was pivot, adapt, adjust, repeat. It was challenging, yes, but it also made me sharper and more committed to building a business that works with my life, not against it. As we step into 2025, here are some practical steps I’m taking—at home and at Birdie—to set us up for success.
At Home: Tips for Finding Balance
Hire Help Before You Burn Out
This year, I’m leaning on Proxy by Peacock Parent to lighten the load at home. From organizing teacher gifts and Valentine’s Day cards to—let’s be honest—making reading the endless stream of school emails their full-time job, I’m ready to hand off the mental clutter. Bonus points if they can tackle returns, keep high-traffic spaces organized, and help our family run like a well-oiled machine. Let’s face it, home management is a full-time job, and delegating some of it means I can stay focused on growing my business and being present for my kids. Win-win!
Take Work Off Your Phone
Work emails are officially off my phone. Why? Because I’m terrible at responding to emails on the fly. Now, I sit down at my desk to tackle emails with focus—and my phone is for family time (or the occasional Instagram scroll).
Automate Meal Planning + Prioritize Wellness
ChatGPT is officially my sous chef. I use it to generate meal plans and grocery lists that fit my family’s schedule and preferences. No more last-minute pizza nights (okay, maybe fewer). I’ve also enlisted Cayla at Nutrition Preferred, who’s a genius at getting my kids to eat balanced meals (and sneaking in veggies without complaints!). Family nutrition has never felt easier—or tastier!
Stick to Sleep Routines
My kids are at the age where they should be sleeping much better than they are (moms, what age does Moms on Call stop sleep training?!). Consistent routines at bedtime make our mornings—and my workdays—so much smoother.
At Birdie: Tips for Smarter Workflows
Use Tools to Stay Connected
With a fully remote team spread across the UK, Texas, and beyond (I’ll even be working from Australia some this year), communication tools are non-negotiable. We’re testing Clinked for client portals and sticking with Slack and Loom for real-time updates across time zones. These tools ensure we’re connected and productive no matter where we are. If you have tools you love, please let us know—I’m always looking for ways to improve!
Audit Your Platforms
Having tools is one thing; using them well is another. This year, we’re evaluating our existing systems to make sure they’re the perfect fit. If a platform isn’t helping us work smarter, it’s out. I also hope to work with Kate Rosenow of Work Well with Kate, who’s an expert in business operations, to fine-tune our workflows even further. For now, I’m focused on setting a solid foundation for our systems to keep things running smoothly.
Lean on Your Team
Delegation is my secret weapon. My team is incredible at owning their roles, which allows me to step back from the day-to-day and focus on the big picture—like growing Birdie and delivering results for our clients. If you need a strong team and don’t know where to start, here’s a shameless plug for calling the Birdie team—you get a full crew ready to jump in and help, just like having an in-house team. Whether it’s PR, marketing, or brand strategy, we’re here to lighten your load.
Keep Goals Manageable
Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, focus on what truly moves the needle. For Birdie, that means in-person time with key networks (it’s all about who you know in this business!) building seamless workflows, and sharing more content just like this blog post. Breaking big goals into smaller, actionable steps has made all the difference for us.
Prioritize What Brings You Joy
For me, that’s connecting with others and fueling creativity through collaboration. I know that in-person networking will always be a business win, so I’m carving out time to attend The Southern C Summit, Female Founders Day, and a Diana meetup this year. These events not only fuel my creativity but also open doors to new opportunities. Everything else? I’m working to delegate or systemize it.
Here’s the key takeaway: Invest in tools, systems, and people that work for you, and always make room for what lights you up. That’s where the real growth happens.
