A Team Update – How I’m Managing the Studio while Working from Home
Well, here we are, friends. Working from home and adjusting to our new normal. I don’t think any of us expected to be here this year (quarantined), but that’s where we’ve ended up, and we are all doing our best to focus on the positives! It may not be business as usual but not to worry - we are still planning weddings and tackling goals! Our team is excitedly counting down the days until the next RRE wedding celebration, and let me tell you, it is going to feel. so. good.
Although we’re not working in our RRE Studio, the wheels are still rolling and plans are being laid for weddings later this year and on into 2021. Our weekly team meeting is now a video conference call which is an exciting excuse to wear real clothes and put on some makeup to “see” each other.
We’re working in high gear to navigate postponements. Becca and Betsy are staying up-to-date on all news related to COVID -19 to keep our clients informed and provide them with the best path forward in navigating their wedding plans.
Me personally? I’m still managing our client guest lists, confirming appointments, following up with leads, checking in on the RRE Studio, and assisting Betsy in sourcing incredible vendors for our clients.
Working from home does have its challenges. Some days are highly productive as I sit in my dining room office and other days are full of distractions. My dog often releases pent up energy barking at anything outside the window for sport and dragging all the throw blankets and pillows from the living room out the doggy door.
As a new mom - some days, working from home feels like a balancing act to wear all the hats and wear them well. While all of this can be overwhelming, at the end of the day there is so much to be thankful for. I’m working my dream job while also getting a little extra time with my newborn. So for right now, quarantine isn’t so bad. But I know our entire team is eagerly awaiting the day we’re all packing up the cargo vans and headed off for the next RRE Wedding!
Here’s a behind the scenes look at the RRE Team working from home!
I'm so grateful to have a home office in our sunroom, which has abundant and beautiful natural light (a *must-have* for me). I'm also grateful that the office has a door, because at any given moment when I'm on the phone with a client, or on a video call, my daughters - ages 16 months and 4 years old - would love to talk to whoever I'm talking to. Most days it feels like a zoo around here, but I have learned to accomplish a multitude of things while the toddler naps! I am also insanely productive in the evenings when they go to bed, and now more than ever, I do some of my best thinking/strategizing/brainstorming in the shower, or on my Peloton bike.
My husband, Jarrod, and I now manage our calendars around each other's deadlines and schedule our days in a way that enables each one of us to have uninterrupted time to work and take calls, while the other one of us watches the girls (since there is no preschool or additional childcare right now.) We also make it a priority to get the whole family out of the house every day for a long walk. Fresh air and exercise have been so important! As hard and overwhelming as this parenting/working-from-home "balance" can often feel, we are keenly aware of how fortunate we are to have so much extra time with our daughters as they grow bigger by the day. After all, babies don't keep!
Becca, Founding Partner + Creative Director
Oversized cup of coffee, distracting dog toys, and cozy slippers are my work from home "must haves." I spend my days praying the FedEx truck doesn't pull up in the middle of one of my video calls causing my two black labs to wake up from their 100th nap of the day to bark and wreak havoc (that rarely works - they are terrors).
Jack is still working in Charleston, so it's pretty lonely in my house, but the RRE team virtually keeps me company. I stay sane by working out via FaceTime and put on my jeans daily to make sure they still zip. Luckily, my day is filled to the brim with client calls, video conferencing, and lots of emails, so there isn’t a lot of time to dwell on the 1,000 things I want to change and fix in my house (yes, we are still renovating). I spend most of my day talking to our clients, making plans to postpone events, and working with new clients planning weddings in 2021. I can't wait for the day we can toast again in person, but in the meantime, the RRE team is full steam ahead!
Betsy, Co-Owner + Event Director
The most challenging part about working from home for me was finding boundaries with my work and free time. To manage this, I created an hourly schedule and hung it up next to my desk. It helps me visualize when I need to be working, and I'm much more efficient and productive during the day because of it.
The best part about working from home is the flexibility. When I created my schedule I was able to tailor it to my exact needs. For instance, I like to get up early, work for a couple hours, go for a run and then get back to work. Something I wouldn't necessarily be able to do in a traditional office setting!
Allison, Design + Production Manager
I've had some practice at the work-from-home life, as I'm based in Raleigh and previously only traveled to the Winston-Salem studio once or twice a week and on wedding weekends. However, the biggest change for me has been my transition back to my parents house before Nate's and my wedding in September! Our extra time together has been so sweet, especially during quarantine, and given that they're early risers, waking up to fresh coffee has been an added perk!
My days have been *extra* busy, as we’ve recently announced our new RRE Method courses, and Nate and I continue to forge ahead on wedding plans! *Photo note - I also don't normally wear glasses but have been loving these blue light ones for all of my screen time.
Maddie, Marketing + PR Manager
We hope you’re all staying safe and healthy and can’t wait until we can all see each other again!
