We caught up with Founder & CEO of sustainable jewellery brand Edge of Ember, Lynette Ong, to talk work-life balance, starting a business, and the all-important topic of SLEEP.

After growing up in Singapore, Lynette left her job in finance to pursue a dream of using her creativity for the better. Inspired by a wealth of artisans selling beautiful jewellery on her travels around Asia, Edge of Ember was born. From a quick scroll through the @edgeofember Instagram, it’s clear the importance of sustainability and ethical production is central to everything they do.

Read on to hear more on Lynette’s career & her best pieces of advice in starting a business…

What's a typical day like for you?
 
I usually get woken up by my kids at 7am. Mornings are always very loud and hectic trying to get the kids ready for school and out of the door on time! Me or my husband David will walk the kids to school and then I will continue on to our office (via the coffee shop!). I really enjoy my morning walk to work; it helps me process the day ahead and have some me-time before a busy day in the office or working from home. Meetings / calls usually start from 9.30am and sometime don’t finish until 6pm. Then its straight home to do bath time and put kids to bed. 
How do you wind down/relax at the end of a busy day?
 
Usually, a large glass of wine and my favourite Deliveroo!! 
 
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
 
Some weeks are better than others! But I think it’s being strict with yourself to try and switch off and stop working when you have left the office. I have also started keeping my phone downstairs when I go to bed which has been a game-changer. 
 
Do you have any tips on dealing with (a lack of) sleep as working parent and founder?
 
I am lucky that I can usually get to sleep quite easily but if I get woken up in the middle of the night (usually by a child!) I struggle to get back to sleep and that can really affect my mood / eating habits / concentration the next day. If I have had a bad night’s sleep I try and continue my daily exercise which always helps lift my mood and energy, even though I really don’t want to!
 
What you wish you knew then that you know now?
 
That I actually had all the time in the world, pre-kids.
 
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
 
Surround yourself with the best people and invest in culture. 
 
Who or what inspires you?
 
Whitney Wolfe Herd who built Bumble into the massive company and community it is now.
 
Amanda Gorman who moved the world and made such an impact with her words.
 
What is one piece of advice you would give someone wanting to start their own business?
 
Get as much hands on experience as you can do, and that you learn and make mistakes first, before taking the plunge to start a business. 
 
 
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