FoundHer: Sadie Reid, Hip and Healthy

Sadie Reid is one of the UK’s leading wellness writers. Her career spans over five years at Condé Nast Traveller where she was Promotions Project Manager, Copywriter and did her final year stint as Retail Editor. Most recently she Founded and Edits the award-winning, luxury online health and wellbeing magazine, Hip & Healthy and has written for titles such as Vogue.com, Brides.co.uk, The South China Morning Post, AsiaSpa magazine, and matchesfashion.com. 

What does your typical day look like?

Each day is very different given which day of the week it is! A constant juggle of meetings, children, making sure there is food in the house, time in the office – my happy place (we have a little office above the shop of one of our brands on Elizabeth Street, London) and trying to squeeze in some exercise (usually a run or a Barry’s Bootcamp).

What is/are your biggest success/es to date?

I won The Kindness Cup age 4 – I still dine off that award even now!

Which tools can't you live without?

Google Drive – recently we implemented a new way of working by getting rid of our server and replacing it with a Google Drive so that the whole team can access any files that they need without us having to send them to one another. It just means less emails as we can even check in on each others to do lists and see what’s been done so we don't have to constantly ask.

Slack – like What’s App but for businesses and basically replaces emails

Xero – our accounting software. A great way of pulling to the minute finiacial updates

You recently opened your amazing concept store for Luxe and Hardy - what were the challenges and rewards?

The biggest challenge has been footfall – getting people in the door has been tricky as most people shop online these days (we do of course have a great online store for Luxe + Hardy too!). Having said that, we are overcoming this by lining up a bunch of really exciting events such as meditations, workshops and talks so be sure to sign up to our Luxe + Hardy newsletter to look out for these!

Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years time?

In five years time I’ll be 38 – I HOPE my children (8 months and 4 years) will be sleeping better so that I can start to actually remember what it feels like to be well rested. Hip & Healthy has had around 2 million people already come to the site to read the articles so it would be wonderful if Hip & Healthy could reach helping at least another 5 million by then! And for Luxe + Hardy, I would love for it to be the first thing people think of when they want something to wear to wind down in the evening! I also hope I still have friends as my social life has taken a bit of a pounding since having two business and two children.

What would you tell your younger self at the beginning of your career?

At the beginning I feel everyone (including me) is hungry for instant success. First of all – it doesn't exist. Second of all - you have got to enjoy the journey – it really is the best bit.

Is there anything you’ve had to sacrifice for your career?

Spending time with the kids. Earning a proper salary at the beginning (I didn't pay myself for years). Seeing my friends.

You have two small boys, has motherhood had any impact on your career or approach to business? 

It has definitely made evening events and early morning meetings near impossible! These are non-negotiable times I have with the kids.

How do you make motherhood and starting/running a business work as well as you do?

It’s all a juggling act. And it is worth noting that it couldn't be done without amazing help from our wonderful nanny, the nursery we love where Max goes, and grandparents!

You are clearly super busy but still manage to maintain a healthy lifestyle...whats the secret?

Prioritising it. Not all the time. But every week I need to do 3/4 workout sessions to feel like me. Nothing to do with my body – it’s how I keep a healthy mind. And I get some of my clearest thoughts and ideas whilst on a run – so it is always worthwhile. You never regret a workout.

Do you have any tips for new founders?

Just start! Even if it’s not perfect yet – just start or you never will.

What’s next? 

A lot of hard work – then we will see…

Finally, what quote do you live by?

Your health is your greatest wealth