Most of Australia's female population with an interest in fashion and lifestyle would have heard of Sarah-Jane Young (and have her Instagram on refresh). Every post online attributed to the SISJ brand is well thought out, consistent, fresh and stylish. Sarah Jane’s online presence appears effortless and is I was fortunate enough to have her to agree to an interview so I could delve deeper into her world, one that has inspired me, and find out why she is Sarah Jane. When looking at Sarah Jane’s website you would be forgiven for thinking that she is Superwoman. A Magazine Editor (she is Fashion & Beauty Editor for Latte Magazine), who runs her own website with an amazing team of contributing editors and (to me) a lifestyle many would be envious of. I love that Sarah Jane is not one of those girls who found instant success through Instagram and shameless product promotion. With a background in advertising and marketing, who has worked in publishing and e-commerce for a fashion label prior to landing a role as a marketing and PR manager for a hair and beauty company, Sarah Jane is a walking marketing role model, who is far from reaching her peak. One thing that also struck me about Sarah Jane is her integrity. When I asked her what she is most proud of, her response was her WOMEN WHO INSPIRE series. I just shake in my head in absolute awe and delight. Sarah Jane is an ambassador for Dr LeWinn and just returned from an overseas trip to Europe with Peugeot, she is managed by The Ministry of Talent (owned by the PR Queen herself, Roxy Jacenko) and she is most proud of being able to showcase the talents of other women in order to inspire females worldwide. What a woman! However, after you finish reading below and seeing Sarah Jane’s latest news, I think that her real legacy will be revealed in about four months’ time (yes, I am squealing with delight at her news).
Did you ever think that your (then) blog would lead you to where you are today?
Absolutely not! I never intended for my blog to go anywhere further than a hobby. I started my blog a few years ago as an escape from my then mundane job! It was a creative escape for me and I loved that I was the boss. Things really started to skyrocket after my internship at Grazia magazine in London. This also gave me the confidence to believe in my writing and my vision and I pushed on with the blog. It was literally like I woke up one day and I was ‘kind of a big deal’! Of course signing with the whirlwind that is Roxy Jacenko at The Ministry of Talent has also been amazing for exposure and job opportunities. I am eternally grateful to Rox for believing in SISJ.
What is a start to finish day look like for you?Ha! You don’t want to know – it sometimes involves PJs and crazy bed hair all day! I don’t really have an ‘average day’, due to the nature of my jobs. I am always juggling a thousand different things – upcoming blog posts and collaborations, photo shoots, my social media/online plan, admin, my finances, networking, styling for shoots… the list goes on!
I do feel sometimes my mind and desk are mayhem, however, it somehow works as a big organised mess! It’s all about having a strict schedule/routine and working when you are at your best. I work very well in the morning and like to start my day with PT or exercise, followed by admin and emails until lunchtime. I will always break for something to eat or run some errands. I love playing with my two furry babies (Mika and Arbie) and then I get back to the desk for my afternoon sprint. By about 4:00pm my brain and eyes hurt and I chill out for a while – usually a true crimes or Real Housewives episode! I will cook for myself and the hubby most nights and then we hit the gym (if we are being good!). A little bit more TV and I get back to my desk until about midnight. I am a serious night owl! I get some of my best work done late at night. This is when I do most of my writing, it just seems to flow easier than during the day.
I often find that many career girls associate the term “work/life balance” with working mums. Do you think it is just as important for single professionals, or working women with no kids to embrace the work/life balance philosophy?Funny you should mention this… I am not totally kid-free! I am actually 5 months pregnant, but it’s still a big secret! (Can you see why I squealed with delight? How exciting and congratulations). However, she’s not arrived yet obviously, so I can only comment on my current work/life balance – although my philosophies are similar. I have always ensured I have a healthy work/life balance in previous roles. I believe this is the key to not only maintaining your sanity, but also true happiness. I have now been working from home on my blog and Latte Magazine now for nearly 18 months and have found it quite hard at times to really grasp that perfect ‘balance’. While there are so many pros not only working for yourself, but working from home, there are also some negatives. I think it’s healthy to have a workspace outside your home, as convenient as it is. My mother always drilled in the importance of a happy home and also separating environments (that’s what you get having a forensic psychologist for a mum!) – But I do agree.
I now start my day with a strict routine and have set hours for most days. Of course, this is all pretty flexible which is fantastic, but the 1am Instagram monitoring probably needs to stop! There’s no real right or wrong answer, I just listen to my body and brain and adjust accordingly. No day or week is ever the same, so it’s all about introducing some sort of schedule. Young and successful career girls often face many challenges, one being judgment passed on their looks and not their intellect. I have faced it before – with guys and girls and I can only imagine that you have encountered similar situations – not being taken seriously at first face value. What message can you give other career girls to help them moving forward.
Yes, I can understand how you feel. I previously worked with a very large health organisation and was judged all the time on how I looked (and for my job title!). After I while you just develop a thick skin and people always came around, however that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt or was fair. I will add also, that it was always other women! Being the old-ER and wiser woman that I am today, I can only put it down to jealousy – without sounding totally self-consumed. As a ‘blogger’ or ‘social media influencer’, looking a certain way can obviously work in your favour though. I do need to add, only my good pics go up online – we ALL have bad days. In this world there are all new ways for others to insult you. Considering my readership and followers are quite large, I’ve been pretty lucky regarding “trolling” and online abuse for how I look. The first few times it really upset me. However, after I got over it and realised I must have “made it”, I knew this vicious behaviour was on their insecurities talking.
At the end of the day, I post images of myself and have created a business based on exactly that – me. So who am I to complain when people pass judgement? I just know I will raise my daughter exactly how I was, if you’ve got nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. It’s simple. You are always looking fabulous. Your hair, makeup, outfits. You are comparable to a walking Vogue print! Who do you draw your inspiration from? I will accept your lovely comment, however, after reading my last answer, these are only the pictures you see! I am super lucky I have some great friends who help me to be my best too – including my ‘hair husband’! We all need one.
To be completely honest – my inspiration comes from nowhere in particular. Obviously subconsciously we style ourselves and our homes based on something we’ve seen or been exposed to, but I don’t actively seek out magazines or other blogs for inspiration. I wear what I want to wear. I definitely have a very traditional and girlie side of me and sometimes joke I was born in the wrong era. I think I am a 40’s girl! I like blending old with new and making it my own (This makes me love her GuessJeans shoot even more!). Who is that one career girl who inspires you?Georgina Chapman. She is my ultimate career and girl crush. Aside from being incredibly beautiful, she is a successful business woman (designer for Marchesa – one of my faves!), a wife, a mother and continues to evolve with everything that she does. I adore her. Every career girl has that one quote they live by. What is yours?
The best revenge is living well. A fun one - if you could post a selfie with anyone, who would it be?
Cameron Diaz! I just love her bubbly persona and I think we could totally be besties! Thank you Sarah Jane for taking the time for this interview – I want to provide young professionals with an insight into the world of inspirational women, and give them that motivation to continue to achieve. It is refreshing to know that not everyone woke up like this Beyonce style, that through all of your success you are proud of being able to give back and that you have shared with me such exiting news about a bubba Sarah Jane on the way. I for one am excited to hear about the next chapter of your life and maybe I can get you back to give us an insight into the world of a working mum (and if you ever become besties with Cameron Diaz, I shotgun a photobomb in the selfie!).
