Meet Marie Mack | Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marie Mack and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marie, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Work life balance is extremely hard. I have a 3 year old toddler and I am newly engaged. My fiancé and I try to spend a lot of family time because she works so much. Balancing family and work is rough because when they’re both home it’s hard for me to lock in, they both want attention. I take full advantage of daycare and getting as much done as I can between 7-430. I have also learned to love on myself so i have to factor in a girls day or a massage. It took me 3 years to get to a good place of balance. 3 years ago i was a mess postpartum kicked my butt and somehow i managed to come out on top. I had no sense of self or balance it was all baby. Now that he’s older and i realize i matter too i have to be ok for him. Once i met my partner and she was so supportive and helpful with him it gave me so much relief. There’s this underlying fear of not ever finding love because you have a child. So that was a huge fear of mine and i have met a true partner. We’re a team. We’re still learning but were so much better at it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Making it 17 years as a self taught fashion designer has always been tough. It’s a love hate thing. Working from home always being home makes me want to get out and do things. I love interacting with people and sometimes it gets heavy. I overcome challenges every time i make a garment. Things change daily. I’m always learning something new. A few things that I’ve learned along the way would be implementing contracts, making sure the client is firm on their design, folding clients to the contract and being firm. I’m such a giver i want to help everyone but that’s also a bad thing because i always end up with the short end of the stick. No matter how nice and professional i am there will always be a client that gives me a very hard time. I want the world to know that it’s not easy but there’s a huge reward in being able to travel, spend time with my family, do whatever i wanna do when i feel like it. Nothing worth having comes easy. Do the work it’ll pay off in the end.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Hmmmm honestly we like interactive fun. Maybe bar hop in midtown or stay home and play uno have some champagne and just vibe. Fun can be had at home i love being at home but doing fun stuff not working lol

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have a few that deserve credit. My son for starters i know all moms say their kid saved their life but he truly gave me purpose. He is the happiest child and he’s so full of love. I didn’t think I’d be a great mom but he shows me how bomb i am everytime he smiles. My partner for showing me how to love myself more than I’ve ever loved me before. My postpartum mom group actually showed me how much i have to be grateful for. It’s mind blowing how married women who have children with their husband feel so alone yet there i was a single mom still with help from my sons dad. I held him accountable because i really needed breaks. Those ladies in the group talked about how they don’t get to shower. I have never experienced that thank god. I’m a better version of the me i want to become finding myself through motherhood, entrepreneurship and love.

Website: https://Mariejanae.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariejanae?igsh=MWxrbGV3ZWJ5YWs0bg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr