, Julia Cheek saw a unique opportunity for her at-home health testing startup Everlywell.
She will quickly check her email first thing in the morning but saves responding until later. "The good news about having a 14-month-old is they either take your phone from you or they don't want you on your phone," she said. Amid back-to-back meetings, Cheek blocks off "serendipity" time and makes sure her team doesn't burn out.
Cheek is also a fan of scheduled coffee breaks, especially as she works from home. She tries to take a 15-minute break in the mid-afternoon for a coffee outside, but found it difficult as Everlywell scaled and Austin's 110-degree heat hit during the summer. To achieve that, Cheek and her entire team meet several times a week to welcome new hires, discuss upcoming initiatives, and celebrate successes, sometimes incorporating costumes to keep the mood light, Cheek noted. Cheek is also wary of burnout and encourages her team to take time off as the company grows.
good luck