6:00 AM – The Day Begins

The alarm goes off, and before I even open my eyes, the smell of freshly brewed coffee fills the house, my first non-negotiable of the day, thanks to my husband’s old-school coffee machine with a timer. That first cup is always ready before I get out of bed. As I sip it, I hear the footsteps of George, my six-year-old, already awake. These mornings can feel like a sprint, but I still try to make every moment with George count. They grow up too fast, and I know these mornings won’t last forever. It’s only 6:10 AM, and I’m already scanning my inbox. Our business runs 24/7, so last-minute staffing requests can come in at any time. Being on top of these early means we can respond quickly to client needs.

The first job of the day is feeding the cats, who have spent the night on their own adventures. Then coffee is poured for my husband and while I sort out George’s breakfast, which, as always, is served in bed, his own little morning non-negotiable. Then, it’s a race to get everyone ready: showering, dressing, hanging out the washing, and making sure George’s hair is perfect. By 7:30 AM, I feel like I’ve already run a marathon.

The Commute – Calls and Catch-Ups

After dropping George off, I face the unpredictable Manchester traffic. The five-mile journey could take anywhere from 15 minutes to an 1 hour and 45 minutes, depending on traffic. But I use this time wisely. I check in with our Manchester office, ensuring everything is running smoothly, and touch base with my eldest daughter, Hannah, who works with us. Watching her grow in her career is an amazing experience, though managing my own daughter adds a unique dynamic at work. I have to remind myself I’m Pam, not Mum!

By the time I reach the office, I’ve already ticked off three calls. It’s shaping up to be a productive day!

Morning – Client Visits and Coffee Breaks

The first thing I do in the office is check emails and review business figures. Recruitment may be people-centric, but it’s ultimately a sales-driven industry, so performance tracking is key. My first meeting takes me out of the office to a luxury corporate venue. This high-end workplace operates more like a 5-star hotel, with gourmet self-service restaurants and an impressive selection of meals. Our workers love placements here, and maintaining strong client relationships is key, making site visits an essential (and enjoyable!) part of the job. A successful meeting, a happy client, and another great coffee later, I head back to the office.

Midday – Team Development

Next, I have a Quarterly Business Review with one of my team members. We switched from bi-annual to quarterly reviews to monitor progress more closely. These sessions aren’t just about targets; they’re also an opportunity to check in on well-being and build stronger working relationships.

Back at my desk, my inbox is overflowing. With a team of 15, the emails never stop. Some require immediate action, others can be delegated, but all need attention. As I work through them, I attempt to eat lunch, something I always tell my team to do away from their desks, though I’m the worst at following my own advice.

Afternoon – Interviews and More Emails

The afternoon is filled with interviews for hospitality supervisor roles. Out of over 60 applications, I’ve shortlisted 12 candidates for phone interviews. Two no-shows later, I completed 10 interviews and compiled my shortlist for the client. Candidate experience is hugely important to me, so I make sure every applicant (whether successful or not) gets a response. With modern technology, there’s no excuse for ghosting candidates.

The rest of the afternoon is a blur of emails, calls, and quick check-ins. By the time I leave, I’ve wrapped up the urgent tasks and packed for a trip to our Leeds office the next day.

6:00 PM – Wrapping Up (Sort Of)

I’m usually the last to leave the office, which can sometimes make my team feel like they should stay late too. This quiet time lets me finalise plans for the next day before heading out.

As I chat with Rabia, our cleaner, I’m reminded of the invisible but vital work she does. Most people don’t notice her, but every morning, they arrive to a spotless office. She truly is our fairy godmother.

Evening – Family Time and the “Second Shift”

Back home, the chaos begins: toys everywhere, dogs barking, and dinner to be made. I juggle dinner, homework, and bedtime stories with George. Once he’s asleep, I do another tidy-up, always wondering how the house gets messy again so quickly. By 9:00 PM, I finally relax on the sofa, ready for a drama. But first, one last email check.

The Reality of It All

Balancing a senior role in a 24/7 industry with motherhood is demanding, but it’s also fulfilling. I’m inspired by my team at work and the little team at home. And come Sunday, I’ll make the most of Mother’s Day, because being a great role model for my kids is the most important job of all. 💙