In our How She Does It column, we talk to inspirational mothers about work-life balance, their favourite travel destinations, travelling with children, and how they really do it all. This month we caught up with Elizabeth Scarlett Petrides, founder of accessories brand Elizabeth Scarlet.
A well-travelled mother-of-two, she is passionate about encouraging her little ones to see the world and help preserve it. Here she tells us how her love of nature inspires her work, how her ethical business has managed to donate over half a million pounds to wildlife charities, and what holidays with her children mean to her.
Tell us about yourself?
I am the founder and creator-in-chief of Elizabeth Scarlett; a London-based accessories brand creating beautiful embroidered products whilst giving back to the natural world through our conservation work. We pledge two per cent of our annual sales to the preservation of wild animals and this summer proudly reached the £500k mark for some amazing causes. Beneficiaries include the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in support of orphaned elephants, Blue Marine Foundation to help baby turtles, and SUJÁN’s Tiger conservation in India.
My husband Alex and I have been together for twelve years, and married six. Together we have two children, Meiri May, four, and Orlando Sol, one – plus a cockapoo called Lamu, named after our honeymoon destination!
A few years ago, Alex joined the brand as our CEO and together we run Elizabeth Scarlett from our office in North London. Life with a young family and a growing business is fast paced and full but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Tell us more about your working life?
I founded the brand nearly 10 years ago. My grandfather had a textile business in the 70s and I was always so inspired by him and his work ethic. After graduating from Central Saint Martins and spending time working in the family business, I was inspired to start my own brand. I love to paint and decided to develop my illustrations of wildlife and the natural world by embroidering them onto pouches, cushions and bed linen. After getting samples and putting together a business plan, I launched Elizabeth Scarlett with embroidered home wear and travel pieces. We have gone from a team of two to 25 in a short space of time, are stocked in iconic stores such as Fortnum & Mason, and count Kate Moss and members of the royal family as fans.
What inspires you in your career?
Wildlife, travel and discovering the natural world. I believe it’s not just possible, but necessary to honour and protect all that makes our planet beautiful. When I launched the brand, it was important to me that we give back to the planet and therefore launched our ‘pouch for purpose’ whereby proceeds go towards wildlife charities. To date we have achieved the likes of helping orphaned elephants in Nairobi, protecting tigers in Rajasthan and turtles in Ascension Island and the Dutch Caribbean.
The three things that help you juggle everything?
My phone, my husband and my various Elizabeth Scarlett pouches to keep me and the children organised!
Have your career goals and aspirations altered since becoming a working mum?
Definitely. Since having the kids, I feel inspired to be the best version of myself and be an example of a working mum. I love all the wonderful opportunities that work brings us as a family; most recently shooting the pyjama mini-me campaign with my daughter Meiri. But I also have to now be more regimented about down time. Before children there was very little time off – I was working until 11pm at night and always ‘go go go’. Now, once my working day and meetings end I break off into mum-mode. I aim to maximise productive time during my day to ensure that I can go home and focus on the kids. I find it hard, of course, because you can still have a mega to-do list and feel like you haven’t got it all done, but I can’t sacrifice that time with the kids. Family has to come first.
If you could give your past self one piece of advice about being a working mother what would it be?
Being a creative person, there will always be competing forces in your life. You have to remember you can’t do all of it, all the time, to the level you want to. Especially when you want to be a present mother and focus on business. It will be a juggling act, so take pride in what you are able to achieve in both family and work life, and pat yourself on the back.
If you had the power to change one thing for working mothers, what would it be?
The ability to fly – so we’re never stuck in traffic and late for the nursery pick up!
If you have a day to yourself, what do you do?
Turn off my alarm and sleep in until whatever time I like. Then head into central London to get a nice massage or facial, or go to a museum or a theatre show. Afterwards, I’d grab an early dinner in Soho or go to the bar at Ham Yard Hotel with a glass of wine – where I should probably read a good book, but in reality I’d actually just scroll through photos of my kids.
Heading ‘out out’ – where is your favourite spot?
This is rare and something I took for granted in my 20s. I recently went to Chiltern Firehouse with my girlfriends for great food, great cocktails and great people watching.
Tell us about the best holiday you’ve taken with your children?
We absolutely loved Can Marti in Northern Ibiza. It’s a family-friendly eco resort with such a peaceful and stunning landscape; 42 acres of land, a vegetable garden, farm-to-table restaurants and a little shop on site full of local natural produce. The kids loved waking up to a visit from the farm cat, saying hello to the chickens and going on little walks to visit the donkeys. There’s even a natural swimming pool with frogs swimming around inside its rock pools. A 10-minute drive away are beautiful local beaches and delicious seafood restaurants. It’s magical.
Favourite hotel ever – with or without children?
I fell in love with Kenya when I visited on my honeymoon. We stayed at Borana Lodge in the Lewa Conservancy where we saw such a diversity of animals in their natural habitat. After that trip I made a promise to myself that our work would focus on supporting their environment and protecting the landscapes they live on, so it’s a very special place for me. My favourite activities were walking on foot through the bush (thrilling!); riding on horseback across the conservancy; getting close to wildlife in open-top safari trucks; and lounging at the infinity pool on top of Pride Rock (the same rock which inspired the Lion King!) while looking out at the endless view. Our son Orlando is only one, but we took our daughter, Meiri, to Kenya when she was two and it was a magical experience. I hope to take them both back there again soon.
What are your tips on things to do with children in London?
A day out in London with two young children can be quite a lot, but we’re lucky to live next to some wonderful parks. We love going to Highgate Wood, letting them run around, climb trees, and walk in the muddy woods in wellie boots. I also love a farmers’ market and we have one very near to us which is always a good Sunday morning adventure. We try to get as much outdoor time with the kids as possible – fresh air and movement is good for all of us, especially after an intense working week.
Travel essentials with kids?
Alphabet pouches with their initials on – filled with their favourite snacks, toys, colouring or sticker books, a spare change of clothes, nappies and wipes. I also download some shows onto my phone for them; I love the Julia Donaldson stories. Lastly, a cosy blanket for sleeping in and to give them something comforting that smells like home.
Travel essentials without kids?
Earpods! When not travelling with children, a flight can be a time to sit back, relax, listen to a podcast and maybe even take a nap. I’d also pack eye masks and salted caramel chocolate as an added treat.
Any top tips for travelling with kids?
Dividing travel essentials into pouches and organisers is my top time-saving hack for the airport. I keep passports, tickets and airport necessities in one pouch; I have one for each of my children. I created our Alphabet designs with initials for family travels to make it a lot easier when quickly rifling through to find what you need.
How do you think travel benefits your children?
I want my children to see all the different sides to our beautiful planet. Wildlife and nature are so important to us and I believe if children grow up knowing, appreciating and respecting nature they will protect it. Travel opens their eyes to so many different experiences, cultures and places. Whenever we’ve been away as a family, I feel like we are all so connected, we make amazing memories and I see my kids develop in confidence.
Where are you off to next as a family?
We’ve just come back from a big travelling stint over the last six months (whilst our house was being renovated). I’m planning next year now and there are so many options, but I’d love to go back to Kenya to show my kids the projects we’ve been working on with the Sheldrick Trust, or head to India as a family for an exciting regenerative project we’ve got coming up.
The best advice you would give to other mothers?
Everything is a phase and you are learning just as much as your little ones. So go easy on yourself; you’re doing great!
Are there any women who inspire you?
Shea McGee – an interior designer making life beautiful in every aesthetically inspiring way. Connie Nam – the founder of Astrid and Miyu who has achieved insane business growth. Ruby Raut – who founded Wuka period pants which are life changing. All are present mothers plus business owners, and are absolutely smashing it!
How do you do it?
Am I doing it? Who knows but I’m trying! I absolutely love what I do and never stop dreaming. I have endless ideas and there are always new and exciting things for me to learn. I naturally have an entrepreneurial spirit and am curious, passionate and obsessive. With that said, it’s not for everyone, and there is never a perfect week. There are always challenges that crop up, and I have to be relaxed about it enough to have flexibility – especially as and when the kids need me. It is a constant juggle; work-life balance is a myth! I find a good support network to be crucial, as is taking care of yourself when you can. I try to be asleep before 10pm, I read before bed every night and have no screen time from at least an hour before. I’d love to say that I am organised with a Google calendar and to-do list but with the growth we are seeing, I’m on a more flying-by-the-seat-of-my pants vibe! I book family breaks every couple of months to fully switch off, reconnect and have dedicated family time.
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Any Questions or Tips to add?