So we are all in lockdown and trying to work from home when possible. But how does the Cake brand continue to bake, when all the ingredients are separated? Here’s a little look inside how a few team members are trying to physically distance themselves but still remain social, functioning and sane.
Meet Georgia
Content Producer
What does your typical day look like now that you’re working from home?
I’ve been waking up around an hour later than I usually would, because working from home means no commute and no need for makeup! Once I’m up I jump in the shower, chuck on some comfy clothes, make a coffee the size of my head and then get stuck into my work. I’ve been working the same hours as I would in office, so aside from location and the fact that I have my sausage dog, Pretzel, on my lap 90% of the time, not too much has changed!
How do you keep boredom at bay?
Spotify! If what I’m doing doesn’t require too much brain power I love to listen to podcasts, otherwise I’ll have my saved songs or discover weekly playing in the background.
What are you doing for exercise?
Walking to the kitchen to make more coffee… In all seriousness though, I’m not putting any pressure on myself to have an exercise routine. I live on acreage, so some days I’ll play with the dogs outside, and then other days I won’t leave the couch. It’s all about balance!
Is there a particular home project that you’re working on?
At the moment I’m still catching up on freelance design work over the weekends, but my boyfriend is moving into my house in a couple of months so I’ve got A LOT of furniture moving, clothes sorting, junk removal and IKEA building ahead of me!
What’s one thing you will do differently from now on?
I want to make a conscious effort to get outside more. Ironically, living on land your whole life doesn’t actually mean you spend heaps of time outside! With everything that’s going on in the world, I’ve realised how lucky I am to live where I do, as opposed to being cooped up in an apartment, so I want to make the most of it!
Is there something that you’ve realised you take for granted?
I’ve always been a bit of a homebody, but I really, and I mean REALLY, miss going out to eat! I’ve been having serious ramen withdrawals…
Do you have any kids to home-school and how are you going with that?
Only fur babies!
There’s three main things I’ve learnt since being at home.
- When this whole thing blows over, I need to get out more! It’s kind of concerning how little my life has changed now that we’re in lockdown.
- For some absurd reason my skin is actually WORSE when I don’t wear makeup everyday. Isolation pimples are no joke!
- Pretzel literally sleeps at least 22 hours a day. It’s insane but also kind of inspirational.
Meet Tracey
Founder
What does your typical day look like now that you’re working from home?
I get up at 6.30am and make breakfast for the family. I start my workday at 8.30am. I get the kids sorted with their online schooling, and then I tackle my emails.
I am actually finding that I get a lot more done from home. I have fewer distractions, and am able to focus fully, apart from the odd interruption from Carter, my youngest, when he does not understand some of his schoolwork.
How do you keep boredom at bay?
My day is very structured still and this is a conscious choice. I think it is important to still get up at the normal time, get dressed, showered and do my hair.
I spend the morning working and helping my children with their schoolwork.
Before lunch we go for a walk or get some type of exercise in. I always feel better after I have exercised.
My afternoon consists of reading, preparing a yummy meal and doing some household jobs.
My husband and I sit down to some Netflix in the evening (comedy usually) to help lighten the mood and get a few belly laughs in. Laughing is good for the soul.
What are you doing for exercise?
Exercise is really important. Not only for myself, but also for the rest of my family too. When we can we get out and go for a walk together to get some much needed fresh air and a change of scenery.
My eldest son is doing virtual workouts with a gym online daily in our garage.
I do Yoga most days, which is great for the mind and body.
My husband and I run also, a great stress release and a fantastic way to start the day.
Is there a particular home project that you’re working on?
The best thing about social isolation is that you have a lot more time on your hands. All of those household jobs that I have been putting off for months are getting done.
It is very satisfying.
What’s one thing you will do differently from now on?
I will be more conscious of hand washing.
I will appreciate my freedom more.
I will embrace my friendships and family and not take them for granted.
Is there something that you’ve realised you take for granted?
Going to the shops, schools and work. All of these things are a part of my usual daily life. When they are taken away, we start to understand just how important they are in our daily life.
Do you have any kids to home-school and how are you going with that?
I have a 14 year old and a 9 year old. They have both been really resilient. They are doing online learning, have not complained once and are flourishing under these trying times.
What’s the funniest/best thing that’s happened to you, or what have you learnt being at home?
I have learnt that I am more like my mother than I thought I was. My mother is a keen gardener. I love gardens but have always hated the work they require to maintain them. I found myself yesterday in my garden. I was actually enjoying pruning the roses, weeding and doing a general tidy up.
The sun was shining and the birds were chirping, what a lovely place to be.
Meet Katie
Head Designer
What does your typical day look like now that you’re working from home?
I’m quite apt at working from home, so it’s not that much of a jolt for me, but am finding it very different to have my 2 daughters home with me. They take turns in distracting me. They wake up really early so nothing different there. I’m finding it hard to exhaust them physically during the day, so bedtime is a bit of a challenge. We try to chunk the day with eating, school work, exercise, outdoor and play. This is working so far, so good.
How do you keep boredom at bay?
I’m finding it hard to actually get bored as I am wearing a lot of extra hats these days. I do however find a dose of David Goggins helps for a kick-up-the-bum. I used to do a lot of meal prep, but am trying to cook each meal as the time allows, and enjoy the process. This is also helpful for my girls school work if I can pass it off as maths, or more recently, science. Hello, kitchen explosions.
What are you doing for exercise?
We are doing ‘the body coach’ as a family at 11am, my girls love his accent. I usually go for a run but can’t do this as much due to my girls being home, so try and do some home workouts via F45 online, pinterest or my favourite @francheskafit on instagram combined with interval timer app. My ‘home’ coaches (aka daughters) find cruel pleasure in making sure I don’t miss a beat. Touche.
Is there a particular home project that you’re working on?
It’s a bit of catch 22. I’ve been meaning to do some render work on a wall at home, but I can’t do that with the home being occupied now with young girls.
With the recent bushfires in NSW, a friend’s house burnt down with 2 quilts inside that I made for her children, so I’m remaking them slowly, but surely. I’m actually finding less time to do these than usual.
What’s one thing you will do differently from now on?
I’ll appreciate the school teachers more. It definitely is a different kettle of fish having children at home teaching and learning, and not on holidays.
Is there something that you’ve realised you take for granted?
Toilet paper! Just kidding.
I’ll appreciate the school teachers more. It definitely is a different kettle of fish having children at home and not on holidays with school work to do instead of play.
The effect of a hug. I’m not a big hugger but, knowing I can’t do this is making me realise how nice one would be, especially from my Mum who is living in a different state, also in lockdown.
Do you have any kids to home-school and how are you going with that?
Yes, Olive 6 and Edith 9. I’m really enjoying it and we are having a great time connecting, but am finding I’m working much later, after they sleep, to get everything done. I realise they eat a lot more at home than I put in their lunch boxes though.
What’s the funniest/best thing that’s happened to you, what have you learnt being at home?
My postlady actually threw my package at me one day. The next time she placed it on the driveway and backed away from it like it was a ticking bomb.
I’m loving getting to know my daughters more intellectually, through this time at home.
I like the way the social community is attempting to have a laugh at the entire situation with silly memes and more posts than usual. It’s amazing how we can all pull together when we have been forced apart.
Meet Jane
Warehouse Assistant
What does your typical day look like now that you’re working from home?
Setting up home school and supervising my year 5 son from 9-3. Loads more cleaning because everyone is home. Way less washing than usual. The family has lunch and dinner all together, every day.
How do you keep boredom at bay?
By making sure that no-one else is bored. Raiding the craft cupboard, cooking, trying new things.
What are you doing for exercise?
Trail runs with my kids, walking the dog, working out with equipment in the backyard
Is there a particular home project that you’re working on?
Tidying the garden, drawing portraits
What’s one thing you will do differently from now on?
Hug more people
Is there something that you’ve realised you take for granted?
Food being available all the time
Do you have any kids to home-school and how are you going with that?
Older two in high school are very independent and are working well in the conditions. My younger son loses focus with longer tasks, wants to rush through everything so that he can get back to his ipod. I can see the areas he needs to work on and will continue to monitor when school returns to normal. Each night he thanks me for helping him.
What’s the funniest/best thing that’s happened to you, or what have you learnt being at home?
I’ve learnt that our schedule prior to isolation was probably a bit out of control and that we should reduce some commitments in order to appreciate the time we spend together as a family.
Meet Raimonda (or Rai Rai)
Sales Manager
What does your typical day look like now that you’re working from home?
I usually have a long commute to work as I live in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, so I’m sleeping in every morning but only a little bit. I’m a bit of a night owl so I like to head outside in the mornings, and enjoy the last days of sunshine we have left before winter sets in.
How do you keep boredom at bay?
I have a lot of friends in the same boat, so we have set up a few zoom meetings. We also chat on messenger and skype just for something different. If I find myself sitting for too long, I’ll do a hot lap around the block whilst (of course) avoiding all other people.
What are you doing for exercise?
I go to the park and do body weight exercises now that I’m not able to play paddle tennis any longer. I’m not alone here, as all the gyms are closed too. Everyone keeps their distance now that we can actually be fined for being too close to each other.
Is there a particular home project that you’re working on?
Just an extended spring clean.
What’s one thing you will do differently from now on?
Spend more time outside, smile bigger and hug tighter. It’s amazing how friendly everyone is now that we’re all in this together.
Is there something that you’ve realised you take for granted?
Travel. I like to travel. My parents don’t live in Australia and have just returned home so I’m happy they are home safe.
Do you have any kids to home-school and how are you going with that?
Nope – just me.
What’s the funniest/best thing that’s happened to you, or what have you learnt being at home?
With all of the technology that we have, I know I can work from home easily and without the costly commute. I’ll definitely be going on an overseas holiday when all of this settles down.
