Emily Ward & Jess Hunichen, Shine PR (all photos by Kieran Darcy)

As an entrepreneur, mother and human trying to get the most out of life here on earth, I've always been fascinated by the real, concrete ways that creative people (especially those that I admire) live. I'm a big fan of memoirs and books like Daily Rituals: How Artists Work that allows us to peek behind the curtains of the daily lives of creative and entrepreneurial people. What seemingly small choices do they make throughout their day in order to live fully and with purpose? How do they design their days with living well in mind?

At All You Are, we believe that self-care shouldn't be another item on our to-do list. Instead, we believe in committing to living well, every single day. So today, we are launching a new series, How I Live Well, with the goal of uncovering how the women who seem to have AND do it all actually create and design their days.

We'll share the previously unknown tips, tricks and rituals (you could call them life hacks) as well as the products they use to live well. We'll learn from the simple but creative ways they design their days to maximize joy, fulfilment and growth.

I'm kicking off the series with two women I met only this year - Jess Hunichen and Emily Ward, founders of a boutique PR firm, Shine PR and Shine Influencers. I met them separately at different events and when we all sat down together we made instant friends. They both live with their whole hearts and with the intention to always be creating (ABC!) and building value for their families, clients and community.

I hope you learn as much from them as I did...

What does living well mean to you?

Jess: My two main focuses are fun and flexibility. No matter what I’m doing, I need to be having fun with it. Of course, there are days that are harder than others, but overall, if I’m not having fun, I’m not interested. And flexibility is a huge one for me, I love to travel and it will always be important for me to go home (to Melbourne) a couple of times each year.

Emily: Being aligned with my core values and being surrounded by people who support them.

Emily Ward and Jess Hunichen

What rituals support your quest to live well?

Jess: Travel is a big one. I’ve done more travel this year than I’ve done in the past because we opened an office in LA, so I’ve been back and forth a lot. No matter where I go though, for business or pleasure, I come back refreshed, reinvigorated and SO motivated. And sunshine. Sunshine makes me very happy :-)

Emily: Oh, so many :) I’m selective about the people who I let into my world because I truly understand the value of being surrounded by loving, supportive people. I’m constantly learning about new ways to live fully through podcasts, books, conversations with amazing people, and work with my mentors. It’s a regular part of my day, which doesn’t feel like work. I’m constantly accessing new information.

How do you prioritize your professional goals vs your personal life?

Jess: When you run a business that is so tied to who you are, it’s difficult to make the distinction between your personal and professional life, so I look at my goals in a more holistic way. So in terms of prioritizing them, for me, they are broken down into short and long term. My short-term goals are more actionable day to day vs the long-term ones which are tackled in quieter moments when I have more mental capacity to dream a little bigger!

Emily: I am blessed that they are one in the same, so I don’t have to choose. Building Shine with Jess has allowed me to reach personal and professional goals that I needed to feel fulfilled. As a single mother, Shine provides me with a lot of flexibility a typical agency role wouldn’t offer. My kids are often in the office and around the team. They feel part of Shine and get to have a group full of “aunties” who adore them.

Tell us about your morning routine.

Jess: I like to have slow mornings, it sets me up well for that day, plus I’m much more productive in the evenings! I’m awake around 7.30, will send some emails from best then into the shower. Breakfast is a really important part of my day, I can’t function without it! I’ll typically have avocado on toast with a soft boiled egg. In terms of my skin care/beauty routine, I’m a creature of habit here and wear minimal makeup. Moisturizer, bb cream, brow pencil and some highlighter, then I’m out the door - always late!!

Emily: I get up and have a coffee while I get my daughter out of bed, then start getting myself ready while my son is getting up. I’m really big into The Ordinary skincare products right now. They are so inexpensive and have completely cleared up my skin in two months of use. I don’t wear a ton of makeup, but I do love Lancome’s Monsieur Big volumizing mascara and Mabelline’s Master Strobing Stick highlighter.

How do you wind down when your workday ends and transition to home time?

Jess: What do you mean when the work day ends?? ;-) I typically get home from the office around 5 or 6pm if I don’t have an event, and will often have a nap, then eat dinner with my fiancé. I love to cook and find it super relaxing, but I don’t do it nearly as regularly as I’d like.

Emily: I drive to work and it can take me 30-40 minutes in traffic to get home. I actually love that time as I listen to a podcast or call my best friend in Ottawa and decompress from my day. Big Tony Robbins and Oprah’s Super Soul fan.

Tell us about your nighttime routine.

Jess: I’m a night owl, and find that my most productive time of the day is usually between 9pm and midnight, so sometime during that window I’ll brush my teeth, wash my face and apply whichever serums I’m loving that week. If I’ve been travelling a lot and my skin is dry, I’ll do a quick sheet mask too. Then into bed with my laptop for a few more emails before sleep!

Emily: I am an early-to-bed person. When my kids are with me, it’s easy to wind down as there is a lot of story reading and snuggling as they drift off to sleep. When they aren’t with me, I love taking baths and using Alka-bath or Epsom salts. Terri Swan introduced me to Aura-Soma, which is amazing. I have some of the bath washes, scents and sprays that I frequently use.

I think people often wonder how entrepreneurs balance it all. What they don’t realize is that nobody does it all on their own. What systems have you set up to support you so that you can focus on reaching all your goals?

Jess: Certainly not, support is a huge part of our success! I’m thankful to have incredible support systems both internally and externally. Friends near and far have been such incredible cheerleaders. Family taught me that you have nothing to lose by giving something a shot. My fiance is there through it all, every up and down, and always knows exactly what I need. Our team are nothing short of amazing and I have ALL the love for them. And of course Em, what a joy to do something you love with someone you love.

Emily: A very big part of it for me is that I have Jess. I freelanced on my own for a number of years before meeting Jess and starting Shine and would never have wanted to do this alone. I have immense respect for entrepreneurs who don’t have a counterpart. As for me, I know how incredibly intense some days can be and how having an equal partnership allows us to balance the stress, keep each other laughing, and ultimately have fun as we grow this business together.

What resonates with you about AYA? What do you love about the robe?

Emily: Well, first off I adore you and everything you stand for. I know it’s not always possible, but whenever we can make a conscious decision to support other female-led businesses, we should.

I’m often in a robe at home and being a tiny frame, it’s hard to find one that doesn’t overwhelm me and make me feel like I’m wearing a blanket or a towel. In this robe, I feel feminine and comfortable. It has a clear style and is warm without being bulky.

Do you know any inspiring, creative women we should feature? Email us at hello@allyouare.ca