My Working Day – Susan Gafsen – Co-founder of Pep & Lekker

As the leader of a company, you are there to set an example, to lead and inspire a team of individuals to achieve a series of business goals. But, how do these business leaders go about their daily routine?

Business Leader spoke to Susan Gafsen – Co-founder of Pep & Lekker – about her working day.

What Time Do You Usually Wake Up?

My husband’s alarm goes off at 6.30am and I am very spoilt as he brings me a cup of tea in bed. This helps me to wake up. Before I get out of bed, I will check my morning messages, and social media as even if I have a day planned it’s important for me to be responsive to customers and the world around me.

What Do You Typically Have for Breakfast?

I normally have Oatix or some soaked overnight oats with a packet of seed snacks and an apple or banana. A magnesium pill (I am a woman of a certain age!) and a strong cup of coffee!

What’s The Rest of Morning Routine Before You Start Work?

My morning always begins with a walk with my beautiful Newfoundland. She is not the fastest runner, but we have a light jog on the way home which is all downhill. Sometimes I may also squeeze in a tennis game, and when the gyms were open a spinning class. Exercise is fundamental to me to manage my stress levels.

First Thing You Do At Start Of Work Day?

I like to work from lists so will prepare a ‘to do’ list for the week on a Sunday night of tasks that need to be done on a given week and then add to this as the week progresses. At the start of the day I will check my list and prioritise what needs to be done that day.

How Do You Prioritise Your Work?

If there is an email from a customer or an enquiry I will respond to that immediately as excellent customer service and sales always take priority.

However, I will always respond as timely as I can to requests from my team. Managing the relationships with the people that I work with and showing them that I care and are there to help, is critical, as Pep & Lekker is the sum of its parts. I work with fantastic people and its very important for me to demonstrate that their work is valued.

Do You Plan Meetings or Keep them Fluid?

It depends, but due to my days as a lawyer I do love to have an agenda! I think this helps to keep the meeting focused and to ensure that I have covered off all the main points that I wanted to raise. However, detailed minutes, are thank goodness a thing of the past!

Working Lunch or Take A Break?

The beauty about being your own boss is that you do not have to follow the rigid routine of City life. I worked in the City for over 25 years and this is a real luxury for me. Therefore, I eat when I am hungry and take a break if I am not busy.

When Does Your Working Day End?

It depends on my workload, but I normally stop working around 6:30pm to prepare a meal for the family, and then if I am busy will go back to work after dinner.

Fav Piece of Tech?

I have my iphone permanently attached to me. You never know when that important call will come in!

How Do You Switch Off?

Exercise is my way of managing stress and keeping healthy. I try and top up my dog walk with jogging, playing tennis, cycling or hot yoga. If things get particularly stressful then my ‘go to’ is some meditation or mindfulness or a good film.

Best Piece of Advice You’ve Received?

As I have come into the food sector from a completely different world – the words of my MBA marketing professor keep ringing in my ears – ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’. I am constantly having to learn and evolve to the new world of FCMG.