Every month, we have a quick chat with a fellow creative biz owner, to learn about their routines in life and work. Through this series, we’ll shed light on the many ways there are to run a business while uncovering the role self care plays in building a biz you love, and doing meaningful work.
Our first creative-genius-slash-business-owner to share her routine with us is Britt Rohr of SoCal print studio Swell Press. I met Britt briefly a few years back (when I lived in Los Angeles) during a casual meetup organized by local members of the Creative Lady Directory. I’ve followed her work ever since and if you love paper and design and texture, you are sure to be OBSESSED.
NAME + BIZ + LOCATION: Britt Rohr + Swell Press + Southern California
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 3 as an official full time gig. 6 if you count side hustle years
WHERE YOU WORK: Our studio in Redondo Beach, California
WHAT YOU DO: I’m the owner of Swell Press, a design and bespoke print studio that focuses on the art of letterpress printing.
Share your average workday:
I’ve found one of my biggest keys to setting up a successful day is having a morning routine, where I don’t feel rushed or shortchanged of my ‘pre work’ me time.
I wake up around 6:30 am, and immediately make coffee. My first hour consists of scrolling on my phone (bad, I know), checking email (I have an employee on EST who starts her day around then, so it’s nice to get her some responses early), and writing in my journal. Around 7:30 I take my dog for a walk with my husband, and then after I’ll typically go on a run or for a swim in the ocean, and end with a short meditation exercise on the beach.
I get into the office between 9:30 and 10:30, depending on how quickly I do all of the above. I’ve got a studio about 15 minutes from my house, which by LA standards is a dream of a commute! I’ve got 2 employees who also work in the studio with me. The days are different depending on the workload- some days I’m designing ‘in the zone’ with headphones on, other days it’s a lot of emails, logistics and problem solving, and other days I’m printing. Most days, it’s a little mixture of all.
I try to leave the office at a decent hour but typically its more like 7 or 7:30 (unless it’s a summer Friday!).
What does self care mean to you?
Overall I think its knowing what makes you feel more fulfilled (on an internal, soul level, not a consumer level), and incorporating that into your day. It’s setting boundaries and making sure your needs aren’t put last. Maybe it’s sitting alone for 15 minutes and journaling, maybe it’s going for a walk alone (both my favorites)—but maybe it’s a bit more of a nightly routine or making time for yoga a few days a week.
How do you fit self care into your workday?
Per my fantastic business coach’s recommendation, I’ve made my morning routine a non-negotiable part of my schedule. It’s SO easy to either wake up late, or just tell myself I’ll have ‘me’ time tomorrow, not today. But I’ve found when I do that repeatedly, my overall happiness and satisfaction decreases. If I have to choose between getting to the office at 9am sharp one day, or having a really great morning, like taking advantage of a beautiful day or a really powerful meditation session which may get me into the office late- I’ll typically choose the latter.
I’m a better person, wife, boss, friend when I set the time and space aside for ‘me’ time.
It’s also trying to make sure I put my phone away by 9pm, and not looking at it the next morning.
How do you cope with isolation as a business owner?
I am a true introvert and thrive from isolation. Very rarely do I feel the need to interact with other people in person., rather, I kind of have to force myself to be social and see my friends. Want to be with or around other people does not come naturally to me. So, I think the isolation and the fact that I love it has helped me be able to focus and get into the creative zone more easily.
What tools or resources help you most when it comes to self-care?
Deepak Chopra’s meditation app has really helped me—specifically his meditation on abundance. I was introduced to his app by my coach, Winn Clark, who herself has offered me SO much guidance and insight over the past few years. Right now I’m reading Eckhart Tolle, at the urging of well, everyone. If Oprah co-signs him, you know he’s the real deal.
We think that self care looks different on everyone, and you shouldn’t worry if something doesn’t bring you relief. Talk about a “self care activity” you’ve tried that just doesn’t work for you.
I don’t really subscribe to anything that calls itself ‘self care’ under the guise of consumerism, like a face mask, new product, or anything like that. I’m personally also not into anything that is self care as a group—i.e. a yoga class or group fitness. While I love a good group fitness class, that to me is just a ‘workout’ and it stops there. While it recharges me, it doesn’t give me the space (and alone time) that I need to feel like I benefited in a deeper more spiritual way.
QUICK Qs
WHEN I’M OVERWHELMED I… Take a short walk, deep breaths, try to remind myself that I’m so *grateful* to have a packed schedule or booked clients… it’s a lot better than the alternative.
MY HAPPY PLACE IS… At home with my husband and my dog, or on the beach, listening to the waves, on a beautiful sunny SoCal day.
MY CURRENT FAVE BOOK/SONG/PODCAST IS…
- Not at all related to self care, but anything by David Sedaris, I am so on board with his dry and somewhat distorted sense of humor.
- Glennon Doyle’s book Untamed really lived up to the hype.
- I love Armchair Expert Podcast, specifically his Expert on Expert Series.
- And, at the end of the day when I want to unwind, the Bob Ross channel is so incredibly relaxing and I love this approach to everything. There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.
