Heather Freiser is the director of branded content at The Muse. And a mother. And a restaurant owner. Basically, she’s pretty darn busy all the time.
In her role at The Muse, she manages a team of editors, writers, producers, and videographers. On any given day, she’s creating content pitches for clients, editing articles, managing a video shoot, writing scripts, and so much more.
In 2016, Freiser and her husband, Ben, opened a literary-themed bar and restaurant named Beginnings. There, they host author signings, themed tasting dinners, and a slew of kids’ events. While Ben’s in charge of the day-to-day operations, Heather manages the website and social media platforms.
When she’s not creating compelling employer content or planning a menu inspired by The Devil Wears Prada, she’s hanging out with her three adorable children.
When I asked her how she balances it all, Freiser says the secret is “so much coffee.”
“Basically, like most parents, I get by,” she explains. “Ben and I have opposite schedules, which is very hard. He works weekends and nights, and I work the more traditional hours of 9 to 6. So, when I come home, my second job (being a mom) starts. Also, I’m a night owl by nature, and I often like waiting up for Ben to come home so we can spend some time together. It’s difficult, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Read on to learn more about Freiser’s story, as well as her tips for juggling several roles.
What Do You Love Most About Branded Content?
I love using video to tell employee stories. I’ve gotten to collaborate with some of the best companies in the world, and the idea that I can help someone find the job they love truly inspires me. I’ve been blessed with an amazing career, and I want that for everyone who visits our site.
What’s It Like Managing a Team of People Who Have Such Different Roles (Videographer, Writer, Etc.)?
When you have a bunch of people who do different things, especially people who are experienced in things you might never have done (such as video editing, for me), trust is crucial, and a good leader knows that her opinion isn’t always the right one. We challenge each other in a way that pushes us to produce some very creative work, and we’re only getting better. I might be biased, but I have the best team ever.
What Advice Do You Have for Other Parents With Packed Schedules?
First, use a to-do list. It seems basic, but if I don’t have lists everywhere, I’ll forget something as simple as picking up milk for the baby or making sure my son attends the birthday party he was invited to.
Also, turn off your phone, seriously. From working in live TV, I quickly got into the necessary (but probably not healthy) habit of checking my phone all the time. Though my job now has more flexibility, I still struggle sometimes. My son’s actually taken my phone out of my hands and told me to stop. So now, I put it away from the time I get home until the kids go to bed.
Finally, stop being so hard on yourself. These days, parenthood’s become all about providing wondrous experiences for your children, but sometimes they have more fun and are more creative when you leave them to their own devices. It’s OK to let them stay home in their pajamas and make a mess in the living room.
Every week, my kids write down one thing they’re proud of, and I do the same. Sometimes, it’s as simple as, “I’m proud that we were able to eat dinner together every night this week.” Celebrate small victories. It helps you get through life’s stresses.
