This woman juggles two businesses — one is a party planning service for children, the other a service for expats. Learn about how an event planner can run businesses while still living a meaningful and well-rounded life.

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Titled “A Day In The Life Of A Woman,” this series celebrates the women in our lives. From the everyday to inspirational, the series aims to highlight women from various fields and share a bit of the diversity we experience every day.

Aarathi Arumugam’s businesses grew from casual interest to passionate endeavours. She’s currently located in Singapore and if you need a Chief Elf to help plan your party, she’s your go-to lady!

Running Two Businesses

I’ve been running The Party Elves for a little under seven years now. What started as something of a ‘lark’ or a cheerful joke between two friends to see how far we can take it, has become something I have grown to treasure. We are now a bespoke party planning service and our specialties are kids’ parties and baby showers. I have a team of ‘elves’ that help me get things done.

I am also Co-Founder and Co-Owner of another business called Singapore Expat Solutions. So my day is sometimes split between the two businesses, though usually the second half of the week is dedicated to The Party Elves as events are on the weekends.

6:30 AM: Wake up and have a light drink with my daughter before she heads off to school. If I’m behind on my work schedule then sometimes this is 5:30 AM so that I get an hour of work in before the rest of the house wakes up.

7 AM: Yoga on my own. Though, on the days that I am lazy (like this week so far) I have been crawling back to bed. With two kids under 10 years old, I am constantly sharing my time between them, work, and home so that I get everything done, so sometimes I need more zzzz’s.

7:30 AM: My son wakes up. Either my husband or I get him dressed, play with him, and get him showered and ready for the days.

8 AM: All three of us eat breakfast.

8:30 AM: Play time with my son. I am then out of the house after that so this time is precious because he is still at the age where I get lots of hugs and kisses on demand.

9 AM: Leave home for the office. If I have a heavy day of admin and thinking work I tend to stay home in the home office, so that my day starts a little earlier.

9:30 AM: In the office checking emails, addressing anything that needs to be answered or attended to straight away.

10 AM: Briefing with the team for what needs to be done for the day or week or event coming up. This includes planning promos, FB schedules, purchasing lists and staffing lists for events and work to be completed.

If we are planning an event then we look at creative ideas online, figuring out how we can make a particular look come together for a themed event we are planning for clients.

12 PM: PR and marketing. Checking out other events to inquire about collaborations and writing to partners to inquire if we can help in any way. I address other PR and marketing enquiries and plan for future events with vendor partners.

1 PM: Stop for a quick lunch break if I am home so that I get to see my son for a little while. If I am out, then it’s a quick lunch and back to work.

2 PM: Admin work and completing slides, articles etc. This is usually the time I set up meetings to meet clients or potential partners if there are interesting things happening.

3:30 PM: If I am out, I try and leave the office to be home by 4 PM (4:30 at the latest hopefully).

4 PM: Time at home and with the kids. Cook dinner, manage home to-do-list like the online shopping, homework etc

5 PM: Playground time with the kids.

6 PM: Dinner and bath time.

7 PM: Child 2 is put to bed.

7:30 PM: Child 1 is put to bed.

8 PM: Adult time. Dinner and wind down.

9 PM: Back to work if it calls for it.

10:30 PM: In bed!!! Yes, I am an early bird to bed. At least if I am in bed, the hope is that I will fall asleep early.

Aarathi shows us that it’s possible to juggle two completely different business endeavours, and express the various sides of your personality through these. She is a great example that it is do-able to manage your time and run successful businesses while still making time for your family.