We had the good fortune of connecting with Morgan Monia and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Morgan Monia, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Once the pandemic began in March 2020 and employees were instructed to work-from-home (WFH), my work-life balance changed completely. Over the course of the past 2 years, the way I view work-life balance has changed monthly. There are some months when my personal life allows me the opportunity to WFH on a traditional 9-5pm schedule, where I am in my home office attending meetings with my cameras turned on. Conversely, there have been times I’ve spent an entire month away from my home office in Dallas to visit family & friends. This allows me flexibility and the choice of being on camera only when necessary. I think it’s important to take each day at a time and decide what type of schedule or “balance” will work best for that specific day.
For me, balance is all about being able to meet deliverables in my professional and personal life. I also am a HUGE supporter of calendar invites/reminders. If something is not on my calendar or to-do list – it’s likely not going to get done. I also like to “block off” time on my calendar to ensure I am spending time with family or carving out time to work on a special project. The more informed I am upfront, the more I can plan out a balanced day.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am currently a Merchandise Financial Planner at Target Corporate. For specific categories of business, I strategize/create, manage, and forecast financial decisions for the products sold in stores. I am so proud to be a part of a corporate organization that truly cares for their employees and has a robust plan about how to implement and sustain Diversity & Inclusion efforts/strategies. Target prioritizes their employee’s happiness, authenticity, and career development – it’s been such a joy to work for the company.
A career in Merchandising is different for everyone! I started out as an Assistant Buyer at Belk Corporate (a southern based department store in Charlotte, NC) and made the transition to J.C. Penney as an Associate Buyer. After the pandemic, I began to experience burnout and was seeking to find a company that practiced what they preached – Target was exactly that match. These past 6 years in my professional career haven’t been the easiest – but it has been rewarding. I’m also VERY grateful for the Mentors I have. They’ve had multiple honest and candid conversations with me about: Salary/Income, Career Planning, Self-Awareness, xyz and so on!
Having my mentors, friends & family as a support system has made all the difference! Speaking out about work-place biases, having transparent conversations with leadership about what I want to do next, advocating for myself, and networking (we cannot forget about networking!) have really helped me to overcome the challenges. Additionally, using my mornings to pray & manifest with Jesus, and having a dedicated time to speak with my therapist weekly, has changed in my overall outlook in life and how I view challenges and obstacles.
There are 2 important lessons I’ve learned around the way
1. Never be committed to a place/corporation. Instead, be committed to a goal, desired outcome, or dream. One commitment has the focus on you and allows you to explore, learn, pivot and grow along the way. The other commitment is focused on a place/corporation – and if that place/corporation fails to meet your needs or expectations, it can become discouraging. Don’t give the place/corporation that kind of power over your life. It’s about YOU, and how a corporation can help YOU achieve your goals while you help the company achieve its goals.
2. Don’t talk about what you’re going to do; talk about what you’ve done or accomplished. I had a terrible experience where I shared a new job opportunity with an individual who went behind my back to shared the news with Senior Leadership – prior to me knowing or even wanting to share the news. If I would’ve waited to speak about the accomplishment until everything was finalized, the stress of the situation would’ve never happened. Not everyone who’s in your space is in your corner – it’s important to remember that.
When thinking about my brand and story, I want Black Women to know: luxury is a lifestyle that goes beyond an accessory or event. Luxury is something we can live and experience daily! It’s not enough to just “normalize luxury in the black community” it’s time (as black women) to start “demanding and expecting luxury in everyday spaces”. I’m also focused on how to make this transition for the typical millennial woman.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Brunch & Shopping for sure! I’m still fairly new to the Dallas area (spent 2 years in the house due to “the ‘VID”) but I love:
– getting Frosé at Sixty Vines
– grabbing margaritas at Mexican Sugar
– enjoying the culture & food at Kitchen & Kocktails
– shopping and soaking up sun at Legacy West, Highland Park Village, and NorthPark Mall
My goal this spring/summer is to get out more and really explore ALL Dallas has to offer. I know there are a ton of places I haven’t experienced, so if someone has a recommendation – DM me PUH-Lease!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh my goodness – I would be NO where in life if it wasn’t for Jesus, the support of my family & friends, and my mentors along the way. My faith in Jesus has allowed me to take very bold steps that has yielded very positive results. The support of my Mother, Aunties, Mentors & Friendships gives me the opportunity to think (and chat multiple times) through various scenarios but also opens my mind to the different ways I can accomplish goals. I also have a BOMB therapist who meets with me weekly to ensure my mental health is where it needs to be!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morganmonia
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-pollard/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MorganMonia
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/morganmonia