People Feature | Alex + Nicole Field
I’m sitting here today working on my time with one of our more seasoned couples. Twenty years into their marriage, two flourishing businesses in very different fields and three sons, this interview has quickly turned into one of my favorites. It’s interesting to process through the answers from a different generation. Alex and Nicole Field are very much in the same process as many of us in the midst of growing business’, however, they have time and experience on myself as well as many of my readers that allows for an enriched perspective. I hope this one opens your eyes to new things that maybe we haven’t taken time to look at or think about or to understand is okay. xx-k
Q: “Will you please share a few things about you two as individuals?”
Nicole Field: I am a dancer, pilates teacher, business owner, wife, and mother. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Dance from University of California at Santa Barbara, and I have taught Pilates for the last 15 years. I opened Whole Living Pilates in 2016.
Alex Field: I am literary agent, book editor, publisher, writer, husband, and father. I have written and reported for the Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, Res, Relevant, and Writer's Digest. Most recently, I served as a VP & Publisher at Penguin Random House, before launching my own literary agency, The Bindery, in 2017.
Q: “What was your career, or the thing you're building up and contributing to look like now previous to meeting one another?”
NF: “We're both creative artists at heart and had dreams of pursuing careers in the literary and dance world but found ourselves on slightly different paths as Alex landed a job in publishing early in our marriage and I found a career in teaching Pilates.”
Q: “Do you often see eye to eye? Can you explain the yes or no a little bit?”
AF + NF:
“We do have different approaches to business, which can sometimes be frustrating and challenging, as we might disagree about how to grow the business, work with potential partners, or attempt a particular project. The discussion though, is always healthy in the long run. We love that we can be honest with one another about what we think, while also trying to encourage and support each other's efforts. At the end of the day, we each run our businesses separately but rely on each other for moral support, feedback, and encouragement.”
Q: “Can we hear about a few of the goals you have for 2019?”
AF: “I employ a laser focus on driving revenue in my business. As a result, my 2019 goals include an ambitious revenue goal, much of which is based on signing a number of significant publishing deals for the authors I serve. Also, I am seeking out the right time to add additional staff to The Bindery, which will further aid in its growth.”
NF: “As I head into year 3 of my studio business I am making some huge investments into our long-term growth. This month I'll begin my journey to become a Pilates Teacher Trainer with my dear friend and long-time mentor Shari Berkowitz of The Vertical Workshop. I'll travel 5 times over the coming months to complete this program. My hope is to launch my first Pilates Teacher Training program this Fall at Whole Living Pilates.
Ultimately, as we move towards our business goals....making time for our boys and our own relationship always trumps everything else. Our journey is one of discovering the ebb and flow of our lives and surrendering to the timing of all things...keeping in mind what's most important to us always at the forefront.
As for healthy rhythms and self care, as we mentioned, we often try to hike together when we can. And we've been trying to set aside one day a month where we get to a spa, soak in a hot tub, or enjoy a long breakfast with no appointments, calls, or work. These times can help us recharge in the midst of the grind. Also, at the end of a long week, we enjoy movies with our family and sometimes long family hikes as well.
Q: “What do your days look like in this season?”
AF: “Our daily routine is to work hard serving our clients and authors, and that often means late night e-mails, trips around the country, phone calls on the weekends and more. Since we're both running our own businesses, the work doesn't have a clear stopping point, and often our date nights become planning sessions as we discuss the ups and downs of that week's work, or cast vision for future growth. Because we both have different gifting and strengths, we do encourage each other and help out with one another's businesses, especially when we hit the inevitable hard days—which of course, is a regular part of the life of an entrepreneur. Also, because running businesses can be a lonely journey, being able to bounce our ideas off one another is something that can help alleviate the feeling of flying solo.”
Q: “Do you often see eye to eye? Can you explain the yes or no a little bit?”
NF + AF:
After over 20 years together, we've learned that change is always inevitable and we strive to make room for the other to grow and become all they want to be. We cheer each other on and we pick each other up time and again. It's been an amazing journey so far and we couldn't be more excited for what the coming years hold for us.”
