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The Sassiest Mama: Georgie Morton

Family LifePost Category - Family LifeFamily Life - Post Category - That MamaThat Mama

The Sassiest Mama Awards 2015

We are in awe of the stunning photos of our Sassiest Mamas this year – all courtesy of The Studio Dubai, set up by this very cool mama who now manages a team of 25, whose day begins at 4.30am (courtesy of her little boy) and who’s all about fun, family and a small amount of ‘me time’.

Who’s the mama?

Full Name: Georgie Morton
Occupation: General Manager, The Studio Dubai
Children: Oscar 4
Nationality: British
How long have you lived in Dubai? 20 years

1) Tell us about your business/businesses and why you started them.
I was fortunate enough to join a very ambitious start up back in 2004 and work with two inspirational entrepreneurs, Venetia and Justine, who founded and setup Bareface model & talent agency. My journey started with them and I left Bareface as GM in 2011 with worldwide experience of producing shoots and managing the company.

I took 6 months off to have my son and then returned to the same group to lead as GM on another start up, The Studio. I felt at the time there was space in the market for another family photography studio so embarked on the challenge of setting up a B2C business – which was another new challenge for me It was great to have such an amazing creative space, a blank canvas to start a new business with lots of support. We chose the Courtyard in Al Quoz as the ideal location for the new studio space, and being a very emotive person I loved the idea of being able to share its beauty and uniqueness with other people.

The wedding photography service came from getting enquiries to shoot peoples’ weddings and this felt like a natural addition to our services. My ideal customer and goal is that we work with people from the time they get engaged through all the key moments in their life – capturing them getting married and starting their life together, then being with them to share and capture their pregnancy, the milestones of their children growing up, birthday parties, and family portraits at different stages of their life. I would love to be able to build these relationships and loyalty with our customers.

2) What do you feel have been your biggest achievements both in your personal life and career so far?
My biggest career achievement has been taking The Studio from just me in 2011 to the team of 25 people we have now.

In my personal life I’m not sure there is one particular achievement – I don’t tend to separate my personal and work life as I have been determined to create a strong family culture at The Studio – in a city where most people live away from their families I think this is very important. I also strongly believe that if your team wake up and look forward to going to work everyday then you will have a successful business as this passion can only filter down to your customers. We’ll always focus on achieving this ideal!

I attended a workshop this year called the awakening of love – this was a huge personal achievement for me as I took myself out of my comfort zone into the spotlight to face my inner demons. It was the best thing I have ever done and I learnt a lot about myself

3) As a child what did you dream of being when you ‘grew up’?!
Married and having a huge family.

I wanted noisy meal times lots of fun and an “open door” home welcome to anyone.

I also thought I wanted to work in the hotel industry but soon realised working in one was nothing like staying in one!

4) If you had 3 wishes, what would they be?
My son grows up healthy and happy, that people took time to be a little bit kinder too each other. More kindness could go a long way – to have a little more “me” time

5) What does being a Sassy Mama mean to you?
Like the quote “Be the sort of women that when your feet touch the floor in the morning, the devil says oh crap she’s up”. Being a sassy mama is confidently approaching each day knowing that every challenge is an opportunity “Some you win, and some you learn” is a quote I heard recently that I love.

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6) What’s a typical day in your life like?
After a 4:30 wakeup call by my son, who doesn’t believe in the benefits of sleep for himself or anyone else – it’s pretty much a whirlwind of work pack lunches and school runs!

7) What’s your guilty pleasure?
Wine. Bacon sandwich on weekends. Wine.

8) What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given in your personal life and career?
Personal life: allow yourself permission to have fun and celebrate life
Career: Don’t be afraid to be heard.

9) What do you most enjoy doing as a family in Dubai?
Going to kite beach early in the morning for some paddle boarding and having breakfast together at the lovely Park House Cafe. It’s a great way to start the day and a reminder of why we live in Dubai – having the beach so close at hand is really great.

10) What is the ‘best-kept’ secret in Dubai, something fellow mamas should know about?
The Studio!

11) Which three words best describe your personality?
Open caring and free-spirited

12) What advice would you have for a new mama?
Listen to your friends, and believe them, when they are telling you truths about the sleepless nights – although nothing can prepare for you the feeling! But always remember in the early years everything is a phase and changes pretty rapidly.

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13) What advice would you give to a mama who wants to go back to work or start her own business but is worried about juggling family and career?
Clearly define your time for both or both will suffer.

14) If you were on an island and could bring only 3 things (family not included) what would they be?
A bottle of the finest champagne, some great music and trusting that what’s meant to be, will be.

15) Top 3 books?
Delivering Happiness – Tony Hseish, Shantaram, and any cook book – I love cooking!

16) Describe your style.
Mood dependent.

17) If there was a movie produced about your life, who would you choose to play you and why?
Kate Winslet – she seems really down to earth, funny and doesn’t take life to seriously!

18) Tell us something funny that your kids have said or done
Oscar asked me if I ate him – is that how he got inside my tummy?
That made me laugh.

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Thanks to The Studio for the gorgeous pics! Book your photography experience on (+971) (0)4 347 1745.

Special thanks also to Sassy Mama Dani for coordinating mamas and photographers while juggling 3 little ones too!

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