Emma Grede, the CEO of Good American and co-founder of several successful companies, including Skims and Safely, follows a meticulously structured daily routine that begins at 4:35 a.m. Each day starts with a cup of coffee, which she enjoys before heading downstairs to her home gym for a 90-minute workout. This early morning exercise session is about more than fitness. It provides her a respite of rare solitude and peace, a chance to get away from the demands of her hectic life.
Grede has always believed in the transformative power of physical fitness. This level of commitment is what allows her to find harmony between her duties as a mother of four and multi-billion-dollar executive. She makes an investment of five days a week to her workout routine, showing how seriously she takes this practice that she feels helps her stay sane and healthy. “When you’re someone like me that, all day, people are taking [from you] … I can’t wait for someone to come and give something to me. I have to do that piece for myself,” she said.
By 7:30 a.m., Grede shifts her focus to family life. She still manages to whip up a healthy breakfast every morning. Finally, she gets her kids together around the kitchen table for a key part of what makes their schooling special. Despite her hectic schedule, she values this brief period, spending at least 20 minutes with them before they head off for the day.
Arriving at her office in California by 8:30 a.m., Grede faces a grueling schedule filled with “back to back to back” meetings. Her approach makes use of timeboxing—an effective strategy that involves setting limited time periods for each item on her schedule. This method helps her move through her list of tasks quickly, without losing sight of priorities and what is most important.
“I’m pretty regimented with my routine and, because I have four kids, that’s the only way I can do it,” Grede explained regarding her disciplined approach to managing her time. This practical framework lets her enjoy the rewards and challenges of being a successful producer—and an engaged and committed parent.
After a full day of meetings and business decisions, Grede returns home around 5:30 p.m. Her nightly life is very much focused at home, with dinner and bath and bedtime routines including her young children. Her day doesn’t end there. Three nights a week, she learns to implement an active email response before transitioning to self-care routines that include meditation and reading.
Grede’s extraordinary work ethic is a result of her understanding of hard work as a foundation for success. You just have to work that much harder. I’m a very intense organizer and scheduler. I just go all in on everything that I do,” she said, underscoring her creative ambition.
Self-made millionaire Grede is an incredible success story, boasting a 405 million dollar net worth. She inspires us to believe that with discipline and organization we can create success in our personal life as well as our business life. Her busy day-to-day schedule shows that her incredible work ethic and devotion to her family doesn’t end with her businesses.