Buenos Aires bound
Clocking On... Argentina-based Ana Paula Alves has a packed schedule, working as a consultant, educator and organiser of South American denim events.
6.45am
My alarm clock helps me wake up slowly with good background music. Rule number one: I don't touch my cell phone before greeting my partner. I enjoy life without device demands and really enjoy my mornings. I prepare my son's backpack, our breakfast and answer the easiest and most urgent emails.
8.00am
I take a quick look at my schedule as I walk to a park near my house. Twice a week, I try to get some exercise outside. I move and start getting ready for the day.
9.00am
I go home, take a shower, choose the jeans I'm going to wear and prepare my work kit: notebook, chargers, notes, pencil case, catalogues and samples from denim mills.
10.00am
I travel by taxi to optimise my time. While listening to the radio, I make a few morning calls to get things done.
11.00am
I arrive at the client showroom, one of the biggest denim distributors in Argentina. I meet the marketing and products teams to discuss immediate actions. I'm training the team there, to help with customer services, trends, research and sales. For the Central/South America market, I deal with denim mills including Advance Denim, Global Denim, Vicunha, Canatiba, Nuevo Mundo, Fabricato, Santista, Tavex and Alpargatas. I also work with other mills and manufacturers, depending on the region.
12.00pm
I dedicate myself to answering emails and doing some video conferences, on average three per morning. I set aside 30-35 minutes to resolve pending issues. I'm kind of obsessed with my schedule. Through my consultancy Be Disobedient, I help designers, brands and businesses across South America to improve their production chain, while identifying more sustainable, eco-conscious processes. The region has a huge potential for growth.
1.30pm
When I'm not home working, I usually order food, mostly sushi. I share this time with some co-workers and use it to catch up on their news. I can mix work and personal life easily... I love talking about travel and projects.
2.30pm
We start our weekly workshop for the commercial team on textile processes and consumption trends. I really like the synergy between product, marketing and sales. It gives us a very assertive panoramic business scenario.
4.40pm
I pick up my son from school, we make a short stop for an afternoon coffee and cold chocolate. We always talk about his day at school and mine at work. When we get home, I keep working on sustainability projects with two Latin companies, Osklen and Fabricato (from Brazil and Colombia).
6.30pm
I finish my workday to continue it as a woman and mother. I really admire my work version, but I also love being Dante's mum and Pablo's wife.
8.30pm
We always have dinner together, relaxed as a family, and we like to play "The Best of the Day", where we tell each other the best parts of our day, whether it's small actions or big achievements and it's wonderful to see how our family is also a beautiful team.
10.00pm
We're addicted to watching series on Netflix. While we decide which one, I check my Instagram. I update myself about the current scenario, review my schedule for the day ahead, and prepare to rest.
