Hi everyone, I’m Yza (pronounced Eee-za — think “easy,” though life with two little boys is anything but!). I’m a working mum juggling the chaos of motherhood — two boys who feel more like ten — while running my own business and supporting a few charity projects close to my heart. I laugh loudly, play hard whenever I get the chance, and love finding joy in the whirlwind of it all.
My business Property Rocket, helps people build and grow their property portfolios rapidly using professional strategies and hard-core research. And I have recently started a charity project under the banner of the Bondi local charity, Our Big Kitchen, to build a Salon called “The Wig Library”. This salon will help those suffering from illnesses such as cancer, who have lost all their hair but cannot afford the extremely expensive costs of quality wigs. This will give sufferers a chance to have some dignity and instead use their funds to help fund the fight for their lives instead.
Where and how long have you lived in Sydney?
I have lived in the eastern suburbs, predominantly Coogee for over 15 years, before I moved to the Shire. Whilst I love my new home, I was always and probably always will be an Eastern Suburbs devotee, so much so, that my kids still go to OLSH Primary School in Randwick, and I still run my business from my office at Bondi Junction, and a couple of the charities that I am heavily involved in are also based in the East.
Three words that describe what it’s like to live in the eastern suburbs?
Beautiful. Connected. Light.
How many children?
I have 2 crazy critter boys. Sebastian, or Sebby as we all call him, is 10. Sebby is our big hearted sweet heart, and then there’s Harp, our little rockstar, who is 7. They have me worn out and laughing all at once. Both our boys love the beach, rollerblading and Ice Hockey. They also love screens which I hate to admit plays babysitter for us at times when I am stuck working, yes this is a guilty admission
Favourite Park?
Kamay National Park Botany Bay, the Malabar heads end…. If you don’t already know about this one, it’s pretty special…. A kind of deserted coastal walk from where the rescue helicopters are kept, to the head lands connecting to the last greens of the golf course. It features dramatic cliffs, wild grasslands, and the ferocity of being so exposed to the elements. This is a beautiful and accessible spot that makes you feel like you are a million miles away, with lots to explore with the kids, but you are really not that far from the action at all.
Favourite Beach?
Can’t beat Coogee in my eyes. It’s always going to be special for us. It has the vibe to rival Bondi, the beauty to compete with all beaches in the east, and the family friendliness parallel to none.
Favourite kids friendly cafe?
I know it’s not really a café but you cannot beat the Coogee Pavillion when you have kids in tow. There is something for everyone there which makes socialising with friends so much easier if you have the kids around.
Favourite Coffee Spot?
Grabbing a coffee, hot chocolate or tea from The Courtyard Café or Barzura, then taking it down to the beach or the cliffs for a sip whilst taking in the views.
Favourite date night place?
My hubby and I love big flavours and some spice… so Sugarcane in Coogee is a favourtie spot for us to eat and grab a few cocktails too. We love the food and service!
Where in the east have you yet to explore and would like to go?
There are a few stretched unsung heroes/ hidden gems that I don’t think enough people know about. Most people will stay close to the coastline when looking for adventure or food and drink. I know that there are many places like little breweries, great cafes and bakeries that I would like to get to know more in areas such as Botany.
What would you like to see improve in the eastern suburbs?
I don’t think it’s a secret that the eastern suburbs struggles with Parking. Better parking solutions is a challenge but needed.
Favourite wet weather location?
As a mum wet weather is always a challenge especially if you have active kids and not enough space at home, thus the Coogee Pavillion is always good for this, or if the kids are in dire need of a run around, getting them exhausted at Flip Out is a great way to use up their energy.
Favourite Local family Weekend Activity?
We love to “explore” whether that be a beach crawl or taking long coastal walks, this is something the whole family enjoys and we are grateful to be living in such wonderful places where this is so easily accessible.
Work or SAHM?
Boy do I work! In fact I could argue that working can be easier than being a stay at home mum.
I do like to keep busy; I love my work and my clients. I find it so satisfying helping clients achieve their property investment goals, but I also love giving myself the freedom to be ‘mum’ as much as possible. Whether that means volunteering at my kids’ school or being able to attend their many school events, or driving them around to all their sports activities. I work so that I can be a present ‘mum’ as much as possible for them. It’s not always easy, it doesn’t always work out, but I’m doing ok, and I love being their mum.
Motherly advice?
I know you are trying to be the best mum that you can be. To be the best mum also means being the best version of you.
We are here to nurture, protect and serve our kids, but also to teach and build them up. Thus, you are your kids model. So, take care of yourself, make sure you are investing in your personal growth as well as theirs.
Keep challenging yourself to be more and achieve more whilst also granting yourself space for rest and recovery, but beware not to have one without the other. Rest and recovery is so much more satisfying and uplifting if you have also pushed yourself to be more and achieve more, not just for them, but for yourself and your own dreams too.
Giving light, energy and nurture to your own dreams, allows your kids to chase theirs.
