Member Spotlight: Julia Furtado Lavoie
Julia is one of those rare coworking members who innately understands why community matters and how to contribute effectively. She has made an impression on all of us with her positive, infectious energy at Groundwork, and her continued positivity and support has helped to keep the community afloat during the COVID lockdown.
Julia also happens to work in payroll and HR, two areas where many small businesses are currently in need of help. She has generously shared a wealth of helpful information with the Groundwork community as the PPP Loan and changes to unemployment rolled out. Here she shares a little more about her life, and how she stays so positive and motivated:
What’s your profession?
I work for Complete Payroll Solutions. We provide Payroll & HR Solutions to businesses of all sizes. Whether they have 1 person or 1000 – it doesn’t matter. We have a solution.
Describe a typical work day for you.
Well, it looks a little different now than it did a few months ago. However, the thrust of the work is the same. I spend my day talking to business owners about their payroll needs. New businesses have different needs than existing businesses. I make sure I cover all the bases and help them to get their payroll set up properly and compliantly.
What’s the biggest challenge you face at your job?
Besides the COVID-19 issues my clients face, I think the biggest challenge is educating business owners about the facts. You can’t make everyone a 1099, you can’t pay under the table. There are rules and if they are not followed the repercussions can cause stress, grief and hefty fines to a business owner.
Do you have a morning routine?
Yes, I do. Even during this time of new normalcy, I ride my Spin bike in my home gym at dawn and sing my heart out. My favorite song to start any morning is Welcome to the Jungle by Guns ‘n Roses. Then, no matter what my day holds I put on my earrings! It’s a ritual.
What are your favorite productivity tips or hacks?
I love lists. I map out every day based on my e-calendar and break it up into portions that include some time for deep breaths and a quick stretch. I find that when I map my day I get a lot done. Pre-planning is key.
What do you listen to during the day?
I love Worldbeat Radio on Pandora.
How do you benefit from using a coworking space?
I love the white noise of business being done. I love seeing energy around me. Coworking is a great way to be alone together and make new contacts. It’s a comforting environment.
What’s in your digital toolbox?
I am a geek. I love my iPad and my Kindle app for reading, Weight Watchers for Tracking, Peloton App for midday meditation and stretching breaks, Facebook/Instagram for business and social, HelloFresh app for recipe inspiration and my Weather Kitty App so I know when I need an umbrella.
What is the most surprising or unusual aspect of your life?
Oh goodness. This may be a little difficult. I think the fact that I was chronic stutterer as a child surprises people. I started to become interested in yoga and Eastern philosophy at the age of 8 and it became a strong part of my life. I would study it secretly and my parents did not even know how incredibly devoted to the practice I had become.
What’s inspiring you during the COVID pandemic?
This pandemic has been challenging but I have been inspired by the good around me and how I have actually made some new friends in addition to my good friends around me.
- Meet Our General Manager: Nicole Cosme - February 26, 2024
- Can I use a coworking space for Google My Business? - April 26, 2023
- Marketing Lab: The Best Business Resource on the South Coast You Didn’t Know About - March 23, 2023