Jamie Goode

Mum | Artist | Co-Founder 'Black Ice Systems' | Lawyer

How many identities do you have?

I think my identity is fairly consistent but certainly the roles I play are numerous and can be fluid. I'd like to say I'm a fair, open-minded woman, who enjoys a good laugh, even if it's at my own expense!

As for my current roles (or what I do) they are:

•           Mother (or servant!) to a beautiful and very assertive 4-year-old, Anna.  She is, by far, my most demanding and vocal client, but also my most treasured.

•           Artist. I have been working as an artist for the past 2 years, focussing on fashion illustration, primarily.  It's allowed me to reconnect with my creative side, which was side-lined while pursuing a career in law. 

•           Business owner. In addition to the art, my husband and I set up a risk and functional safety engineering consultancy business called Black Ice Systems, shortly after our daughter was born.

•           Lawyer. I continue to wear my legal hat by working as a legal advisor to Black Ice Systems.

Tell us a bit about your story and how you’ve got to where you are now professionally? 

I worked 10 years as a corporate lawyer and later as in-house counsel at a large mining equipment company. I relished the work and was lucky enough to work alongside some extremely talented and supportive people. 

When I had my little one and became a mum, I soon realised I couldn't be both the mum and lawyer I wanted to be. I know some extraordinary women who make it work, but I'm certainly not one of them! Burdened with mum guilt, which hasn't gone away mind you, I resigned from my job as an in-house lawyer.

At the time, my husband and I set up an engineering consultancy business, which - together with raising our daughter - became our focus.  I then started drawing with my little girl as she began dropping more naps, which re-ignited my passion for art.  I credit her for my art career, because if it wasn't for Anna, I don't think I would've picked up a pencil again, unless it was to annotate a contract. 

From there, I started sharing my illustrations on-line via my Instagram account and requests for custom work started to come through organically.

As a female, what has been your greatest challenge in your career/business?

Self-doubt.  As a woman, we're raised to doubt our own capabilities and potential, and be our own harshest critics.  Don't get me wrong, self-reflection can be useful, especially if it motivates us to do better or aim higher.  However, when self-doubt isn't tempered with a decent amount of self-compassion it can also be destructive.  My greatest challenge has been believing that I'm good enough, knowing my value, and sticking to it.

What has been the hardest personal challenge you have faced in life thus far?

Becoming a mum.  For the first time, you're utterly indispensable.  At the same time, it is truly a role for life and one that you can't run away from.  I think when you're the primary caregiver, it's not uncommon to suffer some form of an identity crisis.  How you used to define yourself may shift and you need to reconsider your identity around that.

How have you grown as a person, mentally, emotionally and spiritually since that challenge?

Becoming a mum has forced me to look at life and approach the decisions I make differently. As Sophia Loren once said, "When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child."  It has also pushed me out of my comfort zone on many occasions (and still does), while at the same time showing me that change is a good thing and should be embraced.  It's taught me that it's okay to be vulnerable, ask for help, and detach yourself from people, circumstances and a life that is no longer serving you.

How do you plan to leave your mark in the world?

I know it sounds clichéd, but primarily I'd like to leave the world in a better place than when I entered it.  I hope to do that by supporting other women, spreading kindness and tolerance, and raising a young woman who is brave, kind and not afraid to speak her mind or challenge the status quo.