Redefining sustainable growth with balance and mental wellbeing at the core of BRS’s 2025
Delivering great work is important, but so is enjoying the process. For BRS, 2025 is all about balance, prioritising mental health and flexible ways of working. Co-CEO Judith Hoch shares how BRS is crafting a culture where people and ideas don’t just work, they thrive, plus her own go-to rituals for switching off and recharging.
By Judith Hoch
How did 2025 kick off for the agency?
After an intense and rewarding 2024, the BRS team took a well-deserved two-week break over Christmas and New Year. This intentional pause created space to properly disconnect, reflect, and recharge. Coming back with fresh energy and clear minds, the team hit the ground running, ready to tackle the ambitious goals set for the year ahead. Starting 2025 with this renewed focus has set a tone of purpose and balance, setting the stage for what promises to be an inspiring year.
What are the key challenges you’re addressing this year?
One of the most exciting shifts for us in 2025 is the continued growth of our team. After welcoming four exceptional colleagues in late 2024, we are now bringing in another four talented professionals. Seeing experienced individuals eager to join our journey is both rewarding and motivating.
Of course, expansion comes with challenges. We are focused on scaling workflows, refining processes, and ensuring remote work setups remain seamless. Space is another consideration. As our team grows, so does the need to optimise our work environment.
A standout in this transition has been my colleague Susana, whose meticulous approach to onboarding has transformed the experience. New team members consistently share glowing feedback, a testament to how well she has refined the process. With senior talents joining, it is crucial they take full ownership of their roles from day one, driving results without hesitation. Balancing this growth while maintaining efficiency remains our top priority for 2025.
What lessons from 2024 have shaped your plans for 2025?
Reflecting on 2024, one lesson stands out clearly: success relies on having the right team in place. Managing projects without sufficient resources creates unnecessary strain, something we are committed to avoiding.
We’ve learned the importance of looking beyond individual projects and thinking long-term about our goals and resource needs. It’s not just about delivering in the moment but building a structure that supports sustained growth. This mindset has shaped our strategy for 2025, where our focus is on laying a solid foundation that allows both our team and our work to thrive.
How are you prioritising mental health and well-being for the team during busy times?
Maintaining balance is key, especially in our fast-paced industry. To support our team, we’ve introduced flexible work schedules that accommodate part-time roles, remote work, and individual working hours. After intense periods on-site, we actively encourage team members to take time off to recharge, rather than diving straight into the next project.
We’ve also cultivated a culture of open communication through regular cross-functional meetings and department check-ins. These sessions create space for the team to discuss their workload, flag challenges, and identify where extra support is needed. Our priority is ensuring that everyone feels supported, heard, and able to thrive, not just get through busy periods.
Delivering great work is important, but so is enjoying the process. That’s why we’ve introduced our “event day” tradition, focusing on connection and celebrating progress, not just the outcome.
How do you personally manage your mental load and stay effective?
Starting my day with intention has been incredibly grounding. I focus on the usual logistics, getting breakfast, seeing the kids off to school, and my commute, but I deliberately avoid checking my phone during this time. I keep it in a different room overnight to prevent emails and messages from pulling me into work mode before I’ve had a chance to transition from rest.
My commute is a buffer, a space to ease into the day by listening to podcasts or relaxing music. One small but impactful change I’ve made is saving my first coffee for the office and starting the morning with green tea at home. It’s a simple shift, but it adds a layer of calm to my routine and helps set a mindful tone for the day ahead.
In the evenings, I carve out time to reflect and unwind. I resist the urge to stay online and instead disconnect, often with a book or by catching up on the news. It’s a moment to assess how the day went, what worked, what didn’t, and find clarity before fully switching off. These offline pauses, both morning and evening, have been invaluable for maintaining focus, reducing mental fatigue, and staying balanced through busy periods.
