Marija Pavlovic is the owner and founder B1 MEDIA, a digital marketing agency in UAE. Marija started the business when she saw a gap in the market for a boutique agency providing the full range of marketing services for clients.

When she’s not thinking of creative ways to provide out-of-the-box business solutions for people, Marija enjoys spending time practicing another one of her life’s passions – Zumba. Having recently become a mother, Marija finds that Zumba provides her with a great way to stay active and mobile while also being a great source of energy she uses to channel into both her career and newborn baby.

How did you first hear about banking stem cells?

I heard about banking stem cells from my friends and I’m so glad we’ve taken action to secure our baby’s stem cells and be completely prepared for the future.

Why did you bank your child’s stem cells?

There were so many reasons however, these are the ones most important to me:

• Umbilical cord blood can save lives.
• Stem cell-rich cord blood can be used to treat a range of diseases.
• Any family member who is a suitable match may be able to use baby’s stem cells for transplant medicine.

How has your life changed since having your children?

I love being a mother and the feeling that I now have my baby to take care of.  Sure there are some difficult times but I’ve found a lot of joy in every second of being with my little one. Time goes faster than before so I’m even more organized and value my time more than before.

 Tell us about your children. How old are they, what has your favourite moment of their development been so far?

 My son Andrej is now one and half month old and for me he is the best thing happened in my life. He is a very strong and active baby with the most adorable smile and sometimes very loud too, like all babies. We love every piece of him and enjoy every new movement he made. I will never forget the feeling I had the moment he was born. It was the best feeling in my life.

How do you balance work with being a Mum?

I don’t. I’m just doing the best I can to complete my daily tasks. I’m grateful that I have help from my mom and my mother in law for now as I know that quality child care often is hard to find. My husband is working too and he is often outside the country, but when he is here he is my support and help in every aspect of our new life. So while my son is with them I’m working or communicating with my clients making sure that everything goes smooth. I want him to know that I love him more than anything, but also to show him that I have dreams and goals outside of motherhood.

Why is it important to you to carry on working?

My job makes me feel important in the ways being a mom doesn’t. But sometimes I feel guilty even if I work from home some days because I’m not 100 % focused on him. I would like to be a role model for my child. My opinion is that a child’s development is influenced by the emotional health of the family and the quality of child care. Every child needs to be well adjusted, well loved and well carried and I’m giving my best to make his childhood wonderful. However my advice is that if you can stay longer with your child without working – do it, so you will get to know your child and let him get to know you better.

What advice can you give to first time mums?

My advice for all first time mums is to enjoy this time because it will only happen once. Of course to stay patient and calm and make some new habits. Try to sleep when the baby sleeps. Accept help from your moms, friends, someone that you can trust. The best thing is that if you’re weren’t organized before you had a baby, you will learn to be now so you can stay active and find some time for yourself in a day ( meditation, exercises, walk, listening music, dance – do  anything that makes your feel good and energized).

Eat healthy food, drink plenty of water and get some fresh air.

I also think it’s very important that both parents share child care responsibilities and act like a team. Otherwise there’s a risk that one of you will end up doing most of the work and that could lead to you feeling resentful.

Have friends or family been encouraged to store cells because you did?

Many of my friends were asking questions about it and wondering why I decided to do that. After I explained all the benefits to them, they agreed that storing cells doesn’t have a price and is the best thing you can gift to your child.