A daughter of builders, Tami Pardee naturally gravitated toward the real estate industry, though she made a few pit stops along the way. She worked as Sharon Stone’s assistant and did a stint in public relations at Paramount Pictures, but even in those days she spent her off hours flipping houses. She returned to school and, 10 years ago, founded Pardee Properties, a residential brokerage in Venice. She recently spoke with the Business Journal about being a working mom, making time for what’s important and rebalancing life after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Describe your morning routine.
I have four kids. I like to get up early and go on a walk by myself around 6 or 6:30 a.m. to clear my mind before everybody gets up. I prioritize what’s important, and I strategize too. I usually grab a Starbucks and come back. Normally, it’s 45 minutes of getting the kids ready to go. The girls make their own breakfast and lunch to take to school. I do a lot with them. They’re self-sufficient.
How do you maintain work/life balance?
My kids are really involved in my work. They come to the office after school and get people coffee. Every Wednesday night, we take the four kids out. We try to maintain a schedule of what we’re going to do as a family. On the weekends, I really try to be with my family. On Sundays, we have open houses. I take my kids to open houses. It’s good for them to learn. L.A.’s an expensive place to live. They need to learn how to work. My mom had me working at a young age. I think it’s good for them to learn to shake people’s hands and look them in the eye.
How do you make time for what’s important?
Every morning, I take that walk and then twice a week, I do something for myself. Wednesday mornings, I spend an hour with a spiritual healer. It’s a very feminine workout where it’s more about breathing and opening your mind and kind of releasing energy and breathing. It’s a cross between yoga and breathing and meditation. I get a massage and spend time with a girlfriend. I try to work out like three times a week.
How did your MS diagnosis change things?
When you get diagnosed with anything, which I was with multiple sclerosis, it realigns you. Life is a real-live play. There’s no dress rehearsal. Every second is important because you can never get that time back.
