Snehal Massey and her husband, Curtis, are working parents to a 10-year-old daughter, Alisha, who is a competitive gymnast. Here’s what she shared with us about the demands of balancing a law firm with gymnastics competitions.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
How did your child get involved in gymnastics?
We always encouraged Alisha to try new things. We started her in gymnastics because we thought she might enjoy it. Last year, the coaches told us they believed she had the capacity to be on the competition team. At first, she did not want to join because of her stage fright — and we respected that. A few weeks later, she had a change of heart. After her pre-team year, she was officially invited to join the Level 2 team, where she is currently competing.
We were not prepared to be competition parents! Alisha’s practices are three times a week for three and a half hours each; the competition season runs from November through March — which means we have one or more meets each month — and at least half are not local and require an overnight stay. We have barely been home on weekends since February with all her meets.
In addition to being a parent, you’re also a business owner — tell me about your law firm and what it’s like to be a working parent?
I run a family law practice, SPM Law, with a team of four people — two attorneys and two support staff members. This January, we moved into our new long-term office space, and I hired the two attorneys on our team, so it’s been a period of significant change and growth.
Juggling the firm’s growth and being an active parent has its challenges, but my husband and I truly handle it as a team. We divide the pick-up and drop-off times based on our schedules, and we make a conscious effort to attend all her school events: honor roll assemblies, parent-teacher conferences, math night, science night, etc. My husband is a product manager for a glass hardware company, and his job is equally demanding.
How do you find ways to balance work and family life?
Balance to me doesn’t mean that I am always at dinner each night or take my daughter to school each morning. There are seasons in my work life when I work late due to trial prep or events that keep me away from home, but I am fortunate to be able to carve out periods when I can reduce my work hours and leave work at 3 p.m. I think having a business has normalized being a working parent because my family is very much part of the business —both Alisha and Curtis were here every weekend, moving in and assembling furniture when we moved. Alisha has her own “office” space here at the firm when she comes to work with me.
In what ways does being a business leader make you a better parent? Are there ways parenting has taught you to be a better business leader?
Being a business owner has taught me to prioritize much more and has increased my self-awareness. I tell my team “to bring their whole selves to work,” and I truly mean it. I’ve been vulnerable with my team, telling them when I need some mental health time — this has also influenced my parenting when I am overwhelmed. I’ve learned to honestly express my feelings to Alisha and be vulnerable with her.
Family Favorites
Meal To Share: Sushi at Café Joss in Annapolis
TV Show or Movie To Watch Together: “Bad Boys”
Game To Play: Uno
Place To Go on Vacation: Honestly, anywhere with Curtis and Alisha — we love exploring new places.
