A week in the life... Amy-Lee Cowey-Small

Amy-Lee Cowey-Small, co-founder and chief executive of THEY SAY STUDIOS, a global creative and digital studio run remotely between Palma, Singapore and the UK, provides an insight into her typical working week, highlighting how she balances commercial sector demands with life outside the office.

Monday: What gets you motivated for the start of the working week?

Monday is my reset. 

I protect my weekends from emails, so Monday is when I log on early, matcha in hand, and map the week ahead. 

I like to block time so I know what I can actually achieve, not just what ends up on the list. 

I’m highly motivated day to day – I think that comes from running your own business – and I see Mondays as the perfect time to take stock, re-prioritise to-do lists, brief the team and align with my wonderful co-founder Jess. 

Monday is also my built-in reflection point. 

Looking at what we managed to get over the line, produce, win in the week before - that’s the motivation.

Tuesday: The diary is full of meetings and commitments – how do you balance such responsibilities with productivity?

This has always been, and will probably always be, one of the toughest parts of running a business or a team. 

I have a responsibility to everyone we work with, but also to myself. 

To do anything of real value, I have to say no to a lot. 

When I say no to something, I make sure the thing I am saying yes to will genuinely move the needle for the business. 

So, I might say no to an important client meeting so I can build out a new service function that will benefit that same client in the medium to long term. 

My golden rule for productivity is simple: set three clear objectives for the day and start with the one you want to do the least. 

It’s amazing how powerful you feel after tackling that budget review at 9am, knowing it only gets easier and more fun from there.

Wednesday: Halfway there – how do you stay focused and re-energise yourself for the days to come?

I like Wednesdays! 

They’re the point in the week where everything is in full swing: decisions are being made, meetings are happening, things are going live, clients are excited about the work. 

I find Wednesdays energising, because I’m not wrecked yet. 

I stay focused through time blocking and my to-do list, but also by paying attention to the tempo of the week so far. 

By Wednesday, the team are usually fully in their vibe, and that energy fuels me too.

Thursday: The weekend draws closer – how do you remain on top of your to-do list as the end of the week gets nearer?

By Thursday, I am usually on top of things, but it is definitely our pre-weekend wash up. 

Some of the team don’t work Fridays, so Thursday is often our last day all together and the moment we really need to hand over anything important, close off the week and share key updates. 

It is when we check in properly as a group, make sure everyone has what they need, and line up anything that needs to roll into the following week. 

By Thursday, my to-do list is usually enormous and, honestly, I do get overwhelmed. 

That is normally when I call Jess, who helps me zoom out and pull out the real priorities. 

Every person, at every level, can benefit from an outside perspective. 

If you are ever overwhelmed with the to-do list, I really recommend talking it through with someone who gets it. 

It is amazing how much lighter and more focused everything feels once you have said it out loud.

Friday: The last day – how do you approach Fridays, and how do you unwind over the weekend?

Fridays are a bit wild. 

Less of the team are in, so while I often get more alone time, I also end up doing a lot of firefighting solo. 

I use Friday as a hard close off. 

I have a rule that I do not carry anything truly urgent into the weekend. I would rather stay a little later and clear it properly. 

In a client services business, you have to be on top of your work for the week ahead, so Friday is almost my pre-Monday reset. 

All the planning, prep and priority setting happens then, not on a Sunday. 

Sundays are sacred. They are for my husband, coffee, brunch, beach walks and FaceTimes with my girlfriends.

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