Summer highlights: Juniper team reflections
At Juniper, we believe that our strength lies in the unique personalities, passions, and experiences of the people who make up our team. It’s these qualities that make us stronger when we’re together.
As we transition back into the rhythm of school and work, leaving behind the slower pace of summer, we have taken a few moments to reflect on the team’s personal highlights outside of work over the last few months. Here’s what they shared:
Nicki: This summer has been glorious – full of wonderful events and moments, all bathed in sunshine and warmth here in the UK. If I must choose one, it would be finally watching Sting live! After waiting for many years to see this music legend, he did not disappoint. As a schoolgirl (perhaps showing my age here), I was mesmerised by the music of The Police. They were ahead of their time, not really fitting into a particular genre, but linking so many – from blues to reggae, rock, ska, and indie. Listening to hits such as “Every Breath You Take”, “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic”, “Message in a Bottle”, “So Lonely”, and “Walking on the Moon” was a dream come true for me.
Standing together in a field in Suffolk with my partner, singing all those well-known songs in unison with thousands of others, as day turned to night and the only light shining was on the Man, was mesmerising. They say ‘good things come to those who wait’, which is so true for work and life.
Grace: I have two highlights to share from this summer! The first was celebrating my birthday at Go Ape. I hadn’t been since I was a teenager, and I loved it just as much now as I did back then. There’s something incredibly freeing about being high up in the trees, surrounded by nature. It’s liberating!
The second highlight is something I enjoy every day – making my iced matcha at home. It’s part of my routine year-round, but in the summer, it’s especially refreshing when I make it with ice. It's a simple, yet essential part of my day.
Jo: A particular highlight for me was spending five days in Lake Como – my first solo trip in five years since having children. It was an absolute joy to pause, recharge, and feast on beautiful, fresh food, take in stunning scenery, and enjoy more than a few Italian wines (and Hugo Spritzes!).
Most importantly, it was wonderful to celebrate my friends’ wedding in such a magical setting. It was a reminder of how much I value connection and taking time to reset (!!) – all things that give us fresh energy to bring back into our work.
Laura: I had a wonderful family holiday in Portugal. Enjoying morning coffee on the balcony with a sea view, taking walks to the beach and the marina to watch the sunsets was amazing. Unexpected highlights included seeing baby peacocks in Lisbon and a family of dolphins in the Atlantic.
Harriet: Working at Juniper has given me the privilege of being part of a supportive environment that truly values work-life balance. This summer, I was able to fully enjoy quality time with my children, thanks to the flexibility in my working hours. It allowed me the space to be present as a parent while also contributing professionally alongside my team to deliver the work that was needed.
Being able to balance both roles, without having to choose one over the other, is a rare privilege, and something I’m deeply grateful for. This was a real highlight for me this summer as I spent time making memories I will treasure with my children.
Hannah: Hannah is currently on maternity leave, her summer spent preparing for the arrival of her gorgeous baby girl, Orla.
Lucy: I was fortunate to take some time off this summer before embarking on my new journey with The Juniper Co. As an equestrian, it gave me the rare opportunity to spend extra time outdoors with my horse!
The real highlight of my summer was taking my young horse on his longest solo hack yet. We spent three blissful hours exploring our local area together, where we're lucky to have miles of woodland and sandy tracks to explore. I’ve trained him from scratch myself, so reaching this milestone together felt incredibly rewarding. It’s a reminder of how small, consistent steps can lead to big leaps in both learning and achievement over time.
Pausing to reflect on the experiences we value outside of work can offer a fresh perspective on how they might shape our professional lives. What was your summer highlight?