I recently spoke to Giuliana Rancic, an anchor on E! News, the E! Network's flagship entertainment news program. In addition to her news anchoring duties, Rancic often co-hosts red carpet events for award shows, such as the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. She is the creator and executive producer of MTV's Celebrity Rap Superstar, which premiered in 2007. She appeared in the movie Bring It On: Fight to the Finish in a brief scene. She has also hosted the Miss USA and Miss Universe beauty pageants on NBC. She is also a co-founder of FabFitFun, a woman's health, beauty, and fashion site. Rancic is also the co-author of the New York Times bestseller, I Do, Now What?: Secrets, Stories, and Advice from a Madly-in-Love Couple. You can follow her on Twitter @GiulianaRancic or on Facebook.
In the following interview, she talks about how parenthood has affected her life and career, how she manages her time, the biggest obstacle and milestone in her career and her best advice.
How has parenthood affected your life and career?
Parenthood has changed my life in so many ways. Duke is the single most important thing in the world to my husband, Bill, and I and we have a total different outlook on life now. We are trying to savor every moment of every day and keep life's important things in perspective. I am back to work full time and that hasn't really changed. Duke is always on my mind when I am at work and I am excited to come home to him at the end of the work day.
What does a typical day look like for you? How do you manage your life?
My day starts whenever Duke wakes up! Usually at 6am. Mornings are my favorite time of the day. I spend a couple of hours feeding and playing with the baby then it's off to the E! studios. We are currently in production on season 7 of Giuliana & Bill so they are also on hand on any given day shooting my daily life. As managing editor of E! News, I prep for our taping which is from 1:00pm-3:30. I try to schedule meetings and phone calls during breaks on set and following E! News. After the daily news taping, I prep for the next day's 6am Fashion Police taping, any celebrity interviews and red carpets I have on the horizon, as well as design for my HSN collection G by Giuliana Rancic. After work, Bill and I make dinner or grab take out and usually watch TV and play with the baby.
What would you say the biggest obstacle and biggest milestone in your life has been and why?
The biggest obstacle has definitely been my breast cancer diagnosis. It was a very scary time, but it has made me the person that I am today and I am a stronger, better person because of it. The biggest milestone in my life was the day Duke was born. That was the greatest day of my life.
Aside from being a TV personality, you started your own website called FabFitFun.com. Did you always want to be an entrepreneur? What is your vision for the site?
I always knew I wanted to be a journalist, but I never could have predicted that I would have my own website like FabFitFun. It allows me to connect with fans on a daily basis and offer advice and tips on everything from skinny snacks to fashion trends. It has been such a great way to reach out to fans and share all of the secrets I have learned throughout my life about fashion, beauty, health and fitness.
What are your top three pieces of career advice for those who are looking to achieve your level of success?
1. Be the first one to arrive at the office and the last one to leave.
2. Be kind to everyone.
3. Never play office politics. Say focused on your own job and don't worry about what your co-workers are doing.
Dan Schawbel is the author of the upcoming book, Promote Yourself: The New Art of Getting Ahead (St. Martin's Press, Sept 3rd). Listen to his Promote Yourself Podcast on iTunes for more interviews and career advice.
