Welcome to The 6 a.m. CFO, where finance chiefs share how they jump-start their days and engage with the tasks that are in front of them.
Today, Aurora Cannabis’s CFO, Simona King, shares his/her morning routine.
Be sure to check out the entire 6 a.m. CFO series, and if you’d like to be featured in a future post, please email us here.
Aurora Cannabis
- A Canadian-based global medical cannabis company that has been operating since 2014
- Number of employees: 1,100
- Revenue/growth: ~CA$340M / ~30% year over year growth
MORNING ROUTINE
Weekday wake-up time: I usually wake up around 6:30 a.m., whether I’m working from home or I’m in Canada working from our Toronto office, which is a shared space in a very cool heritage building.
Morning beverage choice: I simply can’t function without coffee first thing in the morning! My grandfather always brewed his coffee on a stove-top Italian espresso maker, and I fell in love not just with the rich taste but with the ritual itself. It’s a tradition I’ve happily adopted ever since. When I travel, I’m always on the lookout for the best local coffee spots on my morning run, and more often than not, I’m ordering a cortado to start the day just right.
Non-work-related morning activities: After my much-needed morning coffee, my husband and I usually take our dog for a 30-minute walk, or I head to the gym. I work out daily, so I try to fit it in during the morning whenever possible, especially since my workdays tend to fill up quickly with back-to-back meetings and sometimes run late into the evenings on calls with our Australian team.
Workday start time: My workday usually starts around 8:30 a.m., checking emails, and meetings kick off by 9 a.m. Most days begin with leadership huddles, and once a week, I host a “CFO Connect” with my direct reports. Since my days are often busy with meetings, I’m always trying to carve out some focus time, though it’s not always easy.
How I usually spend the first hour of my day: I start by catching up on emails and aim to keep my inbox under 100, so managing it is a constant effort. I also review presentations and materials for the day’s meetings to ensure I’m fully prepared.
Best advice for writing an effective email: Keep it short as no one has time (or patience) to read long paragraphs. I’m a big fan of bullet points to highlight key messages quickly and clearly. I like to make it easy for the reader to scan, understand and take action.
First thing I review: The cannabis industry is very dynamic, so I start by checking news from Europe and Australia, since international markets impact our strategy. I monitor competitor activity closely and review company-wide updates to stay aligned. I also track market movements that could affect our financial outlook.
How I structure my morning meetings: The finance department is a global, remote team, so I use morning meetings to align on priorities, understand what challenges my team is facing, and help them navigate and reprioritize as needed. No two days are the same at Aurora, as working in such a dynamic industry means we’re constantly adapting and solving new problems.
Mid-morning snack of choice: Most weekdays, I stick to a 14-hour intermittent fast, so my “snack” is really more of a late breakfast around 10 a.m. It’s always something protein-packed, usually eggs or yogurt, plus a mix of fruits and veggies to keep things balanced and energizing. Simple, clean and keeps me going strong through the rest of the morning.
INSPIRATION AND LEADERSHIP
Favorite quote or mantra: I have several quotes I like, including: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” It’s a classic for a reason. I’ve always been goal-oriented and not afraid to take risks, whether in business or in life. Success and growth don’t happen by playing it safe. You have to be willing to take action, step outside your comfort zone and seize opportunities when they come your way.
Favorite leadership lesson: As a leader, you’re only as good as your team. I focus on building diverse teams to avoid groupthink and bring the best ideas forward. I hire and develop teams of talented people with a variety of strengths and invest in growing future leaders, including my own successors. I treat my team members like the CFOs of their own areas and empower them to be problem solvers. I’m not here to have all the answers, that’s what a strong team is for.
Something important to know about me that you wouldn’t know from my business bio: I’ve always had a passion for fitness. Over the years, I’ve completed many 10Ks, half marathons and full marathons and spent several years training as a triathlete, culminating in finishing a Half Ironman. Waking up at 5 a.m. to swim and training multiple times a day taught me discipline, time management and how to push both my physical and mental limits. Nowadays, I focus on heavy weight training three to four times a week, daily cardio and hitting at least 15,000 steps every day. And when winter comes, you’ll find me on the ski slopes.
Favorite number: I have a soft spot for the numbers 3 and 6. I have three kids, and a fun coincidence, they were all born in June. So both the number and the month hold a special place in my heart.
Most noteworthy items in my workspace: In my home office, I have photos of my kids at all ages — they’re scattered around my office and always make me smile. Some of them are out of the house now, so it’s especially nice to glance over and see their younger selves throughout the day.
I’ve also been lucky enough to travel to over 60 countries, so my workspace has a few treasures from those adventures: pictures from an African safari, pottery from Turkey and a hand-painted mug from Prague, just to name a few. It’s a mix of memories and meaning, and it makes the space feel uniquely mine.
Do you have a pet, and is it with you right now? I do now, but it took me a while to get there. I grew up on a farm where all our animals (dogs, cats, chickens) were outdoor pets. So when my own kids started asking for a pet, I was hesitant about having one indoors. Eventually, we welcomed a cockapoo into the family, and now, 13 years later, she’s very much part of the household. We all adore her. She keeps me company when I’m working from home and ensures I get my daily walks in and truthfully, I can’t imagine the house without her.
Favorite app on my phone that is not related to business: I have a few! Spotify is a go-to. I’ve always got music playing, whether I’m working out, relaxing or powering through emails. WhatsApp is my lifeline for keeping in touch with friends and family. And because I’m a bit of a wellness fanatic, my current favorite is LoseIt. It’s my all-in-one hub for tracking food, macros, fitness, sleep and hydration, and I’m a sucker for the data dashboards. It definitely keeps me honest (and motivated).
The year, make, and model of your first car: This might be a little embarrassing, but my first car was a Gremlin, probably from the ’70s, and it was handed down from my grandfather. It’s famously known as one of the worst cars of all time, and honestly, it lived up to its reputation. Awful to drive, but hey, it was free. Fast forward to today, and I’m cruising around in a BMW 2 Series Long Beach Blue convertible — way more fun to drive and thankfully not on any “worst car” lists.
Most influential/famous person you’ve ever met: My first job out of college was at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C., where I had the chance to meet Alan Greenspan, the former Chair of the Federal Reserve and one of the most powerful figures of that era. His famous “irrational exuberance” speech is still widely cited as a prescient warning about asset bubbles and the psychology behind speculative markets.
Most inspirational people in your life: Without a doubt, my parents. They immigrated to the U.S. from communist Romania, not just to escape a tough political situation, but to give my brother and me a better life. They taught me the value of hard work, how to adapt to a new culture and that education is the key to building a better future. Most importantly, they’ve always supported my choices and believed in me. I truly feel like I’m living the American dream because of them.
