1. What has been your proudest career moment?
The launch of the Skin Rocks app and then the first products from the skincare range last year – it was a lot, but it was incredible. Being a Trustee for Beauty Backed is a very close second.
2. Who has been/is your biggest mentor?
I worked as an Assistant Manager for O2 just after I left university and my manager Tiffany was the first person to show me what leadership looked like. She perfectly balanced friend/manager/mentor with our team and I learned so much from the time I had with her.
3. What’s the most valuable piece of advice you have ever received?
If you don’t know, ask. I was guilty of pretending I knew what everyone was saying in meetings for many years. It caught up with me and I’m so glad it did. If I don’t understand something being said or need more context I ask and I am better at my job for it.
4. Which training body would you recommend for someone wanting to enter your area of the industry?
It’s not an industry body, but I’d say if you wanted to get into the brand side of beauty then work in a beauty hall for a while. You will learn so much about the customer, brands, trends…and from a networking perspective, you meet so many people.
5. How do you make sure you stand out from the crowd e.g. up-skilling, research, social media?
Be polite, say thank you, follow up. Personal touches make a big difference - I write a lot of notes and thank you cards. People may not remember if you gave a great presentation but they will remember if you were a dick.
6. If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting their own business, what would it be?
If finance isn’t your strong suit, onboard someone that can help you with it from day one.
7. What’s the best and hardest thing about your job?
8. How do you switch off after a difficult day?
I don’t really switch off, which I know isn’t always a good thing. I’d really like to say something cool and mindful, but it is sitting on the sofa and watching a murder / kidnap documentary of Netflix.
9. Desert island 3 course meal?
Starter - Crab salad from a particular restaurant in Portugal and a huge bread basket with lots of salty butter
Main course - Truffle Mushroom Pasta, with a side of spinach and extra mushrooms.
Dessert - New York cheesecake – plain, with loads of whipped cream
I’d like to add a bottle of Veuve for the drink please.
This was the easiest question to answer, following many a drive to work listening to the Table Manners podcast.
10. Which 5 people (dead or alive) would you have at your dinner party?
1. Thierry Henry – because I love him
2. Ted Lasso - he is pure joy
3. Emilia Clarke – number 1 girl crush
4. My Grandma – she died when I was 17, so I’d give anything to have dinner with her again.
5. Sterling K Brown – I am obsessed with This is Us so I would like him to attend as Randall Pearson.
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