Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Reframe Women in Tech event. This gathering has grown incredibly close to my heart since starting with MiM. As I immersed myself in the event, listening to the speakers and engaging in discussions, the electric energy in the room became palpable. This event's focus on action, not words, allyship, and vulnerability ensured it was another enlightening and inspiring experience, with the core themes sticking with me long after the event concluded. Each speaker possessed a unique magnetism, drawing me and others into their narratives. About halfway through the day, I found myself confronted with a question that struck a chord deep within me: Who were my male allies? We were asked to make a list to capture the information about who our male allies were. I sat there, struggling to come up with more than five names. This realisation isn't to say that all men are unsupportive or lack empathy towards gender equality. But their lack of representation and action is an issue that needs addressing. Why are male allies so few and far between in a world where we have the same conversations about diversity and inclusivity? The answer lies in the underlying gender norms and societal expectations that persist today. The Power of A Privileged Ally The event began by emphasising the importance of action, not words, leading to the importance of allyship and representation. It underscored the simple yet profound truth that one cannot aspire to be what one cannot see. It encouraged individuals to commit to becoming allies and trailblazers, working together to create a more diverse and inclusive tech industry. While the event's fabric was championing and building up the women present, a central theme was the extraordinary power of privileged and male allies in STEM. It was a call to action for men to actively champion and uplift the women around them, especially in fields where gender disparities persist. The message was clear: allyship is not a passive stance; it requires deliberate actions to support and advocate for gender equality. Challenging the Gender Pay Gap One of the stark reminders presented at the event is that the gender pay gap still exists. This sobering fact highlighted the ongoing challenges women face in achieving pay equality in the workplace. It's a rallying cry for men to stand beside their female colleagues, advocating for fair compensation and equality. This disparity is not just prevalent among employees. It's also the case for aspiring female founders, with only 2.2% of venture capital funds raised by women . This glaring inequality underscored the gender disparities in funding opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the tech industry. It's a call to action for male allies to actively work towards levelling the playing field. One of the factors contributing to gender disparity is the time women traditionally take out of their careers to raise children. However, as the workplace evolves, we can all look to foster a more supportive and inclusive environment for working parents by promoting caregiving roles for both men and women. This can be achieved by providing flexible work arrangements and equal opportunities to all. By doing so, the gap in earnings and promotions between men and women can be balanced, creating a more equitable and fair workplace for everyone. Looking Forward to "Women's Future Month" The event raised an intriguing question: When will we celebrate "Women's Future Month" in addition to Women's History Month? This question reminds us of the importance of not just acknowledging past achievements but also looking forward to the boundless potential of women in the future. There is much to be proud of, but there are many more pathways to carve out, with a particular emphasis on constructing a more inclusive and welcoming workplace for everyone. The statistics speak volumes about the benefits of diverse and inclusive teams: they exhibit a remarkable 19% increase in innovation and a significant 25% boost in work output. The retention factor is even more compelling – team members who feel content are a striking 50% more likely to stay. However, to harness these advantages, employers must prioritise inclusion and acknowledge the presence of biases within everyone, as we all carry some form of bias. Creating an environment where diverse ideas are heard, actively encouraged, and teams embrace constructive disagreement becomes crucial. This approach is essential for fostering innovation and productivity and retaining the pool of high-quality female talent that often slips through the cracks. Navigating Non-Linear Career Journeys Moving forward, a concept that we are excited to explore is the non-linear nature of career journeys, shining a light on the challenges faced by individuals from working-class backgrounds (across the board) in accessing corporate roles. With only 10% of the working population from such backgrounds making it into corporate positions , it's clear that allyship and advocacy are needed to address these disparities. Educational disparities play a huge factor in this cycle, revealing that those from Russell Group universities with a 2:2 degree were more likely to secure a role than those from other universities with a first-class degree. This statistic calls for a more inclusive approach to hiring and supporting talent. While striking a balance between heartbreaking and heartwarming, above all else, the keynote hammered home the importance of diversity, including different personality types, in achieving a company's success. It also highlighted the value of embracing failure as an opportunity for reflection and adaptation. Thriving in a Female-Dominant Marketing Culture: A Tale of Allyship and Inclusion at MiM Bringing myself gently back to the core theme of male allyship was a groundbreaking moment in my reflection. As a professional who did not attend university and embarked on a non-linear career path myself, I have had my fair share of uphill battles. But it has also, in many ways, opened me up to experience the dynamic effect that allyship, in partnership with practical skill and know-how, can blossom into a beautiful, unchartered pathway. In the dynamic marketing industry, where women comprise approximately 60% of the sector , I've felt what it's like to be championed by someone in a professional setting: Rowan Williams, MiM's Managing Director. Rowan's commitment to gender diversity goes far beyond numbers. He recognised my potential and hired me to help drive forward an agency dedicated to supporting start-up and scale-up (predominantly tech-focused) companies, setting a powerful example of how diverse perspectives contribute to our industry's success. Yet, the harsh reality is that this is not a milestone in everyone's professional story. While MiM dedicates itself to gender diversity, we understand that a women-first approach doesn't mean exclusivity. Female dominance in marketing stems from many women's powerful qualities—empathetic communication, creativity, and the ability to connect with diverse audiences. These intrinsic strengths make women highly effective in marketing roles. Rowan's support has been instrumental in my journey as a woman in a leadership position and as a professional in a diverse and inclusive environment. His mentorship transcends gender lines, emphasising the importance of male allyship. In a field where women are the majority, his commitment to empowering all employees showcases the power of embracing each team member's unique strengths and perspectives. However, the industry is still transforming, and the ongoing work to promote equity and opportunity for those who need it is far from its conclusion. Concluding Thoughts The Reframe Women in Tech event aimed to promote diversity, inclusivity, and allyship in the tech industry. It underscored the ongoing challenges and opportunities for women in STEM fields. As we reflect on the thought-provoking discussions and insights shared at this event, let us remember the importance of male allies in championing gender equality. Together, we can create a future where women's achievements know no bounds. So, as we reflect on the question posed at the beginning of this journey—Whose list would your name be on?—let us strive for our names to be on the papers of those women we've championed, mentored, and supported. Together, as allies in STEM, we can pen a new future where equality and opportunity are genuinely universal.

MiM (Masters in Marketing) is thrilled to announce the addition of Lillian Williams, a world-class Graphic Designer, to its creative team. With an impressive seven-year career at Zoggs and extensive experience in graphic design, Lillian brings exceptional talent and expertise to her new role as Creative Director, further enhancing MiM's innovative approach to marketing solutions. "We are thrilled to welcome Lillian Williams to the MiM family," said Rowan Williams, MD at MiM. "Her extensive experience and exceptional skills in graphic design will undoubtedly enrich our creative endeavors and enhance the visual impact of our clients' campaigns." Lillian's innovative design approach perfectly aligns with MiM's dedication to delivering cutting-edge marketing strategies that captivate audiences and drive exceptional results. With graduation from the esteemed Central St Martins in 2012, Lillian brings a fresh perspective and an innovative approach to design aesthetics. Her dynamic portfolio showcases a diverse range of successful branding and design projects, making her an invaluable asset to MiM's esteemed clientele. "I am thrilled to be joining MiM and collaborating with such a talented team," said Lillian Williams. "I look forward to contributing my passion for design and creativity to support MiM's mission in delivering exceptional marketing solutions to our clients in this new career chapter." MiM's ever-evolving creative team is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of design and delivering innovative, captivating campaigns that stand out from the crowd. With the addition of Lillian Williams, MiM is positioned to further excel in its commitment to providing dynamic marketing solutions for its valued clients. About MiM - Masters in Marketing: MiM is a leading marketing agency renowned for its innovative strategies, and dynamic campaigns. With a customer-centric approach, MiM leverages cutting-edge technologies and top-tier creative talent to provide unparalleled marketing experiences for clients across various industries. MiM empowers brands to reach their full potential in today's competitive market, from branding and design to digital and content marketing.

MiM (Masters in Marketing), a leading marketing agency renowned for its innovative strategies and dynamic campaigns, has decided to step away from Twitter as a primary social media platform for client campaigns, with some limited exceptions. This decision comes after carefully considering the platform's evolving landscape and its impact on content quality, user experience, and brand integrity. After careful consideration, MiM has shifted its focus away from Twitter as a critical platform for client campaigns. Recent changes on the platform have led to the loss of specific features that were once appreciated, such as the ability to connect with others and reach a broader audience rapidly. As a result, the agency has decided to direct its focus toward other platforms that better align with its requirements. One of the primary concerns driving this decision is the decline in content quality on Twitter. Over the years, there has been an increase in users publishing inappropriate content and comments, creating an environment that is not conducive to fostering meaningful conversations. As an ethical marketing agency, MiM is committed to upholding the highest standards of content integrity and brand representation for its clients. The current state of content moderation has raised concerns that clients' brands may inadvertently be associated with inappropriate or harmful content. Another significant issue the agency face is the increasing presence of bots on the platform. These automated accounts can distort engagement measurements, mislead users, and create a false sense of audience reach. As an agency that values accurate results, MiM strives to provide its clients with accurate information and insights. However, the widespread use of bots undermines the effectiveness of their campaigns. "While Twitter has been an integral part of our social media strategies for several years, we cannot ignore the growing challenges it presents," said Rowan Williams, Founder and CEO of MiM - Masters in Marketing. "As a customer-focused agency, we owe it to our clients to prioritise their brand safety, audience engagement, and campaign effectiveness. As such, we have decided to explore other platforms and avenues that better align with our commitment to excellence." It is important to note that MiM's decision to step away from Twitter is not absolute. MiM takes a personalised approach with each client and may opt for Twitter as a strategic choice, carefully monitoring content to ensure brand protection and message alignment.

Marketing and Business Development; The Best of Friends Many business owners understand the correlation between a strong marketing strategy and sales. But have you ever stopped to consider how vital marketing is in business development? A solid marketing strategy can act as nutrient-dense soil and accelerate your business’s growth. It can also help increase brand awareness and drive sales. The good news is there are plenty of ways to integrate marketing and business development strategies. Defining Marketing and Business Development Marketing and business development are two sides of the same coin - both strive to grow a business. So what does each term mean, and how can you use both to increase your profitability? In short, marketing promotes products or services to customers. As a result, marketing focuses on customer-facing activities. On the other hand, business development involves formulating strategies to ensure your business stays profitable. These strategies will help you expand your operations, develop new partnerships, and diversify your services if implemented well. In addition, business development looks at understanding your market, seeking prospective clients and building long-term relationships with partners. Using Marketing and Business Development in Tandem Using marketing and business development in tandem is a powerful tool. Ultimately, combining these two strategies will help you successfully develop a plan, capture market share and stand out amongst your competitors. For example, with marketing and business goals in mind, you can analyse what your customers are looking for and tap into emerging trends that could generate more interest and activity. Having your finger on the pulse of current trends will also open up a world of new possibilities for both departments. As a result, your campaigns will be more successful, and your partnerships will be more strategic. By working together, marketing and business development become more than just methods for achieving desired results. They create synergies around crucial topics that can drive the company forward. Our Two-Pronged Approach Both approaches ensure your brand messaging stays consistent and resonates across multiple channels. But does your digital content really resonate with your target audience? Will prospects recognise your content at first glance? These questions are essential when planning your marketing strategy. To produce campaigns that complement your business development efforts, you must ensure your content covers all bases. You want to entice customers whilst highlighting your services and allowing you to build relationships with potential clients before they have even contacted your team. As a marketing agency, it is no surprise that content and social strategy are the fibre of our business. However, we also have a hyper-focused business development arm to supplement these efforts. Dividing our attention and spinning plates, we ensure to plan and target strategic partners and are always looking to build and strengthen relationships. With this dual marketing and business development approach, we’ve been able to nurture a solid customer base that continues to grow every year – giving us the confidence to continue pushing for innovative ways of connecting with potential buyers. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us for a consultation! We're always happy to chat about marketing, and our team can help you create a customised plan that fits your specific needs and budget.

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Choosing Happy Work: My Journey So Far It's not uncommon to feel unhappy in your current job. In fact, according to a Gallup poll, only 13% of people worldwide are engaged in their work. So if you're one of the 87% who isn't, it might be time to consider a change. I am all too familiar with that feeling of Monday morning dread, and despite knowing that I was unhappy, it took a lot of willpower to pull myself out of the situation. A big part of finding happiness stems from self-reflection. You need to know what makes you happy to go out there and obtain it for yourself, and that was a central theme when I was trying to put together this blog. What makes me happy? My interest in media stems from a love for theatre. Not only did I love watching productions, but I also loved being in them. I feel that, paradoxically, I have strengths in places I have weaknesses. For example, whilst I’ve always struggled with traditionally academic things, English was a strong suit of mine, and I was good at spelling despite learning difficulties. Throughout my childhood, this passion only grew. My interest spored into the broader world of production, and my focus shifted from onstage to offstage. I became fascinated with the typical backstage crew work and media studies at school. Uni was a really happy time, and my course allowed me the scope to experiment with mixed media and touch on a broad range of options within the field instead of just one thing. I am an indecisive person, and whilst it was incredible to see all the different avenues available to me, it was slightly confusing, and I struggled to find a focus. I'm still unsure if it was a positive thing- being overwhelmed by choice, but I did glean a bunch of technical skills from it. Music, Audio and video editing seemed to be where my talents lay, so I figured there was no better place to start than that. So, I threw myself into freelancing. Or tried to. As I discovered, Audio and Visual services is a very competitive field, and I found it impossible to get into it without a fully organised portfolio. So, due to the lack of response, I got discouraged. Very discouraged, and I lost a lot of confidence quite quickly. This chapter of my life is a weird one to write about, but it marks a fundamental and essential turning point. Honestly, this post-uni portion of my life felt very dark. I felt like I was in a metaphorical hole, and I battled for a good year and a half to get back out of it. Something that felt necessary was to be gentle with myself, so I mustered up the courage to take a job in a pub and tried to strip everything in my life back to the basics. I focused all of my time on finding joy. I made music, went on walks, and let these healthy activities consume hours of my day. That time was quite surreal for me, but I believe that it marked a turning point in my personal development, and I reached a point where I was ready to explore my career development again. My first role after the pub was everything that I needed at the time. It was a blend of retail and sales, but the easy kind. The company specialised in technology, and the brand we stocked effectively sold itself because most people who walked through the door wanted to play with the products or had the intention to purchase. I felt a bit of a sales buzz because I was outselling all the other staff, even when it came to the harder-to-shift items. Reflecting as I write this blog, I think the key for me to selling was just authenticity. I was never pushy, and because I was interested in tech, it was easy to convert my passion into enthusiasm. After all, you want to share your passion with people. The boost this role gave me spurred me to climb the career ladder again, and I landed a position with a rental car company that a friend from uni recommended. This role was a natural next step for many reasons, and I was thrilled with my career's direction. I no longer had to work weekends, I was earning well, and it felt like an 'adult job'. It also exposed me to entry-level marketing, and we had free license to create social media responses. There were also weekly competitions and a recurring ask-the-audience feature that would pose questions like ‘what are your number one road trip songs,' and we’d come up with puns off the back of that. Looking back, I consider those online responses as my baptism into social media. In addition, this company felt safe and familiar because my dad had worked in the same building 20 years earlier, under a different part of the brand umbrella. I also built close friendships with the people in my team. However, things turned slightly sour, and job insecurity turned into a somewhat toxic work environment. As people worried their departments would be cut, they became more competitive. My only reprieve from it was when the national lockdown forced everyone to work from home. Despite all the negative things happening worldwide, I loved working from home. There was no negativity aside from occasionally during work calls, where I would start to experience the daunting feeling that I was so desperate to get away from. But typically, the calls were fine. I could focus on my tasks better because I was physically out of a toxic environment with negative memories. However, inevitably, we shifted back toward an office environment, and I was forced to face my workplace reality. As much as I enjoyed the role, to begin with, my job had become draining, and I lacked motivation because there were so many bad experiences and memories, and I felt I couldn’t do my work properly. My output never fully returned to its optimal level in that role. So, having tried many things and gained career confidence, I returned to the drawing board again. I was genuinely interested in Marketing at that point and was keen to break into it, so when the head of social media left, I spoke to the head of marketing about taking over his role. Whilst I wasn't turned down, I was told there was a hiring freeze due to the lockdown, but people around me were getting hired, and it felt like a palm-off. So I decided to leave once again and have a fresh start. I wasn't entirely sure what was next, but I knew I wanted to move back into something that made me happy. I didn't mind if it was something I loved- like helping people or stripping it right back to the creative things that had bought me so much joy. It didn't take long for a solution to present itself. On my annual holiday that I take with my old school friends, I began chatting with a good friend. We talked about everything from my job concerns to what the future held, and when he started telling me about the skills gap in his business, my face lit up. It immediately felt like a way out, and I was so relieved. A helping hand reaching down into that metaphorical hole, so to speak. Since coming on board, it still took a while to carve out a role in which I was truly happy, but I did get there. When I initially joined, there was a lot of learning about systems, and I was the marketing account manager for one of our smaller accounts and started doing a lot of business development. Although it has been a journey, I truly feel that I am well on my way to happy work.

ReThink Social Media and How it Does What it Says on the Tin The context behind this blog originates with a man called Paul. Paul is a social media and marketing guru, and after years of levelling up his education, he reached an impasse. Student debts loomed, and whilst people around him began to progress, Paul was still waiting to start his life . Last month, I had the privilege of attending my first work course alongside Operations Director Cindy, and it feels a slight understatement to say that it was incredibly impactful. The program was called "Rethink Social Media" and took place in the Hammersmith Novotel. Each segment was an hour long and delivered by a panel of experts sharing their knowledge on their nichè. The company providing the Course was Paul's company- Rethink Academy. As two people who didn't attend university, Cindy and I found a lot of comfort in the expressed sentiments. There are people available to teach us things, and it is never too late to catch up when rebranding and re-strategising your businesses and your life. The course covered everything from paid and unpaid Facebook and Twitter adverts to how users can enhance their LinkedIn profiles. One of the most significant changes in perception that I took away is how to utilise the LinkedIn platform. First, Jason Osborn- ReThink's Head Coach, helped differentiate between LinkedIn and other social media platforms. With the average LinkedIn user making around $75,000 PA, the buying power is phenomenal, and conversion is 3x Twitter and Facebook combined. A second revolutionary thought proposed was that LinkedIn works for you instead of against you. They want everyone to have the best user experience possible, receiving buyers and promotions. As a result, we need to start approaching it with a network mentality. What can you bring to the table? How can having certain users in your network benefit those considering engaging with you? It was a lot of information, but it was also incredibly inspiring. It made me think about how I could enhance my brand and help Cindy improve the company's social media strategy. We came away from the course with an action plan and remit of ideas we want to implement as soon as possible. The most important thing I took away from the course was not a technicality or a number but an attitude. Knowledge is wealth, and the Rethink team is determined to indulge their clients. In addition, the passion for social media and marketing was palpable. It has inspired me to change my approach to my business and how I see opportunities. If you get the chance to attend one of these events, or even if you don't- make an effort to educate yourself. Whether through books, podcasts, or even taking a course, you never know when the next opportunity will come along, and if you don't prepare to grab it, it will drift past.

Something that we talk about a lot at MiM is culture. Just the other day, Operations Director Cindy and I had a cultural revelation, and whilst the idea isn't new, our perspectives on it are. The topic in question was ego. In my household, ego was somewhat of a dirty word. It connoted pride, selfishness, and an intense focus on one's image above all else. Cindy, on the other hand, had a very different perspective. When reflecting on start-up culture and acknowledging where I was coming from, she said something that blew my mind. For many working professionals, ego wasn't seen as a dirty word but rather as something essential for success. Believing in your idea, yourself, and that you deserve success is what gets you through the long hours, the stressful times, and the complex challenges. It's not about being prideful or boastful but having a healthy level of self-confidence and believing that you can achieve great things. The Middleground So, returning to the revelation. Cindy introduced me to the concept of WeGo. WeGo is the happy medium between ego and no-go. It's about having a healthy level of self-confidence but also being able to listen to others, take input, and be coachable. At its core, WeGo is about working together as a team to achieve something great. This concept fascinated me, and naturally, I RAN to google immediately. The first article that came up was a beautifully written LinkedIn thought piece by Lara Milward: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/wego-ego-lara-milward/ . The article unpacked a few key concepts. For example, one of the key ideas introduced is that "companies that thrive in 2021 will be the ones that have taken the decision to continue to invest in their people" and build trust within their teams. When you work for a start-up, there can be a lot of pressure to do everything yourself. You may feel like you need to have an ego and act like you know it all. But the truth is, no one knows it all, not even the company's founders. Nowhere is this more true than when working in a creative industry. Each team member needs enough capacity to be able to think creatively. When thinking about culture, it's important to remember that it starts from the top down. If the leadership team or founder doesn't believe in the idea or product, getting others on board won't be easy. The same goes for ego. If a company leader comes from a selfish place, it will likely seep into the rest of the organisation. WeGo in the Workplace The best way to shift your mindset from me to we is by understanding that there is no room for egos in a successful start-up business. When everyone works together as a team, everyone can achieve greatness. One disclaimer that I want to make is that this mentality shift in no way means that you should suppress your individuality. On the contrary, it's essential to have confidence in your abilities and share your unique perspective with the team. However, it's also important to remember that the success of the business depends on everyone working together towards a common goal. Company culture is so important to us at MiM, and WeGo is a concept we've unknowingly embedded. We invest in our people, we celebrate together, and we help each person in the team prioritise the things that are important to them- even if that isn't necessarily their career at the moment. At the heart of our company are three core values: Family, Fun, and One. First, we believe in treating each other with respect and compassion, which also extends to our customers. We work hard to create a fun and supportive environment because we know that when our team is happy, it shows in the quality of our work. And finally, we are all one team working toward the same goal. When we succeed, we celebrate together. When we face challenges, we support each other. Our core values are the foundation of who we are and what we do. WeGo vs Ego So how can you tell if you or your company is coming from a place of WeGo or ego? Here are some key indicators: -Ego focuses on self, and WeGo focuses on the team. -Ego wants to be correct, and WeGo wants to find the best solution. -Ego sees criticism as a personal attack, and WeGo sees it as an opportunity to improve. -Ego looks for someone to blame, and WeGo looks for a way to fix the problem. The Takeaway Ultimately, it's essential to be aware of where you and your team fall on the spectrum. If you find that ego is running rampant, take some time to refocus and shift your mindset to WeGo. It's a small change that can impact your team's culture, morale, and success. Do you have any stories about ego in the workplace? We'd love to hear them in the comments!

When I was little, I adored learning. To be honest, I was an incredibly pretentious child, and there was nothing I loved more than to share facts and stories with people. The reading corner was my happy place because each book contained a treasure trove of information that I could relay and show off with. In short, I was an unstoppable nerd with a God complex. While I grew out of my know-it-all phase, I also outgrew my passion for learning and confidence in my abilities. I stopped interrogating people for knowledge and questioning things I didn’t understand. As a result, many opportunities to discover something new or to dig deeper sailed past. The Lockdown Thing I was always ambitious throughout my time at school. I had big plans for my future. But like many people, as I got older and the time to leave school rapidly approached, the enthusiasm got lost. I ended up in an admin role whilst also working in hospitality. After becoming redundant, I was apathetic and bored. To add to the confusion, I wasn’t alone- many unemployed people during the pandemic were in the same boat. It didn’t feel like we were living real life; Someone had pressed pause on responsibility. Filling our schedules became a full-time job, as we spent our days sunbathing, doing Joe Wicks workouts and day drinking. While this felt like a dream at times, it also triggered panic. I felt like I wasn’t progressing or laying solid foundations in my life. Further to that, it had been ages since I’d genuinely learned something, and I could feel my brain melting away. So I threw myself into whatever online courses I could find. I also started obsessively cooking, baking, reading, and exercising. At one point, I even attempted to make a Papasan chair from a hula hoop and foldable IKEA seat. I decided to focus on what I knew and liked with an entirely clean slate. I enjoyed being creative, and through my previous roles, I knew that I loved being around people. Marketing seemed like a logical next step due to the experienced I gained during my admin role. I already knew some of the marketing basics and the ins and outs of specific systems. When first branching into this sector on my own, I was very naive about the degree of planning, care, and consideration needed to create a marketing function. As a result, the learning curve was steep and brutal. Each new project was an uphill battle. Because I had no immediate support or cushioning, I had to rely on learning, LinkedIn courses and even social media. Things I’ve learnt One of my favourite quotes is, “the less you know, the more you think you know”. Having a surface-level amount of knowledge can be incredibly limiting. It’s impossible to strive for something that you don’t know exists. The best things about my generation are the infinite opportunities for learning and growth. There is quite literally nothing you can’t learn on the internet (step-by-step heart surgery, anyone?). We have blogs, youtube videos, and just a wealth of information available at our fingertips. The best part is that it’s all designed to be simple, digestible and appealing- you just need to be open to looking for it. Personally, the decision to expand my marketing skillset and become a freelancer was heavily inspired by a TikTok made by a social media manager offering suggestions for remote pandemic jobs. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a confusing blend of indecisive and decisive. If you needed proof, that sentence in itself is a paradox. Since starting at MiM, I’ve learned a lot personally and professionally. First and foremost, I can confidently say that I have improved my decision-making abilities and independence in the workplace. Additionally, the prospects for learning and growth are huge, and working for a startup has been perfect for me for many reasons. I love the freedom to ‘try all flavours’ that working for a fledgling business empowers me to do. The startup culture of ‘all hands to the pump’ enables me to partake in a little bit of everything, and I have enjoyed many projects and assignments to date. Everyone in the team can pitch in, and there is something that you excel at; the development prospects are enormous. Things I’m Trying to Learn The leadership team at MiM has also been instrumental in my professional growth. Each team member has enabled me to build upon the elements of my job role that I enjoy the most and even funded courses to further my skill set. The encouragement I’ve received has also assured me of my own capabilities. As a result, I feel confident making creative contributions without someone holding my hand each step of the process or completely dismissing my ideas. Something else that I am trying to gain confidence in is the ability to advocate for myself. Some people have the natural ability to know what they want and go after it. I have always struggled with this. My advice to anyone unsure about what they want to do in the future is to think about what you enjoy or what will help you achieve something you enjoy. For example, it could be getting a remote job that can support travelling or something else for some people. Either way, once you determine your objectives, just learn all you can. Every piece of client feedback highlights a pitfall in my process. I can bear it in mind next time I create something. The Thing About Being a Sponge You can learn something new from everyone you meet by asking the right questions. Everyone has the potential to add value, and having the confidence to ask questions has been key to my learning process. Passion, persistence and being a professional plate spinner are crucial for startup success. Things are fast-paced in startups, and there are always new challenges to overcome. Even when you second-guess yourself, you have to keep going as workloads pile up and deadlines fast approach. You also need to balance different clients’ needs with preplanning and proactivity. From the outset, I was included in conversations with clients and meetings about the business that I had previously felt was exclusive to higher-level staff. These conversations were a tremendous learning opportunity for me and still continue to be. As a result, I was able to obtain insights into the process of building out a marketing strategy. I was also able to gain an honest view into the business’s operations (shout out to operations director Cindy for all of her help in this regard) and how to interact with clients professionally. The Next Thing I tend to romanticise things- which may be due to my age or personality. So many people live the bulk of life outside of work, and jobs are simply a means to an end. Other people have ended up in roles they don’t enjoy because of circumstances. I cannot express how fortunate I feel to enjoy my job! I’m not sure what will happen over the following few stages. Still, I’m comfortable not knowing the next step and gleaning as much experience as possible. I’m still learning, but I don’t feel rushed- like I need to race my way to an endpoint. Instead, I’m happy to see how each content piece develops and shapes my writing style. I am beyond excited to watch opportunity doors open around us as we remain open-minded and continue to learn.