What do you do and how long have you been in your current role?
I started the creative event company Blonde Productions in 2004 and then decided to go it alone five years ago and re-branded the company as Wonderland Events, a dynamic events agency specialising in innovative design through to polished production.
The company has since grown from a team of five people to a team of 20 in our London office, and we have also expanded hugely internationally by opening offices in New York, Dubai, Amsterdam, Rio, Hong Kong, Beijing and Moscow. Additionally, having spotted a gap in the marketing we launched Wonderland’s sister company Hire-it two years ago, an event furniture hire company.
Where was your first job? What was the most important thing you learnt there?
My first job was at 19 Management. I started as a receptionist and within three months was co-managing bands. I quickly learnt that events was where I wanted to be after organising so many for the bands that we managed.
How did you get from there to where you are now?
After leaving 19 Management I then travelled around the world for a while to decide what career path I wanted to take and then started at Concerto Group immediately upon my return. I loved it there and learnt the corporate side of events, which set me in good stead when setting up my own company. I firmly believe the key to Wonderland’s success is its unique blend of creative flair whilst retaining a corporate organisational backbone in the running of the events.
Looking back, did you expect your career path to take the course it has?
I always knew I wanted to have my own business and got a first in my media degree. I always felt I would be involved in some media or creative arena as my mum’s a dancer and my dad comes from a creative ad agency background so it's where I feel most comfortable.
Would you do anything differently?
Staring your own company at 24 years old is a massive leap of faith and was very scary. The learning curve from then to now has been enormous and I still learn things every day. I would advise anyone staring a business to make sure you have an amazing accountant and to learn about cash flows and forecasts very quickly if you want to succeed. Also make sure you have some bright, intelligent and creative people around you.
Who has inspired you along the way?
My father has always been an entrepreneur, owning several companies at a time, so I suppose it’s in my blood and he has been a great inspiration to me. My husband is also hugely involved in the overall decisions I make on growing Wonderland and also helping me to juggle two small boys whilst running the company. He is my rock and allows me to be frantic most days while he looks after the kids at home and runs Hire-it, which is just taking off.
Have you ever had a job interview that went particularly well or spectacularly wrong?
I have always been pretty okay in interviews. I definitely went to a few with some ropey hangovers, which was not a good look. I remember Ultimate Experience asking me if I would be good at running bespoke events and I asked what does bespoke mean - was not my finest moment although I still got the job so must have done something right.
Is there a piece of career advice you’ve ever been told that has stuck with you?
Be bold and don’t ever think you can’t do something. As a woman running a successful business it can be really tough when juggling kids too, but the rewards hugely outweigh the negatives. Being your own boss allows a huge amount of freedom. If you can get the work/family balance right in life then you are on your way.
What career advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
Do a business course and learn about managing finances of a company. I think learning about business early on is the best advice I would give my kids.
How do you wind down and relax after a hectic day?
I try and work shorter hours now so I can spend more time with my boys. On good days I finish at 3.30pm, and my husband usually picks me up and we all go for a walk in Richmond Park or along the river so I can de-stress and then we can all hang out as a family. A large glass of wine in the evening always helps.
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