VenYou Clients Reflect on Greatest Business Advice and Lessons for International Women’s Day
With the number of female founded businesses in Northern Ireland doubling since 2018 according to the Rose Review Progress Report, International Women’s Day, is the perfect time to continue that momentum and inspire more women to take the leap into entrepreneurship or top level management roles within companies.
It’s encouraging to see that 1,545 companies in Northern Ireland were started by women last year and although the gender gap in terms of women occupying top business roles is closing, there is still work to be done.
At venYou, we support all of our clients, regardless of gender and it is our hope that one day, we won’t need International Women’s Day – that female business owners, Managing Directors, Chief Executives and Managers will become so commonplace that it’s no longer newsworthy.
To help inspire the next generation of female business owners or company high-flyers, we asked some of VenYou’s clients to reflect on the best pieces of advice they’ve ever been given, or the greatest lesson they’ve learnt over the course of their career. Here’s what they had to say.
Fiona Rooney, Managing Director at Ipsos
After graduating from university with a degree in Applied Psychology, I began my career with McCann Erikson Advertising in Belfast researching reactions to anti-terrorist advertising. I lead quite a varied career in the years that followed, working for a number of companies including the Housing Executive, MORI, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LyleBailie Advertising before joining Ipsos in 2013.
If I could give anyone a best practice piece of advice, it would be to always be transparent and be prepared. It shows you have respect for people and the time they are giving you. In terms of the greatest lesson, I’ve learnt so far, it would be to always be truthful and straight with people– it really pays dividends.
Lauren Mills, Chief of Staff at Cloudsmith Ltd
I joined Cloudsmith Ltd in 2021, following 10 plus years working in the public sector managing the offices of CEOs in local government and education – so a very different ball game and one I didn’t know I could play so well!
The greatest lesson I’ve learnt is realising my potential, to know my worth. It wasn’t until Cloudsmith saved me from a life of being a very small cog in a big machine that I really understood my potential and the knowledge I have and bring to the table. I learnt to speak up, and to have an opinion.
For advice, I adore reading inspiring quotes. I always remember the famous quote by Wilson Mizner, ‘Be nice to those you meet on the way up because you will meet them on the way down.’ And a personal favourite of mine from Steve Jobs, ‘The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.’
Shauna Burns, Managing Director at Beyond Business Travel
My journey to becoming Managing Director of bespoke travel management company, Beyond Business Travel, specialists in servicing and tailoring the needs of a company’s requirements, has been one filled with extensive, varied and fun experiences.
A qualified chartered accountant, my early career was spent with KPMG working locally and internationally, before making the move to Dutch bank, ABN AMRO. Following this, I spent 10 years with Ulster Bank, working in their corporate banking team and then leading the Business Banking team for the west of the Province. I joined Beyond Business Travel initially as Finance Director five years ago, and more recently took over the helm as Managing Director from Founder, Edel Doherty.
In terms of advice for others, I would say keep learning and keep renewing your skills. Life and business are always changing and to be on top of your game, you also need to continue to develop yourself.
Jackie Logan, Managing Director at NakedPR.
An experienced communications consultant, I began my career working in the public sector for two decades before moving to the private sector and to a communications’ role where I was responsible for strategic communications, public affairs, crisis management and social media.
I established NakedRPR. ten years ago and currently work alongside a number of high-profile companies covering a number of sectors including, aerospace, waste, manufacturing, business enterprise, professional services, social enterprise, sport and many more.
If I could give anyone a piece of advice it would be, be honest and open and just say how it is; it will go a long way to building trust and relationships.
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