Growing your career in competitive markets, from founders Jess and Hannah

Hannah and Jess’ agency Part Three Digital can be found on Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin.

***Transcript (ccs autogenerated)***

Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining. I'm so happy today to be joined by Hannah and Jess. Hannah and Jess are clients of mine. Actually, we've been working together for the past couple of months as they've begun the process of starting their agency, Part Three Digital.

They've recently launched this week. So I've got them here today and we're going to talk about getting started in a career in digital, what it's like to be a woman in the industry, their experience starting their business.

It's been a big day for you both - today was your launch day.

Yeah, it's a lovely day. Yeah. Like, really overwhelmed. It has just been so lovely to have some great feedback from people in the industry. So it's all really good.

Nice. I have a little expression that I always say, which is like, do you know who is a really nice person? Most people, like most people, are. So and it surprises us, doesn't it? When you launch something or do something new and you just get so much support because we're so used to as humans, like, calculating the worst case scenario. Amazing. So I know that this has been a bit of a journey for you. So tell me, why have you started your business?

I think during the pandemic, which is when we really started, I started to think about things. The world, like, shrinks a bit and it puts everything into perspective for you. You know, I would say that I'm not someone who takes risks, really. And Jess would definitely say the seem we've had lots of conversations about how the two of us are quite similar that way. I think I love the idea of pushing myself out of my comfort zone. From the four walls that were like your home office, your kitchen, your dining area in your living room. There was just something like, you did feel very restricted at that time. And I think just to be able to do something different and to really push ourselves in our work and to think about how we could help other people, I think that's something that's so key for the two of us is just a desire we're skills in this area. How can we help people? And I think to have control over how we could do that. It's something that was really equal parts, I would say terrifying and exciting definitely is like what probably led us to where we are at. Yeah. I suppose he definitely had the right people to give us the non we needed and kind of believed in us from day off to make it all happen. So we can't quite believe we've done it either. But, Hey, let us turn it were given a go. And so far so gay. And but Yeah, like, just fall over. What have we kind of go to points and our own careers in terms of where we were at and the type of agency that we wanted to be a part of and that were really important to us, like culture and being really focused on career development and progression and for people so that they could be the best they could be. We burn. It is such a huge thing in the industry as well, and something that we're very aware of. And and we're working for that not to become a rule when you look at the kind of agency and peace. And Yeah, I know. Thank you. And I know for you both that well, your business is already working with these incredible brands, incredible clients. It's really, really impressive. I don't know if we can mention them, but I won't just in case we go, I know you're working with some really incredible clients, and it's so impressive to be so early in your journey and working with these kind of brands. And at the same time, I know what's really important for you both is helping people get into the industry.

What advice would you give to someone who's maybe a grad just starting out early in their career to to help develop these relationships?

I would say work hard, be kind and helpful and all that you do because you never really know where those opportunities are going to come from. That will give you that next step in your career. But you just know if you go about things and you're helpful, kind and feel proud and what you're doing. But I think that's how you got there. I know certainly look for myself, like I actually had a job in a great company in Northern Ireland. And and that's probably not where I saw that I was going to be able to get a job beta content creator for their website at one stage. But because, you know, I worked hard in that ratio job and was given so many maybe as an opportunities by a management from that ratio level right up to the marketing team, that's when an opportunity route for me. And I think that's everything that I've done, I've just, you know, people who are helpful and ask great questions and want to know more. They are the people that I think other people they want to help. And I would also say, like, say Yes to everything. Like, even if you're scared. I've had so many moments, like I would have said I was quite a shy person and probably wouldn't have been the first to speak in public or present. But I've had so many amazing people on the way who who just asked me to do things like Jeff is one of them. He's just said, Get up there and talk about this. You're good at it. And having that push it's made me so much more confident. And I sort of feel him hard to do that for other team members and other people coming through. I think it is good to be pushed out of your comfort zone ever so slightly, because that's when you discover what you really like and take advantage of all those online online learning, ask loads of questions and become friends with those people who you might even say is your competition because there are the people that you're gonna learn from. And I suppose to have fun, I can't highlight that enough. You know, I think if you're working in marketing, especially digital marketing at the minute and you're young and you've just graduated or you're thinking about a placement year, I think, do you take advantage of all those moments I got? All those work events take any opportunity you can to get experience and enjoy every moment of it. Yeah. Go in. And even if you can't get the work experience you need or a placement year doesn't really work out for you, I think there's always something to be said. And being a self starter as well, whether that's creating your own content for social or blog is digital marketing is where you're keen to get into. But even for myself, whenever I finished University at Newcastle and came home to Northern Ireland, I found a job and marketing digital marketing is really difficult. You needed two or years experience. So I just started Freightliner and to help small businesses like small local businesses, which got me some decent experience. And Yeah, like Hannah said, in terms of retail, I worked in hospitality as a waitress and I worked in bars and I think the skills you get there in terms of customer service is unbelievable as well. So, Yeah, there's definitely a big mix and follow them. Those industry experts like there too. Like you've got on Instagram and Twitter and LinkedIn at your fingertips to connect and learn from all these amazing people, like cars. Like you were one of the people that I followed over the years, like back from many minds days and learning bind and unfollowed you ever since you've been helping us in recent months. But there's loads of people in SEO and Social that I followed for years, like Barry Adams. He is based over here in Belfast as well. And Patty, Megan and the team at Era and Carry at Rise at seven and stuff like all these great people in the industry that you just do learn so much from just calling them and social.

Well, that actually was some really lovely advice that you said as well, Hannah, that it might be worth exploring a little bit more. You said, become friends with the people that you might think of as your competition. I think that's brilliant, because I think sometimes we can feel as though we're buying for limited opportunities. It can be difficult to start out in a career or start a business or start something new or get a promotion. So for you, then how do you think You know, someone can go about connecting with people who inspire them or who they may see is their competition. So you can start building those relationships?

Think, as Jess said, they're like, you were so lucky because we're such a connected world that we live in. You actually can reach out to those people on LinkedIn or on Twitter. And the more time people who I've really admired and I maybe tweeted or got in touch with or asked a question, and then getting back to me, and you feel amazing knowing that they have even acknowledged that you exist and you've got this bit of advice from them. So I think that's really something you can do and definitely on a smaller scale, too. I think actually a particular maybe any agencies with maybe hire a lot of graduates at one time, or a lot of people in there maybe can be that sort of environment that's maybe built up for people to be in competition as you're. Right. Like, you might think there's not enough space there, but there is definitely their space for everyone. And I think that's always, like a grip of advice. There's work for everyone and there's opportunities for everyone. And I think if you go by that mantra and you feel good about the way you're behaving with other people, I think that can relate to success. I think that's so so important, this idea that the space everyone was room for everyone. And I think I think what's also important to acknowledge whether or not your experiences have shown you that to be true. Yet it's just a really helpful belief to have. It's just it's a really helpful mindset.

So I love the advice of find the people who inspire you or who, you know, you want to be more like and reach out to them. So there might be some people listening thinking, What would I say? So either one of you, if you are reaching out to someone that maybe you're new in your career and you just want to stop building that relationship, what might you say to someone?

Yeah, I suppose any time where I post, like, you're contacting these people for a reason. So there's something that you admire about them or something you've listened to or something you liked, or maybe you have a question. Like, I would always tend to either try to connect on LinkedIn or slide into the DMs in some way on Twitter or Instagram. And, Yes, like, if your European inquisitive and interested in them and what they do, then they're going to return the fever as well, like in most cases. So, Yeah, that's how I would approach it anyway. And then if you ever have an opportunity in the current world that we're living in or in the future, meet them for coffee and a shot. And, you know, most people are always really willing to do that. And we've had great experiences about over the years. Sorry. Oh, no, I was just going to add to that and say that I think that's so true. Making someone for a puppy works, pursue lucky things are beginning to put up again, and we're able to do that. But I think there's something about putting that out into the world. I think asking other people for advice. And as I said, they're the great feeling you get whenever they acknowledge you and give you that advice. And I think then then whenever you get to a point in your career or even there's someone more Gener company, then below you that you can then be that helpful person for them, which I think something Jeff and are both very passionate about. And I think any time that we had anyone who's in even for placement or just as an internship, I would be asking them so many questions. And we'll be trying to get out. And I'm like, what do you like doing? Or tell me more? And can I help you? And can I give you my email address if you need to ask me anything? Or I love when someone contacts me and say I've got an interview, can you help me with questions for that? So I think it's like I've had great experiences of other people, you know, giving me advice, and I want to pass that all when he goes to see them for death. So I think there's something to you. But Yeah, putting that on into the world and being helpful and getting help in return. Yeah. I spent so much of my time like giving advice and sharing, because I got so much of that. And I think that can be really soothing for people to know that nearly all of us had guidance, mentorship in our career, and we kind of want to pass it on. And I think it comes back to that point again, that most people are so nice, like most people, not everyone, of course, but most people are really kind and willing to help. And I think if you have a specific ask, then people will respond. So that's really good to know. So I think this idea of kindness is coming up quite a lot. Do you think that's something that you want to integrate within your business? Yes, definitely. I think from the gecko kindness being helpful and being heaven or all things that have just come up for us constantly and not just in the team and internally, but also with our clients, how we can nurture and grow with them. I think it's just something that constantly seems to be coming up and over. Jeff and I've been talking and when we've been talking with you Kirsty and Flash Night, who we are and what we want to bring the industry. And I think that is something that we really aspire to bring to it. It is like a kindness and a calmness and just a helpful manner. Yeah. We just want to do a really good job for our clients and our team. So I think that really does shine three and everything that we do.

Yeah. Incredible. So what are you. I mean, one of my favorite things I was saying to a friend the other day that one of my favorite things is when women stop businesses. I just love it. I love it. I love the, like, empowerment and the paving the way. And it still is in the minority and a great minority actually a female founded lead businesses. So what are your goals? Where do you want to take this?

More awareness around women being in senior leadership positions across multiple industries, which is fantastic. And I suppose that's something that we're really keen to promote a nurture and throughout our business and for crime and future generations. Yes. Who's. Like, you know, we really came to look at how we support them. And, like, many of our clients are women, too. And but Yes, in terms of growth, like, we're startup we're expecting and kind of Hi gross over the next couple of years. That's what we're hoping for anyway. And came to routine the great clients that we're working with already and doing bigger and better things with them and the years to come. And so in terms of our core markets as well, being based in Belfast and and Dublin just being a hot, I'm gonna jump and down the road, like, you know, working to focus on the Island of Ireland. And then we're already working with some clients globally as well. So we kind of are looking to American in the next couple of years. Two. Nice. It'll be fun and interesting or journey.

So you've mentioned, like, starting a new business combat zone. Let's end the chat with both of you giving one piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to start something or do something, but is really, really nervous.

I feel like maybe, like, a broken record on the being helpful, but I think that would be my main thing. You know, I think find opportunity to be helpful and to be that person I look at if you're already working in the industry, look at your colleagues. If someone struggling to someone need help with something, can you be the person who helps that? Is there a gap there that you can fill? The training you could do to pave the way for yourself and becoming a specialist in a certain area, like SEO or social media? Is there something you're passionate about? You've got the ads for I think don't be. Not everyone needs to strive and there's different people who maybe don't want to constantly question themselves or what they like doing. But I think for a while I was probably very still in just doing everything. But I think do you ask yourself, what do you like doing and what do you get at and constantly work towards that? I think that would be me a bit of advice. Yeah. A food. It was for me, a comeback to benole risk of our pagan. Like, I overthink a great thing and would be to sign yourself with people who go to the people that maybe aren't as risk adversity. If you're a risk averse person and look for their support and guidance and it's kind of level out and make it all your options. And I suppose I I I'm kind of I just showed for Hana here, but Yeah, I suppose being partnered with Hannah, I can't imagine being on this journey with anybody else. And I know she's been a great support for me and we complement each other in so many ways as well. So find your people or pose it to help me along the way. And Yeah, I make it a success.

Well, thank you so, so much. I'm so happy for you both. It's so cool to see just more voices in the digital space, and it's a really, really exciting time. So thank you for sharing some of these lessons with us. How can people get in touch with you if they want to ask more.