Since founding POD LDN, Adrienn Main has quietly established a status for herself on the earth of artistic manufacturing, crafting standout campaigns whereas championing a extra inclusive and collaborative strategy to working. However the journey hasn’t all the time been clean.
From navigating cultural boundaries as a Hungarian pupil within the UK to pushing again towards office toxicity, Adrienn has realized when to talk up, when to maneuver on, and how you can construct neighborhood on her personal phrases. On this Q&A, she shares her evolving relationship with visibility, the ability of peer networks, and why entry – not simply ambition – issues in terms of illustration.
Have you ever ever felt unseen or underestimated in your profession, and the way did you overcome it?
I have been lucky in my profession general, and if I felt underestimated, it was extra so throughout my college years. I had come to the UK from Hungary, so I used to be out of the country, and the tutors did not all the time recognize how laborious that was. Nevertheless, I simply put my head down and labored actually laborious to beat it. There was one different time at an company the place my boss would nitpick unnecessarily over small issues to make me look silly. I spoke to HR, however they did not take any motion, so though I cherished the job, I finally determined to maneuver on. Generally you simply need to take away your self from a poisonous state of affairs.
How do you strategy self-promotion and making your work seen?
It is not one thing that comes naturally to me, so I’ve to work at it consciously, and I am nonetheless on a journey. I work with an awesome PR group at Persuasion, who assist me to craft items to face out within the trade press and on LinkedIn. I additionally hearken to quite a few podcasts and skim books about constructing your private model; two of my favourites are Daniel Priestley, the writer of Key Individual of Affect, and, in fact, Steve Bartlett, of Diary of a CEO fame. Each supply priceless recommendation and instruments for entrepreneurship.
What position has mentorship or neighborhood performed in your profession development?
I have been fortunate sufficient to work with an awesome mentor, Stuart Avery from Greatstate, whom I linked with by way of the BIMA Mentoring Programme. It has been actually good to attach with somebody who has been on the same journey, from whom I can ask for particular recommendation. He is actually helped me take into consideration how I handle and create the very best working atmosphere. To be trustworthy, I’ve discovered feminine mentorship laborious – I’ve reached out to some individuals and have not heard again – however I’ve arrange my very own common brunches for some ‘Kickass Girls’ whom I’ve come throughout within the manufacturing trade. We chat informally about trade points, and it is a nice and relaxed approach to community.
What’s one change you’d prefer to see by way of illustration within the artistic trade?
As talked about above, feminine networking may be difficult, notably if you happen to’re a small enterprise proprietor with out a funds for occasions. I like attending trade occasions, so I would prefer to see extra of those open to smaller corporations – maybe providing free tickets or particular charges. Startups are the lifeblood of our trade, so extra trade assist for entrepreneurs, please!
