LAUNCHING: LUCY WARD
Current Employer:
Trouva
THE BIG QUESTIONS
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL TITLE?
I am Creative Brand Director at Trouva, the world’s leading marketplace for bricks-and-mortar boutiques offering a curated range of design-led homeware and lifestyle products from hundreds of independent shops. Trouva is a bridge between online and offline services, allowing local retailers to offer click and collect, 1-hour delivery, and worldwide shipping from a single, seamless platform.
WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
My role at Trouva centres around content creation and brand building, meaning that my day-to-day can range from running creative campaigns, to trend forecasting for upcoming content features or approving new boutiques to join our community.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD AND WHAT CHANGED?
Most vividly I remember a desire to be either a doctor, a vet or an astronaut. However, when I was teenager I gravitated towards the arts rather than science subjects which meant my childhood career aspirations soon changed!
WHAT ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU HAVE?
I studied English at Cambridge University.
WHAT’S THE BEST CAREER ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Good is better than perfect. Don’t let the fear for perfection keep you from finishing things and believe it’s OK to fail as long you learn from it.
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY?
I have two mentors that have become role models to me because of the careers they have built and support they provide me. Sophie’s ability to be the General Manager at the world’s leading independent digital rail platform, a mother of two and always be spritely fills with confidence that I can achieve that too. Giorgio for his calm influence and level headiness. He runs a company with a similar model to ours so has walked the path I’m on before, which comes in very useful when seeking guidance.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT WORKING ENVIRONMENT?
The people, the challenge, the passion we have as a team to secure an independent future for our community of shops.
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR DAILY WORK ROUTINE IF YOU COULD?
I’d be more disciplined about switching-off digitally. Recently I was without a mobile for nearly two weeks. It made me realise how dependent I am on my iPhone and how much more engaged with my environment when I’m not being distracted by it.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME?
Working at Trouva in a global brand role. I hope to have the opportunity to take what we have started in the UK and work across different parts of the world. I’d love to spend time in Tokyo, Berlin and LA.
DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN BE THE SAME PERSON AT WORK AND IN PRIVATE?
We’re all showing different sides of ourselves to different groups of people all the time and I’m no exception to that. However, I wouldn’t say I’m a different person depending on whether I’m at work or in private. It’s important to remain true to yourself and your beliefs whoever you are with.
WHERE AND IN WHAT ROLES ARE WOMEN IN THE LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AT YOUR COMPANY?
I feel passionate about supporting women in their career progression. It’s crucial that we start to normalise the idea of women in leadership positions. Female success in retail and much further afield should not be seen as a rare achievement that only a few girls can aspire to, but a tangible goal. Women need to own their success better and share the stories of how they got to where they are, it’s not breaking news anymore that women experience sexism and lower pay. The point should be about proving (over and over again until it starts to resonate) that there are strong, inspiring women out there in senior roles to inspire other women.
HOW GOOD IS YOUR WORK LIFE BALANCE?
I work in a start-up so my job is my life. I live and breathe Trouva, our boutiques and our customers but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
WHAT QUALITIES DOES BEING IN YOUR ROLE NECESSITATE?
Intuition, passion, determination and creativity.