Sustainable Australian made-to-order fashion empowering the wearer & the maker. More than just a brand, Marlo by Marlo is a vehicle for conversation. It's about creating a community of women that share that zest for chasing your dreams and making them a reality. They are #NaturallyDaring women who understand the pride and the challenge of what it is to be a woman. Their clothes are designed to empower them on their way to greatness. Meet the lady who started it all.
I do what I say and say what I do
What's your job title & how did you get where you are today?
Founder of Marlo by Marlo. After 10 years in the digital and advertising industries, I needed to channel my skills into something that sparked joy. I'm a self-taught sewer and designer so I built an audience on my personal Instagram page for my designs and sewed every night and weekend to the point where I could leave my corporate gig knowing I had a product in demand!
Tell us about a day at work you'll never forget!
In the 4 months that the label has been live, the highlight so far has been dressing Elena Cardone in Marlo by Marlo for the 2019 National Achievers Congress in Sydney. During lunch, I needed a coffee, but the stilettos I was wearing were just killing me so I approached someone in the coffee line, 3 people, from the front (it was 45 people strong) and asked if I could buy their coffee if they stood in line and got my coffee at the same time. Turns out I was asking Jules Lund who was also MC'ing the day. I explained I had approached Elena and pitched him Marlo by Marlo. 5 minutes later Jules intro'd Elena onto the stage in front of 5,000 attendees and called out my story and the label and OBVIOUSLY how fabulous she looked in her Marlo by Marlo. I thought I was going to pass out, it was the best!
What's your advice about growing a brand or a personal brand?
All-day, every day be yourself. Don't pivot and flex for different people as you won't be able to keep up with who you're supposed to be. I'm authentic and I share my personal stories and that's how I have built an audience that feels that have a connection to me and my story. Not just another corporation or brand.
“All-day, every day be yourself. Don’t pivot and flex for different people as you won’t be able to keep up with who you’re supposed to be.”
How do you prepare for negotiation conversations?
I used to have an email folder at work labeled ISFA (I'm so fucking awesome) and I'd save emails from clients throughout the year that have commended me on an effort or job that had been tough etc I always took the initiative to book in monthly review meetings with my direct manager to track against my KPIs so by the time my review came around I had already ticked off every KPI that had been set for me and then some. In situations when going above and beyond still hadn't been enough I pulled out the emails - occasionally I'd even contact clients whom I'd established a great relationship with and asked them for written feedback that could contribute to these discussions.
Did you ever agree to something in a negotiation you now regret doing?
YES! That you take the offer on the table now with looks to review in 6 months. In my experience, they NEVER conduct those reviews. But when I was faced with having these conversations in rooms with senior men (usually 2-3 men on one side of the table and then me on the other) I was pressured to take the offer and then "review" down the track.
What one tip would you tell your younger self about negotiating?
Stay firm. Know that it's not personal it's just business and you know you are worth it!
