This superwoman is a mum, wife, Games company CEO, Roller Derby player. Get ready to learn from this dog person who will choose 'beach' over 'forest' every day of the week.
Mum, wife, Games company CEO, Roller Derby player...I'm a dog person, and will choose 'beach' over 'forest' every day of the week.
WHAT'S YOUR JOB TITLE & HOW DID YOU GET WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?
Managing Director/CEO. I was pregnant with my second daughter Lucy, and working in Digital Marketing when I was approached by Tim, the original Director at Runaway. He offered me a senior role on the team...and I really wanted to say yes, but I actually said no. I wanted to take maternity leave and spend quality time with my daughter, which meant I wouldn’t be available for the proposed start time. So I said no to the role, but optimistically asked if we could talk again at the end of the year. Months later, we talked again and the role was still available...and then, I had to be brave, on a few fronts…
My daughter Lucy wouldn’t take a bottle until after the age of 1, so I had to balance her needs with my job - I worked short hours, to begin with, and my mum brought her to the office for feeds. Add to those personal pressures that I’d never worked in mobile games before, I didn’t feel like I was “technical enough” OR “creative enough” for the industry…accepting the role was really scary for me both personally and professionally. But I ignored my self-doubt and stepped up. And through the support of the incredible team at Runaway Play, no one has ever made me feel like I wasn’t “enough” for the role.
Within a year of joining the team, I shifted into the Managing Director role.
TELL US ABOUT A DAY AT WORK YOU'LL NEVER FORGET!
I have too many memorable days! One day that stands out was when we launched Furistas Cat Cafe...we had a big monitor up in the office, and we were watching the world map light up as downloads peaked round the world. Watching the number of players per minute grow as it rolled out everywhere was so exciting!
WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE ABOUT GROWING A BRAND OR A PERSONAL BRAND?
Identify your brand values, and live them. Live them every day in the way you work and in the actions you take.
“keep stepping up, keep stepping forward and never let fear cause inaction”
HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR NEGOTIATION CONVERSATIONS?
I prepare a clear and concise document. I build a case for what I'd like to see happen, and make sure I feel comfortable in the reasoning. I keep a small number of points but have them feel really strong...and I have concrete examples to reference.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT A TIME YOU’VE EXPERIENCED IMPOSTER SYNDROME, OR NOT FEELING GOOD ENOUGH? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THIS?
When I joined Runaway I worried about my lack of experience in games...but my solution has been to keep stepping up, keep stepping forward and never let fear cause inaction.
WHAT’S ONE TIP WOULD YOU TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF ABOUT NEGOTIATING?
Keep it simple, be clear in what you want and why. If you don't think someone is valuing you...don't be afraid to walk away.
