11 March 2021
Made of Women:
Career #goals
We’re celebrating International Women’s Day 2021 by highlighting the women in our community who inspire and empower us.
“You can be your own hype girl.”
— Dana Martin. Global Marketing Coordinator. Full-blown Leo.
Smart. Strong. Seriously motivated. Turns out these women are all around us at Cotton On HQ. They’re the brains behind a marketing campaign that stops you in your tracks. The hype girl in every team brainstorm. They know everything (like, everything) about industry trends. And they’ve got some killer career advice.
Tell us about your role
My role focuses on everything our customer sees, online and in store. I work on global monthly campaigns that reflect local trends best suited for our customers, collaborating with a diverse range of talented individuals. I love seeing a campaign come together, from planning emails several months in advance, to working with the team of people who bring it all to life.
How did you get to where you are now?
I started with Cotton On in early 2015 when I was hired as a casual team member at the Albury Mega Store. I transferred to Melbourne in 2017 to study my Bachelor in Business Marketing. From there, I embraced any opportunity that came my way. I worked at a variety of city stores, worked multiple stock takes and even set up two new stores. Fast forward to now, and I’m working with some of the best people in the industry.
What advice do you have for people looking to progress in their career as you did?
My biggest piece of advice is not to let your resume scare you. Your experiences and connections are so much more important. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and listen to the feedback you receive.
Who do you consider a role model?
My mum. She’s a “get it done” kind of woman. Any problem, craft project, IT query, gardening dilemma, itinerary clash – she’ll solve it. She’s a real all-rounder.
“We all know a woman we admire and aspire to be like. Now it’s our turn to be that role model for the generation of girls looking up to us.”
When do you feel most empowered?
I feel empowered when I am undertaking new experiences or learning new things. Each time I gain another skill it proves that I am capable of anything, and to me, that’s empowering.
“The work isn’t about me or my ego. It’s about the brand, product, or idea.”
Taylah Kleid. Global Senior Copywriter. Dead without a strong latte.
Tell us a bit about your career over the years
I cut my teeth in digital publishing, writing (often for free) and gaining clout. Everything I learnt there helped me make moves in other brands and agencies: How to write well, how to literally sell emotions and ideas, tell commercial stories and of course things like SEO.
Was your career path how you expected it to be?
The short answer: no. Writing or anything creative is hard, aka. emotionally expensive. Job rejections and bleeding pages of edits have crushed me before. But getting my name into print at 23 and more recently being flown to New York completely exceeded anything I ever thought was possible.
“The big wins are shiny, the small ones are meaningful and don’t get me wrong, I still have many ‘what the hell am I doing’ days. They’re important too.”
What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a writer?
Write what you know but don’t be shy to become an overnight expert in the things that you don’t. Oh, and read your work out loud.
“Trust your gut, take some risks, keep going (even when you don’t want to).”
When do you feel most empowered?
When people connect with my work. Last year I published a zine of my personal writing for the first time ever – scary! It sold out in a week so that was very emotional, empowering and humbling.
What does ‘Made of Women’ mean to you?
I’ve always said, I’m only as good as the people around me. Obviously, the women I work with everyday and my friends. But I often joke that the best example of how great women are together, is when we’re in full force in the bathroom of a bar. That instantly blurred line of strangers who talk like best friends. There’s nothing else like it.
“Work hard and dream big.”
— Chloe Simmons. Assistant Buyer. Big fan of matching trackies.
Tell us how you came to be in your current role
I studied fashion design at The Gordon Tafe and was given the opportunity to do a 10-week internship at Cotton On in my final year. Through that, I landed a job as a Product Developer in Rubi. And since then, worked up to be an Assistant Buyer.
What does a day in your role look like?
From problem solving production issues to being creative and putting the range together, each day is completely different. The best thing about working in fashion is being at the forefront of key trends.
“Made of Women means empowering and encouraging women to be themselves through every step of their life.”
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Believe you can and you’re halfway there.
Who are your role models, and why?
Definitely all my managers in the past 5 years at Cotton On. They all have different strengths and coaching advice so I’ve really tried to pull out the best qualities from each of them. I can’t thank them enough.
