Tash Menone
Marketing Innovator, Entrepreneur
Tash has marketed some of the world’s finest restaurants with celebrity chefs and worked on events like the Queen’s Garden Party in London. Today she runs an alternative creative agency in Melbourne that curates specialised creative teams for brands in Singapore and Australia.
So how did she get there?
I played a lot of competitive sport when growing up and moved nine schools before the age of 11, I looked different to others at school. Sport was my currency to fit in. It formed a huge part of my identity. Then I injured my shoulder at 19 and I had to have a double shoulder reconstruction. For a while, I lost my sense of who I was. But my lowest point was also my greatest opportunity, because it forced me out of my comfort zone. Ultimately, it led to a career I love that uses all my talents.
I moved to London aged 19 under the proviso of a university scholarship, but I also started working full-time as a bartender in an upmarket restaurant. Over the next decade, I never once applied for a job. Instead I stayed curious, hustled hard and found my own opportunities by creating and pitching roles into organisations. By 25, I was London GM of a UK-based marketing and events consultancy with a team of 11 direct reports. By 30, I had a master’s degree under my belt and had the opportunity to work globally on the marketing and brand strategy of some of the UK and Australia’s highest profile chefs.
What does your work today involve?
I lead an alternative creative agency that curates teams of talented creatives, marketers, digital experts and strategists to work on international brands.
Are there any trends that are impacting your industry in particular?
Definitely. In my industry, 80% of the global workforce is predicted to be made up of freelancers by 2030, so it’s a great opportunity for creatives, marketers, digital experts and strategists to seek the freedom and fulfilment that comes with working for themselves. They’re all passionate, driven and brave enough to forge their own path, driven by action.
What’s your career advice for young girls?
Look for your type of people, who share your values, then own that.
Stay curious and play to your strengths.
Always question authority if you don’t feel things are right. When you have learned everything you can from a particular space, it’s time to move on.
Whether you’re 15, 30 or 55, everyone is still figuring it out – so don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
Things will impact you in your life, but it’s up to you how you deal with them. The buck stops with you.
What skills do you think will be needed to be successful at work in the future?
In many industries, technology is making roles more flexible and accessible and successful people ensure they take advantage of that.
I noticed that successful people all have in common – it’s a mindset, not what you do. Success is based on values. Ask yourself: What’s your work about? What do you bring to others in your work and How do you do things? You have to want to do well.
Do you think we can learn anything from the current COVID-19 crisis?
I’ve always believed opportunities come out of adversity. To me this whole experience is a slap in the face reminder to us all to go after what we’re passionate about and what we feel we are good at.
Contact
#MASH
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#marketinginspiration
#seewhoyoucanbe
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