The Short Cut:
A quick fire chat about working life with Devonne Spence
At the heart of the Nurture Network is the power of sharing experiences. From breakthrough career moments, to best ever advice, how to deal with stress and the women that inspire them.
The Short Cut designed to bring you a snapshot of our members’ working lives. Today we’re speaking to Devonne Spence, founder and lead consultant at Andover Road PR.
Tell us about your breakthrough career moment
My breakthrough career moment was landing an amazing story telling opportunity for Citi Bank. We participated in the BBC program,The Choir, Sing While you Work with the incredible Gareth Malone, a show with millions of viewers and a young audience.
Investment banks are typically guarded so it was exciting to open our doors and show the human side of bankers. The Citi episode landed at a time when trust in banking brands was low.
It was fun to see live tweets from young women saying that they wanted to be Bankers!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever had?
Always come in at 2000% when pitching an idea to business leaders. If you start the bar ultra-high the outcome is likely to be similar – success, more visibility, and increased market share.
Have you ever felt held back as a women?
I was challenged by the business on a high-ticket sponsorship proposal. So, I took a step back and came at it from a different angle and ensured that I was 100% clear on the needs of the business and the problem we are trying to solve.
I reminded the working group exactly what our competition were doing in terms of visibility and how easy it would be to beat them at every brand/customer experience touch point and increase revenues.
How do you protect your mental health in moments of pressure?
Protect, rest, protect. Remind myself why I showed up on that given day and that I’m capable of delivering and executing to a high standard. I protect my energy, if I need a few minutes in the fresh air, then I’ll take it.
Do you have any hobbies to keep you busy in your spare time?
I hit the hills or should I say the flats on my road bike. I’m a huge sports fan and love French and Scandi cinema.
Advice you would give to entrepreneurs starting out…
Find your passion. If you don’t know what that is, well, think of it as something you do for free, every day for the rest of your life.
The world would be a better place when…
…we have authentic equality for all on this planet.
The woman everyone should know about is…
There is a quote I love from the poet Mitch Alborn, “Behind all your stories is always your mother’s story because hers is where yours begins.” Same applies to our Fathers.
The woman who empowers me the most is…
…is my wonderful Grandmother who is now passed and my Mother, a total badass.
Where is your favourite place in the world?…
…Thailand, take me back!
