May - Leaviverssary, Friends and Headshots
Hey, sorry I'm running a little late - eat without me?
Hello everyone, how are we doing?
I’m sitting here writing this feeling half smug half guilty - a potent combination! Smug because check me out sticking to my word of writing every month! Guilty because it’s now June and I couldn’t get myself onto this in the last week, my intention being it dropped into your inbox on the 31st May. BUT, as I’m sure Shakespeare once said, ‘tis but an arbitrary deadline and so there is zero point in packing my bags for a guilt trip.
And hey, guess what? It’s my LEAVIVERSSARY! - 1 year and 6 days ago I left my CEO role at Bloody Good Period. It would have been nice to write I LEFT A YEAR AGO TODAY hence my deadline but what can you do - washing needs to be done, ponds must be swam in and procrastination cannot be left til later. My leaving party wasn’t for another 2 weeks anyway - that was when I felt like it was truly over. Oh and this is something I now advise all departing founders against - make sure your party (and yes you must have one) is within the week or fortnight before you leave, so you actually get the “having left” feeling for real and don’t feel like you’re hanging on, adding to your inevitable grief and exhaustion.
Anyway! Onto the present.
What I’ve been doing
Headshots!
I bloody had some pictures taken didn’t I. Moving into the next stage of my career, I thought it would be apt to have some new photos taken. Via a lovely partly-in-kind partnership with the photographer Sarah Tulej, we braved the biblical rain that began to fall, the literal moment Sarah walked towards me at our meeting point. Making use of East London’s finest awnings and archways, I think we did a pretty good job of capturing what I cringe-ly described as my “approachable creative smart cool kind” side. I’m dying just reading over that.
Some point in the next month, I’ll be sharing with you an interview with Sarah herself, all about her job, her inspirations and the things she loves so keep an eye out for that. I’ll of course share the pictures too which I know you’re absolutely desperate to see.
An ending!
My first piece of freelance work, writing for The Inclusion Edit, has come to an end after 8 months. I originally took it on as something to just get me started, get my confidence up and practise writing, and because I thought (and was correct) that I would learn a lot from journalism legend
, who was editing the whole thing. Weird flex but it helped my realise how organised I am in my work (writing this Substack not withstanding) but also I really enjoyed interviewing interesting bizniz folks about their specialities, and getting to know the team at Moving Ahead (the host company) who I’ll definitely keep on working with because they’re babes.She’s consulting, creatively!
I’ve been having the best time working with the Student Union at SOAS University on a research and engagement piece. I brought on the magnificent artist, Hazel Mead, to paint a tree mural, and over 4 days, the students added leaves describing their wants and needs for the SU.
As you may know I still feel like I’m 20 and am constantly surprised when a cultural reference or (factual) conversation reminds me I’m not. This time, it was a lovely student asking me if I’d heard of this TV show called “Friends”. BABES, I was there the first time round!
I also had the pleasure of working with AHA consultancy to help with a rebrand for a newish LGBTQIA+ charity. It was so so lovely to be working in a queer space again. As a bi/pan women married to a man I often feel like that part of me is invisible so it felt goood to be amongst it.
On a similar note, this past weekend was my very first Mighty Hoopla experience. For those who don’t know, it’s a queer-led festival in Brockwell Park, south east London and there are only four words you need to read to know how wonderful it was and they are: Jamelia. And. Natasha. Bedingfield (feel the rain on your skinnnn..)
(bloody) GOOD Agency
One of my favourite creative agencies, GOOD, invited to speak to their team to celebrate Menstrual Health Day. I talked about the interconnectedness of branding and culture. How really, branding brings you in, but culture makes you stay - and that’s what I personally think Bloody Good Period continues to do so well. Step inside a team meeting and you’ll see that the team MEAN IT.
You can see the write up from them (and a really sweaty pic) here.
What’s coming up
WOW Rotheram
All you Sheffield/Rotheram/vaguely northern babes - I will be in conversation with [as yet TBC] at WOW Rotheram on Saturday 10th June. It’s completely free and tickets are available here. Do come and say hi if you’re there.
As usual, I will have forgotten various important things to tell you, but considering how well my gluten-free recco from last month went down (well! it went down well) here’s another - some truly good tasting honey oat cookies. Sure, they’re like £3,000 but they don’t taste like sand! You’re welcome.
Until next time,
Gabby xxx