The importance of mentorships.

When I started working professionally as a designer six years back, I had no idea what to expect working at an agency.

Working previously in retail for several years while going to school I was taught to please the customer at all costs, that their opinion is always right, and to nod your head and smile, always. In many ways, it took me a while to find my voice and confidence, specifically in this field, which can be cutthroat at times. I got told I was a team player often and I listen well.

These were good traits to develop but ultimately made me silenced in meetings, scared to give my opinion, and afraid of what others may think. After my first few years, I knew the difference between a boss and a boss who is also an active mentor.

As creatives we often feel imposter syndrome at a point in our career, this is why mentorship is so crucial. The only person who can define your goals is you. Mentors are there to support you but also make you reach out of your comfort zone so you can ultimately grow your skills and confidence.

Working at Good Stuff did just that. Working as a tight-knit team under our Creative Director and Partner, Aimee, and on a design team that’s women-led felt so empowering. I gained the skills to think outside the box and create in ways I never thought I would. And through years of experience, learning that strategy is key and if you can’t back up your idea with complete confidence, scrap it and start over.

Aimee taught me how to use my voice and funnel my creativity for a greater purpose, inherit good storytelling, and grow to be multi-disciplined. A good mentor shouldn’t spoon-feed you everything but give you constructive feedback that allows you to find your solution to the problem and task at hand.

As a purpose-driven creative and strategic team, we need to believe in each other's capabilities, talent, and potential. We need to lift each other up and push our work forward. I’m looking forward to inheriting these mentorship skills and passing them on. Like everything good in this world, it should come full circle.

Cheers,
Gloria
Senior Designer