this much i learned: spinach gate.

At the very start of my career, right after I finished University I was working for an early stage start-up smoothie brand. As per the nature of being one of the first marketing hires in a start-up business, you are pulled into every direction therefore my hats included some of but not limited to: 

• Graphic Designer 

• Marketing Manager 

• Social Media Manager 

• Events Manager  

• Visual Merchandiser 

• Artworker  

• Copywriter  

• Proof-reader  

As you can imagine, it’s pretty difficult to wear all of those hats at Ascot level. So once upon a time, the brand decided to exhibit at their first trade show. Enter Ashlee...fresh out of University designing a brand-new trade show exhibition stand, designing and copy writing all marketing material to be used on the stand, filling in health and safety exhibitor forms and ensuring all equipment and electrics had been ordered and delivered on time.  

It was stressful, but nothing was more stressful than when our brand-new smoothie ‘recipe cards’ arrived in the thousands with the word Spinach spelt as ‘Spincah’.  

I 

Was 

Mortified. 

Unfortunately, we were so tight on our budget that we had to use the cards on the stand. Fortunately, I was so mortified that I took a lot of learnings away from the experience: 

• Check once, check twice then check again.  

• Don’t wear hats that don’t suit you.  

• Say NO if you are given too much to do and don’t have the capacity to do it.  

• When and if mistakes do happen, take accountability, learn from them, and get over it.  

Ever made a mistake at work that has haunted you forever? Connect with Ashlee on LinkedIn and let’s laugh at it together.