Business Changing

Profit and Growth Specialist

Interview with branding guru, Mary Ellen Davy

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This time we’ve talked to a master of branding: our client Mary Ellen Davy from Ellen & Company (www.ellenandcompany.co.nz). Mary and her business have just made the finals of the AUT Business Support Awards 2017 which is a massive achievement (well done Mary!). Read what inspires her below…

 

Q. Tell us about your business in about ten words… 

A. We create brands that pull people to your product or service. 
 
Q. Why did you start it and what was your aim with it?
A. The challenge of creating successful brands gives me purpose, and I need purpose. I love the negotiation we have with research and strategy to realise a brand story that is meaningful and resonates internally and externally with all audiences. We do not create design for design sake – our aim is to create brands that deliver a return on investment.
 
Q. Who is a leader that you learnt something incredibly valuable from and what were the lessons you learnt from them? 

A. Keith Yamishiti of SY Partners, New York and San Francisco. To me, he is the Dalai Lama of branding. He teaches empathy, the ability to see things from many perspectives. This is invaluable when building brands, working with clients and your people.

Q. Think about the worst boss you’ve ever had – what did you learn from their style of leadership? 
A. Never bully, never micro manage, respect others.

 

 

Q. What lesson in business do you try to pass on to others and why is that? 

A. Employ the right people, have good systems and processes, and have money in the bank. This gives you time to concentrate on developing the business and money gives you options.

Q. What is a mantra you live by and why?

 A. Never settle for second best. Challenge yourself or you stand still.
Q. What has been your biggest learning in business to date and why? How has it affected you going forward?

A. Understand and deliver for results for your clients and then you have clients for life. It is better to hold on to a client than to find a new one.

 

 

Q. If you were 21 years old again and could do any career you wanted, what would you be and why? 

A. There are just too many choices, by the time I make up my mind the career landscape will have changed.

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