Business Changing

Profit and Growth Specialist

Interview with branding guru, Mary Ellen Davy

by Leave a Comment

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.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • "The business planning workshop run by Zac is a great opportunity to challenge existing thinking in your business and take results to the next level. The workshop was well thought out and provided a structured environment to channel ideas and ambitions. Zac has the perfect presenting style allowing for plenty of interaction amongst your team and networking with other business from a variety of backgrounds. Highly recommended"
    Gray Borell, Novii
  • "Zac has given myself and the business a real sense of clarity, and a better sense of day-to-day achievement for myself and the team. Zac’s ability to ask questions that are relative and beneficial have helped me grow the business and my self-awareness and create a more enjoyable workplace. Give Zac an inch and he’ll take you a mile!”
    Mathew Phelan, New World Churton Park
  • "Zac’s business workshop totally exceeded my expectations. The two days are well planned out to ensure your thought process takes you through the various stages needed to question why you are in business, where your business currently is at and where you want your business to be. Provoking questions, explanations, stories, presentations from successful entrepreneurs and of course Zac’s personal attention ensure you walk away with a clear and dynamic business plan. The venue was perfect, the lunch and refreshments sublime."
    Rachel Kann, IQ Property Management
  • "Transformational… Revolutionary… Awesome… Take your pick! Our business looks nothing like it did just three months ago – our brand is visible in the market, there’s a buzz about what we are doing, doors are opening and our heads are in the game. Business Changing changes business for the better… I’m very very thankful we met – my only regret is that we didn’t seek you out sooner!"
    Nick Brown, Huffman Sauces
  • "Zac has also become a key enabler and contributor to us working towards the development of both our employee engagement and customer experience roadmaps. Kotahi is a new and fast-paced environment and it has been great to have Zac as a trusted advisor to both myself and the CEO. He has a no-nonsense and solid experience-based approach to his consulting style. I have enjoyed working with Zac and look forward to continuing on our engagement journey with the support of Business Changing”
    Jay Padden, HR General Manager, Kotahi
  • "Zac is incredibly insightful, inspiring and has been absolutely vital in contributing to the growth of my business. He's made me think beyond my goals and really given me the push my business has strived for."
    Bex Riley, Tosca Salome
  • "Great two-day workshop that gives you a chance to reflect on your business, and focus on key points that need to be addressed to maximize your effectiveness and outcomes. The workshop was both entertaining and informative and really helped us to think about how we might navigate Covid / post-Covid, and plan out our next few years to guide the direction of the business. Food and hospitality was also great. Highly recommended!"
    Nelson Raynor, Isle of Eden