Our Young Gun profile takes a look at some of the young talent across the advertising, adtech, marketing and media sector in Australia. It aims to shed light on the varying roles, people and companies across the buzzing industry.
Isabel Rodrigues, senior customer success manager at JustEggs
Time in current role/time at the company:
It’s been such an incredible three years, from that nerve-wracking first day during a pandemic lockdown to now being the senior customer success manager at JustEggs - I honestly cannot believe how far I've come. I’m proud to say I persevered through each challenge and the JustEggs team was so supportive as I navigated my new role. Every experience has been a stepping stone to where I am today, and now as the senior customer success manager, I am filled with excitement and anticipation for what the future holds!
How long have you been in the industry?
I started as a digital designer in 2017, interning for agencies like Digitas and various independent creative agencies while studying. I stumbled into the media industry not long after this, and it felt like a whole new world opened up before me. With my creative background, I felt like I had something really unique to bring to the table, and I was eager to soak up everything I could in this new space. I began working with the creative team at JustEggs, and over time, I transitioned into a more operations-led role. It was a steep learning curve, but I relished every challenge and opportunity that came my way. Now as I enter my third year of working in media, I still consider myself a student continuing to learn and grow my skills in so many different areas. There's always something new to discover, and some new craft to master, and
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
I think there’s beauty in embracing the unexpected and pivoting when life throws curveballs your way. I never would have thought that the road that led me to where I am today would involve so many twists and turns. In my youth, I went down the path of visual arts, but funny enough was actually rejected and found myself studying communication design at college instead. This kindled a new passion as I discovered a love for design thinking - the power of problem-solving, the psychology of the consumer journey, and the relationship between design and business. But even after landing a job as a junior designer, I was hit with another obstacle when my position was made redundant. It felt like the wind had been knocked out of me and really made me question - what was I going to do now? Where was I going to go? When a creative strategy role at JustEggs became available, I jumped at the chance to work in the design field, even though it wasn’t exactly in line with my experience. I took a chance and trusted the outcome! But as life goes, just as I was settling into my new role, the pandemic hit. The uncertainty, the fear, it all felt so overwhelming. Although in the midst of all that chaos, I found something unexpected - a new space to explore. Programmatic trading and media schedules were never something I thought I would be interested in, but the excitement of learning something new and rising to the challenge was like a rush of adrenaline.
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
I am absolutely overwhelmed with admiration for the incredible team I have the privilege of working alongside every single day. They are not only some of the most talented, intelligent and dependable people I've ever had the pleasure of working alongside but are also genuinely awesome human beings! Someone who has been instrumental to where I am today, and who I am so honoured to have built a strong relationship with is Nik Kontoulas (JustEggs CEO). His extensive knowledge and skills, the dedication he has to his staff and his company, and his unparalleled reputation in the market has been a true inspiration for me. His mentorship has pushed me to question the way things have always been done and always strive to be better than I was yesterday.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
One of the things I love most about the media industry is how it embraces diversity and evolution. Media is such a fast-paced, dynamic and colourful place to work - exposing you to different personalities, disciplines and journeys. The possibilities are endless and you really have the power to be whatever you want to be! Almost every person I’ve met during my time here has a unique story of how they’ve stumbled into the advertising space from different backgrounds, how they too pivoted from their own challenges and grew the courage to learn new skills and adapt. It’s one of the most rewarding places I’ve ever worked with constant chances to learn, providing experiences that money can’t buy.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
I wouldn’t say I have a particular job in mind because of the ever-evolving nature of the industry, and I believe it’s important to be open-minded when new opportunities come your way. That being said, I would be thrilled by a position that allows me to continue taking on more responsibility, one which gives me the basis to design groundbreaking strategies in line with market conditions and customer demands. And if all else fails, I’d love to renovate a van and travel across the coast of Australia!
Where do you turn for inspiration?
My mum has always been such an inspiration to me, being an incredible parent to 5 children and so dedicated to her job as a general practitioner - she was ahead of her time balancing both family and her career with a smile on her face. Every school pickup, every dance rehearsal, every music lesson - she was there, and her medical career prospered alongside that. My mum is a successful doctor and has been for over 30 years, she’s the board member, part-founder and active advocate of Positive Vibes Foundation youth mental health charity, and now a loving grandmother to my little niece Nora. She is the strongest woman I know and has taught me the beauty of being a hardworking mother with a career.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
When I was little I dreamed of being a professional ballerina. I started ballet lessons at the age of 7 and to this day continue my ballet training with the same girls and the same studio where it all began. I immersed myself in the world of dance, dedicating countless hours to perfecting my technique and pushing myself to the limit. Over the course of 17 years, I completed all Royal Academy of Dance exams up to Intermediate Foundation. But let me tell you, nothing prepared me for the excitement of my first job in high school. I worked for a local beauty salon and dedicated every hour outside of my studies to the business for more than 5 years. I was tasked with greeting guests, selling products and cold-calling strangers to promote the latest deals available at the time. At such a young age it was probably the most nerve-wracking work I ever did, but I’m proud that I rose to the occasion! The experience taught me pivotal customer service skills and built my resilience to where I am today. I am so thankful to the owner Rosie who has been instrumental to my success today.
In five years' time I'll be…
I hope these next few years bring growth, new challenges and new adventures - improving my skills as a problem solver and as a team leader in the operations department. Although this doesn’t share the glamour of sales, I’m overjoyed to be a part of such an integral part of the business and the reason that the cogs keep moving. I hope to continue to be faced with situations that push me to my limits, leading me to deepen my connections with the people I work with and the wider media community. One day I hope to stand as the same inspiration to aspiring females in the ad tech industry as others have been to me. I would be so grateful to have the platform to speak up and share my experiences, helping to raise the next generation of intelligent, talented and tenacious young women.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.