In Conversation with Natalie Tunnard
Tell us about your background:
My background is in brand strategy in finance, real estate, tech and sustainability, with some music industry peppered in. I haven't worked directly in the fashion space but it's always been a passion and my favorite form of self expression, so one I'd love to explore. For the last 6 years I have consulted with brands like Sonos on organic social and PR, more recently focused on gleaning consumer insights available through AI-powered web analysis. I monitor brand health and performance, extracting insights that support leadership and empower them to make better, data-informed decisions.
What do you wish you’d known when you started out?
To think like an owner - what it means to have your bottom line always in mind. This makes clear what really matters at any given moment and allows you clarity to do the best work.
What leadership qualities are important to you?
Reason and respect for limitations. A good leader doesn't scapegoat their team or employees, they listen and set clear limits and expectations accordingly.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?
Learning to have the confidence to speak up.
How do you define success in your career, and how has that definition evolved over time?
I feel successful when I am doing work that is interesting and keeps me learning new things, and when that work is valued by people or organizations with a mission I believe in. If I start to sense my work isn't getting engagement or thoughtful questions, I know I have more work to do outside the scope of the assignment. So while there were periods of my life where I defined success by income, or title, I'd say now I define it in terms of impact.
What are your top networking tips for building strong connections in your industry?
Just show up - I don't always do it, but nearly everytime I do put myself out there I have been surprised and delighted by the connections I've made.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalietunnard/
Website: https://www.volumesmarketing.com/
Instagram: @datanat
