How I Got Here: The Creative Director of Rainbow Studios on why it’s important to ask for help
IMAGE VIA @rainbow___studios/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
“You have to keep going and believe in what you have created.”
Have you ever stalked someone on LinkedIn and wondered how on earth they managed to land that wildly impressive job? While the internet and social media might have us believe that our ideal job is a mere pipe dream, the individuals who have these jobs were, believe it or not, in the same position once, fantasising over someone else’s seemingly unattainable job.
But behind the awe-inspiring titles and the fancy work events lies a heck of a lot of hard work. So what lessons have been learnt and what skills have proved invaluable in getting them from daydreaming about success to actually being at the top of their industry?
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Welcome to How I Got Here, where we talk to women who are killing it in their respective fields about how they landed their awe-inspiring jobs, exploring the peaks and pits, the failures and the wins, and most importantly the knowledge, advice, and practical tips they’ve gleaned along the way.
This week we speak to Jade Gillett, the Co-Founder and Creative Director of the Sydney-based artisan showroom, Rainbow Studios. Described as an “interchangeable space”, Rainbow Studios showcases the work of local and international designers and artists. It was an idea Jade dreamt up with her partner, Goldie. While the space has only been open for two years, Jade says she “can’t believe how fast the brand has grown in such a short amount of time”.
But as any business owner will know, bringing a new project to life is no easy feat. Jade has had to make personal sacrifices, learn on the fly and wear “many hats”, doing everything from brand strategy to bumping fresh exhibitions in and out. Here’s what she learned along the way.
What do you do and what’s your official job title?
I’m Jade Gillett and I’m the Co-Founder and Creative Director for Rainbow Studios. I also manage the brand marketing and social media for my partner Goldie’s jewellery brand, Henson & Gold.
Take us back to when you were first starting out. Did you study to get into your chosen field, or did you start out with an internship/entry-level role and climb the ladder? Tell us the story.
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I never studied. I have never been great at focusing and the pressure of exams always terrified me, so I always wanted to get straight into work. I started working when I was 13 at a local hotel waitressing, and then it led to multiple jobs within the retail and beauty industry until I decided to live in Ibiza for nearly a year!
I came back to London and found myself working in the media industry, which is where I landed a role as an Account Executive for a media publisher called Dennis Publishing in London. I worked there for three years until I got the itch to leave London and try working in the same industry but in a different country. That’s when I decided I wanted to move to Australia!
My Australian dream started in 2017 when I left London for a new adventure. I didn’t think I would be staying for long – maybe a month travelling and then London would call me back. That wasn’t the case! I travelled the East Coast for about six months and then I got to thinking that I should probably try and get a job here and see how things work out.
I settled into living in Bondi with some girlfriends, and the first job I applied for was an Account Manager role at Bauer Media. I interviewed three times, they offered me a three-year sponsorship and then the rest was history! I was so excited and felt very lucky to have landed a very good job in a new country… at that time, I was working across all of the publications such as Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Gourmet Traveller, Belle and all the other magazines they had under the one roof at 54 Park Street.
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I was there for three years until COVID hit and I got made redundant. I was sad at the time, but then it was the best thing to have happened to me as this was the time Goldie and I started to dream up the idea of Rainbow Studio. Fast forward to COVID times – we launched Rainbow Studios during the end of lockdown and spent months renovating our new space and building our new brand.
September 2021 (I think) was when we opened our doors. Wow, what a journey it has been! We have now been open for two years, and we can’t believe how fast the brand has grown in such a short amount of time.
What challenges/hurdles have you faced getting to where you are now? Can you tell us about one in particular?
I think [when] launching a business, no one really tells you how tough it can be personally. At times, it can be really lonely and all you do is work. The sacrifices you have to make to make sure your business survives are overwhelming, but the good times really hit so you have to just remember that the hard work always pays off. You have to keep going and believe in what you have created.
What do you want people to know about your industry/your role?
As I work in the art and jewellery industries, I think it’s interesting to know that when you are working with a craft, everything takes time and is handled with care. Everything we make or the art that we sell is extremely personal, so my role is to ensure that the art/product is showcased in the best way possible and… that we can capture our audience with new and exciting things they haven’t seen before.
What’s the best part about your role?
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I think that we get to work with so many amazing artists, designers and brands. We never thought it would have grown into such a creative hub and it’s so exciting to see where things will lead. We really hope we get to travel with Rainbow Studios.
What would surprise people about your role?
That I wear many many hats! I’ll be getting my hands dirty, bumping in and out of the exhibitions, cleaning [and] working late nights… some of the jobs aren’t pretty or glamorous, but that’s also what you have to do when you start a business. If you want to hire someone to do the job, you have to be able to get that job done yourself and set by example. I would never ask someone to do something if I wouldn’t… do it myself.
What skills have served you well in your industry?
I have learnt so many new skills… [when it comes to] running a business. There is so much to always be on top of and I never had anyone show me… what I should be doing. I’ve learnt everything myself, but the one thing I think is really important is to be productive and organised and to also think and plan ahead!
It’s a lot to juggle but when you have an idea, it’s best to try and action it as soon as you can while the iron is hot. Write it down, process it and most importantly, action it. Even if it’s an idea that you’re not 100 per cent sure about, there’s no harm in just going for it and taking risks.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be in a role like yours one day?
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I would say [to] get some additional help from the start. It’s always hard when starting a business to be able to afford staff… I wish I had… hired an intern or a part-time staff member who could’ve watched me and learnt as I learnt so that when I needed assistance, they already knew how to help. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ask for help from friends who also have a business and can understand.
What about a practical tip?
Always remember that you have to take time out to rest and recoup. When you are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, it’s okay to say no. It’s okay to have a day for yourself and to pass on some emails that don’t need to be answered straight away. We have to take time out away from our business to make sure we are ready to face the business again but with all the right positive energy and focus. Rest is essential!
Read the rest of the How I Got Here series here.
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