Name: Ann Mashburn
Job Title and Description: Chief Creative Officer, Mashburn
College Name/Major: The University of Colorado Boulder, Business
Website: www.annmashburn.com
Twitter Handle: @SidAnnMashburn
Instagram Handle: @sidandannmashburn
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
AM: A typical day is that it is not a typical day! Having your own business means you wear a lot of hats. That being said, my actual title is Chief Creative Officer. I end up doing a lot of work on directing and ideating the creative assets we have for email campaigns and website. As head of my design label, I spend at least a part of every day in fit meetings, concept meetings, I travel for work all over. I visit stores in our other cities, go to New York for market and PR appointments – go to Europe to source fabric and factories. I spend a lot of time on the business side of things discussing sales and business strategy as well.
What is the best part of your job?
AM: As I said above, the best part is wearing a lot of hats! I get to use the creative and business side of my head, and that is amazing. Truly though, one of my favorite parts of my job is working with my daughters. A few of my five girls work with us and it is so wonderful…working with my husband is harder!
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
AM: I worked as the assistant to the Fashion Editor of Vogue, Polly Mellen in the ’80s. I got it like every other Conde Nast fashion assistant did––by taking the typing test and interviewing!
What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?
AM: “Check your work and check it again.”
“On time is late and early is on time.”
“Stay later and get there earlier.”
The thing I heard Polly say the most is stuck in my head forever. “Run!”
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
AM: I think I assumed too much in thinking that other people were doing their job. If someone told me they were sending something, or had packed something for me for a photo shoot, I smiled and went on my way. When I arrived at the shoot, to find no stockings or mismatched shoes it became MY problem and had very bad consequences. I thought I was hurting people’s feelings by not trusting them. In the end, it was my responsibility to deliver – and you usually have to check to make sure things are done well until you develop a real trust.
What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
AM: Shaving the armpits of a very beautiful German actress before a photo shoot. She claimed she did not know how!
What do you look for when considering hiring someone?
AM: I try to ask questions to make sure the person is curious and thinks in big picture. Someone who doesn’t just do “their” job, but someone who can add and notice when we can all do things better.
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
AM: Start working. Don’t be too choosy about diving into something, even if it is not your dream job. Just get the experience and keep asking questions and one thing will lead to the next.
What’s the one thing that’s stood out to you the most in a resume?
AM: I always notice when people have service oriented work on their resume. Waitressing is fantastic! I love that.