Name: Dee Poku Spalding
Job Title and Description: Founder Women Inspiration & Enterprise, The Other Festival
College Name/Major: Math
Website: www.theotherfestival.co
Twitter Handle: @deepoku
Instagram Handle: @deepoku
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
DPS: WIE creates educational programming and networking events for professional women. We host monthly salons, dinners and master classes, as well as an annual festival called The Other Festival. So we’re basically always in planning on something.
My job requires me to create programming that will prove most useful to our members and I spend a lot of time researching, soliciting ideas, reading the press and reviewing member feedback, to help shape our output. I generally start my day by scanning social media and media newsletters to get a sense of what’s happening in the women’s space—who’s been hired, promoted, fired and issues around women’s rights, and use that to shape our content in the form of social media, our newsletter and talks. I usually set three key priorities for each day so my overall goal is to complete those tasks. I try to limit in person meetings to a maximum of three a day. The rest of the day is filled with conference calls, writing, responding to emails, strategizing and planning for future events.
What is the best part of your job?
DPS: I spend my days connecting with amazing female achievers and change-makers and it’s incredibly motivating. I often wonder what it might be like to restart my life at age 21 armed with all the knowledge I’ve gleaned from these incredible business and cultural leaders. Where would I be now in that alternate universe? And it’s very much the point of what I do and what truly motivates me. I love giving young women the tools and knowledge I wished I’d had when I started out in my career.
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
DPS: My first job was working for a fashion marketing and PR agency. I’d always idolized that company. I used to walk by it on my way home and was so intrigued by the creative looking people I saw going in and out. I wanted to work there so badly that one day I just walked in and asked the receptionist whether they were looking for interns. And they were! I interned for two weeks and to say I worked hard is an understatement. An assistant position came up while I was there, and they offered it to me—my first career milestone.
What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?
DPS: “Work smarter, not harder” are the words I try and live by, though I’m not always the best at this. My natural inclination is to just get everything done, even if I have to do it myself, but delegation is a key component of success, as is thinking big picture and using one’s time effectively. Doing the work is important, but how are you simultaneously connecting with your networks and managing your personal brand? That’s working smart.
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
DPS: Expanding too quickly is one that springs to mind. With early success, the instinct is to go into overdrive, but slow and steady wins the race.
What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
DPS: Hearing both Queen Rania and Melinda Gates speak at our first conference was pretty mind-blowing. They were both so inspiring. It was such an honor to have them.
What do you look for when considering hiring someone?
DPS: I look for people who genuinely believe in the cause. People who demonstrate real passion for advancing women in the workplace. If they’re smart and genuinely interested in making a difference, everything else follows. When you love what you do, it naturally sparks creativity, hard work, dedication and ultimately, results.
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
DPS: For anyone interested in a creating a network, conference or female focused media company, it all begins with your immediate network. Start with smaller meetups that connect like-minded friends and colleagues. There are so many digital tools at your disposal to build platforms, create networks, promote events and sell tickets eg Squarespace, Google Groups, Facebook and Eventbrite.
What’s the one thing that’s stood out to you the most in a resume?
DPS: Generally when a candidate outlines how their work resulted in tangible results such as increased revenue, community growth or media attention, I sit up and take notice. It means they’re results-oriented.