Buying Manager - Amie Scull - Q&A
What are some of the challenges you have experienced as a woman throughout your career/life?
In my early career as a photographer, I worked with a lot of large, corporate businesses. I often found myself overlooked and my male colleague would be engaged in conversation over me by male professionals. I used to wonder if they felt uncomfortable with a woman taking their photograph and avoided engaging with me for that reason.
I've since worked in buying for eight years, a predominantly female profession, and have always felt respected as a professional woman.
What's your proudest career/life moment?
Presenting the John Lewis strategy and business position at a John Lewis supplier seminar. I felt extremely proud to be representing the business to such a large group of external partners and it was a great feeling to have that audience so engaged in what I had to say.
What women have inspired you?
Princess Diana had a significant impact on me when I was growing up. She taught us all that everyone deserves to have a voice and what was most inspiring about her was how she held herself in the face of several, wholly public, personal strains. She was sensational.
Growing up in the 90's I couldn't avoid the 'Girl Power' movement that the Spice Girls propelled into society. All us girls of that time felt so empowered by their influence and it inspired an attitude of confidence and self-worth amongst young women which was so powerful.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Worry less about what people think. You don't have to have the best degree or work for the most prestigious brand to be successful. Do what makes you happy, work hard to achieve what's important to you and do it for you, no one else.
With a good night's sleep, how do you feel/what can you achieve?
I don't function well after a poor night's sleep and always feel sluggish when I'm tired. I'm full of beans when I've slept well and am noticeably more productive at work.
What are the essential items in your sleep wardrobe?
Having only been with Soak and Sleep for a month, I am enjoying building my sleep wardrobe of goodies. I've just experienced the duck feather and down duvet which is beautiful. I love a plump and lofty duvet so this piece is now firmly in my sleep wardrobe. Also on its way in is our new latex pillow (coming soon!) which is a totally new feel of pillow for me, it's gorgeous to sleep on.
