Exhibitions News has teamed up with Women in Exhibition’s UK Chapter to publish Mentoring Insights: a series of Q&As between senior mentors and female mentees as the pairs share aspirations for their mentorship.
In the third Q&A of the series, Andrew Evans (pictured right), managing director of Thorough Events and director of Blu65 Ltd, and Penny Moyses (left), CEO and founder of Latch Events and the Clean & Tidy Home Show, give an insight into their mentoring relationship and what they are both gaining from working together.
Mentor Andrew Evans is managing director of Thorough Events and director of Blu65 Ltd
Why did you want to become a mentor?
I was invited/press ganged by Ruth Carter during the lock down. I thought WiE was a good initiative, and with Ruth’s persuasion it seemed logical to say yes. Prior to this, I was selected by Emma Barratt at Broadway Events to help her as part of the AEO membership programme; I found it really rewarding to work with Emma and feel exactly the same with Penny.
Describe where you were in your career at the same stage as your mentee is now. What opportunities laid ahead and what challenges did you face?
I launched my first show decades ago, but it’s not directly comparable because I did so as an employee, and not an owner of a business. The practice of launching feels quite well trodden for me and I hope the experiences I’ve gained are useful to Penny, but undeniably, she has more to gain or lose than I did back then. My reputation was at risk, her personal savings being at risk is another dynamic entirely.
What do you think the biggest challenge is for someone at your mentee’s stage of career to overcome? And what are the top skills needed to overcome this?
For anyone in Penny’s position there are many challenges. Clearly the show proposition must be compelling and well communicated, but cash flow and driving revenue are critical for any small business to survive and thrive (nothing’s possible without income). Additionally, Penny must manage the output of a small team operating remotely, some of whom haven’t worked in the sector before. In our sessions I find myself coming back to one key area repeatedly; compartmentalising tasks and prioritising where to focus time and effort is critical to success. Penny is resilient and eternally positive, which enables half of the battle to be won. She’s also run the show once before, so she has a wealth of experience and learning from the first edition.
What do you hope your mentee will gain from mentoring?
Ultimately, advice that will fast track her personal and business success. But also, reassurance that there’s someone on the end of a line who has decades of experience and wants to help. And if it’s fun along the way (which is is), then that’s a bonus.
What are you yourself learning or gaining from being a mentor?
In this role and context, there’s continual learning, from new industries and sectors to new ways of working and challenges to overcome. I find it particularly interesting to immerse myself into someone’s business and hear their plan (and hopefully, help to shape it). Undeniably, there’s a personal satisfaction in helping people and I’m a firm believer in karma – what goes around comes around.
Tell us about your own mentors; have you been mentored and how did it help you?
Whilst on the UK Board of Reed I was fortunate enough to be offered the services of a mentor. His name was Andrew, so I figured he would be a good guy. We agreed some ground rules right at the start, which I use to this day. Back then, I said that as the mentee, I wanted to soak up all of his experiences, but when I stopped taking notes it would signal that our time was up, and to mutual agreement, we would end the arrangement. I welcome this approach with my mentees and encourage open and honest communication every time we meet.
Mentee Penny Moyses is CEO and founder of Latch Events and the Clean & Tidy Home Show
Why did you seek a mentor?
I have been an advocate of mentoring for a long time and after being mentored previously by Ruth Carter and Emma Barrett, I was keen to revisit the WiE programme for accountability, insight, and an objective opinion, as my business went into its third year and second year of the Clean & Tidy Home Show. Having a mentor has helped to combat what can often be an incredibly lonely time running your own business.
What has surprised you about your mentoring journey so far?
After six sessions, I sometimes know exactly what Andrew is going to say – it’s what I know but don’t want to acknowledge, have been putting off, or just need to hear it out loud to validate, accept, and action. I am surprised by how many ideas, challenges, and goals we share.
Describe where you are in your career and how you got to where you are now.
I have worked for and with numerous exhibition organisers, starting in operations, then leading event teams, and now working for myself. Several shifts in both my personal and professional life, as well as a burning idea, drove me to set up my business and launch the Clean & Tidy Home Show. The last few years have been the most challenging yet rewarding time of my career – I have had the opportunity to be my authentic self at work – but I had to work out who that was – and now the business and I evolve together. What I do now truly aligns with my values and goals, and I have never loved the event industry more.
Why did you choose this industry?
I have always loved people, made connections, and shared those connections with others, so even though it was still a relatively new course, a degree in Events Management seemed like the perfect fit. I am so grateful for my placement year at Olympia Exhibition Centre working for Gillian Kiamil, I fell in love with the magic of exhibitions and knew that’s where I wanted to be. For me, nothing beats face-to-face interaction and a big warm hug.
What opportunities lie ahead and what challenges did you face?
I am looking forward to running the Clean & Tidy Home Show for the second year at ExCeL London and I ‘m keeping everything crossed for no train strikes this time round. Home life with two young children remains a challenge, but I am learning more about how managing your home effectively can better support your lifestyle and goals – knowledge that I will share with anyone who wants to hear it – but would urge women in particular to do everything they can to reduce the barriers the home can create in achieving your needs, wants, and dreams.
What do you think the biggest challenge is for someone at your stage of career to overcome?
As a founder – risk and cash flow. I am naturally very risk averse, so I had to push the limits of my comfort zone just to get started, let alone navigate the various challenges with launching a show. Since working for myself I feel like I have unleashed my creativity so am always trying to balance the ideas and want to do more with current and necessary activity so not to get derailed and increase risk. I believe I will always struggle with confidence and have accepted this, however continue to convince myself to do things anyway, and I am getting better at not letting any fear of failure get in my way.
What do you hope you will gain from mentoring?
A grounding moment in the month to reflect, check-in, and recalibrate, a different perspective, an independent ally – a supporter who is not afraid to tell me how it is – and certainly were Andrew is concerned, a friend.
Please can you tell us about your career goals?
I will build the Clean & Tidy Home Show and introduce additional engagement opportunities to educate, support, and connect as many homes and communities as we can. I hope to work with and support new and aspiring event founders – something I will discuss at a mentoring meeting soon.
Applications for the mentoring programme, from both potential mentees and mentors, are open to all Women in Exhibitions’ UK Chapter members.
Find out more about membership at https://www.womeninexhibitions.co.uk/become-a-member/ and apply now to be a mentor/mentee at www.womeninexhibitions.co.uk/mentoring.
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