In Conversation with Ciaraleaf Meaney

Tell us about your background:

I'm an Irish Freelance Creative Director, I work with fashion and beauty brands, brand storytelling, strategy, creative marketing campaigns, and content creation. I also do side hustle in a different industry, brand strategy consulting for high-end boutique furniture makers from around the world.

What do you wish you’d known when you started out?

That you will learn something on every job.

Best career advice you've ever received?

I don't think I have ever received any career advice! I have always just stalked the careers of people I admire and tried to follow the steps that made sense to me.

What leadership qualities are important to you?

Leaders who are not led by egos, leaders who are passionate about their work, and who try to build brands that make some difference in the world.

What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?

Being a mother. I am the kind of person that brings 110% or more to a job. I couldn't give 110% to both jobs. I thought it would be a much easier transition. We juggle all our lives, right? But no, so I didn't go back to my job, and instead I took a break to focus on being a mother and figure it out. Being a mother is a job that conflicts with the job that pays the bills and provides one's creative career identity. I had to learn how to be a mother, which made me rethink my career, I wanted to do both, really, really well, but how? It made me redefine what success means to me. I now have two amazing daughters and I work with people I respect and admire, I have great relationships with the people I work with, and I've done more work that is meaningful to me.

And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?

I love a good coat. I live in a navy wool coat I found on The RealReal a few years back, and I worked with coat brand Margot92, designed by Eefje Dierick, and they are my go-to New York cool coats.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ciarameaney/

Website: https://www.ciaraleafmeaney.com/

Instagram: @ciaraleaf