Every year, International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8th March around the world. It’s a day for people to come together and celebrate everything women have achieved.
We decided to honour the occasion by celebrating the stories, journeys and achievements of the women at Bark. Let’s find out what International Women’s Day means to them as well as how Bark has helped them to flourish in the tech industry.
Lily
Position – Customer Success Manager
Time at Bark – 2 years
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
Helping women build confidence to thrive and feel like they’re worthy of their place to do so. So many people feel unworthy of being in a role of responsibility and all that comes with it and it’s about assisting women to feel worthy of their place. We bring so much to the table and we have incredible value.
How has Bark helped you to progress in your career?
It’s been phenomenal. You’re in an environment where growth is your only option, but it’s done in such a supportive way. I couldn’t imagine working somewhere where I have grown at such a pace. I can’t believe what I’ve achieved – managing a team, hitting top-level targets, and consistently innovating to improve how we can be better, how we can make the team better etc.
I never thought I could start in a company as a Customer Success agent and progress through, learning everything I need to successfully lead and structure the department. The people you’re surrounded by are so smart, and it’s such a well-oiled machine and fast-paced environment that you’re always learning. I’ve been exposed to people and things that I’d never even dreamt of.
What challenges have you overcome since joining Bark?
My confidence has improved with the responsibility I’ve been given. I’ve learnt to accept and understand that I am worthy of my role and responsibilities. What I don’t know I can learn – I‘ve got all the resources and support I need at Bark.
Learning to trust my decisions is also something I struggled with – I used to sit on decisions and be so nervous about making the right one, that I’d make no decision at all. Decision making is really valued in my role and I’ve overcome the feeling of paralysis. I try and act quickly, and if the decision I made is wrong then so be it, I’m always able to correct it, but at least I made one.
Any tips for thriving in the tech sector?
As long as you have the right attitude, then aptitude can be taught.
Giselle
Position – Team Leader, Customer Success
Time at Bark – 1 year, 5 months
How has Bark helped you progress in your career?
After graduating from university in 2019, I was unsure where my degree would take me. Since accepting the role, Bark has led me into a career I never expected. As a Customer Success Agent, I was able to develop my knowledge of digital marketing and the start-up world by helping our talented professionals grow their businesses and client bases. Being promoted to Team Leader has allowed me to develop a vast new range of skills and have the pleasure of helping to develop other agents!
What’s been the best thing about working at Bark?
The people! Becoming a Team Leader of a rapidly growing department has been an amazing learning experience. We have a brilliant team, and I feel lucky to be surrounded by so much talent and to learn from some of the best minds in the business.
Eleanor
Position – Partnerships Manager
Time at Bark – 6 months
What does IWD mean to you?
For me, IWD is all about embracing what it means to be female, and celebrating our friends, mothers, sisters and female colleagues. It’s about overcoming challenges and being motivated to achieve success, whatever that may look like to you. International Women’s Day provides a much-needed space to reflect on what we have achieved, and that we can build further opportunities for permanent involvement and equality, regardless of sex/gender!
What has working at Bark taught you?
Working at Bark has shown me how a successful company is rooted in equality, as I am constantly inspired by female colleagues. It’s an environment that drives women forward and encourages us to use our voice & be heard. It’s so important to have female role models among us, particularly within industries such as tech, engineering, finance, and other previously male-centric spaces. One measure of success for a company is progression opportunity, regardless of gender, and I know that’s something that is key to the Bark ethos.
Shannon
Position – Performance Marketing Manager
Time at Bark – 2 months
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
It means a lot – I love seeing women succeed and achieve great things! I look around Bark and am proud to work with some of the most intelligent, driven women I’ve ever met that support and encourage each other! I come from a family of three sisters and a mother who is a successful entrepreneur and has always taught us to be strong and independent – because we can. Don’t be sorry for my dad – he’s a boss too who pushed the exact same message!
What are your top tips for breaking into the tech industry?
Don’t be afraid or intimidated to apply for these jobs in the first place. I fell into Performance Marketing as a result of an internship for my Masters. At the time, I would never have seen myself working in this role or tech, but when the chance presented itself I went for it! Four years later, I’ve tried to apply the same philosophy in my career, which took me to London and then to Bark. Yes, tech is a ‘male-dominated’ industry but we can start changing that by taking those chances! Don’t be afraid to apply for that job or take that chance as our male counterparts would do the same!
What do you think is the biggest challenge women face in the tech industry?
It can be intimidating joining a company with few women and I understand that. It can be difficult to be yourself but also feel like you are holding your own in a business surrounded by men. But remember you’re there for a reason and work with that in mind. Male colleagues are just as supportive as female colleagues, so take the chance and be brave!
Charlie
Position – Category Marketing Manager
Time at Bark – 2 months
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to listen to inspiring female stories on their personal experiences and journeys, which you’ll often resonate with and learn from. During months of uncertainty, it has obviously been a tough year for many women so a day to celebrate female success is important.
What do you think is the biggest challenge women face working in the tech industry?
A lack of women in leadership positions is definitely a challenge in tech but not just limited to this industry. It is widely discussed that lack of diversity (not just gender) can hinder a company from growing successfully as having different perspectives is key. Another issue this raises is the lack of female role models within a business to motivate and inspire those around them.
What are your top tips for breaking into the tech industry?
Downplaying our achievements and successes is a common habit inherent to females due to fears of looking arrogant. During interviews don’t lessen but highlight your successes as these would have been a big factor in getting your interview.
Having worked alongside a number of inspiring female leaders in the workplace, a recurring piece of advice voiced to me was always tell yourself that your input is important and valued by others. I remind myself of this particularly in meetings where I’m often in the minority gender which can sometimes be a challenge.
Hollie
Position – Head of Content
Time at Bark – 1 year
What does IWD mean to you?
IWD makes me reflect on how far women have come in terms of equality – especially in the workplace. There are women in my family who had to give up their careers as soon as they got married, as legally, they couldn’t work as married women. There are also women in my family who have run successful businesses and raised families at the same time. My parents ran a business together, so I was brought up in a very equal household – and this upbringing has shaped the values that I live by now.
Even though we’ve come far, there’s still more to do. IWD gives me a chance to take a moment to appreciate all the fantastic women in my life and all the amazing men too who are working to support us and to better understand the challenges that come with being a woman.
IWD is a reminder to keep pushing for equality for all and for a better future for the women and men that are yet to come, both in and outside the workplace.
What are your top tips for breaking into, and succeeding in the tech industry?
Get your foot in the door where you can and remember that all experience is relevant. There’s so much more to work than what’s on the job description. Skills like communication, stakeholder management, resilience, planning and organisation are all really important to have in any role, so don’t discount the experience you have when you’re applying for roles. I used to be a teacher and I’ve also worked in bars – both of which have taught me really useful skills that have helped me in the various office environments I’ve been in.
I’ve worked in startups for the majority of my career and have been the only woman in the room a lot of the time. I’ve learned that you don’t have to change your personality to fit into traditionally masculine environments to succeed. You do you and the results will speak for themselves. Remember, that as a woman, you have a better insight into half of your audience, that’s something unique that you can bring to the table.
Career tips
Work hard, be nice and be firm. Know your values and stand by them. Back yourself and have confidence in your own ability.
If you have the opportunity to manage people, take this responsibility seriously. Lead with kindness and to make sure you equip your team with the skills they’ll need to thrive.
Take your time in figuring out what it is that you like to do. We can all be in such a rush to get the job by a certain age, but your career is long – there’s plenty of time. We spend so much of our lives at work that it’s worth figuring out what it is you enjoy doing, rather than what you think you should be doing.
Thanks to the women of today, creating a better future for the generations yet to come.