Inside parcelLab: Katharine in a job interview

Name: Katharine Biggs

Age: 27 years

Position at parcelLab: Content and Marketing Manager

Origin: Stamford, Lincolnshire 

1. Briefly tell us what your normal working day is like at parcelLab?

I like to go to the gym every day before work so I'm usually in the office around 9:45am . When I get there, I get a coffee from the barista downstairs and have my breakfast smoothie at my desk. After that, every day is completely different. I manage content and manage parcelLab's PR affairs in the UK: a variety of blogs and website content, creating content and managing our external PR agency, planning social media posts and campaigns, and conducting research for and writing our studies. I also support the sales team whenever necessary with campaigns and events.

2. What does your professional career look like?

I studied Psychology at Northumbria University, focusing on consumer and human behaviour as I knew I wanted to go into marketing after graduating. My third year dissertation was on whether there are gender differences in materialism (spoiler alert: there are!) and how brands should adapt their marketing and sales strategy accordingly. After graduating, I stayed in Newcastle for a year and a half to save money for travel. During this time I worked in an antique jewellery and silverware shop called AC Silver. It was here that I realised content marketing was the path I wanted to take in my career. Then, after travelling around South and Central America for five months, I moved to London. I worked for one of London's biggest estate agents, first in the front office managing day-to-day operations and local marketing, and then as a PR and content marketing coordinator. At the same time, I was freelance writing for a local website and reviewing restaurants. In January 2019, I joined parcelLab as Content and Marketing Manager, and the rest, as they say, is history!

3. What do you like most about parcelLab and your job?

As I was quite one-sided in my previous job, I like that at parcelLab I am given the responsibility to shape our content marketing strategy in the UK in the way I think is best. I also like that there are open lines of communication between the founders and the staff - it creates a really positive and creative atmosphere.

4. What do you think makes parcelLab unique?

The culture at parcelLab is like nothing I have ever experienced. Everyone understands the work they need to do to make the company grow and succeed. Yet the atmosphere always remains upbeat, accommodating and creative. You rarely find that in a company with over 60 employees! Furthermore, I like that our product is actually changing online retail for the better. The ability to make the customer experience more pleasant is something that really excites me as someone who likes to shop online a lot.

5. What are the qualities of the perfect parcelLab applicant?

The perfect candidate should be self-motivated, a team player and happy to step in when needed. At parcelLab there is no such thing as "it's not my job" as we all help each other out wherever needed. Maintaining our open and positive company culture is very important to us. Therefore, the perfect candidate should embody exactly these qualities.

6. How would you describe the working atmosphere at parcelLab?

At parcelLab we work hard and are diligent, but still the atmosphere is always fun and relaxed. We all get along very well and really care that everyone is doing well.

7. What has been your favourite moment at parcelLab so far? And why?

There have been so many great memories at parcelLab so it's hard to pick just one. Signing our first customer in the UK was very special because it was a validation that we were selling a product that could really transform the customer's buying experience. We also had some great parties last year, but Oktoberfest (Wiesn) was definitely a highlight for me.

8. What qualities and strengths have you gained during your time at parcelLab?

parcelLab has helped shape me into a much more confident person than I used to be. Not only have I taken full responsibility for my role and the success that comes with it, but I also get the opportunity to push myself outside of my comfort zone. I received approval for this at events I presented at, for example. Standing in front of 100 people and speaking is something I would never have agreed to before. But I am very glad that Conor encouraged me to do it.

9. What challenges have you already had to face during your time at parcelLab and how did you overcome them?

When I first joined the UK team, there were only four of us in a tiny internal office in Moorgate. As we didn't have a country manager, we really had to do a lot to make parcelLab a success. This was a massive difference to my previous role so I had to adapt a bit at first. However, now I know that this style of working suits me much better and allows me to develop creatively. We have also become much closer as a team and have bridged the gap that sometimes exists between the sales and marketing teams. This collaboration has continued as we have grown.

10. What makes London so attractive to you?

I come from a small town in Lincolnshire and I love that you can still have that village feel in London. I live in Clapham Common. The fact that the park is right outside my door makes me feel like I'm still in the country. Also, most of my best friends live here so it really feels like home. I'm also a big foodie, so the diverse food culture that London offers is really exciting for me. I love that I could eat at a different restaurant every day for a year and not have seen even a fraction of the great London cuisines. I also love the variety of gyms London offers - but my F45 Tooting gym is my favourite!

11. How would you spend your perfect weekend?

My ideal weekend consists of meeting up with friends or family - at best for dinner, a drink or a round of bowling. But what can't be missing on the weekend is relaxation and a visit to the gym. There's also nothing better on Sundays than watching a new series or Friends on repeat with my flatmate. I also love to just escape London every now and then and see new places - whether it's visiting my parents on their canal boat or exploring a new European city.

12. What three terms would your colleagues use to describe you? 

Obsessed with F45!

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