Life-Changing Connections with Growth Marketing Manager, Anna Banhazi | A marketer making an impact
Something that is very important to us at Hunt & Co. is sharing the career stories and journeys of the life-changing connections our team make every day. After all, no two career paths are ever the same. Welcome to another Hunt & Co.’s #LifeChangingConnections feature with Growth Marketing Manager, Anna Banhazi.
Anna Banhazi is a self-confessed marketing nerd who loves reading up on the latest marketing news/trends, diving deep into data and analytics and thinking about new ways to delight and genuinely engage with customers. With experience in digital marketing, campaign development, event management and PR, she loves a challenge and testing her! Anna is also passionate about high-quality, ethical marketing solutions backed by data and insight. When we reached out to Anna on LinkedIn in 2021, we had the perfect role in mind.
Although Anna wasn’t actively searching for a new job at the time, she was interested in having a chat with us. Things had shifted in Anna’s life and we were there to provide career support and advice as her professional matchmaker and as a result was able to help her find her dream role. It was only after a few days of chatting, that Anna had her first interview lined up with Bloom Impact Investing, a climate impact investing app enabling Australians to invest in climate impact projects such as solar farms, cleantech stocks, green bonds and greentech companies. Bloom is also founded by marketing leader turned Impact Entrepreneur Camille Soquet-Clerc. You can read our Q&A with Camille here.
After two in-person interviews and a stellar presentation pitch, Anna was offered her new position at Bloom within 3 weeks! Being a start-up, it was critical they had the right person in the role and we are so glad they found their unicorn in Anna.
We were thrilled to chat with Anna about her experience with Hunt & Co., her career in digital marketing and professional development advice for others interested in following a similar pathway.
Tell us, how did you end up working in marketing?
I landed my first gig in marketing off the back of a PR internship in 2015. I was initially in events and then transitioned over to a generalist marketing role. I then spent the next 6 years refining my marketing skills and have become a bit of an all-rounder with a special love for all things Digital Marketing!
How did you end up in your current role?
Hunt & Co. reached out via LinkedIn and quickly became my own personal matchmaker – but for my dream job. We had a couple of phone calls and talked through what I was looking for in my next role. Pretty soon after she shared the amazing Growth Marketing Manager role at Bloom – I instantly connected with the role, the company and its fearless founders and was lucky enough the land the gig.
What is it about your current role that made you transition?
I’m very purpose-driven and have always gravitated toward companies and organisations that are trying to make a positive impact in the world, and Bloom is no exception. It’s a company on a mission to help Australians take climate action into their own hands, one investment at a time.
How did you enjoy your experience overall working with Hunt & Co.?
Loved it! Super easy, super clear and was fab working with Dim. She made it seamless and shared my excitement which made it all very fun.
What is the best career advice you have ever received?
At the end of the day you have to feel happy with the decisions you made, and confident you’ve stayed true to your values. You will always experience difficult people in the workplace. Never stoop to their level. Stay classy, kind, curious and genuine to yourself.
What is one tip or word of advice you would give to someone looking for a new role?
Stay open to opportunities and have confidence in yourself. Your next career move should always bring new challenges. Don’t ever let the idea of learning something new and challenging stop you from taking on a new role. With a curious mind and a can-do attitude, you’ll quickly overcome barriers.
What is one thing you wish everyone knew about your role?
Marketing isn’t the colouring-in department! Marketers use data, research, analytics and scientific principles to develop strategies, test ideas, optimise and make improvements. Yes, the job does involve wonderful creative thinking, but it also includes A LOT of data and analysis.
Why are you excited to be getting involved in a startup?
I’m so excited to challenge myself and be involved from the ground up. In a startup, you wear a lot of different hats and go where you’re needed. Some days you’re working on marketing, other days you’re helping with operations, and another day you might be customer support. It’s the perfect environment for people who like to work fast and hard, and like being involved in different business functions. I never thought I’d learn so much about app development and how investment funds work, and it’s been such a treat to absorb all this new information and work with so many talented professionals.
For anyone looking for a career in a startup and who might be hesitant, what tips do you have to help them?
I think every Marketer should work in a startup at least once. However, it’s not for the faint-hearted. I would not recommend joining a startup if you don’t have the time and energy to throw yourself into the work. Startups are a lot like small children in that they both require a lot of time, energy, love and patience to succeed. If you can put in that time and energy, you get to feel a part of something big and have a real sense of ownership and pride over the business.
Thanks so much to Anna Banhazi for chatting with us and sharing your advice. Want to see what Anna gets up to in her role? Connect with Anna Banhazi on LinkedIn.
If you’re looking for your next role or team member in the eCommerce / Marketing space,reach out to Hunt & Co. today via our contact form here.