Pros
Story time; buckle up.
In 2017, Becky and Eric offered me my first copywriting role at BabelQuest. We were a company of nine, and the weight of all our content was sitting on my shoulders. I was excited and appreciative; with only a couple of years of agency experience to my name and the importance that the company placed on content, I felt like they were taking a chance on me. Since then, I've had the opportunity to take two significant steps in my copywriting career at BabelQuest, moving first into the Head of Content role in 2018, then the Principal Copywriter role in 2020. I'm still here now. I couldn't be happier with how my role has developed and the opportunities I have every day to write, to learn about writing, and to support our other copywriters in doing the same.
BabelQuest's approach to its company benefits speaks volumes. We're not a global enterprise with limitless social budgets, so instead we're offered flexible benefits: the ability to choose what we want to spend our allowance on. I often buy extra holiday with mine, as I work to live, not the other way round. Having the time to spend on the things I love outside of work is very important to me, and BabelQuest supports that. Our healthcare plans regularly cover my routine dental and I've always felt the company compensates me fairly for my work. In fact, in a few months I'll be enjoying a month off, fully paid, in addition to my standard holiday, as recognition for five years of uninterrupted service. Buzzing!
Speaking of working to live, BabelQuest places a huge emphasis on culture and values. We're trusted to work from home if we choose, so I no longer have to face the commute every day. I come into the office when it suits me. My working day is spent at home, with my partner (pro or con, you decide) and we're looking forward to getting a puppy in the near future — something that just wouldn't have been possible if I was office-bound. I get to work every day with people who share my passion, my commitment, my desire to achieve and grow — people who share my values (and those of BQ).
Of course there are stressful times. We're a small business and we're growing fast. There are times when that growth outpaces our existing processes. Other times, we'll have an influx of new clients (a great problem to have) that puts more of a strain on us. I can categorically say I have never felt overlooked, or unsupported, or in any way let down by BabelQuest/my managers. On one occasion, way back in the day before we could work remotely, I did burn out. This is a reflection of decisions I made and my approach to working, which was much unhealthier than it is now. I was putting undue stress on myself and the company couldn't have been more supportive, giving me time off when I needed it and taking away work that wasn't achievable. I genuinely feel cared for here.
On the subject of feeling cared for, I've always been able to 'show up at work' as myself. My boyfriend, Jamie, comes to so many of our pub trips and company dinners that he might as well be a member of the team at this point. I don't take this for granted. I don't need to act differently or put on a mask at work, and were we ever to adopt one day, Becky has assured me I'd have the paternity leave I needed. I feel very lucky to work at such a supportive, open-minded place.
If it's not clear by now, I feel very strongly that the management team has my best interests at heart. We've let go of clients before because of how they've spoken to or treated the team. I've always been encouraged to develop my role in directions that I see fit. When I've felt stressed or overworked, they've always had my back. The same can be said for when issues outside of work have made my life hard (may we never speak of the House Move 2021 again). We catch up 1:1 for a coffee at least once a month and I always look forward to it.
In 2017, Becky and Eric offered me my first copywriting role at BabelQuest. I don't know where I'd be now if they hadn't taken a chance on me, but I do know I wouldn't be here, now, and that would be a real shame because I'm very happy.
Cons
The only con is what I've already mentioned in regards to the company's growth outpacing existing processes. And I don't believe this is a con but a normal part of growing fast. It can put extra stress on the team when a process is no longer working like it should but we're a team because when this sometimes happens, we come together to fix it. We look out for each other and management listens, takes on board what we've said, and makes improvements. I can think of several times over the past year when certain people have found one process or another to no longer be fit for purpose and we've done exactly that.
