In this episode of Life's Algorithm, I am joined by Sharlene John, Head of Recruitment at Selfridges. Throughout her career, Sharlene has held multiple senior level appointments, ranging from senior management and director level roles to her current position at Selfridges.

In this months episode, I explore Sharlene's career journey in recruitment, and discuss why representation at all business levels underpins a wider drive for change, and question the tick box notion of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We also discuss how Sharlene uses her platform to influence, educate and develop young people in terms of mentorship. During our conversation we also explore the challenges of being a woman in a leadership role, sustaining a work-life balance as well as the importance of critical representation at all business levels.

Topics - 

0.50 - Quick fire questions

2:26 - Sharlene's Career Journey PART 1

4:21 - Resilience in Recruitment

5:27 - Sharlene's Career Journey PART 2

11:00 - Head of Recruitment at Selfridges

12:10 - What Diversity and Inclusion means to Sharlene

14:11 - Sharlene's motivation for D&I

15:50 - Responsibility and Pressure

18:13 - The progression of D&I

20:50 - Diversity as a tick box

30:04 - Sacrifices as a woman in a leadership role

34:24 - Mentorship

37:17 - Top tips for career progression

41:48 - Life's Algorithm

In this episode of Life's Algorithm, I am joined by Alizé Demange, Image Consultant and Founder of AD Creative. Alizé is one of the most in-demand stylists in London right now, with her roster of figures dominating the music, television and fashion industries. 

In this months episode, I explore Alizé career journey as she shares what it *really* means to be a stylist, understanding the careful calculations and thought-planning as well as the impact of COVID-19 on the industry. We also discuss how Alizé is paving the way for young creatives in her city through working on a number of workshops and panels and why lowering the barriers to entry in fashion is important to her. During our conversation we also explore the topics of self-funding, the toxic nature of the girl boss era and why side-hustles are becoming the new norm to sustain lifestyles during the cost of living crisis. 

In this months episode of Life's Algorithm, I am joined by Ebony-Renee Baker, Fashion Editor at Refinery29 who tells stories from a human-first perspective . Ebony has a vast amount of experience in both the world of fashion as well as journalism where she aims to shed light on the things that matter, including fashion, style and culture. 

In this podcast I will explore Ebony’s career journey as a freelance writer and also as fashion editor at Refinery29. Ebony and I also discuss how she didn't originally get her dream job. We also uncover how the landscape of journalism has changed as a result of social media with the rise of the journo-influencer as well as how she keeps up with writing and pitching ideas in relation to the dynamic nature of the industry. 

If you enjoyed the episode make sure you hit subscribe and follow us on Instagram @lifesalgorithmpod 

• 00:55 - Quick fire questions
• 01:54 Ebony's career journey 
• 06:08 Why fashion?
• 08:00 Not getting the job at Refinery29
• 10:09 What is a fashion editor?
• 13:29 Social media and Journalism 
• 16:04 The rise of the Journey-influencer
• 20:28 Events 
• 25:12 LFW and Chris Kaba
• 28:43 The writing part and getting THAT cover story 
• 34:48 Getting inspiration and writers block 
• 41:30 The change in journalism (body positivity and championing marginalised voices)
• 44:24 Life's Algorithm