Dynamic Duos: ‘I count her as one of the incredible women who have truly shaped me’
In this week's Dynamic Duos, we hear from Think HQ's founder and managing director Jen Sharpe, and chief officer of PR and events, Alice Suter.
In Dynamic Duos, Mumbrella each week asks two colleagues with a professional and personal affiliation to share with readers the importance of workplace relationships in an increasingly hybridised world of work.
Alice Suter:
A mutual friend introduced Jen and I back in 2012. Jen had moved Think HQ into its first real office space, and I was searching for my first real PR gig post-uni.
While I had an excellent academic record, I was fairly unworldly and a bit rough around the edges. Apparently, I described myself as “desperate” in my job interview, but Jen was still willing to take a chance on me!
You could say it worked out. For the past 13 years, I’ve worked alongside Jen as she’s led Think HQ from a team of four, to more than 100 — and counting.
Our close, longstanding relationship has given me a front-row seat and first-hand insights into the inner workings of her boundary-pushing business. I’ve seen the constant pressure that comes with supporting the livelihoods of a fast-growing team, and I’m in awe of Jen’s ability to front up as our fearless leader, day in, day out — always innovating, always thinking about the next move.
Our complementary work styles make us a great team, especially on new business pitches. I focus on the details; Jen sees the big picture and is the clear head that keeps things moving.
The incredible trust we’ve built over our 13-year partnership means we can arrive at the best solution to a brief or challenge with respect for each other’s ideas, and without any hurt feelings.
Before we met, our mutual friend described Jen as ‘tough, but very fair’, and that’s true. She’s determined, astute and very pragmatic. She values hard work and honesty. She’s also incredibly loyal, reflective and thoughtful.
She’s supported me through personal milestones — and challenges — with kindness and generosity. She’s also taught me important life lessons, from how to deliver a firm hand shake, to the correct way to execute the dreaded hook turn in Melbourne traffic.
I’ve now known Jen for one third of my life. I count her as one of the small handful of incredible women who have truly shaped me — not only in how I do my job, but in how I view the world, and in what I expect from my professional and personal relationships.
Jen is one of the main reasons I’m still at Think HQ after 13 years. I respect her so much and, even after all this time, I’m still learning so much from her.
Jen Sharpe:
An old colleague of mine passed on Alice’s CV. Her academic record showed high distinctions in every single subject. She had done an internship at a communications agency. But she was working at Food Works. I thought that was insane for someone so clearly incredibly smart. I knew I had to meet her.
When I did, I knew I had a real gem on my hands, albeit one that needed a good polish. It’s true Alice said she was ‘desperate’ in her interview. But that told me two things — a bit of training was in order — and, more importantly, she was earnest and wanted to be here. I took her on, and we never looked back.
When Alice came on board, we were pretty quiet. She’d chop vegetables and make lettuce cups for us to sit and share together every Friday. She was with me when we bought our first office ornament — an artificial plant. It still sits in my office to this very day.
I believe your gut is your best advisor, and my gut was right about Alice. She has been the absolute backbone of the business for well over a decade. She started as an intern, became an account coordinator, and deservedly worked her way up to chief officer of PR.
She’s not only been instrumental in building the PR side of the business, but through Covid, she found herself leading our then-new language services and translations team as we skilled up to address what was the most challenging time in our history.
Alice has an amazing eye for detail. She’s one of those rare people who just do what they say they’re going to do, and do it to a standard, and in a way, that rarely needs checking. Her quality, consideration and intellect combined are an incredibly powerful force.
You can’t build a great business without great people. Alice epitomises the quality of human that is needed to achieve what Think HQ has done over 15 years — 13 of them with Alice by my side. We wouldn’t be where we are today without her. She’s an important part of our history and growth.
She’s just had her second baby, whose early arrival surprised us all (especially Alice). Even though I know she’s enjoying her time with bub Olivia, I’m really, not-so-secretly, looking forward to her returning to our Think HQ family soon too.
Alice on Jen:
Most memorable moment with Jen: Woah, there’s been a heap! Winning our first federal government contract back in 2012 was mega, quirky end-of-year parties, epic team meals, singing telegrams. The bash Jen recently threw for Think HQ’s 15th birthday was a great opportunity to reflect on it all. To hear her talk with such great pride about the journey from kitchen table start-up to where we are now was pretty special indeed!
Best word to describe her: Trailblazing. An overused adjective maybe, but for Jen, it’s truly fitting. She started Think HQ as a purpose-led business long before that was cool, and continues to carve her own path — with great success — while staying true to her values.
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour she has: Jen can’t read her own handwriting, so if she’s taken notes, deciphering them is anyone’s guess!
Jen on Alice:
Most memorable moment with Jen: Okay, there’s a lot, but one made Think HQ what it is today. In 2012, we were a teeny tiny, agency that went for a big, huge government contract. The energy and effort Alice and I put into pulling it together, then flying to Canberra to pitch was absolutely epic. And we won it — a three year contract that completely changed the course of the business.
Best word to describe her: Loyal. 13 years says it all. (Whoops, that’s now 6 words!)
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour she has: Alice’s most annoying habit is stealing forks from the office to eat meals on the train home from work. We did a launch at Victoria’s Parliament and security made her empty her bag. There must have been 15 forks in there! Alice is a lot of fun too — that’s important in business and life. She has the loudest clap I’ve ever heard and she’s a karaoke star — if you give her a microphone, she will not hand it back.
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Lauren McNamara is the associate editor at Mumbrella, covering the creative and PR beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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