Name: Laura Tooth
Age: 24
Job title: Social media executive
Company & location: Pleesecakes – Redhill, Surrey
Education: University of Kent, studying Graphic Design
Why did you decide to go for a career in food? For my final major project at university, I chose to develop my own brand of protein shakes, which involved designing packaging, as well as marketing materials, to bring my creative idea to life. I really enjoyed researching the thoughts and theories surrounding food packaging and how intricate it is, and with a passion for branding as well as food, I knew I wanted a career in this industry.
I knew from the offset how passionate, relatable and down to earth Pleesecakes is as a brand, so despite my background being more design-based, I knew I wanted to be part of the team.
Explain your job to us in a sentence (or two): Being part of a small team means my role is diverse and can often change on a daily basis. For example, being a content creator, packaging designer to even a delivery driver…but I love this! The spontaneity makes my job exciting as no two days are alike, meaning I get to constantly learn new skills.
What does a typical day look like for you? I would start by communicating with our customers, replying to any DMs or enquiries we may have had overnight. I then sit down with our CEO and head of marketing to discuss what content is scheduled to be shot for the day, whether this be photoshoots, recipe videos, packaging design or brand content. I then edit this content and schedule it in while looking for new opportunities and ideas to plan for the months ahead.
“With a passion for branding as well as food, I knew I wanted a career in this industry”
Tell us about how you went about applying for your job. I had been following the brand for some time on Instagram and saw the job advertisement on there. Within minutes I emailed across my portfolio and CV! From here, I was invited to join a phone interview with the CEO and director of operations to discuss the job in depth, which then led to a second interview held in person at the Pleesecakes HQ where I was given a brief ‘prepare and pitch Pleesecakes to us from a marketing point of view’ (with only three days to complete).
What’s the best part about working for a food company? Working in the food industry is extremely rewarding, as you can cater to almost everyone and anyone. Although our brand is young, modern and urban, ultimately anyone can enjoy and appreciate good food! This allows a lot of scope, creativity and opportunity for us to experiment with our content and also to collaborate with a wide range of brands.
And what’s the biggest misconception people have about working in food & drink? That you simply ‘just make food or drinks’ – when really there’s a whole team of hardworking people with different roles behind each company, ensuring that the whole operation runs smoothly, and items are out of the door on time.
What advice would you give to other young people looking to get into the food & drink industry? To be reactive and expect the unexpected! The industry is fast-paced and so are the press. It’s weird and wonderful, so be prepared to keep on top of trends. Deadlines can be tight sometimes but it’s important to not get yourself too stressed and ensure you communicate with your peers, because ultimately you are a team and want the same outcome.
What’s your ultimate career dream? I would love to become a creative director (this being something I have jokingly called myself at Pleesecakes ever since my second week!). I wish to continue to learn, develop and create relationships both internally and externally with the brand and want to continue to be part of the Pleesecakes journey, and watching it grow into a household name.
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