The personal stories that help women to succeed at Enterprise
I reached out to two Enterprise female managers - Branch Manager Christine James and Assistant Manager Mariya Kovacheva, to find out more about how their personal stories and experience have become part of how they coach, develop, and inspire future leaders in our business.
I’m interested in this because I’m a boomerang employee.
That means that I left Enterprise, where I had been working as a placement intern while still at university, to go and work somewhere else.
I decided to come back into the business as a Management Trainee.
I had spent about a year as an account manager at a marketing firm. I loved this role – and I think it helped me get my current job in remarketing because it connects marketing and account management.
But I missed the Enterprise culture, which I realised is truly unique in how it empowers and enables people, and especially women, to succeed.
Many people join Enterprise without having worked somewhere else and they may see their friends in other jobs and think their grass is greener.
The truth is that the grass is greener where you water it.
One of the ways that I now motivate my team, especially if I saw someone having second thoughts, is by sharing my story about what drew me back to Enterprise.
“I missed the Enterprise culture, which I realised is truly unique in how it empowers and enables people, and especially women, to succeed”
So, my first question for Christine and Mariya was about their career story. Can you tell us your Enterprise journey so far?
Christine said, “I joined Enterprise straight from university and was fortunate to secure a place on the Graduate Management Trainee Programme. I was quickly promoted to Assistant Manager of Brighton, the flagship branch in my area. Then I was promoted to my first Branch Manager role in a different region.
“It was here that I found I was the only female Branch Manager, compared to my previous area where I was one of five. I decided to create a Women in Area team where I hosted events for junior females in the business to network and find mentors. I am now in my second branch role and have moved back to my previous area, but I continue to mentor employees across both areas.”
Mariya’s career path was like mine as she had worked for another company before joining Enterprise.
Mariya said, “I came to Enterprise after leaving the motor trade where I experienced barriers to success as a female in that industry. I passed the branch exam and was promoted to my first Assistant Manager role in less than 12 months since joining Enterprise. I am now in my second assistant role and looking forward to achieving further success. What I have found refreshing about working for Enterprise is how I am now helping to manage a business which is forging the way for a diverse workforce.”
Mariya Kovacheva and Christine James
“Confidence in your ability, recognising excellent work and sharing stories of resilience allows you to progress and to develop those around you”
We then talked about how we motivate ourselves and females around us to achieve success.
Christine said, “I am a keen believer in recognising and shouting about each other's successes as sometimes I would not voice my own. I always remember that I doubted applying for a role because I did not feel that I could fill all the requirements, but after speaking to my mentor they highlighted how qualified I was. I have learnt to challenge those doubts, and to back myself with my results. Confidence in your ability, recognising excellent work and sharing stories of resilience allows you to progress and to develop those around you.”
“What I discovered motivates me the most is seeing women in positions I want to apply for,” said Mariya. “I know I could reach out to them and get guidance to be the best version of myself. I attended a female networking dinner with senior leaders at our business across different departments and having the opportunity to speak and listen to successful females left me feeling incredibly lucky to know that there is no reason why I cannot achieve the same.”
If you are interested in a career with Enterprise, please visit our recruitment website at careers.enterprise.co.uk
