Today’s Notable Young Professional is Margaret Gray, who’s work and talent has helped turn Bench into one of the most reputable (and amazing to work at) bookkeeping service companies in the country. Here’s what inspired her career path and what advice she would share with other young professionals…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I ensure we have the people and processes in place to provide the most excellent client experience possible. Boom.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I started working at Bench because I thought it would be a fun way to spend time before getting into management consulting. Why consulting? I figured I knew shit-all about life, and if I ever wanted to build a successful company, I’d better learn some things about things. Instead, I fell in love with Bench and now I do all my learning on my feet, helping to build a successful company already. It’s nuts.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part, far and away, is getting to work with such an incredible group of smart, hardworking, fun people. I just want sing a love ballad to all of them, all the time. The most challenging part is figuring out what we don’t know. I get suspicious any time we feel certain in our projections. My strategy is to operate as nimbly as possible, because something unexpected will happen. And the adaptable bird gets the startup worm, so to speak.
What is one sign that you’ve seen over the years to suggest that your work/life balance is off?
My colleague and one of Bench’s first employees, Lyndsey Labontee, said something that’s stuck with me ever since: “home is one place where I live my life, and work is another place where I live my life.” I couldn’t agree more. I’m lucky to not feel the need to balance work against the rest of my life.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’ve stopped making predictions at Bench. We move too fast and five years is so far away. We could be in Vancouver, having perfected bookkeeping, or we could have expanded to Australia or the UK, or we may have transitioned into, like, space travel. All I know is that I want to be with Bench, wrapped up in solving bigger, more challenging problems. And if some of that happens in space, cool.
What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
As do most new entrants to the job scene, I struggled with some small, nagging insecurity in my own abilities. I mean, who was I, a small-town frolicker-in-fields with just an okay academic history, to have such influence on the growth of an entire company? But it’s just impossible to feel that way in a startup with a trajectory like Bench’s. Shit just needs to get done, done well, and done fast. And so I went forth and did, and I know a lot more now about how good I am at some stuff.
What does success look like to you? Does Money = Happiness?
Success is being happy, on average. I already feel wildly successful, because I’m happy most of the time. I’m not really sure how that happened.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Easily, it was the decision to abandon the consulting track. I mean, it was something I had been working toward for some time. To drop that dream, to take a breath, and throw in completely with Bench, it was an uncomfy, heart-beating-hard kind of decision. But it was the best pivot I could have made.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Two pieces. First, don’t focus on title when you’re trying to figure out what you want to do. Think of all the jobs and experiences you’ve had. What invigorated you most? What challenge was the most satisfying when you completed it? What types of people were you working with? Seek out jobs that will provide the same feelings, in some way. You’ll find yourself a job you can be passionate about.
Second (and related): please don’t do a job you hate just to secure a comfy position somewhere down the line. Present you deserves just as much happiness as future you.
Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
I am all about The Naam in Vancouver’s Kitsilano area. I’m vegan, they have vegan food, everyone moves very slowly there, and they’re open 24/7. It’s everything I need in a restaurant.
When you’re not working how do you love to spend your “me” time?
This is a direct quote from my application to Bench: “I invented my own verb to describe what I do in my free time. What did I do this weekend? Just tooled around. It means nothing and everything at the same time. In my case, it usually means playing outside – walking, hiking, swimming, snowboarding. It is, however, especially effective when dealing with authority figures. ‘What are you up to?’… ‘Just tooling around Officer, just tooling around’.”
Where is your favourite place to travel? Why?
I am in love with British Columbia. It’s overwhelming how beautiful everything is. I love the Gulf Islands, especially Hornby. However, Bowen Island really should be your next destination. Say hi to my Mom; I grew up there. Visit us one August long weekend, you won’t regret it.
If you had to choose a theme song, what would it be?
No Diggity – Blackstreet. Getting paid is a forte.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would you be doing?
Building another kickass company? I really don’t want to be doing anything else; I love my job.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I’ve done a lot of fundraising with the MS Society of Canada and with BC Guide Dogs. Currently, I work with Big Sisters Canada, developing one-on-one relationships with young girls who haven’t had a lot of stability in their lives. I’ve always wanted to be involved with this fantastic organization. It’s so easy to find yourself with homogenous friend groups. This program enables me to meet new, incredible people while sharing my skills and experiences. I find just as much value from getting to know my little sister as (I hope!) she gets from knowing me.
What to you is notable?
I note when something is done in a new way. It takes real creativity and courage to look at something that’s been done one way forever and say: “dudes, let’s try something new”. Some of the coolest, most game-changing technologies have arisen from moments like these.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
I’m an Android devotee who will shortly be converting to iPhone. Legit, it’s all for the emojis.
#NOTABLE
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