Meet Hannah Washington | Business Development Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah Washington and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My balance has changed honestly based on the companies I’ve worked for…depending on how much that company has valued it themselves. I’ve always struggled to fight for something that isn’t provided by a company, namely things like boundaries. I’ve worked at companies where you couldn’t step away for 5 minutes and if you did had to let someone know where you were going all the way to a very high trust, high autonomy job that knows we all have lives but trusts employees to get their work done.

I think about balance like an ebb and flow. I have a general time frame that I get work done but know I can pick things up at different hours. This has allowed me to work more peacefully and even know if I have a busy week with “life” sometimes that means doing some admin on the weekend. Now I don’t do this from a place of dread but enjoyment and satisfaction that I’m getting my job done.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve bounced around to many different industries in my career and to be honest, my career is still very much beginning. When I was in college my dream was to work for Vogue or a big magazine editor but since I’ve graduated I continually find myself in sales roles closer to the small business space. My heart has always been for small business and entrepreneurship and it’s even what I majored in in college. The last few years or so have not been easy when it comes to really finding a job I love. It’s taken a lot of trial, error, and patience. I would say I’m most proud of how flexible I am to be able to use my skills no matter what industry I find myself in. I’m a brand and marketing brain at heart but I work in HR sales…you wouldn’t think these are related but they are. I work with people every day, learning their needs and where they want to go with their company and brand. Sales always positions me as the “listening ear” for a company and I get to see how I can help.

The obstacles I’ve encountered in work spaces have normally been staying true to my ethics and beliefs. I believe in work boundaries for sure, but really believe in trust and transparency as well. I always told myself a company that has that same culture is where I want to be. We’re all people with lives, so let’s act like it. High-trust jobs are risky to give to employees for sure but I think they’re great.

I’d love for the world to know that some things we desire and are good for us don’t always come how we pictured. I’m not working in NYC at Vogue right now, but I love my job. It encompasses so many things I always dreamed of having in a job. Coworkers I love, high autonomy, flexibility, amazing clients, events… the list goes on.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to some Atlanta gems that are often overlooked if you don’t live here. Folk Art in Inman Park for brunch, Le Bon Nosh for lunch, possibly Bastone on the West Side for dinner and then a speakeasy for drinks. For a fun weekend hang, walks or roller blading on the beltline are always fun. I find the beltline even more enjoyable during the week after work honestly as it’s not as crowded with tourists. We’d also go to one of the many gyms around here like Lion Chaser in Buckhead, maybe a cycling class or yoga in Madison Yards.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A huge credit to my story would be my fiance Ryan Jaskot. He has journeyed with me through many job changes, helping me find my way, and was a huge help in getting my current job with Same Page HR.

Website: samepagehr.com

Instagram: styleleighh

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-washington-1ba660a7/

Image Credits
Credits are from Pinterest as example/inspiration photos for clients outfits.