Work Smarter Not Harder: Emily Cleary of Entertainment Cruises

If you are new to Cedar & Rush, Work Smarter, Not Harder (WSNH) is a weekly column showcasing Chicago’s leading ladies – think CEO’s, entrepreneurs, and everyday women making a difference – and how they work smarter, not harder. I decided upon Monday so we can kick off the week as productive and s motivated as possible.

It’s been so long since the last WSNH post, so I’m elated to have an awesome lady to make up for it. I meet Emily through Monika Dixon PR and quite the treat to have her spill her juiciest career advice.

Emily is well seasoned marketing and PR professional and the most darling little thing you’ve ever seen. More importantly, she’s a HUSTLER, which shines through in her answers below. Not one stone left unturned. Emily, I will let you take it from here. Thanks so much for taking the time to be here today!

1. Emily, tell us about your job, side hustles and networks you currently belong to!

As the Marketing Manager for Entertainment Cruises Chicago, I lead the marketing efforts for all five brands here in Chicago (Odyssey, Spirit of Chicago, Mystic Blue, private yacht Chicago Elite and the Seadog speedboats). As the only dedicated marketing person in Chicago, my responsibilities fall in all the following categories: advertising, partnerships, local memberships, promotions, social media, email marketing, website maintenance, specialty cruise partnerships, media buying, public relations, sales support, marketing collateral creation as well as managing the marketing budget. My various roles keep me very busy, but I’m lucky to have our corporate marketing team down the hall (we share an office with HQ!) to collaborate with and use often as a resource.

When I’m not working, I’m a ‘wish granter’ for Make-A-Wish and a Choose Chicago Ambassador. I’m currently granting my first wish for a beautiful 10 year-old girl who will be visiting Disney World with her family. It’s been such a rewarding process helping her plan her ultimate wish! My Ambassador role with Choose Chicago involves working at various events taking place around Chicago, helping to make out-of-town guests’ Chicago experience the best it can be. I love this role because I already have so much pride for Chicago, and I love being able to show others how amazing this city is.

I’m very passionate about animals, and have been involved in PAWS as a volunteer and foster to a puppy, who my parents eventually adopted!

If you’re curious how I spend the rest of my time, my Instagram is a great resource! ☺

2. How did you get to your current position?

I started with Entertainment almost two years ago – in May of 2014. I had just left a Social Media Director role at a small PR firm, Monika Dixon PR (MDPR). I had been with Monika since the start of her company, and helped her grow her business and build her team. We worked very closely together, and it was a relationship and experience I’ll always treasure as I learned an invaluable amount and was given an immense amount of responsibility so early in my career. After a year and a half, it was time for me to take the next step and get contrasting experience since working at MDPR was only my first job out of college. The job search took me about a month, and in the end I had three offers. The position with Entertainment Cruises appealed to me the most as it was marketing focused, and that was the area where I was least experienced. I thought it would be a great learning opportunity, and it absolutely has been. After just nine months as the Marketing & Promotions Coordinator, I was promoted to Marketing Manager and given the freedom to dictate our marketing plan and own the marketing budget. I’ve learned more in the (almost) two years I’ve been here than I could have ever imagined. I have to point out that a promotion that quickly didn’t just ‘happen’. I definitely hustled, and still do. I put in a lot hours, never turn down more responsibility or another project, and try to have a can-do attitude about everything that comes my way.

The same thing can be said for my experience at MDPR. I put in a lot of time and effort, showed my dedication and took on every task, no matter how big or small.

The biggest struggle for me is finding a work/life balance. I tend to put all my focus and energy into work, so I have to take a step back from time to time and actively pull myself away from work.

3. What time do you typically get up in the morning and go to bed?

I’ve NEVER had a healthy sleep schedule, so I’m an example of what not to do. I go to bed anywhere between midnight and 2 AM, and then wake up between 6:30-7 AM. I undoubtedly don’t get enough sleep (I’ve been this way since high school), and it’s something I’m constantly trying to work on. I’d say it’s my biggest battle. I only imagine how much more productive I could be with a good night’s sleep!

4. How do you take your coffee and what do you typically eat for breakfast?

I hate the taste of coffee, so I take mine with a lot of French Vanilla creamer (healthy, I know!) or I just go straight for a Skinny Vanilla Latte. Lately, as a healthier and most cost effective option, I’ve been drinking the vanilla flavored Coco Café. I’m not a fan of coconut water, but I actually love this stuff. So good!

As far as breakfast, I’m lucky if I get a chance to eat it. Because I get to bed late, I often sleep later than I intend to, causing me to rush and then ultimately skip breakfast. When I do make time for it, it’s either a Chobani yogurt or two veggie breakfast sausages. On a really good day, I’ll make a smoothie at home with blueberries, banana, strawberries, kale, flax seed, protein powder, Keifer and Good Belly juice.

Ironically, breakfast food is actually my favorite, so I typically eat breakfast for dinner.

5. Quickly walk us through your morning routine:

My morning is pretty routine but also usually rushed. The first thing I do is check work and personal emails, respond to anything urgent and also read all the news headlines from my NBC alerts. I also do a quick sweep of social media (usually Facebook and Instagram). After about 10-20 minutes, I hop in the shower, do my makeup, get dressed, grab a yogurt or whatever I’m eating for breakfast that day, and I’m out the door. I’ve always tried to get up earlier to have a more leisurely, productive morning, but it’s a struggle because I go to bed so late. I also don’t workout in the morning; I’m a fan of the 10/11pm workout when the gym is empty.

When I get to work, I check my emails again, and then respond to any social media activity that occurred since I last checked.

6. What is the best way to get your foot in the door of your industry with little
to no experience?

Honestly, I think it’s a mixture of networking and just tirelessly applying to different opportunities and demonstrating your value. I’ve never been a true believer of the ‘it’s who you know’ theory. I haven’t known people at any of the jobs or internships I’ve ever held. I truly believe merit, hard work, attitude and personality contribute a lot to finding success in a new opportunity.

For example, I got my foot in the door at Teen Vogue in college by sending my resume directly to Amy Astley, the editor-in-chief. She then forwarded my resume to the fashion closet internship coordinator, who contacted me to interview. When I interned at Teen Vogue, I think I was the only intern from a Midwestern school with a major unrelated to fashion. (Most of the interns were FIT or Parsons students, or studying to get a fashion-related degree.) Despite that, I think my work ethic, ability to learn quickly and positive attitude led me to receive a leadership role after just about a week into my internships, which put me in a position to manage my fellow interns.

My relationship with Monika began because I was reaching out to any and every company that appealed to me, trying to meet and talk with PR and marketing professionals. Because we hit it off and I performed strongly during my internship, Monika brought me on full-time as her first employee a month after first meeting.

I didn’t have any connections to Entertainment Cruises either. I saw the job on Glassdoor and applied without having an internal reference. I believe my previous experience and ability to communicate how I could be a strong addition helped me receive an offer.

I think while it’s so important to use our connections and always be networking, I don’t think we can rely solely on them. You have to put yourself out there, be willing to take a risk and not be afraid to prove your worth rather than just having someone vouch for you.

With that being said, pick the brains of as many people as you can. Ask them important questions. Learn as much as you can. Always be willing to grab a coffee and chat. And then, when the time comes, be more than willing to pay it forward and help impart your experiences and tips to others when they need it. I’m really enjoying the opportunity to meet with young women who are about to enter the real world and pay forward what so many people did for me when I was at that point in my life. It can be a daunting time, but there are so many people that have been there before you that are willing to help. All you have to do is ask!

7. What resources do you use to stay organized and remember tasks?

It’s old school, but I’m all about lists. My mind won’t let me forget about a task until it’s physically crossed off my list. Actually, my mind doesn’t let me forget about much of anything. I’m constantly running to do lists in my head….at night while I’m trying to fall asleep, in the shower, while I’m working out. I can’t turn it off.

I also put everything in my iCal. It’s the only way to keep all my meetings, appointments and events in order, and to ensure that nothing is forgotten.

I set regular alerts on my calendar to address routine tasks like pulling reports, checking in with partners, scouring the website for correct information and any errors, doing active outreach on social, etc. Getting into a regular schedule helps immensely with productivity and efficiency.

8. What mistake do you see people constantly make that they should be aware
of?

A major mistake that I think people often make in the workplace is having a sense of entitlement. Nothing is handed to you in this world; you have to work for it. I see people who expect to achieve success by doing the bare minimum, and in my experience, it just doesn’t work that way. You can’t be frustrated by a lack of accomplishment if you’re not putting in the necessary effort. I absolutely believe that what you put in is what you get out. And if you’re not, then it might be time to reevaluate.

9. How do you conquer your inbox?

I can’t rest until my work inbox is down to zero unread emails. The first thing I do when I get to work is read through all my new emails, and flag the ones that need following up. And then one by one, I respond to them and unflag them. I feel a little burst of satisfaction each time I can turn off one of those red flags. I receive an immense amount of emails a day, so it’s all about taking them one by one and not allowing myself to get overwhelmed. I often print out the emails that require a lot of detail and reading. I find it SO much easier to read from paper than from the screen, and it allows me to read without getting distracted by what’s happening on my second monitor. I make a pile of the printed emails that need attention, and recycle them one by one as I knock out the associated tasks.

10. What’s the most recent thing someone did that really impressed you?

I received an email today from an old friend who just wanted to check-in and say hi. There’s nothing like a random act to show someone you’re thinking about them. We (myself included) should all try to do this more! I think with the accessibility of information on social media, we feel that we’re in constant communication with friends and family and keeping updated on their lives, but if we’re not directly speaking with them then are we really? It can be as simple as shooting someone a text to let them know you’re thinking about them, or reaching out to schedule a time to catch up. We all get so wrapped up in our schedules we forget to do these simple things to maintain relationships we care about.

This sentiment applies perfectly to the professional world as well. It’s so important to stay in touch and regular communication with clients and partners. Not just when you need something. If you make personal connections with people you work with and show genuine interest, your relationship and business will be so much more valuable to them.

11. How do you make time for working out and staying healthy?

It’s definitely a struggle to stay motivated, but I try my best. When I’m working long hours until 8 or 9 PM at night, the last thing I want to do is go home and work out. I try to remind myself how much better I feel after a workout, how it helps me take my mind off work (which is a real challenge for me), and helps me feel less lethargic. I try to schedule at least one evening workout class a week so it forces me to leave work on time. It’s a big help that my boyfriend is a personal trainer and wellness coach. Seeing how he prioritizes his health and enjoys working out makes me more motivated to do the same. I also love attending his classes because it allows me to see him in his work element while getting in a killer workout. All that being said, I aim to work out 3-4 times a week. This definitely fluctuates week-to-week depending on my workload and my after-work commitments. I also have to remind myself to be flexible with my workouts. If I really wanted to get in a good run but I’m only feeling up for a 30-minute strength session, I have to be okay with that. You’re not going to have a powerhouse workout every time you walk into the gym. I have a gym in my building, which makes it easier to get in my late-night workouts. In terms of classes, I aim to attend a weekly HIIT class at the J.W. Marriott gym, and also a UFC Boxing class when I can squeeze it in.

When I attend after-work events, I try to limit myself to one drink if I think there’s a chance I will squeeze in a workout when I get home. If that’s a long shot, I’ll indulge in a couple drinks. Nothing too crazy, as I don’t like to feel unproductive the next day at work. If I’m looking to go out and have a fun night, I save that for the weekend.

As far as eating healthy, my sweet tooth often throws me off track. It also doesn’t help that I’m an incredibly picky eater (I have the palette of a 10 year old). I tend to eat the same thing on a regular basis: over easy eggs, turkey bacon, feta cheese and avocado with Frank’s buffalo sauce. The definition of sophisticated dining! 😉

12. What are your favorite tips for keeping an organized workspace?

I’m not sure I’m the best person to give advice on this as my desk is covered in piles of paper. I like to call it ‘organized chaos’. It works for me, but wouldn’t work for everyone. I print everything because I like to be able to make notes, and then I keep everything in files based on subject matter or category. On top of this, I always have a designated ‘to do’ notebook I bring with my everywhere. I like everything very accessible, so I have anything I might need at my desk: office supplies, a stockpile of business cards I’ve acquired from events, snacks, note pads, marketing materials, old reports, a binder of invoices, magazines with press mentions, brochures….you get the idea. I always want to feel prepared, but the appearance of my desk definitely suffers.

13. What other pieces of advice/tips can you share?

Never be afraid to ask questions. I feel so much better receiving clarity on something I’m unsure about rather than just trying to wing it and possibly doing it wrong. I always try to find the answer myself first, but then, I ask the appropriate person if I still need help.

14. Favorites:
* Favorite Apps: Instagram, Snapchat, various social media management apps and Camera 360 for photo editing. Also, the Xfinity app is the only way I see any TV shows – definitely my guilty pleasure.
* Favorite Resources: Mashable, Social Media Today, Entrepreneur, Inc Magazine, Fast Company.
* Favorite Books: Anything by Nicholas Sparks (I’m a sucker for romantic novels)
* Favorite Programs: TV? All the Chicago shows (PD, Fire, Med), Suits, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, the gamut of mind-numbing Bravo shows (another guilty pleasure), Chrisely Knows Best, Duck Dynasty.
* Favorite Websites: See resources. I used to read several fashion blogs daily, but now I only visit them if I want more information beyond their Instagram content.
* Favorite Gadget: Pretty basic….my iPhone. I’m not huge on gadgets, other than my iPad. I do love my FitBit, but I have a difficult time remembering to wear it everyday.
* Favorite Podcasts: I actually have never listened to a podcast! I am a huge Spotify addict, though.

Emily, thank you again for being a part of our morning today! We can’t wait to watch where you go and implement your advice into our everyday. Keep that hustle up woman!

Want more? You can find all Work Smarter Not Harder posts right here.