Fran Nolan
Fran Nolan is a successful marketer, mother, Co-Founder and Managing Director of award-winning creative content agency, Tribera.
She is passionate about diversity and works hard to remove barriers to employment by offering true flexible and hybrid working. Fran is also a pioneer of the 4 day week which focuses on the wellbeing and work/life balance of all employees.
- Tell us a little bit about your business…
Tribera was founded in 2019 and is a creative content agency based in the heart of Birmingham. We are dedicated to utilising creativity and a human-first strategy to captivate audiences, influence opinions, and shift behaviours on behalf of bold and ambitious brands.
We specialise in creative, PR, social media, digital marketing, content creation, influencer management, events and brand strategy/development – holistically collaborating to elevate brands and disrupt the marketplace they sit in.
- How did you get into the industry?
I started my marketing career as a campaign executive and got to work with fashion brands which was great fun. I then worked my way up through the ranks and got product, proposition, insight and customer strategy experience. I went agency side after I had my first child and wanted a career change to a more exciting and creative vocation (must be mad!).
- What are the biggest opportunities and challenges in your industry?
Biggest opportunities are around helping brands level up with their creativity and content, most brands we work with want new energy, perspective and approach. The biggest challenge for creative agencies is probably competition – there is a lot of great agencies out there! Also that the industry still operates on a pitch process, which is lengthy and expensive for all parties involved – It really needs to be left behind!
- How would you describe your leadership style?
I am a very trusting manager as I tend to employ people with a drive and a work ethic that matches my own. So I like to let people explore their own role and make their own decisions but make sure I am always approachable and available for support. I also like to be transparent and honest, I think it’s important to share your thoughts with the team especially when you haven’t got it all figured out just yet.
- How do you get the most out of the people who work for you?
Empower people. I do subscribe to the school of thought that you shouldn’t hire intelligent, talented people and then tell them what to do. I also think making the work environment a safe, friendly and inspiring place where people can express their true selves is important in getting the best out of people.
- What are the most crucial elements to your business running smoothly and being successful?
Operations is so key! We have quite a few members of the team now who are responsible for work flow, scheduling and resourcing to ensure we maintain high levels of work quality and customer service.
- How has the past 12 months been for you?
Manic! We have had a lot of change go through the business. We have moved offices to a tailor made office with studio space which is great but I think we underestimated how much work it would be to get everything ready.
- What will the next 12 months look like for your business?
Its looking really exciting we have lots of new hires coming into the business and plans for upscaling our offering. Our current clients have been really supportive of the changes as they can see the client side benefits too. Our new content proposition is attracting new clients too so it looks as though 2024 is going to be all about growth.
- What are the highlights of your career so far?
My highlights are moments when the tribe celebrates wins together – professionally or personal. I love to see how close the team are and how much they support each other. I am incredibly proud of the talent that chooses Tribera every day as their workplace.
- What’s the biggest business mistake that you’ve learnt from?
Hiring a person for a role who had great technical skills and we thought had the people skills too but in reality definitely did not. I am still shocked at how quickly it started to damage what we had built. As a result I learnt to trust my instincts a bit more as on paper this person was perfect for the role and I let that sway a nagging feeling in my gut – never again.
- What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
Empower yourself by developing the ability to critique your own performance. I think this is so powerful as every job can always be done better but if you are too busy defending yourself you miss the important insight on how you can improve.
