Lisa Currey | “20 Women, 20 Stories” Women’s Portrait Campaign Experience
Lisa Currey
CEO of “Hamilton’s In Creative”
Where are you from and where have you currently settled?
I am originally from Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, a beautiful country town, where the grass is green, the scenery is glorious and it probably rains 70 % of the time. I grew up there until I was 13 and then my family emigrated to S.A.
Cape Town has been my home for 43 years so I feel truly South African and absolutely love it here.
3 words that your friends would use to describe you?
Witty, positive, creative, sincere, and grateful…I am lucky to have more than 3 friends to ask,
but Monica chose, “dynamic, strong, and gentle” I loved that, this really sums up who I aspire to be.
Big audacious dream, if you are already living it…?
I certainly am living it. My business Hamiltons-in Creative Company (which is now 28 years old ) was a dream.
The dream of being a successful businesswoman, cultivating people, and creating success -for the people who work with me and the brands we work for.
It has been a truly remarkable journey.
Can you share how your career in your current journey began and what drew you to it?
I always wanted to be a vet in my youth, but sadly in those days my maths was not good enough, so I turned to art and found my creativity.
I studied graphic design, went to work at an Ad agency at the age of 19, and spent the next almost 9 years going through the ranks of designer, AD, and then studying marketing to move into the Client service side.
I wanted to understand not just the creative output side but also to understand what the clients needed to build better brands and the marketing channel as a whole.
I had the dream to start my own agency at the age of 27, and took the leap!
Again my purpose was to Cultivate people and Create Success.
With a team of 5, opened an agency in Dunkley Square CT, (location, location, and exorbitant rentals) but a journey I will never forget.
28 years later I have a fantastic team of almost 60 amazing people who make up the “Hamfam” and the privilege to have built some of the leading food retail brands in SA.
We all have different versions of what success means to us. What does success look and feel like to you?
This has been the main question I often reflect on, so it is easy to answer-
Success is in the journey:
it is seeing the queues of Customers lining up on the opening day of a store that we have built and marketed,
the growth of individuals in my company,
the creative pitch that came to life,
my family’s closeness,
the 24 years with my soul mate,
the 21 years of being a super proud Mum to the best son in the world-
but most of all the bucket list memories we make along the way that are forever there to talk about, laugh about, and recall together…
and keep in our hearts.
What does your morning routine involve? Please share how you start your day.
I am not a great sleeper, nor a super early riser (figures).
I will wake at 5ish and then try hard to cram another hour or so of sleep in until my brain kicks into the “to-do “ list for the day.
Coffee and a banana, and reflection..
then an hour of business emails in between getting ready for work,
with a gym training of sorts 3x per week.
What is the thing you enjoy doing the most?
Without a doubt holidaying with my family and friends.
It’s quality time, whether it is exploring different countries, or our own country, I love getting away and am partial to the sounds of the sea or a calming lake to recharge my soul.
Cooking- I love cooking and the feeling of pretending to be Nigella- I find my happy place in the kitchen with my School House apron on.
Is there a woman who stands out for you, who really inspires you? This can be someone in your close circle,
or someone you don’t know personally, for example an author or podcast host, or other.
Trinny Woodall- (don’t get put off by the silver glitzy wardrobe)- she is a healthy, active, fashionista, who has had a huge life journey behind her and is a businesswoman and entrepreneur of note,
and of course developed the best beauty and skin brand, Trinny London. Cheek to lip- is so easy to wear!
What is a personal mantra or quote that motivates you?
I have a few on repeat:
Give and you will receive, or it just warms your heart otherwise,
Right!
Positivity attracts a positive outcome
Do it, do it now!!
Think of the unobvious reasons behind why people do things, life is complicated, be kind.
What is one thing you wish more people knew about you?
I can be quite the oversharer, so there “ain’t “much you won’t see when you get to know me.
Although I am very tall and look confident I am actually very real, down to earth, a little sensitive, and too caring sometimes apparently, but in everything I do I live by faith, family, and love.
Oh, and I love to sing one-liners out loud and laugh the best at my jokes.
What personality characteristics do you love about yourself?
My sense of humour, humility, individuality, and significance
What are your greatest strengths?
Honesty, learning from loss, family values, joy from giving, and my positivity.
Life is full of learnings, so I try to be inspired by the great ones,and the best traits of people that I admire, and then I learn to be the opposite of the not-so-great.
What does self-confidence mean to you, and how have you cultivated it?
Believing in myself and being true to who I am, or am not.
What are you most proud of in your business and personal life?
Myself firstly, for who I am and try to be.
My family values
My son, who at 21 is living and working on his dream, – I could not possibly be any prouder of him and of me, for being the best Mum in the world.
My Dad, who just reached 80, and our special relationship.
My husband and our 24 years of friendship.
My business, Hamiltons in Creative Company- and all of the people that have been there, grown from there, and are still there – our family culture.
The brands I have helped create and grow.
And my wonderful circle of friends- that’s a privilege.
If you could share one piece of business advice for someone starting out, what would it be?
Whatever you do, be your own Customer first, think like your Customer, and be passionate about what you do, if you don’t love it, move on!
Learn from everything and make sure you put your learnings into practice.
Read – information is free and knowledge is power.
Think future-proofing your business – you may not be able to achieve it all immediately, it is forever changing, but even 10% better adds up quickly.
Sweat the small stuff
Stay honest and real.
What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
Put things in their boxes better, and be still.
How did you feel about your portrait experience?
Monica’s passion and energy motivated me the most, I almost wanted to get the shots right just for her, not even for me –
it was a great experience working with someone so down-to-earth and professional, who made me feel perfectly special.
Website link: www.hamiltonsadvertising.com
Insta: @hamiltonsincreativecompany
It was absolutely so wonderful to meet and spend the day with Lisa. Hair and Makeup artist, Donna and I had such a great time. Lisa’s easy-going and gentle energy filled the space and moment after moment unfolded. I’m so happy with the outcome of her portraits, and excited to see them in print!
