Meet the Mentees
The Bloom Mentees are halfway through their program. We chatted to Nayisha Patel, Nora Beydoun and Sarah Firmston-Williams about how it’s going so far.
First could you tell us a bit about yourself?
Nayisha Patel: I work in Partnerships, a people-focused role I genuinely enjoy. I also appreciate time for reflection and recharging, often finding inspiration through reading and concerts. I'm naturally thoughtful and observant, constantly evaluating my performance and growth. This year, my New Year's resolution was to overthink less and act with conviction, making mentoring a crucial first step.
Nora Beydoun: I am Nora, working in media sales at the Financial Times. I manage client accounts, recently transitioning to the technology and energy sectors, which has broadened my understanding of innovation-led industries. Concurrently, I'm pursuing a part-time Master's in Neuroscience at King's College London, exploring the intersection of healthcare and technology. My roles blend analytical thinking with relationship-building, driven by a clear purpose. Outside of work, I enjoy skiing, traveling, and outdoor activities.
Sarah Firmston-Williams: I am a brand marketer specializing in non-western and emerging markets. My career began in creative agencies before moving brand-side for closer involvement in business decisions. With over 10 years across various industries, I've found my niche in Travel Tech. I currently serve as a Senior Integrated Marketing Manager at Expedia Group, overseeing marketing for 16 international markets.
What were you looking to get out of your mentoring experience?
Nayisha: My primary goal for mentoring was to establish dedicated time for intentional self-development. Daily tasks often make reflection difficult, so I sought a structured space to assess my professional presence, identify areas for improvement, and overcome self-imposed limitations. A key focus was enhancing my confidence, especially in visibility and speaking up. I also aimed to gain practical, honest advice from someone experienced, preferring it over theoretical guidance. Ultimately, I wanted a judgment-free sounding board to discuss ideas openly and challenge my assumptions.
Nora: I sought perspective and clarity. At this career stage, I have a solid foundation but need intentional guidance on my next steps and how to strategically shape my path. I desired a safe space for honest questions, decision validation, and insights from someone familiar with similar transitions and challenges in a career.
Sarah: My aim for the mentoring scheme was to discover new approaches to my daily work and gain an external perspective on my growth areas. Having direct, uninterrupted access to someone in a leadership position I aspire to reach is exceptionally valuable.
Can you tell me a bit about your mentor?
Nayisha: My mentor, Katia, has been exceptional. She's approachable and easy to talk to, making our initial sessions comfortable. I appreciate her thoughtful questions and careful listening, which foster a collaborative environment where we explore solutions together rather than her simply providing answers. Katia excels at breaking down ambitious goals into practical, achievable steps. Her insights, particularly on confidence and workplace navigation, have been invaluable. She creates a supportive space, encouraging honesty about challenges and areas for improvement.
Nora: My mentor offers a valuable blend of strategic thinking and real-world experience. Their open, grounded approach is what I appreciate most; our conversations are honest rather than prescriptive. It is reassuring to learn from someone who has navigated similar challenges with thoughtful consideration.
Sarah: My mentor leads a department at a major TV and entertainment network, bringing years of expertise in balancing commercial priorities with creative thinking, even amidst challenges. She provides extensive knowledge on advancing within your current role and developing your career trajectory.
How’s it going? Has anything been surprising or challenging or different to how you expected?
Nayisha: The experience has been very positive. I was surprised by how beneficial simply vocalizing my thoughts, even before finding solutions, has been. The clear plan and regular check-ins provide unexpected motivation. The most challenging aspect is confronting my struggles with visibility and confidence, but realizing these challenges are common and solvable has been reassuring. I anticipated more direct advice, but the reflective nature of the sessions has been far more impactful, offering a safe space to explore topics not typically addressed in my daily role.
Nora: It has been more reflective than anticipated, which is positive. I expected a focus on specific skills or next steps, but it has prompted deeper thought into my motivations and definition of success. Carving out time for proper reflection, especially with a demanding role and part-time studies, has been a challenge. However, these structured moments for pausing, reassessing, and intentional direction have also been a significant benefit.
Sarah: It wasn't a surprise, but building a relationship with my mentor where she challenges my thinking has been a significant breakthrough. It retrains my brain to consider issues from multiple angles, helping me identify and address blind spots.
Have you set any work goals for the year that you’d like to share?
Nayisha: Yes, a primary goal is to enhance my workplace confidence and visibility. This involves speaking up more in meetings, comfortably sharing ideas, and trusting my voice. Katia and I have discussed authentic approaches to visibility, rather than forced ones. I'm also focusing on intentional development and recognizing my progress, moving away from constantly feeling the need to "catch up" or prove myself.
Sarah: I've established macro goals with my mentor that align with our working styles, aiming for progress in every meeting. This strategy focuses on consistent, weekly advancement towards larger themes rather than a single distant objective. A key goal is to build a stronger reputation as an International Marketing expert beyond my daily responsibilities.
Would you recommend your mentoring experience?
Nayisha: Absolutely. I highly recommend mentoring to anyone seeking dedicated time and space for growth reflection. It’s particularly valuable to have an objective person outside your immediate work environment for open discussions. The structured approach provides accountability while remaining flexible and tailored to individual needs. This experience has been reassuring, motivating, and genuinely useful, even at this early stage. Mentoring has boosted my goal confidence and emphasized that development is a thoughtful process, not a rushed one. Overall, it's been a very positive experience.
Nora: Absolutely. I recommend it to anyone at a career transition point or simply seeking clarity. Having an objective individual outside your immediate workplace who is invested in your growth is incredibly valuable.
Sarah: Definitely. I believe everyone should participate in a mentoring program at least once. Being part of an all-female program has significantly boosted my confidence and fostered a sense of community.
