Q&A with IABC Member Marlayne Hardy

What was your very first job?
I worked at a produce centre when I was 16 which was a social enterprise for an arts organization before “social enterprise” was a thing. That’s where my love for coffee started. We would be in early on Sunday mornings and someone would do a coffee run before the store opened. 

What do you do to turn things around when you’re having a bad day?  
A walk near the ocean is the best thing for me to clear my mind. But if I can’t do that, I’ll make myself a fresh coffee, take a few deep breaths, and get right back at it! I really like the saying “The only way out is through.” It reminds me to just put my head down and keep moving forward, even when circumstances are not ideal. 

What’s the best advice you were ever given?  
The best advice I have received and would say to others is to trust your gut. The other piece of advice that goes hand-in-hand with that is: done is better than perfect. It is easy to get bogged down with overthinking. Keep moving forward. 

The COVID-119 pandemic has been challenging, but have you found any silver linings over the last several months?  
While I do miss seeing people in person, doing more meetings from home has been more efficient since I don’t have to drive to meetings and look for parking. Remote working is also more inclusive for people living in different locations. When you do an event online now, it’s easy to invite people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend in person.  

What book are you currently reading?   
I just finished The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. I loved them both. I just downloaded Bel Canto by Ann Patchett and can’t wait to get started on it.  

What is the best part of being an IABC member? 
I am very grateful to IABC for the connections I have made. I now have people I can connect with to bounce ideas around and ask questions. Sometimes organizations have only one communications professional, so having contacts to connect with is really helpful.