My Career: Journalist and entrepreneur Anne-Marie Tomchak

Did you always want to be a journalist and entrepreneur?
I loved music, art and poetry when I was growing up but I also had a passion for mathematics and sciences. So I was really seeking a career that would allow me to be creative and analytical. Luckily I’ve been able to channel these in my roles as a journalist and company director.

In college, I studied… a degree in Film and Broadcasting in DIT and a master’s in Journalism in DCU. I also recently completed a sustainability accelerator programme in Cambridge University. 

My most formative work experience was… at Vogue (where I was digital director). It opened my eyes to the fashion industry’s waste problem but also to the amazing people who were driving positive change.

My first real job was… in the RTÉ newsroom producing the regional news segment on the News at One with Sean O’Rourke 

The most invaluable thing I learned early on in my career was… people aren’t mind readers so don’t assume that they know what your goals are. It’s important to articulate your ambitions, both to yourself and to those who might have an influence in helping you achieve them. I also learned pretty early on that hard work and dedication isn’t always rewarded. Your career progress is dependent on many different factors – some are out of your control. 

A common misconception about what I do is… that it’s all glamorous. Yes, there are high-powered and exciting aspects to my work such as doing live television or launching a new product or service, but there is also a lot of heavy lifting going on behind the scenes. When you’re running your own business you are both the CEO and the person making the tea.

My main responsibility in work is to… devise and execute the vision, mission and culture of the business. 

Do you have a career mentor or someone you look up to/seek advice from?
Yes, I’m really fortunate to have a group of women around the world that I can call on at any time to seek advice. Most of my mentors are my counterparts. We met when we were working our way up the ranks. There is a deep personal and professional trust that you build with your colleagues when you’re starting out in the trenches together. 

The biggest risk I have taken in my career so far is… moving away from working full-time in journalism in order to build my own business. I’ve always been someone who has wanted to keep growing and evolving and that’s been reflected in the different environments and sectors I’ve worked in over the years. From broadcasting at the BBC to online publishing at Mashable, working in digital at Vogue, to now running my own company at the intersection of tech and sustainability, I certainly can’t be accused of being fearful of change! But it’s worth it. 

I wake… in the middle of the night when my daughter wakes up. Thankfully, I usually manage to settle her fairly easily and get another few hours before the alarm goes off.  

The first thing I do every morning is… dress my daughter, throw on some clothes and take my little one to nursery.

My morning routine is… still a work in progress but it generally involves having a bowl of porridge and a cup of tea while listening to the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 and reading emails. Before becoming a mother, I had a very specific routine that involved an exercise class before sunrise, a commute and an editorial meeting. Now, my routine revolves around my toddler and my business. Every day is different. 

I can’t go to work without… my phone or bank cards.

I travel to work by… Tube if I have meetings in central London. 

On an average workday I… rarely do the same thing and that keeps things interesting! My days are extremely varied. One day I could be researching a government policy document on sustainability and attending a production meeting for a documentary. The next day I could be chairing a product meeting and signing off on a marketing campaign. 

I start my working day at… around 8.15am.

The first thing I do at work is… check my calendar and emails.

I usually spend the first portion of the day…  tackling the most challenging or important task first. I try not to put things on the long finger. 

I break for lunch at… midday or 1ish and usually have a sandwich or a salad and a cuppa.

The most useful business tool I use every day is… Trello or Google Docs.

I save time by… sending voice notes on WhatsApp.

I rarely get through my working day without… checking Instagram. I’ve deleted the app off my phone as I find it a time sucker and, at times, a joy sucker.

The best part of my day is… when I am doing things that involve working with other people. Although I enjoy writing and need to do that solo, I thrive on days that I have social interactions and get to learn from others.

The most challenging part of my day is… managing my expectations on how much I can achieve in the time that I’ve got.

I know it’s been a good day if… I have managed to fit in some exercise or even a short walk.

I usually end my day at… 5.45pm in order to collect my little one. If there is something outstanding, I will follow up on it after her bedtime.

I switch off from work by… reading or watching a good series on TV.

Before I go to bed, I’ll… check my calendar for the next day, set my alarm and then start a sleep meditation on an app. It really helps me to switch off.

I often prepare for tomorrow by… laying out my clothes for the next day. It saves a lot of time and headspace.

After a long work week, I de-stress by… putting my wellies on and going for a long walk in Epping Forest near my home in East London. Stopping for hot chocolate along the way is compulsory.

The accomplishment I’m most proud of is… having my documentary work added to the Irish curriculum as a learning resource for teachers and students in Junior Cycle. 

If you want to get into my line of work, my advice is to… apply for the job that will get you a foot in the door. Once you’re in, you can find ways of navigating towards your longer-term goals. Think about how your strengths and skills align to what’s actually needed and follow what you are passionate about as it will help fuel your drive and resilience in the pursuit of your career. And finally, don’t be shy about asking for advice or telling people about your ambitions. Generally, people are very giving of their time and willing to help. 

I’ve just finished working on… a TV documentary about artificial intelligence. At the moment I’m working on a project on how local businesses can adapt to the AI revolution.

ShareJoy is a social enterprise set up after the loss of 23-year-old Irish woman Arwen Sullivan in April 2020. Too often fashion and social media can be a negative influence on mental health, but the ShareJoy team hope to flip that idea on its head by selling pre-loved items from well known people to fundraise for mental health charities. Already drumming up an impressive 50k for Pieta, they’ve recently launched a new website and have lots of exciting collaborations lined up for 2024. Visit www.sharejoy.ie for more information.

Photography by Alexander Newton