Not Just a Dream: A Career Built with Intention

If you’re someone who’s had a dream since you were young, a clear path you’ve followed with purpose, then Roxy’s story will feel like a mirror. But if that’s not you (and don’t worry, it isn’t for everyone!), there’s still so much here for you.

Because while Roxy always had a strong vision for her career, her biggest lessons haven’t come from job titles or marketing wins, they’ve come from life. The kind of life that reshapes your perspective, stretches your resilience, and makes you re-evaluate what really matters.

I’ve always known what I wanted to do. When I was little, my mum was obsessed with Absolutely Fabulous, and I remember thinking that organising glamorous events and coming up with big, bold ideas looked like the most fun a person could have at work. And while my career hasn’t included anything quite as chaotic as AbFab, that early spark never went away.

From a young age, I knew marketing and PR was the world I wanted to be in, and I’ve followed that path with real intention ever since.

I moved to the Isle of Man in the late 90s with my dad’s job and spent part of my childhood here, before heading to the UK for A levels and then university. While I was studying, I helped launch a small wedding business with my parents and took full ownership of the marketing. It was a steep learning curve, figuring things out on the fly, trying strategies I’d only ever read about, but I absolutely loved it. I even managed to secure national press coverage, which gave me a huge confidence boost. From then on, I was hooked.

After graduating, I stayed in the UK and worked in Manchester for a few years, gaining more experience and building my career. Eventually, I made the decision to return to the Isle of Man, which I’ve always considered home, but breaking back into the local job market wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped.

Despite having a Manx passport, a Manx National Insurance number and having done part of my education on the Island, I didn’t qualify as a Manx worker under the system at the time. It was frustrating and disheartening. I ended up taking a job that didn’t suit me, but I stuck it out. Eighteen months later, I became eligible, and landed what felt like my dream job at IOM Advertising & PR (IOMAd).

That job was a real turning point in my career.

I’ve been thoughtful with my career choices, deliberately keeping my roles broad to gain experience across different industries. I’ve found that if I can understand a product or service, I can translate it into something meaningful and engaging for the audience. That’s a real strength I’ve built over time.

IOMAd gave me everything I hoped agency life would: creativity, pace, variety, challenge. I thrived there for eight years, and when I moved into my current role as Marketing Manager at UCM, I brought all of that experience with me. Now I lead a creative, committed team where we truly support one another. I feel lucky every day to work with people who trust and uplift each other.

Marketing is such a vibrant industry. I love good design, powerful ideas, and the buzz of bringing something from concept to reality. I never struggle for inspiration (sorry ChatGPT!) I just love making ideas happen.

But I won’t pretend it’s all been smooth.

Early in my career, it was still a very male-dominated space, especially in leadership roles. I’ve had interviews where I was asked if I planned to have children, or had inappropriate comments made about my appearance. I’ve even been misled into a ‘marketing trial’ that turned out to be cold calling.

None of that was okay. But I called it out. I kept going. And I realised something important: I’m the one in control of my career. Where I choose to work matters just as much as whether a company chooses me.

Some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned, though, haven’t come from work, they’ve come from life.

I lost my mum to ovarian cancer in my mid-twenties. She was an incredible woman, a brilliant mum, a sharp businesswoman, and the person I still want to call when something exciting happens. I miss her deeply, every day.

Becoming a mum myself has been one of the biggest privileges of my life. Also one of the hardest challenges. Working full time while being a full-time parent is no small thing. So many women do it, and because we do it quietly, competently, and constantly, it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. But it’s extraordinary.

And then there’s the times life threw me something which I could never have prepared for (and I like to be prepared!)

When my son was four months old, I suddenly struggled to walk. After falling, I ended up in A&E  and discovered I had a large tumour pressing on my spinal cord. I was flown to The Walton Centre for emergency surgery and rehab, in the middle of the pandemic. Alone, unable to have visitors, and unable to feel anything below my waist, I had to teach my brain to walk again from scratch.

It was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever been through, but also the most revealing. It showed me exactly what I’m made of.

That experience changed how I lead. It made me more empathetic. It made me more intentional. It reminded me to prioritise what matters, and to never assume you know what someone else is carrying.

Looking ahead, I’d love to step into a leadership role like Head of Marketing or Marketing Director. And I still miss the buzz of agency life… so maybe that’s still to come. For now, my focus is on my young son, my husband, and the very real adventure that is our home renovation project.

If I could give one piece of advice to any woman starting out, it would be this:

Know what you want. Even if it’s a bit fuzzy. Even if it changes. Have a direction, and let that guide your decisions.

You don’t need to plan every step. You just need to remember your ‘why.’ 

The path won’t be straight. But if you keep choosing on purpose, you’ll get somewhere that feels right, and that’s the kind of success that actually lasts. 

Roxy’s journey is a brilliant example of what it looks like to lead with intention. In work, in life, and in the choices we make every day. It’s not just about knowing what you want, but about building the courage to chase it, adapt when things change, and keep going when things get tough.

At Level Up, we believe your career should complement who you are, not compete with it. Even if you’re not in your dream role yet, there’s power in choosing spaces that align with your values, your energy, and your growth. Roxanna’s story is a powerful reminder of just that.