Then and now... Karen Tinkler

In the latest instalment of Bdaily's Then and now series, Karen Tinkler, director at Partners PR, based at Nether Poppleton on the outskirts of York, reflects on her career, from her first role to the present day, highlighting the lessons she has learned from her personal and professional evolution.

You’re director at Partners PR. What does your role entail?

I divide my time between client work, leading on business development and running the agency with my business partner Monica.

Did you always want to work in the PR industry? Or did you have other ambitions when you were growing up?

I originally wanted to be a photojournalist and secured university work placements at The Northern Echo and Yorkshire Post, which were both brilliant.

Then, in the final year of my degree, I discovered PR. 

I’d never heard of it, and I was hooked.

What was your first job – and did you enjoy it?

A Saturday job on a fruit and veg stall.

It wasn’t my favourite job, mainly because you had to be good at maths, which I’m not.

I can still remember the woman who ran the stall, scribbling on paper bags and adding up prices in her head. 

She was brilliant, but sadly my maths wasn’t up to the job, and I didn’t last long!

Were there any mentors or individuals who helped shape your career? And are you still applying lessons you learned then to your workforce of today?

Working with a coach – Jules Wyman – has helped me understand the value of being myself in business, at times when I’ve felt I had to be more like other people. 

Particularly in the early days of taking over the business, it took me a while to find my own way. Working with Jules really helped me.

Because of my experience, it’s something I’m very conscious of with our team. 

Making sure people have support to develop their roles and skills, and discover and play to their strengths, is important to me. 

What attracted you to the PR industry?

The idea of getting paid to write was the initial appeal. 

I also liked the idea of being around creative people.

How do you feel you’ve changed as a person over the years? Have career roles brought new dimensions to your personality?

Yes, they have. 

I never thought in a million years I’d end up in a sales role or have my own business.

Both have forced me to put myself in the spotlight far more than I ever would naturally, which has brought out different aspects of my personality and meant I’ve played to strengths I didn’t know I had. 

I’ve become much more confident as a result – even to the point of enjoying speaking at events! 

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