The Smart and the City series is sponsored by Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum
From her country town beginnings to the bright lights of the New York City skyline, Clinique’s Executive Director of Global Communications, Alice Hampton gives us the ground rules for making the successful leap to the Big Apple.
RESCU: Tell us about your role at Clinique…
Alice Hampton: My job at Clinique is Executive Director of Global Communications, International which basically means that in conjunction with the Global Communications SVP, my role is to develop the strategy for 40+ markets in the 130+ countries for our local PR Managers to implement.
I have been in this role for 18 months having moved as an intra-company transfer from Sydney where I was previously the Communications Manager for Estee Lauder and Tom Ford Beauty Australia for around 5 years.
My role covers all of the markets outside of the US so I spend a fair amount of time traveling overseas to accompany spokespeople to local launches, go on market visits, attend regional conferences or host regional press events.
RESCU: What made you take the leap to move to NY?
Alice Hampton: I was at a point in my life where I was looking for a challenge that would take me outside of my comfort zone and allow me to grow and develop my business acumen. It’s ironic as I’m a country girl at heart and originally come from a town of 5,000 where my childhood was spent catching tadpoles, climbing trees and building cubby houses with my brother. And now I’m looking at the skyscraper skyline that is so symbolic of Manhattan, and realizing that it’s my home!
RESCU: Where do you live in NY and why did you choose to live in this area?
Alice Hampton: When I first moved to New York I lived on the Upper West Side right near Central Park, which was heaven. I loved the space and the outdoors and the feeling of “grounded-ness” you need to survive the city. A year and a half later the calling of the downtown life became too strong… I now live in Chelsea and absolutely love it. I truly could not be happier in my new little home.
What do you have to do differently in NY than you did in Australia for your career/ business to be successful?
Alice Hampton: In short – everything! Whilst I was fortunate to know a handful of people within the company before I moved, moving to a new city, a new country and a new brand was at times extremely challenging to navigate through all at the same time. It was also equally as exciting, stimulating and challenging as suddenly it was like looking through the lens of a toddler as everything became “new” and fun and exciting.
RESCU: Have you had to face any real obstacles since moving here and if so how did you overcome them?
Alice Hampton: Absolutely. Whilst New York is amazing and inspiring and energizing and fun, the non stop pace, the 24/7 work culture, the noise, the traffic and even the frenetic weather can – and does – wear down even the most seasoned New Yorker, I don’t know anyone who would say living here is necessarily “easy”.
However the thing about this city is that just when it all gets too much, it has an uncanny ability to turn on the most spectacular of days and you fall in love all over again and realize you can’t ever really leave…
RESCU: How did you use your business and or interpersonal smarts to get ahead in NY?
Alice Hampton: My philosophy in life, be it work or personal, is to always to use the carrot – and not the stick – analogy as I believe you get a lot further when you find ways to work collaboratively and cohesively. Corporate life can be challenging and so at times there is a need to be firm in order to protect brand equity or stand up for what you believe in however as a general rule I believe integrity is everything and so at the end of the day if you can go to sleep happy with how you conducted yourself and how you treated your staff and colleagues then that to me is what I envisage living a successful life to be.
Do you dress differently now that you live in the city?
Alice Hampton: Absolutely. In fact, I still remember the poor Bergdorf Goodman sales woman’s face when I first arrived in NY looking for a warm winter coat in the height of a snowstorm that shut down the city…
Another thing you need to survive in New York are shoes. Not any old shoes, lots and lots (and lots) of preferably flat shoes. You will churn through many a pair each season simply from all of the walking to and from work or to and from the subway. At the moment my shoe drawer in my office has everything from gum boots, ski boots, sneakers, ballet flats and heels… the irony is I still never seem to have the shoes I want when I need them.
How have you modified your beauty and grooming routine since moving to NY?
Alice Hampton: Absolutely, as a city that has four very distinct seasons your skincare regime needs to change with the weather as what works in spring will not necessarily be the best thing that works in autumn. When I am on a long haul flight I find my skin needs extra hydration so will usually swap my Clinique Moisture Surge moisturizer to Clinique Moisture Surge Intense for added hydration. When I am back in New York I also go to Juhi Singh (www.juhisingh.com) who does the most amazing rejuvenating facials using acupuncture. Within 30 minutes she can make you look and feel like you have had a mini holiday without leaving Manhattan, her treatments are pure facial heaven.
RESCU: Can you share a ‘pinch me’ moment in your business/ Career since moving to NY?
Alice Hampton: This may seem unusual as it is probably not the typical response of ‘being at a party with such and such celebrity’ however for me it was when I was recently asked by Jane Lauder, our new Global Brand President, to join her and a team of ELC executives on a market trip to Asia to discuss ideas on how we were going to implement brand strategy. To spend a week in the presence of some of the most influential and intelligent minds in the global beauty industry was truly such an honour, I am extremely humbled to have been included in the experience.
RESCU: What’s the smartest piece of advice you would give to anyone who wants to move to the Big Apple?
Alice Hampton: Whilst I am the biggest advocate of turning your dreams into reality I would say make sure you make the move having weighed up all of the costs and sacrifices.
To live in this city you need to understand “the hustle” and by that I mean when it knocks you down, as it invariably will from time to time, you need to know how to get back up, as what might work back home won’t necessarily work in New York. The price is higher, the competition is tougher and the hunger to succeed is everywhere. However, if you really want it, don’t give up.
Although for me, Sydney, will always have my heart, this city has a heartbeat that can’t be felt or found anywhere else in the world and so that is why to me it is special.
My advice is to find whatever it is that makes your heart beat a little faster and then go after it with all that you have. Life is short and we only have one shot, so why not make it the best life you can.
Photo credit: Davon Chandler
Hair and styling: Original & Mineral Salon NYC
Location credit: The Plaza Hotel, New York City