Mimie Wallace is an HR consultant and founder of Tisam HR, providing small business owners with simple and cost-effective HR support packages.
What inspired you to start your professional journey?
I decided to go into HR following my psychology degree. I was unsure what to do when I graduated until someone said to me that a lot of people who study psychology go into HR. The rest is history!
What was challenging about your journey?
A lot of my earlier work experiences were very junior/administrative roles and at the time, I found this very frustrating. Looking back, I wasn’t very patient. These roles have given me a very solid foundation on which to build my experience, so I’m grateful.
What are some of your key learnings from your career so far?
Patience! I’ve also learnt how to utilise my experience and really lean into what I’m good at.
Did race have any impact on your positioning in life today?
For me, it’s difficult to say. I have obviously come across instances where my race may have had a part to play in terms of certain reactions and outcomes but ultimately, I have never felt held back by it. I have achieved what I have wanted to achieve so far.
Is there any advice you would like to share with black professionals and entrepreneurs?
Resilience is key and self-belief. Some roles/people will really challenge you, but put what you need to put in place to see you through. I’m lucky that I have a great support network but I’m also tenacious – I can really stick at something if I see its value. Especially if I am the only one that does! However, conversely, if something is obviously not working, know when to let go. You can adapt and be flexible but if it’s clearly a non-starter or having a detrimental impact on your life, there is no shame in knowing when to walk away. Life is too short.
What are some of the experiences that shaped you?
A tutor I had at university really helped me during my final year. I think she saw the potential in me before I did and this really put me on a good footing. I will never forget her.
Also, certain roles I’ve done in the past have really shaped how I do HR. I am really grateful for those experiences and what they have taught me.
Is there anything organisations can do to include and promote black professionals better?
Don’t be afraid to have discussions about race at work but make sure it’s not tokenistic. I wouldn’t wait until something happens to have meaningful conversations.
