20 Questions with Kelly Slessor

1. How do you define success?

My definition of success has changed over the past few years. It used to be financial rewards, promotion, and accolades, but now I base it on how many amazing memories I can create travelling with the kids and my husband, hanging out with family and friends, being in nature. Also watching retailers and the businesses I work with grow in confidence, knowledge and revenue. It’s those moments you look back on and you can’t hold back the huge smile when you think about them. That’s how I measure my success.

2. What was the last book you read?

I’ve got 3 on the go at the moment: The Metaverse, by Mathew Ball; The Conscious Parent by Shefali Tsabary; Ikigai by Hectar Garcia . My life right there in 3 books; technology, parenting and constantly striving for balance…..

3. Do you consider yourself more Type A or Type B?

I am actually a mix of both, which works well in technology, leaning toward type B.

4. What was the last thing you bought online?

If I tell you my kids will know what they are getting for Christmas… let’s just say it was technology.

B) Did you add express shipping?

It depends – generally no, but if it’s gifts (as a Type B, I am very last minute) then yes – I will pay for speed and convenience. It also depends on the gap between standard and express and the time and cost.

5. What is one thing that retailers do that drives you up the wall?

From a customer perspective, making it hard for me to purchase, not having shipping times clearly stated, making me search for information, not keeping me updated on my order delivery. As an Ecommerce coach – not knowing who their customer is, not focusing on and tracking conversions, spending money on traffic without converting existing customers – sorry that was more than one….

6. When was the first time you shopped online?

My first phone was an Ericcson, I remember buying a ringtone for it and being one of the first of my friends to have a custom ring tone, that was back in 1997 – so would have been one of my first online purchases… 23 years ago!

7. What is your favourite part about your job?

Data – I am a complete geek and I absolutely love data and making decisions based on insights. I also love the moment it comes together for a retailer and either they have a huge aha moment and/or their revenue increases as a result of a change we’ve made… I love seeing people succeed.

8. Is there any advice you’d give your 16-year-old self?

I am more of a look forward person than look backwards and I am a firm believer that everything that happens is part of your journey and happens for a reason. However, being a black women in tech, in a foreign country, I have faced some challenges and in the past allowed my measure of success to be determined by others. If I could give some advice to another 16 year old it would be to know your power, the uniqueness that you bring to the table, and to only take advice from those people who truly have your best interests in mind OR have been in the ring….

9. What was your first job?

I had my first job at 10 years old, I used to clean the local furniture store.

10. Whats your most-used App on your phone?

Outlook… I wish it was something more interesting….

11. What is one of your guilty pleasures?

Watching bad reality TV – Idol, The Voice any singing show.

12. What are three words that would describe you?

I actually asked my 12 year old son how he would describe me: Smart, Happy and Nice.

13. What’s on the top of your bucket list?

I have a long bucket list, its mainly travel – Japan, a safari in Africa, heading back to my home country Nigeria. I also want to teach Ecommerce to remote communities. This year I travelled to Broome to run my first workshop with remote community. I’d love to do more of that and expand to Nigeria.

14. Do you have any phobias?

Moths and sharks, in that order.

15. What risks are worth taking?

Any risk that you are passionate or excited about.

16. You’re at a cafe. What is your go-to beverage order?

Large Latte.

17. If you had a time machine, where would you time travel to, and why?

Well this one made me cry…..I would travel back 16 years to my dad’s kitchen, and help him cook Nigerian soup and fresh bread rolls. My dad raised me and my brother as a single parent, he was the best cook ever and an amazing man. He died 16 years ago and not a day goes past where I don’t still think about him and miss him.

18. Savoury or sweet?

Both – cheese and biscuits, chocolate and wine.

19. What are three wishes you’d request from a genie?

End Discrimination,
Cure Cancer,
A farm.

20. Whats something everyone should try at least once?

Jumping out of a plane.

You can find Kelly here.

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