Q&A with our judges: CEO of IMAGE Publications Clodagh Edwards

By now, we’re sure you’ve heard of IMAGE x Samsung’s brand new project The Pitch. We’re offering up to €100,000 worth of career-changing prizes to one female self-starter who is set to make a massive impact on her industry.

The Pitch is all about seeking out Ireland’s best disrupters and giving them the tools they need to get to the top of their game. Who better to guide those disrupters than the people who’ve done it themselves? At our special event on July 25th, the shortlist of finalists will be pitching their business to a panel of 5 judges who have risen to the top of their industries. Each one has shown what it means to revolutionise a business, by leading with creativity, shrewdness and an eye for innovation. Meet Clodagh Edwards, CEO at IMAGE Publications.

Why are mentors important?

Mentors are essential. A good mentor will help you be your ‘best self’. They should encourage you to break out of your comfort zone and get perspective by challenging you to look beyond the immediate issues and consider the bigger picture. Your mentor should know your personal strengths and weaknesses, making them the best people to question and probe into your vision and always ensure your perception is the reality. Having a mentor is one of the best pieces of advice I would offer to anyone wanting to get ahead. It’s always good to challenge and be challenged.

Where do you have your best ideas?

That’s really simple, the two places where I regularly have my ‘epiphanies’ are in the bath or on the M50.

How do you motivate your team?

I motivate my team by uniting them and their talents. I build trust – from them toward me and from each of them toward each other. The result is a trusting and transparent team. We’re achieving this in IMAGE and I’ve never seen such open communication before.

 My ultimate motto is –unite and conquer. Our core value is togetherness. Together, we have united the team at IMAGE and together we are conquering the fast-paced, fluid and fantastic world of multi-platform publishing. The joy in sharing our successes is tangible and almost tactile and it keeps us highly motivated.

How do you find work/life balance? 

Anyone who knows me will tell you that when I am ‘ON’, I am 100% on. 100% in the room, 100% present, conscious and paying attention, 100% interested and focused.

But in my private life, I have become very good at NOT being on and that skill translates into the job too. Sometimes, the business needs me to go into a quiet room and think, really think. And so this ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ approach really helps keep my focus sharp.

What was your lightbulb moment?

I was sitting in Yale in 2016 attending a publishing course with magazine publishers from all over the world such as Elle Hong Kong and Glamour USA and I realised that not only did I want to transform IMAGE to a female first multi-platform publishing company but I wanted IMAGE to define and shape the successful future of magazine publishing in Ireland. At IMAGE, we have evolved and embraced a new model of magazine publishing to become Ireland’s leading female-first multi-platform publisher; an innovator in the events and digital space.

Are goals important? 

My advice is to stop and think about what you want and set your own goals. By doing this you proactively take charge and think about what you want for yourself! Now you have a vision to work towards rather than just waiting for things to happen. Goals make you accountable. And by identifying your goals you connect with your desire to achieve the highest possible outcome. This will motivate you to live your best life. And who doesn’t want that?

And what about you? Maybe you’ve got a business that’s been brewing for a while, or you’re a self-starter who knows that her product is going to change the world. IMAGE and Samsung want to help. We’re offering female entrepreneurs and business owners the chance to win up to €100,000 of business-boosting prizes that will drive your business to where it needs to go. Enter The Pitch and rise to the top of your industry – it all starts with filling out the application. Good luck!

So, get pitching!

Click here to enter now and start making your case!