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Simaran Matharu is a Customer Success Manager in our Hospitality division. She has worked for Access for 1.5 years, joining us through the Acquisition of Design my Night.

How do you think your team would describe you?

Loud, fun, kind, helpful - I'd like to think they would!

What brought you to Access? What role did you start in?

Joining as part of the DesignMyNight acquisition really interested me as it's a brand and company I've used and liked prior to finding the role. I started as a Standard CSM within the Hospitality Division and have been here since!

What does your morning look like before you start work?

Snoozing my alarm too many times. Quick shower. Put on a cute outfit. Have an Actimel and bagel and finally get settled at my desk.

What makes Access different to other companies you have worked for in the past?

The focus on well-being and a healthy work/life balance.

What has been your biggest challenge in the last year?

Working on myself and my own mental health - how that affected my in my personal life but also how it affected my days at work. I had to learn and become comfortable with being vulnerable with my team and learn it's okay to ask for help when you need it.

What’s your favourite job to do at home?

Organising cupboards! I love clearing them out, cleaning them, putting things in cute containers or in a system that makes sense to me. Whenever someone else does it, it's just not done right... (not to sound like a complete control freak)

What do you think it takes to be successful at Access?

Push for more and make it clear you are willing to take on more and go further. Make yourself known.

What were your hobbies when you were younger? Do you still do them now?

I went to Theatre School as a child from age 5-15 and I try to go to dance classes at my gym now as dancing is something I really enjoy. It's good for the soulllll!

Who do you consider to be your role model or role models?

I don't have any one in particular but I always look up to women of colour who have broken out the cultural issues, judgements and restrictions. I've been raised to be myself, do/say/want whatever I want and just do what ever makes me a good person and makes me happy in life.

How do you bring your personality to work?

I just be my authentic self, I send silly GIFS and memes into my chats like I would to my friends. I'm very open, chatty and always happy to help so my team members know I'm reliable and capable.

What was your dream job when you were a child?

An artist, teacher or hairdresser! All really random but it's things I enjoyed.

What book/film/TV series/Music artist or album do you always recommend to people?

I'm a creature of habit with all of these albums, so they are good ones to recommend on repeat:
Daniel Caesar - Freudian
Summer Walker - Over It
Erykah Badu - Baduizm or Mama's Gun
Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

What skills have you had to work hard to develop? How did you do that?

The people aspect of my career has never been much of an issue so helping people, problem solving, learning products and teaching others comes quite naturally to me. I've had to focus more on aspects like data collection & evaluation to see how customers can utilise the facts and figures to benefit them.

What would you like to see change in your industry in the next five years?

More women in tech as well as them being comfortable within their spaces. As well as more POC within more senior roles. One thing I've noticed throughout my career is that POCs are higher for the more entry level roles but then everyone above us doesn't look like us

What achievement are you most proud of throughout your career?

There isn't one particular moment but for the fact I've been a CSM within the tech industry for 3.5 years at the age of 25 makes me feel really proud of myself. I got my first full-time role that started my career only 2/3 weeks after leaving university before I even got my degree results back and I've only continued to progress incredibly since.