OB Resident in Focus: Joanna McCreary

Name and Role 

Company Elevator Pitch 

Joanna McCreary

Customer Engagement Manager at Lumity

Lumity exists to support the health, strength and wellness of our customers. Developed to nourish and protect the body in order to restore balance and ultimately extend healthspan, our products stand out from the crowd for their efficacy, high quality and sustainability. Clinically tested and proven to deliver tangible results, with lasting support, they help thousands of customers look and feel their absolute best, every day.

We are leading the charge on sustainable business practice in the wellness sector; with fully recyclable or reusable packaging across our range, fully compostable supplement pouches, Leaping Bunny certification on our Skin Nutrients range and supply chain checks that ensure all our ingredients are of the highest possible purity & quality and sourced from responsible suppliers who match our standards and values.

What’s the biggest lesson you learned in 2022? 

To slow down…in any job, particularly a start up, there will always be work to do! I can have a tendency of taking on too much and prioritising work over everything else but it is really important to step away and focus on life outside of work. Still working on this one!

Do you have any hobbies or interests? 

I love good food; experimenting with new recipes at home and eating out. We are so lucky to have some amazing restaurants on our doorstep (Yugo is my go to!). To balance out all of the food, I love a good adventure walk with Rory.

What advice would you give to companies/entrepreneurs right now? 

Be agile and go the extra mile. More than ever, customers want their needs to be anticipated and exceeded. It is important to stay connected to your customers and be prepared to adapt to set yourselves apart from competitors. When you surprise and delight your customers by exceeding their expectations, they are much more likely to remain loyal to your business and tell others about it too.This year I set up an NPS survey for our customers which has helped us gather direct insights and create a feedback loop for improvements.

Tell us something we would be surprised to know about you.

I left school when I was 15. I was diagnosed with ME when I was about 12 and I missed a lot of school over the years, which ultimately led to me not being permitted to sit my GCSEs.

Once I was well enough, I got a part time job and discovered a love for retail and customer service. I sat my Maths and English GCSEs later through a local college but I didn’t take on any further education until I was maybe 24 or so when I completed an Advanced Diploma in Management at Ulster University.

If you could pick up a new skill in an instant, what would it be? 

To speak dog! I would love to know what goes on in Rory’s mind sometimes…

What do you enjoy most about Ormeau Baths? 

The general vibe is great and it’s dog friendly; what's not to love?! Where I do generally live in my own little bubble, when I pop my head up every now and then, it's really nice to have people to chat to and I find it so interesting to learn about the different work everyone does.

Who is your dream business mentor? 

Mary Portas. I love the passion that she has for customer experience and how she uses this to transform businesses and drive improvements.

If you could win a lifetime supply of one thing, what would it be? 

Fortnum and Mason tea….

Where can people find out more about you/your business? 

www.lumitylife.co.uk

@lumitylife