Teejay Bui-Mata'afa is a mother of two who graduated from the Master of Business Administration program in 2019. Since graduating, she has become the People and Culture Manager of Australia for Removery (tattoo removal organisation) and a Co-owner of Paradox Tattoo (tattoo studio).
In this interview, Teejay shares her unique professional journey across several industries and her aspirations for 2024. We, the MBA Team hope you enjoy getting to know Teejay, a valued member of the Griffith University MBA Community.
Can you tell us about your professional journey from HR Assistant to People and Culture Manager?
It’s been a wild journey! I started my career in a business owned by the Seventh Day Adventist Church and was shocked at the fact that they prayed before meetings! I then moved into the construction industry and heard more cursing in my first meeting than I did in the whole two years I worked for the previous business. What I learnt was that HR is nothing like they describe in the textbooks!
Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with some brilliant mentors and leaders in the dental and health insurance industries. I’ve worked in every function of human resources and really thrive in the sweet spot of employee experience, continuous improvements, and HR technology – I find these aspects so exciting and fascinating. As a People and Culture Manager, I’m passionate about creating a culture of trust and effectiveness in businesses and in my current role, building the people experience from scratch has been so rewarding.
Can you tell us about Removery and what drew you to this organisation?
What I love most about Removery is that it is a values-driven and people-first organisation. Our organisation works hard to create and nurture that alignment across the client, candidate and employee experiences, that connection throughout is so important.
Removery helps clients to align how they feel on the inside, with the outside and to do that you must be non-judgemental, compassionate and kind. Our leaders work hard to make sure we drive those values top-down.
The businesses that I am drawn to, are ones with purpose and that value community and giving back. Removery has some amazing community programs such as INK-nitiative that offer people who can’t afford tattoo removal a second chance at life, such as gang members wanting to remove their face tattoos and free radiation dot removal for cancer patients.
You’re the co-owner of Paradox Tattoo, however you also work in the tattoo removal industry. In your opinion, what is different and complimentary about these two industry sectors?
The experience of getting a tattoo and a tattoo removed are similar. Both are intimate experiences that take time and can be both costly and painful. Both experiences also rely heavily on the trust and connection with your artist or specialist. What’s different about the two sectors is that they remain largely separated and in competition with each other, and what is complimentary is that when the two sectors work well together, there is a production of some beautiful artwork. I see a beautiful partnership between the two sectors which would really ensure the preservation of skin and art, but that will take time.
What advice would you share with fellow human resource professionals on how to prepare for the future of work?
I really believe that the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the idea of work for many of us. Employees have learnt that they can be productive outside the regular 9 to 5, and more than ever before preserving one’s mental health is the number one priority.
Self-care is the new healthcare and HR professionals should be more flexible and supportive than ever before. Focus on positive duty, and not just in the sexual harassment space. Managing health and wellbeing to support productivity should be prioritised.
In addition, we will not see the slowing down of technology such as Artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to evolve the people landscape. The HR profession has traditionally been slow to get on the technology band wagon, move people move!
What are some of the most valuable courses and/or experiences you have had in your MBA program?
They were all valuable – but what I really enjoyed was the Data Analysis, Sustainability and Strategy courses as they were so relevant to the challenges many organisations were and are still facing.
The experience that has stayed with me was travelling with a group of MBA students on the Asia Pacific Business Studies exchange to China and Hong Kong. We really connected as a group and had a great time visiting factories in Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
You have returned to the University as one of our much-valued mentors. What does mentoring mean to you?
I’ve been blessed to have had some amazing mentors and leaders throughout my career, so being a mentor at Griffith University has allowed me to give back. The mentees are in the early stages of their education and careers, a critical time. I remember being at that stage early in my career and wishing I had someone to turn to. It’s a wonderful program that is accessible and valuable in all aspects.
What is one goal you'd like to achieve professionally or personally in 2024?
2024 for me, is all about slowing down, being present and committing to only things that make me feel good such as spending more time travelling with my kids and doing more community work.
How do you balance your work and lifestyle commitments whilst being a Mum of two?
I read a quote that said, ‘the only people who will remember you worked late in 20 years, are your children’ and that really resonated with me. When I am not working, I try my best to be present with my boys, and I can only do that by setting and sticking to some firm boundaries.
Time management is key, as is asking for help and learning to say no to things I just don’t want to do. These things are all easy to say out loud but can be difficult to achieve. I don’t think I’ve mastered any of them just yet, but trying is making all the difference. Coffee also helps a lot!
If you have a question for Teejay, we encourage you to connect on LinkedIn.
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