Courtney Leary, Meatsmith
What is your role at Trader House, what does this involve?
I am the Store Manager of Meatsmith in Fitzroy and Balwyn. My main focus is leading the teams in delivering great customer service and in-store experience. I also look after day-to-day management, as well as product quality and selection, liaising with other departments (such as our butchery and production team), stock purchasing and control, assisting marketing with content and, importantly, the commercial success of the stores.
What has been your journey in hospitality prior to joining Trader House?
I’m originally from Tasmania, but moved to Melbourne as a teenager and after high school I returned to Tassie to study, but eventually made the move to full-time hospitality, working in a number of small restaurants, pubs and bars. When I moved back to Melbourne, I started with Trader House in 2013 and worked across a variety of front of house roles at Cumulus Inc. for five years. During this time, I completed a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Professional Writing and Editing. I left hospitality for a while, looking to explore opportunities outside of hospitality, and landed a role in office management, administration and finance at an experiential marketing agency. This was great and taught me a whole new set of skills, but didn’t fare too well over the pandemic. At the same time, Meatsmith was thriving, and I came back to Trader House towards the end of 2020 as a Christmas casual. This grew to becoming a full-time supervisor, then assistant manager and eventually the store manager of the Fitzroy store late last year. My role has recently expanded to also oversee the Balwyn store.
What do you like to do when you're not at work?
Spending time with my family is really important to me, I love being an auntie. I enjoy socialising, cooking, getting away for the weekend. I’m keen to get back into some travel (going back to Vietnam is on my radar). Wine is part of my job but it’s also a hobby outside of work (I’ve just completed WSET level three, which I am proud of). I’m a bit of a nerd and love reading and doing puzzles, when I have the time.
Are there any women in hospitality (or other industries) that have inspired you and/or mentored you?
The first person that comes to mind is Hayley Williamson. We worked together at Cumulus Inc. and then at the marketing agency where she was the General Manager. She now works in the not for profit sector. She is by nature very generous and giving but also has the ability to be really strong, direct and brave (when it really counts).
If you could give one piece of advice for women thinking of embarking on a career in hospitality what would that be?
‘Nothing’s set in stone. Just because there’s a common perception of what it might be like that’s not always the case – you can choose your own path. Hospitality is full of opportunities.’
What’s next for you in your career and what are your long-term aspirations?
Short term, Meatsmith had a huge period of growth over the pandemic. More than a year on and we’re still finding our new normal and how to operate at our best and most efficient capacity. It’s been a period of transition and I’m still very focused on leaning into my role, solidifying the team. We have a cookbook launching later this year which is incredibly exciting, and Christmas will be here again before we know it. Longer term, I always have in the back of my mind that ultimately, I need to replace myself in my role. At some stage, I’d love to have a role that has an influence over all four of the Meatsmith stores.
