If your career path looks more like a bowl of spaghetti than a straight ladder, you’re not alone — and you’re probably doing better than you think.

Katie Harvey shares her journey from dropping out of university and starting work as a kitchen assistant in a factory, through procurement and sales roles, to leading a large food team. It’s a story rooted firmly in the realities of food manufacturing — long hours, changing roles, and learning on the job.

Amy and Katie talk candidly about why non-linear careers are common in food and retail, and how curiosity, asking “why”, and being willing to say yes before you feel ready can open unexpected doors.

They also dig into leadership on the ground: how to listen properly in 1:1s, why psychological safety matters in factories and offices alike, and how investing in the right training (not generic box-ticking) helps teams grow sustainably.

There are practical takeaways for anyone managing people — especially in high-pressure environments — plus a refreshing reminder that “soft” skills are often the hardest, and most valuable, ones to master.

Timestamps

00:00 Why decisions don’t need to be perfect, and adapting on the go

00:15 Welcome to Fearless Foodie and the purpose of this episode

00:41 Upcoming live recording at IFE, Excel London

01:23 The myth of straight-line careers and introducing the squiggly journey

02:10 First meeting and sharing real “squiggly” career stories

02:53 Career origin story, pivoting from university to a factory role

04:09 Moving into procurement, learning from scratch, and persistence in job hunting

06:11 The joy and lessons of procurement, curiosity, and wider exposure

07:16 Sideways career moves, transferable skills, and supporting women at work

08:38 Navigating tough years in sales and adapting to new challenges

09:43 Stepping into leadership, imposter feelings, and the power of being yourself

11:28 Feeling proud and choosing continuous learning

12:59 Why career pressure on young people is unnecessary and what really matters

15:25 The core transferable skills: communication, curiosity, and empathy

17:07 Creating psychological safety and why empathy matters at work

19:00 Sponsor shoutout

20:05 Recap and real talk about “soft” skills that are actually hard

20:18 Decision-making, learning from mistakes, and supporting team growth

24:02 Investing in training that fits the team, not one-size-fits-all

25:06 Supporting new starters, focusing on progress, and easing the pressure

28:00 Handling credibility questions and leaning into fresh perspectives

31:21 Team diversity, playing to strengths, and getting the support you need

33:56 Letting go of perfection and opening up to new experiences

34:47 Advice for leaders: listen more in 1:1s

35:51 Optimism for the next generation and keeping the fearless energy

36:23 Wrap-up and sharing the episode with someone who needs real career honesty

Connect with The Fearless Foodies

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Connect with Amy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amywilkinsoncoach/

Links and Resources:

If this episode resonated — especially the parts about being a woman in food and navigating the career squiggles — Fearless Women: Empowered to Rise is designed for women in the food and retail industry who want to lead with confidence and clarity, without burning themselves out: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/fearless-women-rise/

And join our FREE network at https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/fearless-women-connect/ Website

Work with Amy on leadership, culture & team development: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk