Renee’s ratio: 1 percent talent, 99 percent sticking at it. She switched paths more times than a curious kitten, yet hard work and a strong support crew carried her from “What’s a TARP?” to global account lead.
We’ve all done it — that late-night scroll through social media where everyone else seems to be effortlessly smashing goals while you’re sitting there wondering, Am I just not talented enough? It’s a question that can keep you up longer than any double espresso, making you doubt whether you’re even on the right path or if you should pack it in and try something completely different.
This honest chat between Andy Wright, Co-Founder of Never Not Creative and CEO of Streamtime, and Renee Hyde, Group Managing Director at Howatson+Company, dives right into that knotty question. Their conversation is a welcome reality check on what really drives success in the creative world — and you might find it more reassuring than you expect.
When Andy asked Renee about the balance between talent and sheer persistence in her career, her reply was quick and pretty striking:
"99% not giving up, 1% talent."
That might sound extreme, but Renee’s story shows exactly what she means. She didn’t start with a clear plan or an obvious knack for advertising that had her destined for success.
"I had no idea what I wanted to do when I left school. I went to performing arts school, I thought I wanted to be an actress. And then I saw how many people desperately wanted my dream and I was like I don't think I want it quite enough to dedicate my life to it."
What’s so refreshing about Renee’s story is how openly she talks about the messy reality of figuring it all out. Her career didn’t follow a neat, straight line — far from it. She tried things, changed her mind, made unexpected choices, and just kept putting one foot in front of the other.
"I had business, dentistry, all like very bizarre preferences. And I ended up doing a business degree and I was choosing my majors in the second year and I said to my mom, I think I might do accounting. I'm pretty good at it. It's quite easy... And she said, oh, you're far too interesting for that."
And so she found her way into marketing, and then advertising — almost accidentally — thanks to a family connection. It’s a good reminder that you don’t always have to have a master plan. Sometimes it’s more about staying open to what comes your way and being willing to change tack.
If there’s one thread running through Renee’s journey, it’s this: what kept her moving wasn’t raw talent alone, but a genuine love for what she does.
"I honestly have always just been so passionate about the process of creation and the teamwork in our industry. I love the people part of it. I love the connection."
That passion fuelled her persistence. Even when things got really tough — like running big accounts she’d never tackled before or starting a new company with a nine-month-old baby in tow — she kept going.
"Most of my success I would 100% put down to just working harder and not ever kind of giving up at the biggest challenges."
Another thing that stands out is how Renee handles the stuff she doesn’t know (which, let’s face it, is where many of us freeze up). She doesn’t see it as a reason to back away — she just gets stuck in and figures it out as she goes.
"I came back here, had a baby and then went and ran the Samsung account, which was media. I'd never run a media account. I had no idea how to do, what a top was, you know, and I kind of learnt that."
And when she and her team started their own company? Same story:
"For the first 3 years, we didn't have a CFO. I had no idea how to run a P&L, but we were doing it."
Andy raised a point that hits home for many of us — success isn’t always 100% within our control. Opportunity and timing play a huge part too. Renee knows this well and she shared how she tackled timing that felt anything but ideal:
"I had a 9 month old baby when we started Howatson+Company and I was like this is just the worst timing but I'm gonna regret this so much if I don't do it."
It’s a good reminder that the “perfect moment” rarely arrives gift-wrapped. Sometimes you just have to say yes and trust you’ll figure it out, messy timing and all.
One thing Renee is clear about: you can’t do it alone. The people around you matter. A lot.
"I'm also a huge advocate for putting support around yourself that helps you be successful. So I've had wonderful help and wonderful support from my family and my husband as well."
And perhaps her biggest superpower? Knowing which leaders to follow:
"I think my actual best talent in the industry has been to follow great leaders I've had great leaders that have really supported me, championed me, taught me."
Throughout their chat, a few golden threads about mindset kept popping up:
If you take nothing else from this, remember this: success isn’t reserved for the innately gifted. It’s not about having it all figured out from the get-go. It’s about staying curious, learning as you go, finding good people to have in your corner, and — above all — not giving up when things get tough.
So next time you find yourself wondering if you’ve got what it takes, think of Renee’s 99% to 1% ratio. Your persistence, your curiosity, your willingness to make mistakes and keep going — those are the things that really matter.
And you’re definitely not alone in feeling this way. The best part? That 99% is all yours to control.
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Renee is responsible for client and agency leadership at Howatson+Company. She specialises in running large, integrated clients both locally (Allianz, Samsung, CBA) and globally (Marriott International, IBM, Microsoft, Google) having worked in leading agencies in Australia and New York like M&C Saatchi, CHE Proximity and Anomaly. Renee has a unique skill set having worked in various capacities including consulting, media, customer experience and communications. She has birthed, built and grown brands and is at her best with complex challenges to solve. Renee is also a mentor at the Trenches, a qualified Mental Health first aider and has been recognised by Campaign Asia as a Woman to Watch and by B&T on their Women in Media Power List. As a mother of two young girls, Renee is a passionate advocate for diversity of all forms and is constantly tired.
For the past 13 years, Sharon has worked as a Psychologist, aiming to authentically connect with people to help them feel safe and heard. She believes, if we can gain insight into why we might think, feel and behave a certain way, we can make more sense of our current lives and then, with a growth mindset of self-compassion instead of a fixed mindset of shame, we can consciously implement positive change. Sharon has a holistic approach, she is informed by Existentialism, Neuroscience, Polyvagal Theory and Attachment Science. Sharon believes if we can accept that the behaviours we developed as children were necessary for our survival and if we can understand that all the emotions we feel provide insight into our deepest values, we can live purposeful and meaningful lives. Sharon is currently working on an online program called Taking Up Space. The program empowers women who tend to default to people pleasing behaviours. The program focuses on building insight into ones behaviours, developing emotional competence (learning how to regulate and learn from all emotions we feel) as well as building courage to integrate these insights into our everyday lives so that we can live more authentically. Sharon is also a contributor to Newspaper articles (Sydney Morning Herald), Radio (ABC) and TV (Sky News, Channel 7 Sunrise), and is the Psychologist for eHarmony Australia.
Andy Wright is happiest in a well‑worn baseball cap. As founder of Never Not Creative, he rallies a worldwide community determined to make the creative industry kinder and fairer. He also steers Streamtime as CEO and co‑chairs Mentally Healthy. Different titles, same purpose: brilliant work should never cost anyone their wellbeing. Never Not Creative was born when Andy decided it was time to stand up and make the industry a better place. What started as one person calling for change has grown into a movement that shares research, sparks honest conversations, and builds practical tools that help teams thrive. Andy’s rule of thumb: protect the humans and the great work will follow. Picture a studio cat giving you a gentle nudge to stretch, breathe, and log off before the midnight oil even thinks about burning. Off the clock, Andy is dad to three energetic kids, husband to one exceptionally patient partner, and a loyal Everton supporter (character building, he insists). Whether he is championing healthier workplaces or cheering the Toffees through a tense ninety minutes, Andy believes creative success should leave everyone standing a little taller, not lying flat from exhaustion.
