Ever wondered how your first job might shape your entire career? Mike Tsapazi, Managing Director at The Edison Agency with 25+ years experience across Nike, Bunnings and Cotton On Group, shares his journey from typography-obsessed graduate to creative director. His story reveals how embracing unexpected opportunities (hello, web design!) and focusing on core passions rather than specific skills can lead to a fulfilling creative career. Perfect for anyone starting out or wondering if they're on the right path. Spoiler: there's no such thing as the "wrong" path in creativity.
Starting your career can feel overwhelming, especially when you're not sure where that first job will take you. The creative industry is full of winding paths, unexpected turns, and opportunities to discover passions you never knew you had.
This question was answered by Mike Tsapazi, Managing Director at The Edison Agency, who brings over 25 years of retail expertise with iconic brands like Nike, Bunnings, Phillips and Cotton On Group. His human-centred approach to leadership and passion for unlocking creative potential makes him perfectly placed to share insights about career development.
Mike's story begins with a clear vision that didn't quite go to plan. Fresh out of university, he was convinced he'd become a type designer. "I was obsessed with typography. I would build my own fonts. I had a blog just talking about my love of typefaces," he recalls. He landed his first role at a funky design studio in Collingwood, expecting to focus on beautiful traditional graphic design.
But the industry had other ideas. Clients started requesting web design, which wasn't part of Mike's original plan. Rather than resist this shift, he embraced it, even though it meant putting aside his typography passion temporarily due to the limited font options available for web design at the time.
What started as an unplanned detour became the foundation of Mike's entire career. That early web design work evolved into digital design, then digital art direction, and eventually creative direction as a whole. "I fell in love with web design," Mike explains, showing how being open to new opportunities can lead to unexpected passions.
His journey illustrates an important truth: your first role doesn't have to be your forever role. Technology changes, industries evolve, and your responsibilities will shift as you grow.
Looking back, Mike reframes his career story with valuable insight. While he initially thought he was "only ever good at one thing," he now recognises something deeper: "I was truly passionate about art and design and creativity expressed through the visual image, and I was lucky enough to find that early in my career."
This perspective shift is crucial. Instead of being limited by specific skills or tools, focus on the underlying passion that drives you. Mike's love for visual creativity remained constant, even as the medium and methods evolved.
Mike's experience offers reassurance for anyone worried about getting pigeonholed. "For people out there who think that whatever they do next is a thing that they're going to be doing for the rest of their life, that is not going to happen," he emphasises. Jobs that exist today might not exist in the future, and new opportunities will emerge that we can't even imagine yet.
Your first role is just the beginning of your story, not the entire plot. It's a chance to learn, grow, and discover what truly excites you about creative work.
Remember, your career journey doesn't have to follow a straight line. Sometimes the most rewarding paths are the ones you never planned to take. Stay curious, remain open to new opportunities, and trust that your passion for creativity will guide you towards work that fulfils you.
With over 25 years in retail, Michael combines sharp commercial thinking with a people-first approach to leadership. He’s led transformation across brands like Nike, Bunnings, and Cotton On Group, and more recently, in the creative sector—overseeing operations, culture, and customer experience at an award-winning agency. Known for his curiosity and inclusive style, Michael empowers teams to drive meaningful change, balancing strategic growth with genuine care for the people behind the work.
Registered psychotherapist blending Jungian & Eastern approaches with modern science to support emotional wellbeing. Works holistically, tailoring therapy to each person, now based in Australia.
Founder of Never Not Creative, CEO of Streamtime & co-chair of Mentally Healthy, driven to make the creative industry fairer & more human. Believes great work should never cost wellbeing.
