9 min read
2 Years at MadeByShape: From Pub Life to Agency Life
Two years might not sound like a long time, but for me, it feels like a lifetime of change. Looking back, the person I was before I joined MadeByShape and the person I am now are worlds apart.
Two years ago, I wasn’t sitting at a desk working from home or the studio, I wasn’t finishing early on Fridays, and I definitely wasn’t getting two weeks off at Christmas. Instead, I was running a pub. At just 22 years old, I was responsible for absolutely everything – staff, money, stock, maintenance, even making sure the grass outside got cut. It was a ridiculous amount of pressure, and to be honest, it consumed my entire life.
When most of my friends were spending weekends together, making memories, or planning their next night out, I was juggling rotas and dealing with broken toilet handles 🙃. On paper, it sounded like I had a big role at a young age, but in reality, it often meant sacrificing everything else.
Even when I did manage to book a day off, I was never truly “off.” If someone called in sick, I’d have to drop everything and step in. Holidays and birthdays blurred into normal workdays. Christmas – which should be the most festive (and fun) time of year – was the busiest and most stressful. Long shifts, 70+ hours a week, and zero chance to relax.
I felt like I had no balance. I’d imagined my early twenties being a time for having fun and making memories. Instead, I was watching those years disappear into long shifts behind the bar and constant responsibility.
Now life couldn’t be more different. Two years ago, I made the jump into something completely new: joining MadeByShape, a web design and branding agency.
It all started with a simple email to Andrew Golpys. Honestly, I didn’t expect much to come from it. At the time, there weren’t any open positions, but because I was local, Andrew suggested I pop in for a chat.
We sat down and talked through my background – what I’d done so far, what I was looking for, and where I wanted to go. I’d studied English Language at university, so writing had always been a strength, but I wasn’t sure how it could translate into a career. As it turned out, Andrew had been considering bringing a content writer into the team.
The timing couldn’t have been better. I was eager to try something new, and Shape was open to exploring what I could bring. I was given a writing task, invited back, and before I knew it – I’d landed the job. (Although, to be fair, turning up with a bacon butty for Andy Golpys that morning might have helped seal the deal 😂🥓).
I felt the difference straight away. Suddenly, my time was my own again. I had evenings and weekends free. I wasn’t on edge waiting for a phone call telling me someone hadn’t turned up for a shift. Instead, I could plan my life outside of work and actually follow through.
The agency world has its own challenges, of course. There’s deadlines and projects to complete – but it’s a kind of busy that leaves room for balance.
One of the biggest changes I’ve noticed in these two years is how I value my time. At Shape, Fridays mean a 2pm finish (if we’ve done all our work for that week). That early start is an opportunity to make plans and start the weekend off in the right way.
And then there’s Christmas. In my old life, I didn’t really get to enjoy this period at all. While everyone else was out making memories and switching off, I was behind the bar serving drinks – watching other people celebrate while I worked ridiculous hours. I barely caught a moment with my own family, and the season always felt like something I was giving to others rather than experiencing the holiday myself. And I love Christmas! 🎄 It’s my favourite time of the year but I did dread it when I worked in a pub.
At Shape, it’s the complete opposite. We close down for two whole weeks. Two weeks to switch off and spend time with family and friends.
Last year, Shape went all out and hired a mansion for our Christmas 2024 celebration. A proper thank you for the year we’d had. The place was stocked with food, drinks, games, and even a hot tub. We did Secret Santa, played games, and just had the best time. It was a reminder that the company genuinely values the people behind the projects. We have loads of team getaways throughout the year.
And things keep getting better – this year we’re having our Christmas party in Dublin. Flights and hotel all sorted. I’ve got a lot of Irish connections too, so I can’t wait. I’m sure a lot of Guinness will be consumed that night 🍻.
There’s a running joke in the office that I’m never not on holiday – and to be fair, these two years have been pretty full of them. I finally got to tick Glastonbury off my bucket list. Five days of sun, music, and absolutely melting in a tent while seeing some of my fave artists. I also spent a week in Fuerteventura, headed to Poland for a wedding, and took a trip to Belfast. On top of that, I’ve squeezed in plenty of camping weekends too 🏕️. And it doesn’t stop there – I have Thailand booked for 2 weeks in November ✈️.
None of this would have been possible without the holidays we get at Shape. Having this time off allows us to actually enjoy life outside of work, not just live for the odd weekend. These trips and experiences are the memories I’ll carry with me, and I love that work doesn’t stop me from making them.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned in these two years: the difference it makes when a company truly values its staff. At Shape, generosity isn’t just about these holidays or parties, it’s built into every part of the culture.
Little things make a huge impact. Being trusted to manage your own workload. Having flexibility when you need it. Working in an environment where people genuinely want to see you grow.
It’s something I didn’t realise I was missing until I had it. Back at the pub, recognition often came in the form of “well, the place is still standing, so you must be doing alright.” At Shape, appreciation is engrained into the way we work every day.
I think of both co-founders more like friends, and I have a huge amount of respect for them. It’s made me realise that leadership doesn’t need to feel intimidating. When you see leaders who treat everyone as equals, it changes the way you approach your own work. You feel empowered to contribute because you know you’re backed by people who genuinely want the best from you.
If there’s one thing Shape understands – it’s work-life balance. I’ve seen plenty of companies claim they care about it, but then offer nothing to actually back it up. At Shape, it’s different. They don’t just say “we care about our team’s work-life balance” – they live it. It’s something they genuinely recognise we all need as a team.
That’s why there’s flexibility built into the way we work. If I need to nip out for a haircut, get my nails done, or need to do something that’s hard to squeeze in outside of office hours, it’s never a problem. Life doesn’t always fit neatly around a 9-5 schedule, and Shape get that. Having the freedom to take care of those things during the day means you don’t feel constantly stretched between personal life and work – you can do both, without the stress.
Of course, we make up for any time missed. It works both ways – Shape respect us, so in return we respect them. Having that trust makes you want to give your best back.
It might seem like a small detail, but it shows trust, and it shows that the company values us as people, not just as employees.
Looking back on these two years, there are a few lessons that stand out:
Work-life balance is essential
I didn’t realise how much I needed it until I had it. Now, I can’t imagine going back to a job where I’m on-call 24/7 or have to work weekends. My free time is something I’d never give up now.
The right environment helps you grow.
Shape has given me the space to develop skills I didn’t even know I had. If I want to try something out, I’m given the space to do it. I might want to co-work one day or go to a networking event – whatever it is, it’s booked in. Another big difference is how easy it is to ask questions here. In previous jobs, I’d tiptoe around because I was worried about how the response might come across. At Shape, I’m given the openness and reassurance to ask, learn, and keep improving. I’ve grown so much as a person too.
It’s never too late to change paths.
At 22, I couldn’t see a way out of pub life. The job market is HARD – and even with qualifications behind me, it wasn’t straightforward. I’d ticked all the boxes on paper and still found it harder than expected to break through. Taking a risk into a completely different career felt scary, but it’s the best decision I’ve made. Sometimes the right path isn’t the one you planned for 🤩.
Culture matters more than perks.
The parties and holidays are amazing, but what really makes Shape stand out is the everyday culture. It’s the little things day to day – the way people treat each other, the trust we’re given, and the flexibility to work in a way that suits real life. Those everyday moments matter far more than any one-off perk, because they shape how it feels to come into work every single day.
If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that the leap I took two years ago was 100% worth it. I feel valued, supported, and most importantly … happy 😌.
Shape has changed the way I look at work and life. It’s shown me what’s possible when a company puts people first. Two years ago, I never would have pictured myself here. I thought responsibility meant giving up personal time, and that work had to take priority over everything else. But Shape has shown me another way.
Now, I have balance. I have weekends. I have Christmas with my family. I have a team that feels more like friends than colleagues. And on top of all that – I get to be part of work I’m genuinely proud of. The projects we create at Shape are the kind you actually want to shout about, because you know you’ve been part of something meaningful. The work we do here is pretty cool, right? And if the past two years are anything to go by, the future looks pretty fun too ✌️.
I'm Kerry. Content Writer at Shape – if you don't find me at my desk, I'm probably on holiday again 🌎✈️
