Sarah Brooks

Marketing manager, Purity Soft Drinks, on blowing up fruit, working for a CoolBrand and dancing

sarah brooks purity soft drinks

What was your first-ever job? I worked in a newsagent at 14. The owner trusted me to open up shop alone, which presented my first employment challenge as I’m 5ft 4in and had to get a 7ft heavy security grate off the door. 

What’s been your worst job interview? The most memorable feedback was from Karmarama. They said I wasn’t funky enough. I work for a CoolBrand now. That’s karma.

What was the first music single you bought? Tiffany’s I Think We’re Alone Now.

How do you describe your job to your mates? I get involved with everything from recipe and packaging development to pitching to customers and coming up with engaging consumer campaigns.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? Blowing up fruit!

What is the least rewarding part? Cleaning up the mess from blowing up fruit.

What is your motto in life? “Don’t compromise yourself, you’re all you’ve got” - Janis Joplin.

If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? I’d have a state-of-the-art dance studio installed in the office with sprung floor and a wicked sound system.

Do you have any phobias? Confined spaces.

If you could change one thing in grocery, what would it be? There is still room to make the grocery experience easier - same-day click & collect would be a lifesaver.

What luxury would you have on a desert island? My children for company and the best free entertainment.

What’s your favourite film and why? Life is Beautiful, directed by Roberto Benigni. It gets me every time.

What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? When I was working at Unilever my mum once accidentally emailed me on the team’s group email address signing off her email ‘Mummykins’.

Which celebrity would you most like to work with and why? Malala Yousafzai, the educational activist who survived a gunshot to the head and went on to achieve 11 straight As/A*s in her GCSEs and the Nobel Peace Prize to boot. Truly inspirational!

What animal most reflects your personality? I’m pretty eagle-eyed…