Dynamic Duos: ‘Our partnership is defined by a great yin and yang balance’
This week in Dynamic Duos, co-founders of Example, MD Rebecca Jarvie-Gibbs and CEO Andy El-Bayeh, share details of their 15 years of friendship and collaboration.
In Dynamic Duos, Mumbrella each week asks two colleagues with a professional and personal affiliation to share with readers the importance of workplace relationships in an increasingly hybridised world of work.
Rebecca Jarvie-Gibbs:
Now this is really winding back the clock. Andy and I met in 2008 – both in our early 20s, both hungry to make strides in our careers and raring to take on far greater responsibility than our ages would have suggested we were ready for. I was working at a PR agency, he was my client – the marketing manager of a leading hospitality group. I recognised in him the same fire in his belly that had been burning in me, so we immediately bonded and became fast friends and trusted colleagues.
A few years later our partnership really solidified. While I was cutting my teeth in London PR, Andy had progressed up the marketing ranks at hospitality giant Merivale and in 2013, he and another former colleague invited me back to take on the role of as the in-house PR manager. We spent the next four years working side by side, leading the brand through the group’s fastest period of growth.
We decided to relinquish the security of our well-established roles to launch Example in 2017, equipped with a focused determination and an unshakable trust in each other.
Our partnership is defined by a great yin and yang balance, built on big ambitions and pushing one another to strive for more. We respect and admire in each other what doesn’t come as easily to ourselves. He’s brave and bold, the risk taker who is continually looking to push us into the future. I’m guided by stability, so I like to think I add a dash of caution to the mix. We’re always aligned with where we’re going, but consider different paths to get us there – we inevitably meet somewhere in the middle.
Andy El-Bayeh:
In our roaring twenties, I was navigating the world of marketing at Keystone Hospitality, while Rebecca was a publicist at a boutique PR agency. Business brought our worlds together, with we enlisted her agency to work on our, like the iconic Cargo Bar, The Loft Bungalow, and Gazebos. It wasn’t just work, it was more; a partnership founded on mutual respect and admiration. Her PR acumen, her knack for getting the best results was unparalleled. Even as she ventured to London, our professional camaraderie held strong.
Fast forward to my chapter at Merivale. Despite the myriad of talents I was surrounded by, there was a Rebecca-shaped void. I lured her back to Australia to helm PR, especially at the budding age of 25. Together, we conceptualised, created, and launched some of Merivale’s most iconic venues, like Coogee Pavilion, The Newport, Queen Chow, and The Beresford. We also brought to life events, festivals and helped build the reputation of Merivale through the media over its biggest years of growth. Our collaborative energy came to define so much of our work together From this, Example was born.
Rebecca on Andy:
Most memorable moment with Andy: The launch of our agency home, Example House, in 2019 is definitely up there. We were only a couple of years into operation and looking for a new office to accommodate our growing team. Andy found this beautiful site in Rushcutters Bay – a historic smash repairs that had been completely gutted, leaving behind only dusty floors and sandstone walls.
Taking on a huge space and converting it into an co-working office space was certainly a big risk – no doubt one you only make with the naivety of a start-up – but it was the best thing we could have done for Example’s growth. It was a physical manifestation of our brand, somewhere that set the tone for the impact we wanted to have. It continues to be a really special place to work.
On a more personal note, Andy MCing my wedding in Ibiza was pretty damn special. He knocked it out of the park.
Best word to describe him: Ambitious.
Andy isn’t afraid to dream big and put in the hard yards to get there. He has an infectious drive and an admirable work ethic. He’s incredibly resourceful and can spot an opportunity a mile off. He’s also skilled networker and a brilliant negotiator. Basically all the things you want in a business partner!
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour he has: His most endearing quality is his eagerness to embrace shiny new toys, namely technology. There is nothing that excites Andy more than a new tool or tech hack and he’s continually looking for the next best thing to make his, and our lives, more efficient. I know he thinks I’m a complete luddite and truthfully if it was left to me, the agency would still be using old-school notepads so it’s certainly a habit I’m grateful for.
Andy on Rebecca:
Most memorable moment with Rebecca: Whilst I had left Merivale and was trying to make a permanent move to New York. In this maelstrom, a call from Rebecca came in posing an electrifying proposition: “Let’s start a business together!” I stood at a crossroads – take the big job in NYC or take an uncharted entrepreneurial dream with Rebecca.
We took the leap, grounded by our braveness. Initial days were humbling, operating from our childhood homes, fueled by sheer passion. Eighteen months in, ambition beckoned. An old smash repair garage in Sydney caught our eye. Risky? Absolutely. But we saw it as the future Example House. Against all odds, with a sprinkle of ‘woo woo’ magic and relentless perseverance, it became our crowning achievement.
Our professional triumphs mirrored personal milestones – weddings, globetrotting adventures, home renovations, and facing global challenges. But the essence? Our laughter, spontaneous and embarrassing dance offs, raw conversations, and those out there staff parties. This mosaic of moments, enriched by phenomenal talents we’ve had the pleasure of having work for us and collaborated with, crystallizes into our very own recipe for magic.
Best word to describe her: Vivacious!
Imagine a neon purple – audacious and vibrant. She’s an exhilarating blend of quirky, passionate, and electric. Whether it’s jamming to a britpop number, charting her next escapade, or immersing in floral design aesthetics, she’s a whirlwind of exhilaration. With Rebecca, life is always in technicolour.
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour she has: The Rebecca conundrum! Her ability to articulate just the right words at the opportune moment is both astonishing and, occasionally, exasperating. Here I stand, a fervent dreamer, always itching to push boundaries. And there’s Rebecca, anchoring our ship with her measured pragmatism, considering emotions, timing, and even celestial alignments! My unbridled enthusiasm often soars, but it’s Rebecca’s calculated approach that ensures we soar without crashing. This push and pull? It’s not an impediment; it’s our strength. The balancing act of our yin and yang is what makes our partnership special.
Got a tip?
Lauren McNamara is a journalist at Mumbrella, covering the creative and PR beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
Linkedin
Have your say