FAC Insights: Interview with Makeda McMillan

FAC Insights is a forum for us to showcase and share long form pieces looking at various parts of the music industry and the society that shapes it. Pieces take the form of videos, interviews, discussions, articles and more.

This week we are thrilled to share an interview with Makeda McMillan talking all things Small Green Shoots, motherhood in the music industry and more.

Makeda McMillan went from being the first ever Shoot to Managing Director of Small Green Shoots. We spoke to her about her role and her experience of being a mother while working in the music industry. Small Green Shoots are a youth-led charity that supports young people from low income backgrounds in building careers in the music industry.

Please tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and your career.

I come from a large family of 7 siblings,  4 nieces, 4 nephews and 1 superhuman mother. I always knew I didn’t want to go to university (getting into that sort of debt wasn’t an option for me and I needed to get a job and start earning as soon as possible). I was always passionate about music and events but working in the industry just seemed so out of reach for me at the start, I didn’t know anyone from that world.

That all changed when I met Natalie Wade at age 14 on my creative apprenticeship, she had just started Small Green Shoots (SGS) and had worked in the music industry for 10+ years, she was from the east end like me, a woman of colour like me and a mother doing it all. So, I started working at SGS as the first shoot and made it my mission to absorb all the knowledge and training she gave me. After having my son aged 17 and seeing how she managed parenthood and her career gave me the confidence that I could do it too.

Could you tell us a bit more about your role at Small Green Shoots and your journey to becoming the Managing Director.

I started at SGS doing the admin, content, then the events and programming. While working a library job on the side to pay the bills! A few years after having my son, I had begun fundraising and delivering my own personal projects which led to me starting my own CIC (community interest company) MakedaMakes in 2020, an organisation delivering creative projects for emerging talent. I also freelanced quite a lot.

Nats went from being my boss to my mentor, and now one of my dearest friends. When I heard she was stepping down as managing director from SGS to take on more of a consultant role I would joke and say, “good luck in finding someone to replace you”… Little did I know that person would have been me!

But it was just a fit, I absolutely love SGS and me being in this position is a true representation of what the organisation stands for, pathing the way for the next generation. My role as managing director is to ensure the shoots are nurtured and supported in becoming the talented, confident, and skilled individuals we know they can be. It’s about holding them accountable, pushing them out of their comfort zone but also providing a safe space for them to make mistakes and learn from them.  Building their resilience really prepares them for the start of their careers.

What are some highlights from working at SGS?

Honestly, the biggest one is seeing the young shoots journeys from when they walk through the doors to when they achieve something for the first time. I feel like a proud mother of 100+ each time I go to one of their shows, they get their first industry job or when they come back to see me, and I see the transformation. It’s the reason I took on this role.

How does being a mother impact your career?

It is a struggle managing motherhood, family life and running 2 organisations. I think until you are doing it you will never understand just HOW difficult it can be. We have a whole routine before and after work, we don’t get to just shut off, but I feel like there’s no such thing as a perfect balance.

There are times I’m going IN at work, staying late getting in early going to networking events, freelancing at weekends.. but I feel terrible I haven’t spent as much time with my family. Then there’s times I take a break, spend time with them and then feel like I don’t have my finger on the pulse and I’m behind with work! The mum guilt is real, luckily, I have a supportive partner and family who help me every day, I don’t think I would have been able to achieve it without their support.

For me, I’m a strong believer of hard work pays off and if you want something get it. I wanted to be a mother and I wanted to be a career woman, so I make it work as best I can. I do truly believe being a young mother is a big part of why I have gotten this far, I’m not just doing it for me, failing is not an option.

Unfortunately, across all industries working in a team of predominantly women is rare, is there anything particular you think other companies could learn from SGS? Or advice you would give to women especially mothers in the wider music industry?

I am obsessed with my SGS team.. I mean we have a black female Chairwoman, Founder, MD, and a management team of 5 women 4 being black. Everyone talented, strong, and excelling in their careers. What?! Don’t play with us, I get goosebumps just saying it out loud.

Unfortunately, it is rare but at SGS we take the development of not just the shoots but our management team seriously, its simple… if you feel valued heard and appreciated you get better results. A company is only as strong as the weakest member, invest in your team and empower your women, we are more than just assistants and more capable than we get credit for.

All women coming into this industry, if there was any advice, I could give it would be to surround yourself with other women doing it on all different levels. Seeing you are not alone, gives you the strength and support you need to push on. Representation is so important. If you can see it, you can reach it. Also try to combat imposter syndrome, I’m guilty of it too but I have only ever heard women use this term, isn’t that funny?