Equate speaks to Molly McLachlan

Every issue, EQUATE will be speaking to an inspiring individual from the creative industry. For our second edition we speak to the super talented Molly McLachlan. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Molly was born in London and heads up Talent & Media Relations at TenThousand (10K) Projects.

EQ: How did you start your journey within your industry?

MM: Elliot has been a good friend of mine since college and while I was working at Condé Nast Publications in the UK, he called me up and asked if I would quit my job and move out to LA to help him build his record label. I was extremely hesitant to just quit everything I had been working towards and to move halfway across the world, but I was 23 at the time and I didn’t want to have any regrets. At the time, there were only 3 of us at the company, so I really had to learn every aspect of the business very quickly, whether it be finance, A&R, admin or marketing, I had to be ready for anything and everything.

EQ: What inspires you in your day to day life and in turn your work?

MM: It’s inspiring to know that I am helping to change the lives of these extremely talented children. Every artist on our roster is phenomenal in their own way and I have the opportunity to be a part of their journey. Not only am I able to watch them grow into the best artists they can possibly be, but to also watch them grow into upstanding young adults. I truly care about the wellbeing of each and every artist at TenThousand Projects (10K); they are my inspiration.

EQ: If you were to describe your style as creative in the Entertainment Industry in three words, what would they be and why?

MM: Simple, timeless and tomboyish. I almost always wear black, or white, and I usually wear items that aren’t trendy and won’t go out of fashion. I don’t love wearing skirts or dresses and if I do, I pair them with trainers to balance out the girliness.

EQ: What are some of the misconceptions society has of the Music Industry?

MM: A lot of people assume that the music business is run by a group of old men, who are solely interested in making money, and while that is sometimes the case, I have seen the industry evolve into one that has begun to listen and react to the younger generations. Sir Lucian Grainge has really spearheaded this evolution within the music business through his willingness to innovate and evolve. The leaders within the industry have really started to accept that times change, and in turn, labels need to change with them. That is a huge part of why 10k has been so successful. Elliot founded this company with a mission to change these preconceptions surrounding record labels. I am also seeing increasing amounts of women who are being celebrated within the industry. Women are empowering and supporting one another, and it’s a truly exciting time for the business.

EQ: What do you think are the key elements to succeed in your industry?

MM: Be humble and don’t stop learning. This industry is constantly evolving and there is always something to be learnt. Never be afraid to ask questions! People are far more willing to take the time to educate than you might think.

EQ: Describe a typical day in the life of Molly?

MM: There is definitely no ‘typical day’ in my life! I am always ready to be thrown a curve ball at any hour of any day. I typically wake up at 7am, I drink some coffee and go to the gym to prepare myself for the day. I head into the office, where I drink some more coffee, and I answer the emails that have piled up overnight from the international teams. I usually have meetings and conference calls throughout the day and I either head to the studio at night, or I do my best to be in bed by 10pm.

EQ: You have a great natural style, what inspires your fashion sense and tell us about some of your wardrobe essentials?

MM: My style is mostly inspired by my mum. She has always been stylish, and she definitely taught me how to make good investments in clothes/accessories. My wardrobe essentials consist of leather jackets, blazers, jeans and lots of t-shirts. I have definitely become increasingly casual since I moved to LA!

EQ: In a role that involves a lot of travel, what do you do to prepare for all the back and forth?

MM: It’s difficult to prepare for all the travel I do, as I never know where I’m going to be ahead of time. I am constantly doing laundry to ensure my clothes are all clean and ready to be packed at any given moment. I try to ensure I’ve done as much work as possible before I travel, as it’s difficult to keep up with emails when I’m on the go.

EQ: What is your must have for 2019?

MM: I would like to invest in pair of Chanel boots for autumn. It’s definitely not a necessity, but I like to treat myself!

EQ: Tell us something completely random about you?

MM: I am fully obsessed with donuts.

Images provided by Molly McLachlan

. Follow Molly & TenThousand (10K) Projects on socials: Instagram: @guacamolly, @10kprojects. Twitter: @mollycmclachlan.