In today’s world, truly successful businesses go beyond simply providing a product or service to deliver value. They can have purpose and a positive impact on communities – purpose that shapes and even defines their overall brand.

This week Jillian welcomes someone who embodies this ideal: Director of Marketing and Digital for the Tory Burch Foundation, Molly Heffernan, the mind behind big wins like the global campaign #embraceambition and the first Tory Burch Foundation pop-up shop. As part of her work with this foundation, she helps empower women through programs and initiatives that invest in the success and sustainability of women-owned small businesses – important especially now during the pandemic.

This episode dives into the campaign’s origin and mission to help women welcome and embrace their ambitious side. Jillian and Molly discuss the struggles female entrepreneurs often experience when it comes to internalized biases arising from society’s perception of them. In addition, Molly outlines her top 3 pieces of advice to small business owners, including the importance of pivoting your business in light of COVID-19.

Takeaways from this episode with Molly:
- Envision your business after the pandemic and begin working backwards from there.
- Find a way to reach people and help, even when circumstances change – even if you have to rethink your business a bit.
- Seek a fresh perspective. Don’t be afraid to ask the community, brand ambassadors, and more to crowdsource ideas and inspiration.
- Pursue and jump on opportunities as they arise, knowing that you’re worthy to have a seat at the table.
- Tap in to your brand story in an authentic way. It’s not just about what you sell; it’s about who you are and what you stand for. In particular, women in business have compelling stories, so don’t be afraid to share them to connect with your audience.
- Understand that your mission can be a strong differentiator in the market.

Topics Discussed:
- Female Empowerment
- Tory Burch Foundation's work
- Leading a business during COVID-19
- Impostor Syndrome
- Ambitious Female Leaders
- Women Owned Businesses
- Growth Mindset
- How to Grow a Brand
- Resources to grow a brand

Resources Mentioned in This Podcast:
http://www.toryburchfoundation.org/resources/
https://www.instagram.com/toryburchfoundation/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/toryburchfoundation/
https://twitter.com/ToryBurchFdn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollyheffernan/

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www.thegoodofficepodcast.com
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Show notes and more resources:
thegoodofficepodcast.com/episodes/13

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https://mariemae.com