Own It

Today we’re talking to Barbara Pantuso and Lisa Reid from Nimble Works. These sisters started their creative collaboration when they were kids with a fun neighborhood newspaper. But they didn’t always work together. In fact, Barbara started her professional career in the restaurant business. 

Lisa’s career was more rooted in writing and marketing creative. Eventually, the entrepreneurial spirit led the sisters into business together. Barbara talked Lisa into joining her in the venture that became Nimble Works which is now an amazing healthcare focused firm blazing new trails in creative and beyond.

We talked about their journeys to ownership and unique perspectives on closing the gender gap in ownership in our business.

I so love learning of different and interesting journeys.

Thanks for listening to this episode of OWN IT with Barbara Pantuso and Lisa Reid from Nimble Works. You can find links to her LinkedIn profile and the agency’s website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.

If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community. 

Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

Subscribe, rate and review wherever you found this podcast. For more, visit untilyouownit.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of OWN IT, we’re talking to Ali Cox from Noble West. It’s not every day that you run into an Olympic athlete. Ali not only is one, she was a member of the United States Silver Medal-winning Women’s Eight Rowing team in 2004. 

It’s also not every day you run into an agency owner that is also a farmer. Her family has farmed for generations in California's almond and melon fields. 

You might expect, then that Ali and her firm are focused on agriculture, and you would be right. But getting to that point was an evolution with some ups, downs, twists and turns. She takes us through all those in our conversation and has some poignant insights for new, young and aspiring agency owners to take to heart.

Thanks for listening to this episode of OWN IT with Ali Cox from Noble West. You can find links to her LinkedIn profile and the agency’s website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.

If you’re enjoying OWN IT, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community. 

Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

Subscribe, rate and review wherever you found this podcast. For more, visit untilyouownit.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of OWN IT, we’re talking to Allison Bakken from Collective Measures. Her path to ownership is very different and interesting. She began at an agency called Nina Hale, once a small agency owned by a woman. When Nina retired, she sold the company to its employees. 

Allison became the managing director and guided the company through a rebranding to become Collective Measures. She now leads a 100-person strong media agency in downtown Minneapolis. 

We talked about the ins and outs of that journey, the benefits of leading an employee owned firm and, of course, her ideas on why the agency ownership gender gap exists and how we can close it.  

I loved exploring the unique structure of the firm with Allison. It certainly opens your thinking to the different ways we can own it.

Thanks for listening to this episode of OWN IT. You can find links to Allison Bakken's LinkedIn profile and the Collective Measures website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.

If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community. 

Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

Subscribe, rate and review wherever you found this podcast. For more, visit untilyouownit.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of OWN IT we’re talking to Rachel Carlson and Jourdan Huys from the brand new agency Foul Mouth. They officially announced the firm’s opening the week before we spoke, I’m so excited to talk to new agency owners at the very beginning of their journey.

But make no mistake, Rachel and Jourdan are not new to the business. Both have a long list of successful work at a variety of the top agencies. But like many owners before them, found themselves between opportunities and said, “We should start our own agency!”

And from the sheer number of people in the business who have mentioned being excited to see what they build, everyone agrees they should have!

This was such a great conversation and you’ll love what they both have to say about what the problems and opportunities are in closing the gender gap in agency ownership. There’s so much goodness here.

Thanks for listening to this episode. You can find links to LinkedIn profiles for both  Rachel Carlson and Jourdan Huys, as well as a link to Foul Mouth's website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.

If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community. 

Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

Subscribe, rate and review wherever you found this podcast. For more, visit untilyouownit.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Own It, we’ve got something new and special for you. Our conversations about closing the gender gap in advertising agency ownership shouldn’t be limited to just one person asking the questions. So I’ve asked Carrie Kerpen, who you heard me talk to a few weeks ago, to step in and host an episode. Not only will she host from time to time, but so will many others who are active in our community. Today is just the first of many conversations from and with all of you.

This week, Carrie talks to Tahira White of 19th & Park. That firm evolved from Tahira’s production work for now business partner Whitney Headen, who at the time was working at Essence. Tahira tells the story behind the agency and name, which isn’t quite what you think. But then digs in deep to how they are attacking the diversity in staffing and creative output in truly innovative ways. 

Tahira also shares the secrets to getting in the room to work with the biggest brands in the world.

You’re really going to enjoy this conversation.

Thanks for listening to this episode of OWN IT with our guest host Carrie Kerpen. You can find links to the LinkedIn profile of our guest, Tahira White, as well as a link to her agency, 19th & Park, in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.

If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community. 

Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

Subscribe, rate and review wherever you found this podcast. For more, visit untilyouownit.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we’re talking to Nina Stanley of MOD. Her Philadelphia-based agency does amazing work around brand storytelling, strategy and creative, but is rooted in the study of consumer behavior, neuroscience and the psychology behind what makes advertising work.

That’s a long way from starting her professional career as a ballerina. We talked about that very unique career path and how its twists and turns shaped her thinking as an advertising creative and strategist.

We talked about the challenges and blessings of running an agency and the contradiction in the movement by brands to ensure authentic representation happens … while ignoring the authentic representation of women. 

What an important conversation. It’s ones like these that made me want to start this podcast. 

Thanks for listening to this episode of OWN IT with Nina Stanley of MOD.  You can find links to her LinkedIn profiles and the agency’s website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.

If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community. 

Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

Subscribe, rate and review wherever you found this podcast. For more, visit untilyouownit.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, we’re talking to Sam Laubach and Meghan Martin from Here & Now Creative Co. The two are actually cousins, so they run a family business. They didn’t start out as collaborators, though. And I love their origin story. Meghan texted Sam one day and said, “Why don’t we just start our own agency?” YES!!!!

They’re both designers, though each with a different approach to creative. Their firm specializes in brand development and brand design and does amazing work.

We explored their confidence in easing into ownership, the challenges they’ve faced and how they’ve carved out success, and of course, we addressed the challenges in addressing the gender gap in agency ownership.

Their story and energy is so exciting and energizing. You’re going to love this conversation. I know I did. 

Thanks for listening to this episode of OWN IT with Sam Laubach and Meghan Martin from Here & Now Creative Co. You can find links to their LinkedIn profiles and the agency’s website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.

If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community. 

Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

Subscribe, rate and review wherever you found this podcast. For more, visit untilyouownit.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, we’re talking to Lisa Slagle from WHEELIE! Her firm specializes in video-centric campaigns and rebrands, but they say their creative is for people who thrive outside. As you might expect, she deals with a lot of clients in the outdoor industry.

She’s an avid outdoor enthusiast like me. And being in Colorado helps her with that endeavor. She skis, snowboards, hikes and also has the experience of running a marathon.

We talked about her book-in-progress which is about having creative ideas and how they live in you. Her work with other female leaders in her community. And yes … we addressed the issues around women in ownership, not just leadership. 

She’s so very insightful and thoughtful. I really enjoyed my time with her. I know you’ll enjoy it, too.

Thanks for listening to this episode of OWN IT. You can find links to Lisa's LinkedIn profile and WHEELIE's agency website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.

If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community. 

Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

Subscribe, rate and review wherever you found this podcast. For more, visit untilyouownit.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, we’re talking to Carrie Kerpen of Likeable. Her agency was one of the early firms to lay claim on social media expertise and her business exploded with the trend. But she says that early and fast growth covered up a lot of problems she had to work through and learn from.

Carrie tells us about the power of having a clear vision for your agency and why you should think about selling your agency even if you aren’t ready to sell your agency. She says building it to sell will make your agency stronger, whether you sell it or not. And she has a great tool to help you determine how sellable your business is today, called the Whisper Score.

I loved this conversation. Carrie is full of energy. I learned a lot here and know you will, too.

Show Links:

• Dave & Carrie Kerpens' wedding coverage in Inc. Magazine

Thanks for listening to this episode of OWN IT. with Carrie Kerpen of Likeable. You can find links to Carrie's LinkedIn prfile and Likeable's agency website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.

If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community. 

Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

Subscribe, rate and review wherever you found this podcast. For more, visit untilyouownit.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, we’re talking to Stacy Durand of Smart Media Technologies. Stacy launched her own agency after years as the CEO of another. 

Stacy comes from the media buying segment of the industry, which as you’ll hear, is very different in gender dynamics. That turned out to be quite empowering for her. Our conversation about what needs to change for more women to own agencies is not what you might expect. 

Stacy also had some great advice for anyone aspiring to be an owner … or just anyone who is looking to succeed in this wonderful industry we call home. 

Thanks for listening to this episode of OWN IT. You can find links to Stacy Durand's LinkedIn profile and Smart Media Technologies' website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.

If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community. 

Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

Subscribe, rate and review wherever you found this podcast. For more, visit untilyouownit.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.