This week on Own It we’re talking to Amy Edwards from Quality Meats. Her firm does amazing work, but don’t take my word for it. They have earned Small Agency of the Year awards from both AdAge and AdWeek. The firm launched during the pandemic with no clients and no investors.
What they did have was two partners and a producer who wanted to do great work and remove what they call the “B.S.” of the advertising world. Obviously, they’ve succeeded in building an amazing company.
We talked about how that happened, how Amy came to be the head of such a great agency, and her thoughts on the gender gap in agency ownership. We learn so much from these conversations. This one is no different.
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When trying to break into an industry, identifying and connecting with people whose work you admire, even through unconventional means like cold calling, can open doors. The speaker's early career experiences in film and later in advertising highlight the effectiveness of direct outreach and showcasing genuine interest. Furthermore, when owning a business, an authentic connection with your team is crucial for success.
Taking risks, such as quitting a job without another lined up or moving to a new city for personal reasons, can build significant resilience and a deeper understanding of one's capabilities. These experiences, though challenging, prove that one can bootstrap their way into new opportunities and overcome obstacles.
In creative fields like advertising, the quality of the work is paramount. Consistently producing excellent work not only earns recognition and awards but also establishes a strong reputation for the agency. This focus on craft is essential for long-term success and growth, attracting both clients and talent.
Unlike traditional employment where one might easily leave a job, business ownership demands a "marriage mindset." This means a commitment to working through challenges and finding solutions rather than seeking an exit. This deeper commitment influences how one sells the agency and fosters a palpable sense of unity and shared purpose that clients can perceive.
A significant barrier to female agency ownership is the underrepresentation of women in creative leadership roles within the industry. Since creative output is central to an agency's identity, a lack of female creative leaders translates to fewer role models and opportunities for women to envision themselves as agency founders. Increasing female creative representation is crucial for fostering more women-owned agencies.
