Hi and welcome to the OWN IT podcast, where we celebrate the growing number of (women and non-binary) ad agency owners and talk about buying out of the boys’ club of advertising, one agency at a time.
Today, we’re talking to Ashley Walters of Curiosity. She is another owner of a recent Ad Age Small Agency of the Year winner. Curiosity does such great work so I’m very excited to talk to her today.
Ashley and I talk about her journey to ownership, her path through the advertising industry. She was fortunate in her path to work for many great women in leadership positions, which we have discussed as being fundamental in inspiring future leaders.
One interesting story Ashley tells today is her diversion through sales, where at first she wanted little to do with it, but it ultimately led to her owning Curiosity.
It’s so much fun being on this side of the mic learning from amazing women. This episode is certainly a highlight for me.
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Working for strong female leaders, including a CEO, was fundamental in shaping Ashley's perspective and showing her that agency ownership was an achievable path for women. This early exposure to successful women in power positions normalized the idea of female leadership in the industry, contrasting with the "boys' club" experience some other women face.
Ashley initially resisted the offer to run sales for her previous company, seeing herself as a PR and social media specialist. However, by taking a chance on an unfamiliar role, she discovered a new passion and gained critical skills and visibility that ultimately paved her way to agency ownership. This demonstrates that stepping outside one's comfort zone can unlock significant career advancements.
Stepping into agency ownership fundamentally changed Ashley's perception of her work. While previously focused on specific departmental metrics, ownership broadened her responsibilities to encompass the entire company's well-being, including employee retention, financial health, and navigating broader societal challenges. This shift, though demanding, made her work more meaningful as she was building and nurturing something of her own.
Ashley emphasizes the value of feedback, viewing it as a gift to be received and given thoughtfully. She learned this principle through an improv workshop and applies it to her career, actively seeking feedback and using it for personal and professional growth. This approach suggests that a willingness to learn and adapt based on constructive criticism is crucial for advancement.
A key piece of advice Ashley offers to aspiring female agency owners is to have confidence in their abilities and intuition. She encourages women to take risks and bet on themselves, asserting that they are capable and will not disappoint themselves. This highlights the importance of self-belief and courage in pursuing entrepreneurial ventures.
