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 Danielle Wiley of Sway Group.
Daneille launched her agency in the middle of the social media and blogging boom of the mid-2000s because she wanted to help fellow bloggers earn more and find better representation in the marketing world. Almost 20 years later, she has one of the most successful and widely recognized influencer marketing firms in the business.
Danielle and I got into lots of interesting topics as we talked about the courage to become an owner, facing the fear and uncertainty of ownership, and the power of mentorship and support for those of us who do own, and those who aspire to.
Yet another amazing female owner to inspire you.
Thanks for listening to this episode of OWN IT. Learn more about Sway at swaygroup.com. Make sure to connect with Danielle on LinkedIn as well.
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Surrounding oneself with a supportive community and seeking out mentors is crucial for navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. Even seemingly unrelated communities can offer valuable support and a fresh perspective, highlighting the importance of connection.
The industry can benefit from more female agency owners by fostering a work environment that prioritizes humanity, flexibility, and understanding, especially for caretakers. This approach allows brilliant individuals who may have left the workforce due to rigid schedules to return on their own terms.
Despite having a great idea and the drive to pursue it, aspiring owners often face significant financial fears and imposter syndrome. Believing in oneself and finding others who believe in the vision are crucial steps in overcoming these internal doubts and taking the leap into ownership.
In the early days of influencer marketing, content creators, predominantly women, were often underpaid for their valuable work. There was a strong need to advocate for fair compensation and to empower influencers to create authentic, compelling stories rather than simply copying press releases.
