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 Elena Rivera-Cheek of Copy & Art. She came up through the copy side of that equation in the healthcare space thanks to a childhood expectation to become a doctor. But she followed the calling to Own It 11 years ago, and has built an outstanding agency.
Like many women agency owners, Elena’s experience with motherhood influenced her decision to plant her own flag rather than work for someone else.
Another thing I love about Elena is that she spends a lot of time exposing the advertising business to schools and students to ensure the industry reaches young people, particularly in underserved populations.
So inspiring and such a delight to talk to.
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Elena discusses how her childhood experiences, such as storyboarding car commercials to music, unknowingly primed her for a career in advertising. However, because she didn't know anyone in the industry, she initially considered more traditional paths like being a doctor, lawyer, or teacher. This experience fuels her passion for exposing underserved youth to the advertising industry.
Elena emphasizes that a significant turning point in her business success came when she started focusing on her personal development about three years ago. She believes that dedicating time to becoming a "better human" directly led to improvements in her business, highlighting the importance of continuous self-improvement for entrepreneurs.
Elena shares her rigorous daily routine, which includes starting with an intense Orange Theory workout, journaling to process thoughts and fears, and meditating, often focusing on gratitude. She views these practices as essential for building the mental and physical resilience needed to navigate the challenges and uncertainties of running an independent ad agency.
Elena explains that her initial motivation for starting her agency was her family. However, with each employee she hired, her sense of purpose and joy expanded. She feels responsible for their well-being and aspirations, which drives her to work harder and ensures the agency's success supports a growing number of people.
Elena's core philosophy for success, especially as a woman and minority in her field, is to relentlessly outwork her competition. She believes that consistent effort, continuous learning, and an unwavering commitment to improvement will always prevail over talent, background, or perceived advantages, a lesson she wants to impart to all aspiring individuals.
