This week on OWN IT, we’re talking to Julie Sheldon and Lindsay Waugh of Tough Love. They say very clearly they are not an agency. They are strategy partners for all things brand, communication and social. Both come from backgrounds in strategy and planning for a variety of brands and agencies of all sizes. They came together to start Tough Love just one year ago.
We talked about their inspirations, their journeys and, of course, the challenges of bringing more women to the forefront of ownership and leading agencies today. And we tried not to focus too much on our mutual love of skiing, though we certainly touched on that, too.
This was such a fun conversation. We know you’ll enjoy it just like we did.
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When two strategists with different backgrounds (e.g., social strategy and brand/shopper marketing) regularly collaborate and challenge each other's perspectives, the resulting work is significantly smarter and better. This partnership approach can fill strategic gaps for brands and agencies.
True success as a business owner means being connected to the actual work you love, rather than solely focusing on building a large business and delegating all tasks. It also involves creating a work environment that aligns with your desired lifestyle and accommodates personal commitments without apology.
Several factors contribute to the scarcity of female agency owners, including historical lack of opportunities (like equity), career interruptions due to caregiving responsibilities (maternity leave, child care, elder care), and a lack of visible female role models in senior leadership positions within the industry.
For more women to pursue agency ownership, it's crucial to increase the visibility of existing female owners. Seeing other women in leadership roles, taking up space, and sharing their experiences inspires and normalizes the path for the next generation. Additionally, actively using and engaging with communities of female owners provides invaluable support, advice, and a sense of shared strength.
What might traditionally be seen as career "interruptions" for women (like maternity leave or caregiving) should be reframed as valuable life experiences. These experiences enrich an individual's perspective, make them better at their jobs, and enhance their roles as mentors and employers, rather than diminishing their professional value.
