This week on Own It, we’re talking to three owners all together. Lauren Buckley, Allie Fendrick, and Kate Meehan are the power trio behind the Hush Collaborative. Right off the bat the common thread we learn about them is they are all adventurous. They dance, they travel, they study and research herbs … we're almost jealous of all their experiences.
Lauren, Allie and Kate started Hush in 2020. Its focus is to partner with companies who struggle because their strategies are abstract, they work in siloes and experience frustrations like employee attrition. We love their broader-than-advertising perspective to the agency ownership gender gap. We're sure you’re going to enjoy these perspectives, too.
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Hush Collaborative's name reflects their core philosophy that effective strategic work requires quieting oneself to truly listen, hear diverse opinions, and allow insights to emerge. This approach challenges the traditional advertising model where the loudest voice often dominates, advocating instead for a more collaborative, inclusive, and thoughtful decision-making process.
Hush Collaborative was founded on the principle of placing values first, aiming to create more authentic partnerships with clients. They believe in thoughtful and intentional collaboration, building solutions *with* their partners rather than simply delivering them. This collaborative process ensures that strategies are adopted and truly stick within an organization, moving beyond the superficial implementation often seen in traditional agency models.
Many agencies focus on changing customer behavior or external communities. Hush Collaborative, however, identifies a critical gap: the disconnect between a company's external goals and the internal team's ability to execute them. They focus on bridging this gap by addressing strategy, systems, and human behavior within organizations, ensuring that internal teams are equipped and aligned to achieve external objectives. This involves focusing on people-first approaches to facilitate change adoption.
The underrepresentation of women in advertising agency ownership is attributed to systemic issues, specifically internalized misogyny and the patriarchy. This manifests in differential treatment of men and women, even when facing similar challenges or making similar requests within an organization. To counter this, women in leadership must be brave advocates for those below them, challenging existing systems and fostering solidarity to create more opportunities for female ownership and leadership.
For women considering agency ownership, the advice is to overcome internal doubts about capability and to actively seek help and support. The journey won't be easy, but the community of women in ownership is growing and ready to support new ventures. Taking the risk, even if it feels uncomfortable, is crucial for personal growth and for changing the landscape of the industry. The world needs more diverse leadership and creative solutions that women can bring.
