How Lianne Kim of Mamas & Co., Owns It
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 Lianne Kim from Mamas & Co. She is a business coach for Mom entrepreneurs. A big part of her mission and her own business is setting priorities around family and being protective of her time away from work.
There’s so much inspiration and information that pours out when you talk to Lianne. She hosts MamaCon, a conference for moms who run businesses, in Toronto each year. She hosts a successful business podcast. But she also sits around the table with her family each night and shares her day, and checks in with theirs.
As you might imagine, Lianne is excited about exploring the issues we face in closing the gender gap in agency ownership. She talks about her business with her daughters and has some interesting ideas on how we can create more pathways to ownership for little girls and those who are coming next.
Enjoy this conversation with Lianne Kim.
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Key Takeaways
EPISODE: Lianne Kim
1. Model the Possibility of Entrepreneurship for the Next Generation | [00:04:40]
Lianne actively involves her children in her business, explaining her work, clients, and even having them attend her conference. She aims to show them that building a business from scratch is possible and that they can achieve anything they desire. By openly discussing her business, including the financial aspects, she counters the traditional narrative that children, especially girls, should not be privy to such "adult" concerns.
2. Recognize and Challenge the "Feminine Industry" Paradox | [00:21:21]
Lianne highlights that many industries traditionally perceived as "feminine" (like travel, cooking, or art) are primarily staffed by women at lower levels, but leadership positions are still predominantly held by men. This observation points to a systemic issue where women are well-represented in the workforce but face barriers to advancement into ownership or top-tier roles.
3. Overcoming the Fear of Judgment and Imposter Syndrome | [00:23:36]
Women, more often than men, are held back by the fear of failure, being "found out" as a fake (imposter syndrome), or being judged by others for their entrepreneurial ambitions. This fear can prevent them from taking the leap into business ownership or even from openly sharing their new ventures. Lianne emphasizes the need to consciously decide to be okay with not being liked by everyone and to focus on the supporters rather than the detractors.
4. Intentional Community Building and Tuning Out Haters | [00:30:06]
A crucial strategy for overcoming entrepreneurial anxiety is to be intentional about who you surround yourself with. Lianne advises focusing on those who support your vision and genuinely benefit from your work, rather than expending energy trying to convert skeptics or please everyone. She suggests asking supporters what they value about your work and doing more of that, while tuning out negative criticism.
5. Define Your Own Joyful Success | [00:35:49]
Success should be defined internally, not by external societal standards. Many entrepreneurs, especially women, build "nightmare businesses" that run them, rather than the other way around. By getting clear on what a joyful business and personal success truly look like for them, individuals can align their actions and business strategies to achieve those specific, fulfilling outcomes. This involves serving the right clients and bringing one's authentic talents to the world.
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