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 the dynamic duo of Salma Gottfried and Flor Leibeschoff of Beautiful Beast. Their agency started as a Hispanic-focused multicultural agency, but quickly grew into a dynamic cross-cultural firm. Salma was born and raised in Mexico City. Flor navigated a meteoric rise through the biggest agencies in Argentina.
They came together in Dallas, Texas and co-created Beautiful Beast just last year. In fact, their one-year anniversary is coming up next month.
Our conversation was so rich because these two women are literally in the early stages of building an agency. Being bold was their theme for last year and bold they were.
Because their entrepreneurship and path to ownership is new, they have some very smart and pointed perspectives on the gender gap in agency ownership. This will be one of those episodes I refer back to often. I’m sure you will too.
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Salma and Flor discuss how their decision to start Beautiful Beast required a bold and fearless approach. They emphasize that while they had expertise, the new venture demanded a different mindset, particularly in making independent decisions and crafting their desired culture. Salma specifically notes that it took her years to learn this lesson, highlighting its importance in their current stage of agency building.
Flor highlights that having a diverse range of perspectives, including female voices, enriches ideas and leads to more impactful and relevant creative work. Salma adds that diversity also inspires brands to create products and services that are genuinely insightful and relevant to various ethnicities, rather than resorting to stereotypes. They both lament the loss of talent and missed opportunities when diversity is lacking in the industry.
Salma advocates for women to create their own opportunities and "build their own table" if they are not given a seat at existing ones. This lesson extends to inspiring others to speak up and pursue ownership, fostering an environment where more women can become entrepreneurs and leaders. She emphasizes that this isn't to exclude male partners, but to ensure women's voices are heard and amplified.
Flor stresses the significance of finding mentors and a supportive community that believes in you and wants you to succeed. She shares an anecdote about advising a young woman to seek out a supportive environment where she could balance motherhood and career, rather than being discouraged by unsupportive workplaces. Salma adds that employees should also evaluate if a company aligns with their personal values, making the relationship a two-way street.
Salma emphasizes that courage in leadership is intertwined with vulnerability. She explains that while leaders need to project strength, it's equally important to be authentic and open with colleagues and partners. Sharing vulnerabilities builds trust and allows for a more human and supportive environment, acknowledging that no one has all the answers.
