This week on OWN IT, we’re talking to Suzanne Barbosa of Atlantic New York. Her firm is the reigning AdAge Small Agency of the Year! Her experience prior to ownership included stops at MullenLowe, BBDO, Grey, Victors & Spoils and more. So, she brings the perspective of the big and the small to the conversation.
Suzanne loved being in the middle of everything through her career, so she came up in the account role in the business. She joined Atlantic NYC in the summer of 2022 in the middle of a pregnancy, but knew the move was right. And it was.
She has such a smart view of the business and has interesting thoughts on closing the gender gap in agency ownership. We so enjoyed this.
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Cultivating a workplace where employees feel respected, supported, and have the flexibility to balance work with personal life, including family and passion projects, ultimately leads to a more enriching environment, higher job satisfaction, and better creative output. This approach acknowledges that employees are more than just their careers, and supporting their holistic well-being enhances their professional contributions.
Stepping into ownership involves a significant increase in accountability and responsibility. While this can be daunting and bring moments of fear, harnessing that fear and taking calculated risks is crucial for innovation and growth. The ability to make swift decisions, experiment with new ideas, and adapt in real-time is liberating and allows for the pursuit of work that is truly fulfilling.
For women aspiring to leadership and ownership roles, surrounding oneself with individuals who genuinely support their growth and success is vital. This includes mentors who provide guidance and open doors, as well as colleagues (both men and women) who champion their achievements and advocate for them when they are not present. These alliances create a safe space for learning, growth, and building confidence.
A significant hurdle for women considering agency ownership is a lack of confidence. However, confidence can be built through experience and by actively engaging in the responsibilities of ownership. The more one takes on these challenges, the more self-assured they become, making it crucial for women to acknowledge and embrace this evolving confidence.
