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 Zihla Salinas of Conspiracy Theory. She is a self-proclaimed loud and disruptive personality who lets her full self shine. I love that so much and we talk about what that means.
Zihla started Conspiracy Theory just a little over a year ago. It is a minority-owned and woman-led independent agency network. While that’s a little different perspective than what we normally hear on Own it, as you can imagine, we have a lot in common to talk about.
Zihla spent many years in leadership at a number of great agencies until following her own path to ownership. Her approach to life and work is so inspiring and she shares wisdom we can all learn from.
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Early in her career, Zihla was coached to temper her boisterous personality. However, she found that being her authentic, loud, and enthusiastic self actually made her more successful. This personal approach also fuels her energy and enthusiasm when engaging with clients and agency owners.
While mentorship and coaching are valuable, it's crucial to listen to your own instincts and be willing to reject advice that doesn't align with your true self or approach. Not all guidance will be right for you, and sometimes following external advice can hinder your unique strengths.
Zihla describes herself as a "doer" who thrives on getting things done. She excelled in the agency world not necessarily for its creativity, but for the fast-paced, service-oriented nature of the business. Her ability to deliver and operationalize has been key to her career progression and her decision to start her own network.
The biggest challenges leaders face often come from within, such as cynicism or feelings of defeat. Maintaining a positive attitude, finding opportunity in every situation, and having faith that things happen for a reason are crucial for navigating daily struggles and major setbacks, like losing a large account.
Women are significantly underrepresented in the finance and ownership aspects of the advertising industry. Ownership is identified as the true path to wealth and power, allowing women to set boundaries, prioritize their families, and achieve equal footing in an industry where many women hold leadership roles but not ultimate control.
