When Kim Chappell was offered to lead marketing for the infant formula company, Bobbie, back in 2020, she laughed; she didn’t think she had the credentials to take on the job.

Even though Kim had spent ten years in the news industry and done extensive marketing work for tech startups like Weebly and Square, she still felt out of her league. It was a classic case of imposter syndrome.

After some forward-thinking and reflection, Kim did eventually take the job, and today, she is the Chief Brand Officer of Bobbie, an AMAZING company that I personally have leaned on to feed my own babies. Her story gives me chills and acts as a reminder to be willing to bet on yourself.

In this episode, Kim takes us on her career journey, from the newsroom to the C-Suite. She talks about the invaluable skill of storytelling, which she’s leaned on throughout her career, and about motherhood, from infant feedings to the myth of work-life “balance.”

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Kim’s career journey, from her first job making $20,000 a year to her time as a news anchor, to her pivot into marketing
• How Kim leveraged her journalism skills to transform how brands like Weebly and Square communicated their mission
• The scrappiness and resourcefulness needed to build a brand from scratch, focusing funding on product development rather than expensive marketing
• How Bobbie was built from the ground up, driven by a mission to improve the nutritional support and societal perception of formula feeding
• An honest perspective on balancing a C-suite role with motherhood, breaking down myths around work-life balance and recognizing the importance of support systems

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Sarina is a consultant who works with startup leaders and entrepreneurs. Connect with her on her website, on Instagram, and on LinkedIn, and check out more episodes of the Career Memos podcast.

What happens when you take a big leap into the unknown, betting on yourself before you feel truly ready?

Giovanni Vaccaro co-founded GLAMSQUAD in 2014, inspired by feedback clients had been giving him for years: they wanted on-demand hair services in their homes.

At the time, he’d been working for the renowned French brand Frederic Fekkai, but he knew he wanted more. This was his opportunity to build something new.

Fast-forward to today and GLAMSQUAD is a beauty-tech powerhouse. Giovanni is not only GLAMSQUAD’s Chief Brand Officer and Creative Director, but also a coach and sought-after speaker with amazing wisdom for founders.

In this episode, Giovanni talks about mentorship, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the importance of knowing your purpose, which will ALWAYS set you right when doubt creeps in.

He also opens up about the challenges of leadership, the power of building high-performance teams, and why surrounding yourself with the right people can completely change your trajectory as an entrepreneur.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Giovanni’s initial struggles with hairdressing and how he developed his craft through relentless practice and a commitment
• Lessons from Frederic Fekkai, including prioritizing exceptional service to create raving fans, maintaining brand consistency, and fostering high-performing, inspiring teams
• How your purpose can be a guiding principle for resilience and aligning goals with your true desires
• The importance of mindset and surrounding yourself with inspiring individuals, from mentors to like-minded support networks

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Sarina is a consultant who works with startup leaders and entrepreneurs. Connect with her on her website, on Instagram, and on LinkedIn, and check out more episodes of the Career Memos podcast.

So many people featured on this podcast have been co-founders. But how do you know if you and your potential co-founder are the right fit? How can you test your working dynamic before making a MAJOR commitment?

Sam Safer Valentine suggests working on a project first. This way, you can see if you have complimentary communication skills. See how it feels to be vulnerable with them – and how you might handle potential conflict later on.

This is exactly what Sam did before she and her co-founders launched Norby, an AI-powered marketing intelligence platform. Knowing she could trust her business partners made ALL the difference while building the company.

From her early days curating fashion history at top museums to running a sales and marketing agency, then pivoting into tech, this conversation with Sam is filled with invaluable insights on co-founder dynamics, navigating pivots, and trusting your ability to figure things out, along with the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

You’ll also hear great advice about collaboration, being a generalist, and trusting your ability to find the answers.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Sam’s remarkable journey from being an assistant curator at London's Fashion and Textile Museum to co-founding Norby
• Why you should tackle a project with your potential co-founder first to test your compatibility, communication styles, and ability to handle conflict
• Norby's evolution from an all-in-one marketing platform to an AI-powered marketing intelligence platform
• The parallels between starting a company and being a parent, requiring adaptability, resilience, and the ability to handle unexpected challenges while maintaining composure

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Check out Sam’s company, Norby.

Sarina is a consultant who works with startup leaders and entrepreneurs. Connect with her on her website, on Instagram, and on LinkedIn, and check out more episodes of the Career Memos podcast.