Whitney is the co-founder of Marble and Watkins, a company that provides high-level business development, branding, and strategy services to B2B and consumer goods companies. In this conversation, we discuss how and why women need to find and live out their inner confidence, why brands need to tell compelling and authentic brand stories, as well as the lifelong lessons she learned working in her father’s haberdashery as a child.
When you own a brick and mortar business, you are the business and the business is you.
That’s what Whitney said when I asked her to explain what she meant when she said that even as a child she saw that her father’s business was a ball and chain. She pointed to the desire we all have to make choices about how we will live that are independent of what we do for a living – and how her father’s store didn’t allow those to be a reality. But in characteristic style, Whitney turned the experience into a learning opportunity. The hard work, examples of networking, and genuine care for people she saw expressed there equipped her to be the successful, confident woman she is today. Hear her entire story on this episode.
How Whitney’s network has served as the greatest thread throughout her successful career.
Whitney is one of the most skilled networkers I know simply because of the knack she has of connecting people with others they need to know. But it serves her as well – and she demonstrates it in this conversation by sharing how her personal network has opened the door to her greatest career opportunities. It’s a wonderful example of how personal connections can and should become win-win relationships. It also serves as a lesson to us as women, showing us what is possible when we reach deep inside, find our confidence, and help and support each other. I hope you’ll listen and be inspired by Whitney’s story.
Whitney uses a practical and powerful strategy to overcome the imposter syndrome.
Are you familiar with the term, “Imposter Syndrome?” It’s the moniker given to the experience all of us have from time to time when we feel like we’ve gotten in over our head. It’s the voice that says, “Who do I think I am? I can’t do this, it’s too big for me.” My friend Whitney says that’s one of the main struggles she experiences as she strives to live out of a place of inner confidence, but she’s learned a few tricks to help her get past it quickly. One is to depend on her “front row” (her biggest fans) to tell her who she really is and to remind her of the strengths she brings to the table. But there’s another strategy she shared that I thought was incredible, and you can hear it on this episode of NextFem.
Why startups need to tell an authentic and engaging brand story.
When Whitney was asked to serve as COO of Yellowberry, she was captivated by the company’s story. A teenage girl (the founder) was deeply disturbed by the inappropriate messaging and styles available for young girls when she took her little sister bra shopping. In fact, she was so disturbed she decided to do something about it. The Yellowberry story revealed a cause and company that not only resonated with Whitney’s sense of justice but also provided a great opportunity for her unique skillset. It’s an example of how the story a brand portrays is powerful. In fact, it’s one of the most important things for the company’s leadership to get right. I encourage you to listen and learn more about how your brand story can make all the difference for your business and those you serve.
Episode Highlights
- 1:40 – Specific life skills learned from her all-girls Quaker school and father’s haberdashery.
- 11:35 – How Whitney co-founded a business with her sister
- 15:31 – The greatest thread through Whitney’s career: her network of relationships.
- 30:41 – Why narrative and story are so important for startups
- 34:00 – The day Whitney was let go from her position as COO of YellowBerry – and the lessons she’s learned from it
- 51:17 – Whitney’s thoughts about the inner interference to confidence in women
- 1:01:48 – How you can connect with Whitney!
Resources Mentioned
- Whitney on LinkedIn
- Whitney on Instagram
- Yellowberry
- BOOK: Conversations With God by Neale Donald Walsch
- “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” with Tina Fey
- BOOK: The Inner Game by Tim Gallwey
1. Favorite book for women?
- The Game of Life and How To Play It by Florence Scovel Shinn – It’s a great mindset reset.
2. Favorite self-care hack?
- Facials, yoga classes, and lemon water every morning
3. Best piece of advice and who gave it to you?
- “It’s not my business what somebody else thinks of me.” – Given by a very dear friend and it reminds Whitney that she has to live HER life, not the life others expect of her.
4. Female CEO or thought leader you’re into right now?
- Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood and Erin Bagwell of Dreamgirls.
5. One piece of advice you’d give your 5 years younger self?
- “Just keep going. Don’t get stuck in fear or uncertainty, just keep going.”
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