Inspired By: Samantha Ettus
“…focus on your kids when you are with them, have one adult night out per week and be unapologetic about your lifestyle. You are a role model after all!”
Samantha Ettus is an expert in the art of personal branding. She’s also a bestselling author, television personality, and a wife and mother, so she has a lot of interesting things to say about making career and family work. Read on for some great advice.
Q: Please share how your professional career began and how you ended up where you are today?
A: I have always been passionate about media and once I graduated with an MBA, I set out on an entrepreneurial path. I launched my first company in 2001 – a firm for personality-driven brands and that work led me to create a book series for Random House. Along the way I started focusing on the personal brands of women and realized that you could not talk to working moms about their personal brands without talking to them about their lifestyles – they were lacking any support or resources on the lifestyle front. I saw a need and I aimed to fill it.
Q: Who is a leader that you have great respect for and why?
A: Sheryl Sandberg. I love that she has armed a new generation of women with the inspiration to lean in to their careers. Her advice is spot on and I hope it will help to stop the brain drain of talented women leaving the workforce.
Q: What it your best advice for Moms who want to both tackle career and create a happy home?
A: Turn your spouse into a 50% partner, be present when present – meaning focus on your kids when you are with them, have one adult night out per week and be unapologetic about your lifestyle. You are a role model after all!
Q: What are the top 3 tips you would offer to a woman looking to reinvent her life?
A: 1) Own your story—connect the dots between your successes to create your highlight reel. 2) Know your strengths and pursue something that uses them. 3) There is no reward without risk—you would be surprised by how much you can get by asking for what you want. 4) Surround yourself by positive people—those that believe in you and are genuinely happy for your successes.
Q: What was the hardest career transition in your life and how did you grow from it?
A: Before business school I was in the corporate world and when I graduated I launched my first business. At the time I was the only entrepreneur in my class. The learning curve was steep but it made me passionate about helping other entrepreneurs. Once you start your first business, you will likely start many more. Since then, I have stayed on an entrepreneurial path.
Q: What is the one thing you make time for in your daily life that helps keeps you refreshed and positive?
A: My daily Starbucks venti soy latte! And almost every night after we put the kids to sleep, my husband and I have an hour together to share a cup of tea and catch up or watch TV. Necessary and rejuvenating!