7 Years, 7 Lessons: What We Learned

On November 1, 2016, Authentique Agency was founded.? We are happy to celebrate our 7th Anniversary and want to take the opportunity to share some of the lessons we learned over the years.??

1. You can’t do it alone?

• ?The decision to start Authentique was one I went into alone. No partners, no investors. However, it quickly became clear that to truly realize the vision, I would need help. God placed a dream in my heart that was too big for one person to achieve. I had to put my ego aside and be obedient to what He called me to do, and trust that I would find the right people. Now in the 7th year of business and with nearly 30 staff members, I am grateful to every person that said yes when I asked for help along the way.??

2. Opportunities come fast – move faster?

• As an agency, you are positioned to be a solutions provider, able to make quick decisions and act. That’s why agility is not only a standard for Authentique in how we deliver on client work but also in how we manage our staffing practices. One of the best ways to be prepared for an opportunity is to have the right people in place. If you anticipate a skill or bandwidth need, hire immediately to be ready to meet the moment. If you realize a staff member isn’t a fit, have an honest conversation and let them go to pursue a role more closely aligned with their style or needs. If an employee performs over and beyond expectations, meet them at their effort and promote them no matter how long they’ve been with the company.??

3. Burnout is real?

• In your desire to achieve excellence, it is easy to prioritize the needs of the business and put your self-care aside. Being a founder adds additional pressure as you ultimately feel responsible for the company and your employees.? You may feel guilty or selfish for considering taking time to address your health and wellness. I speak from experience in saying that if you don’t intentionally find ways to integrate self-care, your body will force you to sit down. Regardless of your role or career level, burnout is a real threat to all of us.? While you’re working hard to achieve your goals, make sure to put taking care of yourself on the to-do list. Whether that’s 10 minutes for daily prayer and meditation to start the day or a luxurious week-long vacation, you must make time for yourself to be your best self for others.?

4. Sharpen Your Tools??

• There is an old adage, “leaders are readers.” Professional development and learning don’t stop once you reach the C-suite, in fact, it’s even more imperative. I have participated in over a dozen workshops and accelerator programs through the years and read too many books to count. Each time, I walk away with a fresh perspective or a key learning that I can take back to the team. With that new knowledge, we can impact positive change and ensure our business stays competitive.??

5. Trust in What You’ve Built?

• As a founder or business leader, you work diligently to create processes to optimize efficiency. You bring in appropriate leaders and support staff who will add not only bandwidth but also drive thought leadership.? You build reporting protocols and procedures so you can have a line of sight to project status and get ahead of potential challenges.? Yet despite having these things in place, it can be difficult to step away from the details.? Your intervention, though well intended, can sometimes serve to complicate matters, and potentially create frustration among your team. Have confidence in your processes and people, and trust that the company will continue to thrive with or without your direct daily involvement.???

6. Stay Humble??

• No matter how big the account is or what benchmark you set, you are never too big or too successful to be better. Having a humble spirit not only keeps you grounded in gratitude for the small wins but also stops you from being too proud to improve or ask for help.???

7. Keep Your Values Close??

• With the hectic pace of marketing and agency life, it is easy to lose sight of your why.? The words “Culture. Community. Purpose.” are painted on the walls in the office and within our marketing materials. Those values not only motivate me personally, but they also guide my business. They are on display as an ever-present reminder to never lose sight of what matters most. If we stay true to our values, we will always be proud of the work we are doing.??

?I hope the opportunities and obstacles I faced in starting and growing the agency can provide you with valuable guidance. ‘Each one, teach one,’ is something I was taught at a young age. I was lucky enough to have a great circle of friends, family, and mentors to help me on my journey toward entrepreneurship.??