In today’s episode, Madeline sits down with Nikki Lindgren, founder and managing partner at Pennock, a beauty and lifestyle brand marketing agency. Nikki shares her journey from her rural Minnesota roots to becoming a successful agency owner in San Francisco. They discuss the importance of maintaining a human-centric and sustainable approach to business, especially in the marketing sphere. Nikki outlines her path through various corporate roles, highlighting the shift from working at mega brands to founding Pennock. The conversation delves into how Nikki established effective systems, scaled her team, and honed the agency's niche in the beauty and lifestyle sectors. They touch on balancing business growth with personal values and navigating industry challenges. Additionally, Nikki offers insights on the critical role of creative strategy and organic content in marketing, especially for new brands. Aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners will gain valuable advice on creating sustainable growth and maintaining a values-driven company culture.

00:00 Introduction to Finding Fearless

00:38 Meet Nikki Lindgren: Scaling with a Human-Centric Approach

02:50 Nikki's Journey: From Rural Minnesota to San Francisco

04:12 Early Career: From Fashion Merchandising to Marketing

05:12 Corporate Experience: Pottery Barn and World Market

06:34 The Entrepreneurial Spark: Starting Pennock

08:09 Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship

11:07 Building the Consultancy: Early Challenges and Growth

12:48 Refining Services and Client Relationships

19:07 Leadership Evolution and Team Dynamics

21:35 The Importance of Community and Support Systems

23:43 The Importance of a Support Squad

24:29 Finding Your Niche in Beauty and Wellness

26:16 Relay Financial: A Game-Changer for Small Businesses

27:07 The Value of Saying No

28:41 Challenges in the Beauty and Lifestyle Industry

33:36 The Pitfalls of Relying Solely on Paid Ads

35:53 Leveraging Social Media for Brand Growth

38:22 Integrating Values into Business Practices

44:36 Celebrating Team and System Successes

46:06 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect

Finding Fearless is an exploration of human-centric leadership and a celebration of ambition, releasing every other week on Wednesdays, 6AM PST. If you liked the show, please rate, review, and share! You can also visit our website to learn more about how to become a sponsor of Finding Fearless!

Finding Fearless is produced by Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy focused on advancing ambitious humans from around the globe to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and business development. You can contact us at hello@fearlessfoundry.com if you are interested in our services and can follow us on all social media @fearlessfoundry.

Season 4 music is by Premium Beats. All audio is recorded and owned by Fearless Foundry.