We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jenny Frank. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jenny below.
Jenny, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. The more we talk about good leadership the more we think good leadership practices will spread and so we’d love for you to tell us a story about the best boss you’ve had and what they were like or what they did that was so great?
In the summer of 2011, about 11 years ago, I moved across the country from New York City to San Francisco as I had volunteered to relocate with the company I worked for at that time. I was still somewhat junior in my career in digital marketing, but I was eager to grow and learn and was putting in my time at a very fast-paced and stressful agency. Not long after I made the move out west I was told that they had hired a new VP of Digital and she would be my new boss. I was excited and of course, a little nervous, but little did I know that she would end up changing the game for me in so many ways, and she would push me to accelerate my career in ways I never imagined possible. Jenny wasn’t like the other managers I had previously experienced. She was calm, led with her heart, and was grounded, she even often walked around the office without her shoes on! She didn’t micromanage. She trusted me and our team and she gave me the space to really grow. Jenny let me speak up on calls and asked me to attend meetings that were probably a little above my pay grade. She opened doors for me and gave me opportunities to shine in a way that I had never experienced before. She was in my corner, she had my back, and ultimately, she believed in me and respected me, and because of her belief in me I finally started to believe in myself. My confidence soared and I was promoted year after year finally getting to a senior leadership role on the digital marketing team. It wasn’t long after that, that I decided to start my own business (!!) with one of my colleagues (another one of her mentees!). This was SUCH a leap for me. I was not a person who ever dreamed of owning my own business. I figured, like my dad, I’d work my way up the corporate ladder at some big company, but when my now business partner came to me and asked me if I would be interested in starting a business with her, I just couldn’t say no. It, of course, felt risky, but I felt ready. Although telling Jenny we were quitting and leaving her team wasn’t easy, we knew she’d support us on our exciting journey, and she’s still an incredible mentor to us today in work and in life. I learned so much from her in the way that I approach business, the importance of family/work/life balance, and the way that I manage and lead my team. I truly attribute much of my confidence and success greatly to her and the way that she opened my eyes with her different approach. Thank goodness for wonderful bosses and leaders. They probably don’t even all know just how great their impact really can be!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?
Hi! I’m Jenny Frank. I have been working in the social digital marketing space for almost 20 years, before social media was even truly a career path. I always had a passion for social and was the first one out of all of friends to join the emerging social media platforms. I had a Tumblr blog and was teaching all of my friends how to use Twitter and Facebook. I’m originally from the east coast, and had killer internships in marketing and broadcast at NBC Sports, and then at ESPN. I then went on to work on the marketing and social media teams at DailyCandy in New York City for 4 years. Then, I moved to San Francisco and joined The OutCast Agency where I spent 5+ years on the digital team. I cofounded Daffodil Digital almost a decade ago and have never looked back. I have worked with brands across many industries including beauty, fashion, tech, fitness, wine, B2B, finance, and more. I take a heart-led, values-based approach to all the work I do as a female founder, leader, and marketing expert.
Daffodil Digital is not just any digital comms agency. We work with growing companies who dream big and big companies with a hunger to stay current. We’re a small team with the big agency experience you want, but the scrappiness you really need. We’ve worked across many industries and company sizes and believe our customizable approach works for just about any brand. Our core services include social media strategy, social media content development, full-service social media program management, and lots more. We can help you start and launch your brand’s social media journey or we can optimize your existing program to better meet your goals.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Back in 2009 I was living in NYC and dating a really nice guy. We dated for a year and a half, but ultimately we decided to go our separate ways because he was from CA and I was from New England and we just weren’t sure that we could make it work long-term. I knew it was the right decision to let him go, but I was pretty heartbroken. I asked that we cut all ties, and not communicate for a while (aka unfollow/friend on social media) so I could move on. I had also just started a new job at a stressful PR agency in NYC and felt pretty lost. So much change all at once…I had a new job, was newly single, and was newly living alone in a studio apartment for the first time in my life. I considered quitting my job, but THEN I was asked if I would be interested in a possible relocation from NYC to San Francisco. Did I want to move across the country thousands of miles away from everything and everyone I knew? It felt very scary, but I was intrigued. The more I thought about it the more I got excited. It felt like the right time in my life to take a leap of faith and it felt like a door was opening leading me to the Golden State, a place I always wanted to live, but never had the courage to even consider. Isn’t it funny how life always seems to have a plan for us if we let it? What happened next was pretty special. I made the move! I bought a one-way plane ticket 11 years ago and have never looked back since. I got back together with that really nice guy. Would you believe he moved to SF the same month of the same year and because we weren’t in touch we had no idea! We found out eventually at a mutual friend’s wedding, and then started dating again, got engaged a year later, and married a year after that. We’ve been married for 8 years and have two beautiful daughters. But that’s not all. Shortly after I moved I met an amazing friend at work (that job I almost quit!) and she and I have since started our own business, Daffodil Digital (7 years ago!) – I truly believe when we take leaps of faith life rewards us in ways we couldn’t imagine. I moved out to CA with an open heart and an open mind but never expected to still be living here today with a family and my own business. Sometimes pivoting, changing directions, or writing a new chapter is EXACTLY what we need to do to find our true path.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
My best advice for managing a team is to treat people like human beings. Ask them regularly how they’re doing. Show empathy when they’re having a hard time at work or in their personal lives. We need to remember that even though work takes up the majority of our days, there’s A LOT of life that goes on outside of work. The better we know each other the more successful we can be working together. I’m not saying we all need to be best friends…here’s an example: we recently did an Enneagram workshop with our team and it was incredibly enlightening – when we understand each other and the ways we tick it truly helps us see that person in a new light – in the way that they work, in the ways that they might give or receive feedback, or the way that each person has a different creative process. Things really started to click for our team after that workshop. I would also add that I believe morale often comes from the top, so leaders need to act like leaders and inspire their teams with honesty, transparency, and kindness. When organizations put people first, it shows. And those people end up being very grateful that their needs are met and that they feel seen. Studies show that inspired, happy people do better work. It just makes sense.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.daffodildigital.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennycandy/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyfournierfrank/
Image Credits
Tory Putman Photography