Danielle Wiley, CEO of Sway Group talks Agency Leadership: Finding Mentors, Building Teams, and Staying Independent in a Consolidated Market

Step into the world of influencer marketing with Danielle Wiley, a pioneering force who transformed her passion for digital content into Sway Group, one of the industry's most respected independent agencies. In this enlightening episode, discover how a former food blogger built a network of 50,000 influencers and revolutionized brand-creator partnerships. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to evolve your leadership style, Danielle's journey from PR professional to CEO offers invaluable insights for navigating today's dynamic business landscape.

Guest Bio:

Danielle Wiley is the founder and CEO of Sway Group, a premier influencer marketing agency that has remained steadfastly independent in an era of industry consolidation. With over 25 years of industry experience, she previously led social strategy for Edelman's Chicago digital group before launching Sway in 2011. A regular contributor to Forbes.com, Danielle's expertise has been featured in leading publications including Adweek, TechCrunch, and Digiday. She's a sought-after speaker at major industry events including South by Southwest, CES, and BlogHer.

Connect with Danielle:

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellewiley/

- https://swaygroup.com/

Content Sample:

- Learn how Danielle transformed a toxic workplace experience into a leadership philosophy that empowers teams to innovate

- Discover the unconventional approach to finding mentorship that helped build a successful agency

- Explore how maintaining independence as an agency creates unique advantages in today's market

Key Takeaways:

[00:02:00] - Leverage the power of asking questions: People love talking about themselves, making it an effective networking strategy for introverts

[00:05:00] - Find mentorship in unexpected places: Your next business advisor might be your Pilates instructor

[00:18:00] - Create psychological safety: The best employees flourish when they feel empowered to suggest ideas and think creatively

[00:24:00] - Navigate uncertainty through action: Use list-making and goal-setting to maintain control during challenging times

Memorable Quotes:

"Business mentors can come from anywhere - my Pilates instructor helped me set up crucial aspects of my company."

"The most helpful thing in the world to me is someone who feels empowered to look for all the areas where they can make an impact."

"Success isn't about having a great boss - sometimes it's about learning what not to do."

Suggestions: 

This insightful session was hosted by Jolie Downs with Paradigm, for more in career evolution and growth connect with Jolie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joliedowns/

If you enjoy learning from others, please give The Career Wanderlust Podcast a like, subscribe, and share with a friend. 

If you're looking to enhance your public relations, marketing, communications, or business development team, visit paradigmstaffing.com to connect with top talent.

Ending Note:

How are you building psychological safety in your workplace? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Join us next week as we continue exploring the evolving landscape of career development and leadership. 

Have a guest suggestion? We'd love to hear from you!