The Power of Self-Advocacy, Career Growth & Negotiating Your Worth | Kelly Mooney | Author, CEO & Founder of Equipt Women
Summary
Kelly Mooney, a three-time author and former CEO of a major digital agency, discusses the persistent barriers women face in the workplace and the importance of self-advocacy. She shares strategies for scaling businesses, negotiating promotions, and navigating invisible corporate norms to ascend into leadership roles. Mooney also addresses the impact of economic shifts on women’s workforce participation and the need for accessible resources to empower the next generation of leaders.
Topics discussed
Sponsor message: Pfizer oncology R&D
Guest introduction: Career and Equipped Women
Realizing a lifelong mission of empowerment
The impact of upbringing and coaching
The gap in women knowing their power
Socialization and constructive use of power
Building resilience through business challenges
Shifting from strategist to executive leader
Balancing customer focus with personal boundaries
Simplifying business offerings for scale
Marketing clarity and the art of referral
Early career: Joining a digital agency
Surviving the dot-com bubble and financial crisis
Scaling an agency beyond the $5M ceiling
Building thought leadership in the late 90s
Client partnership and account planning strategies
Modern agency ecosystems and partnership models
Measuring ROI and securing long-term contracts
The importance of negotiation training
Self-advocacy vs. bragging in the workplace
Building a network for promotion and visibility
Making it easy for clients to refer you
Corporate value of compensation education
Addressing sticky floors and mid-level gaps
Challenges for young professionals entering work
Interview preparation and generational divides
Networking strategies for job seekers
Origin story of the book 'Up'
Invisible rules and the economic divide
Socioeconomic splits and DEI evolution
Workforce exit and childcare challenges
Systemic issues and policy misalignment
Entrepreneurship as a path to freedom
Aligning values with time and energy
Managing a diverse professional portfolio
Calendar management and financial mindfulness
Book availability and community engagement
Closing thoughts on impact and community
Outro and social media plugs
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