As we approach International Women’s Day, it’s important to recognize the incredible contributions that women have made to the eCommerce industry despite the many challenges they face.
This International Women’s Day, women in eCommerce are more perfectly placed than ever
In the past, women in the workplace often felt pressure to emulate their male counterparts by dressing in power suits and carrying buffed briefcases in order to gain acceptance in what was traditionally seen as a ‘man’s world.’ However, in the fast-paced and constantly evolving digital era, companies and employees are recognizing the importance of meaningful connections and ‘soft skills.’
These skills are especially valued in the eCommerce industry, where building strong relationships with clients and understanding their needs is key to success. Most of these skills come naturally to women, making them perfectly placed to flourish in leadership roles.
Large corporates like Google are starting to recognize the importance of these skills. The results of their Project Aristotle set out to find ‘what makes the perfect team’ and revealed employees are happiest and perform best in a ‘psychologically safe’ environment where they are able to be vulnerable with each other. Good news for women who are natural communicators and will easily be able to foster meaningful connections with teammates.
Celebrating Hustler Marketing’s Female Leaders
Here at Hustler Marketing, we too understand the value of empathy and compassion in the workplace and see these traits as strengths rather than weaknesses. To celebrate International Women’s Day, we spoke to our four female department heads to gain insights into their experiences as women in the fast-paced world of eCommerce.
Here’s what they had to say….
Insights from Leading Women in eCommerce
Susanna: Head of Account Managers
Being in a leadership position in an eCommerce agency has been a truly eye-opening experience for me.
Numerous studies have shown that having women in leadership roles is linked to improved organizational performance, better decision-making, and stronger financial results. However, it wasn’t until I experienced this firsthand that I began to believe in it myself and, more importantly, in myself as a leader.
As women, we often possess stronger intuition, empathy, and a unique perspective, which can bring new innovations to the industry. This has been particularly true in my role as Head of Account Managers, where I get to interact closely with both clients and my team of Super AMs. Though I am still learning every day, I try to observe dynamics and behaviors and establish a comfortable yet encouraging environment for each individual.
On a management level, I have found that I can contribute fresh insights, have a voice, and make a real difference. The cherry on top? I get to do all this while being supported by other incredible women leaders who have truly become my support system both in and outside of the workplace.
Carrie: Head of Copy
As the Head of Copy here at Hustler Marketing, I have the privilege of leading a team of super-talented digital copywriters. Working in eCommerce means things can move at a quick pace – technology changes all the time. That’s what makes our jobs so exciting! The constant change brings many different opportunities, so my team has to be flexible and ready to learn new skills. I think being a female leader helps, as women are adaptable and we generally have good communication skills.
One of the things I enjoy most about my role is the opportunity to mentor my team. I think women in leadership are important for this reason. I wish I’d had more women to look up to early on in my career as there’s a nurturing side to team leading – I want to be the person who advocates for them and helps them to grow their confidence and skills.
On a personal level, as a mother, I love that my kids are growing up with the example of both their parents equally sharing parenting responsibilities whilst pursuing their careers. I love that my career at Hustler Marketing makes this possible.
Ashita: Sales & Partnerships Director
I feel incredibly fortunate to have had some amazing leaders as examples throughout my career. Many of these leaders were women, and they demonstrated an exceptional combination of emotional intelligence and intellectual capability. In the last few years, I’ve had the chance to take on various leadership positions, and I’ve learned some invaluable lessons that have made me a better person.
One thing I’ve come to strongly believe is that women have a natural entrepreneurial spirit that makes them a perfect fit for leadership roles. I think this is because women are often able to identify opportunities and act on them with confidence and conviction.
As a leader, my top priority is creating an environment that allows my team to learn and grow. I believe that when we provide our team members with the resources and support they need, they will achieve great things. At the end of the day, it’s the connections we make with our colleagues that matter most. People might not remember the specifics of the work we did, but they will always remember how we made them feel.
Pearl: Account Managers Associates Lead
During the past year, I have had the privilege of leading the AMA (Account Manager Associate) team at Hustler Marketing, despite being new to a leadership position.
With the challenge of managing a team of seven, I sought the guidance of our company’s consultant and therapist to help shape the team’s vision and identify key areas for growth and success. Once we had established a foundation, my focus shifted to the ongoing management of the team, tackling challenges as they arose and expanding our capabilities.
As a woman in a leadership position, I have found it essential to have the support and guidance of other women leaders. It’s crucial to me that we lift each other up and create an environment where we can thrive together. My fellow department heads have provided that support, and it has made all the difference. They have offered valuable feedback and insights, helping me to continually improve and grow in my role as a leader.
Working with such amazing women has been a privilege, and they have not only become trusted colleagues but also dear friends.
Danny: Design Lead
I believe that the importance of women in e-commerce resides in the broad perspective of our gender. Women balance out the rational and emotional sides, providing solutions while keeping in mind that we’re dealing with other human beings.
Also, we are now exposed to many more opportunities than we were some years ago, and it really shows in the kind of campaigns and content that we see in the media. From the tone of voice, visual identity, and angles to the full marketing strategy, the presence of women in the business has definitely been a game-changer.
Being a woman in a leadership role means reminding myself that I can guide, bring relevant ideas to the table, and inspire others to learn, grow, and deliver.
Luckily, I’ve come across amazing women in the process who happen to be in leadership roles as well and who have helped me feel supported in the (not-always-easy) process and who I look up to in many different ways. From empowering each other to sharing tips, experiences, and relatable memes, having them as a close support system has been amazing, to say the least.
Marina: Account Manager Lead
Being a woman in the e-commerce world has definitely been a ride, but it’s one I would re-do a million times. I believe that, as women, we’re used to dealing with so much at the same time. We’ve learned to go beyond what’s needed to be seen. This has given me the perseverance needed to move forward in this business. For every tricky client or bad day, there’s always that inner strength to strategically know just how to communicate, keep things rolling, and get results in the midst of madness.
I’ve noticed this general mindset among all the women I’ve had the fortune to work with in this business. No problem is big enough that we can’t just work through it and figure it out. I’ve seen the most productive forms of teamwork and support from women in e-commerce. Women supporting women might be a nice hashtag on Instagram, but in this business, it’s an everyday activity.
As a manager to a team of professionals and a mentor to new trainees, I’ve seen time and time again how all the emotional maturity being a woman forces you to develop has helped me build people up and cheer them on. I’ve been able to help others push through adversity and provide valuable advice on how to use every tool in their toolbox.
Iveta: SMS & Ad Creatives Lead
As controversial as it might sound, I’ve always believed that women and eCommerce go hand in hand. I may be biased due to my love for eCommerce, but let me share my perspective.
Women have the privilege of understanding people’s feelings and making them feel better. We have empathy built into us, which helps us sell to customers in the right way and give them exactly what they want. Additionally, we possess creativity, which can lead to surprisingly interactive emails or SMS and unique ideas.
As women, we also learn how to be organized, plan in advance, and identify our best qualities. It warms my heart to know that I use each of my feminine qualities for every task I do. Developing new services in our eCommerce agency allows me to demonstrate how women’s great qualities shine. I need to be structured, reliable, creative, and an out-of-the-box thinker and the best part is being myself.
I keep learning every day, and the entire eCommerce ecosystem inspires me more and more. I believe women thrive in this space, and we’ll see more and more joining because of it.
Brenda: Account Manager Lead
When I started studying journalism and marketing at the age of 18, I never imagined that I would end up working in the eCommerce industry. I don’t think it was something that resonated with many people around me, but I did know that not many women were involved. I can look back and see how many women have broken the stereotype with their leadership, strategies, and passion for execution and have led the way for the rest of us.
Being a woman in the eCommerce industry is challenging, but I know I must forge my own path by believing in myself with strength, resilience, determination, and pushing harder. This is changing day by day, and our voices are being heard even more. It’s gratifying to know that I have the constant support of incredibly talented women who are willing to push me forward every day.
I am grateful that today I am surrounded by their dedication to motivate and inspire me to grow and learn, both personally and professionally.
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As demonstrated by our female leaders here at Hustler Marketing, women in eCommerce are perfectly placed to flourish in leadership roles. They are paving the way for innovation in the industry and inspiring the next generation of female leaders.
Talk to our hustlers and power up your retention marketing strategy now!
