Samantha Frúmboli, Sr. Manager of Customer Marketing, Brand, and Events, Blytheco
As a technology enthusiast with a passion for fueling digital transformation, I believe that with the right software, processes, and people, the sky is the limit. As a self-proclaimed "ERP Guru" and business enthusiast, my goal is to help and inspire companies to find the offerings that can truly take their operations to the next level.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
LinkedIn. I love that the platform has become so much more than simply business networking; but also remains a respectful and professional environment. It allows you to have intelligent conversations, gain insight and inspiration and also bring attention to the things you're most passionate about. I love how the platform continues to evolve.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I am the go-to resource for all things marketing and digital transformation. I work for a small company, so I have become a bit of a jack-of-all-trades while also gaining hands-on experience with our clients that you wouldn't get from a larger firm.
I LOVE marketing, I love connecting ideas with people, and I love finding creative solutions to helping our team hit their goals. I have been in the marketing realm for a little over 12 years now and have loved every minute of this ever-changing field.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
I love the challenge of marketing. I feel as though my job is like being a digital storyteller. Coming up with innovative new ways to communicate ideas, build relationships, and foster sales opportunities. In this increasingly digital world, I find that it's my job to bring the human element back into what we do, and I love that challenge.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice I was ever given is to treat each minute of the day as if another dollar is leaving your bank account. When you run out of money, you run out of time.
It changed my perspective and made me view my time a lot differently. As a result, I cherish every moment, and I am more conscious of how I utilize my time, both personally and professionally.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
I am inspired by growth. I think of myself as a puzzle, and every day is a new piece added to the puzzle. So, I rest assured that even a bad day has added to the overall puzzle and wasn't a waste. But, I am truly motivated by progress. Every time I reflect on how far I have come, I am excited by the fact that I have so far to go as well. It's incredibly motivating.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
I grew up in extreme poverty and was the first person in my family to graduate high school and the first to graduate college. I have started two businesses and grown my career on my own while currently writing a book. I am proud of my resilience and the fact that I have grown in the face of adversity instead of letting it consume me.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
I do a lot of in-person events and meet-ups here locally. I love connecting with like-minded people in person (although that's rare these days). I also attend all of the industry events and publisher events in our space to maintain and build new relationships.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
My attitude, empathy, and sense of humour have helped me most in my field. I understand people, I know how to talk to people, and I know how to make things that aren't fun. These three things have gotten me far in life.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
I wish I had known how to slow down. I feel as though we move so fast that we often forget to soak in the failures, learn from others, and have fun. In the earlier stages of my career, I moved so fast that I missed a lot. I have since learned the perfect pace that allows me to get things done but also enjoy the ride.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
I really admire 6Sense CMO Latané Conant or Spanx CEO Sarah Blakley. I love the energy they bring to those around them, and their ability to create a thriving and inspiring environment both professionally and creatively is very admirable.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
Beyond spending time with my husband and our two dogs, I love to travel, and I love to cook. So, I am always looking for an opportunity to try new things and will never pass up an adventure. I also own a small business with my husband, and we make customized gifts on Etsy. I have found that it gives me a fun opportunity to spend more time together as well as a creative outlet.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
In my experience, in our industry, the pandemic has been a catalyst for change. I have observed that the shift to remote work and the major emphasis on online presence accompanied by global supply chain issues really highlighted a need for efficient cloud-based software.
I feel as though the pandemic was the nudge many companies needed to upgrade/update their software and technology. A ton of good has come from that shift in mindset, and our clients see tremendous ROI by finally making some moves.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
I have several mentors here at work. Most influential to me has been our CEO Lori Seal. I have grown so much under her wing and have learned so much. I feel as though I am a better person for working with her, not just a better professional. I have since taken that learning and applied it to those working under me, serving as a mentor and returning the favour.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Follow your passion. Marketing and business are not just fields to make money. Life is too short to not do what you love and do it for the right reasons. Whatever you do, give it 100%, and you'll be successful. If that thing is marketing, great.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Not staying long enough. Too many people give up too quickly because we are so programmed to need instant gratification, and life doesn't often work like that. I see so many people treat a closed door as the end instead of trying to find another door.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right."
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
Zappos. I think they do a great job of treating their customers like human beings and treating their employees as such. The values and warmth of the company translate into everything they do, even in a virtual world.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
I define success as happiness. I think the most successful people I know are those who have embraced positivity, aren't the victims in their own story, and live HAPPY lives.
If you can say on your death bed that you lived a happy life, then I think you lived a successful life regardless of your career choices or how much money you made. Too many people get hung up on the wrong things; I think you can make a ton of money or own a ton of houses, and if you aren't happy on the inside, that's not a success to me. If you haven't LIVED your life, that's not a success to me.