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Anna, Founder & CEO at Mustard & Moxie: Advize Career Interview
A winding career path, starting with film production at NYU, led to a successful marketing and branding consulting firm, Mustard & Moxie, specializing in nonprofits.
The journey included unexpected layoffs, an executive MBA, and a stint waiting tables while building a freelance portfolio.
Now, as Founder & CEO, Mustard & Moxie's leader juggles diverse responsibilities, from client work focused on data analysis and compelling storytelling to internal business management.
Success stems from a willingness to take risks, build strong networks, and embrace mistakes as learning opportunities.
A passion for working with organizations making a positive impact fuels the work, showcasing the flexibility and autonomy of entrepreneurship.
The interview highlights two entry-level paths into marketing—corporate and agency—emphasizing storytelling, marketing technology expertise, and adaptability as key skills.
The overall message is one of embracing change, seeking help, and envisioning a positive future.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Anna Boudinot
Founder & CEO
Mustard & Moxie
New York University, 2000
UCLA Anderson MBA
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
Scholarship Recipient, LGBTQ
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Career Path of a Founder and CEO at Mustard and Moxie
Anna's career path was anything but linear, starting with film production studies at NYU, then transitioning through a stint in the film industry which "wasn't making me happy," and a return to waiting tables while building a freelance marketing portfolio. This ultimately led to a corporate marketing role, an unexpected layoff, an executive MBA at UCLA Anderson, and the surprising launch of their own successful marketing and branding consulting firm, Mustard & Moxie, focusing on nonprofits and social enterprises.
Main Responsibilities of a Founder and CEO at Mustard and Moxie
Anna, Founder & CEO of Mustard & Moxie, wears many hats, juggling day-to-day tasks like "accounting, contracts, and marketing" alongside client work, which involves helping nonprofits "analyze, collect, and understand data about the community they're serving" to create compelling narratives that attract funding and partnerships. This necessitates constant client pipeline management, as many projects are short-term, requiring a proactive approach to business growth.
A Day In The Life Of A Founder And CEO At Mustard And Moxie
Anna's day-to-day activities as Founder & CEO and marketing consultant are highly varied; "My days all look very different," with responsibilities ranging from business management and client meetings ("I meet directly with our clients") to flexible work arrangements allowing for volunteer work with teenagers. This blend of client interaction, internal management, and community involvement reflects a dynamic and fulfilling career path.
Most Important Skills for a Founder and CEO at Mustard and Moxie
Anna, Founder & CEO of Mustard & Moxie, emphasizes the importance of "knowing when you need more input and not being afraid to ask," fostering reciprocal networking relationships, and connecting people within a strong network. The willingness to take risks, "just jump and hope that there's a net underneath," is also crucial to her success, although she acknowledges this approach has both advantages and drawbacks.
Favorite Parts of Being a Founder and CEO at Mustard and Moxie
Anna, Founder & CEO at Mustard & Moxie, initially accepted all clients to gain experience but later realized a passion for working with nonprofits and for-profit companies with social impact missions. This led to a business overhaul, resulting in a fulfilling career where Anna now "get[s] to work with organizations that are helping make the world a better place," finding immense satisfaction in this impactful work and the autonomy it affords.
Biggest Challenges Faced By a Founder and CEO at Mustard and Moxie
Anna's biggest challenge as Founder & CEO of Mustard & Moxie is balancing "two major focuses": serving existing clients and simultaneously developing new business to ensure a consistent project pipeline. This requires a high level of multitasking, which Anna finds difficult, highlighting the constant pressure to both maintain client satisfaction and proactively seek new opportunities for growth.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Marketing Industry as a Founder and CEO
Anna, Founder & CEO at Mustard & Moxie, most enjoys the flexibility and autonomy of business ownership, allowing for work-life integration exemplified by working from Mexico City during a vacation; the marketing aspect excites Anna due to "the storytelling aspect...combined with the human behavior aspect," particularly applying corporate marketing strategies to the nuanced challenges of the non-profit sector with its diverse stakeholders.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Entrepreneurship According To A Founder And CEO At Mustard And Moxie
Anna, Founder & CEO at Mustard & Moxie, identifies a key trait for entrepreneurial success as the willingness to embrace mistakes, stating, "I genuinely appreciate...the process of making those mistakes, is that they're mine," using these learning opportunities to improve their company and themselves. This contrasts sharply with corporate environments where admitting mistakes can be hindered by politics and fear, highlighting a crucial difference between corporate and entrepreneurial career paths.
What A Founder And CEO At Mustard And Moxie Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Startup Industry
Anna, Founder & CEO of Mustard & Moxie, learned that starting a business "is not that hard," but achieving success is challenging; the key to their success has been seeking help, taking risks, understanding the competitive landscape, and maintaining a clear vision driven by the desire to "make a difference," a realization that could have propelled them to entrepreneurship earlier.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Marketers
Anna, Founder & CEO of Mustard & Moxie, highlights two entry-level paths for aspiring marketers: the corporate route, where one "starts at the bottom and works [their] way up," and the agency route, offering diverse client experiences and exposure to various marketing sectors. A strong understanding of marketing best practices, storytelling, and current marketing technology—including expertise in specific platforms—"can be really good in boosting your resume," a skillset particularly valuable given the time constraints of more senior professionals.
Significant Career Lesson from a Founder and CEO at Mustard and Moxie
Anna's significant career lesson is the importance of embracing change; "things are not just going to go how you think they're gonna go, ever," a realization that led to a career shift from film to marketing, even involving a stint as a waitress to maintain flexibility while pursuing freelance projects. This adaptability, demonstrated by leaving a field they initially loved and returning to a service industry job, ultimately led to unexpected and positive career outcomes.
College Experiences That Helped a Founder and CEO at Mustard and Moxie Succeed
Although Anna's undergraduate film and television production studies differ from current work as Founder & CEO of Mustard & Moxie, the training provided a foundation in "telling stories," a skill now applied to crafting compelling narratives for clients and nonprofits. This includes the ability to "envision what a happy ending looks like," fostering optimism and driving success.
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