As we celebrate Women’s Month, we honour the achievements and contributions of remarkable women like Laura Thomas, the Founding Owner and Managing Partner of Salt & Candy. Over the past 15 years, Laura has transformed her vision into reality, navigating the challenging waters of the advertising world and inspiring many along the way.
Overcoming early challenges
When Laura began her career, resources for women in business were scarce. “There really weren’t many female role models in my industry that I was aware of,” she recalls. Despite having a godmother who was a powerhouse in business, Laura faced numerous challenges. “There were few publicly available and accessible women to look up to,” she says, highlighting the lack of female representation in her early days.
However, the landscape has shifted significantly. Today, there’s a growing emphasis on empowering women in the workplace, particularly in advertising. “Women are more visible in leadership roles, creative teams, and decision-making positions than ever before,” Laura notes. This shift has fostered a more inclusive environment where women can advocate for their ideas and contribute meaningfully to campaigns.
Inspired by a powerhouse
Laura’s biggest female inspiration was her godmother. “As a child, when I asked her to help me with my homework, hoping she would give me the answers, she would instead pose questions to help me reach the solutions myself. This was leadership,” Laura shares. This approach influenced Laura’s leadership style, emphasizing guidance over micromanagement.
Her godmother also taught her the importance of maintaining boundaries and finding joy amidst work madness. “She wasn’t shy about communicating her boundaries, and everyone always knew where they stood with her,” Laura says. Additionally, her godmother instilled the value of giving back, a principle Laura continues to uphold by donating a percentage of earnings from major deals to worthy causes.
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
Laura offers sage advice for women with creative ideas but who fear expanding on them. “People at the top are still just people. They have their own insecurities, flaws, and limiting beliefs,” she reminds us. Building confidence in asking questions and learning to view rejection and feedback as opportunities for growth are crucial. “Be thankful for the information and use it to your advantage to improve yourself,” she advises.
She also stresses the importance of choosing the right people to seek advice from. “You wouldn’t ask someone who has never run a race to help you train for a marathon. The same goes for work, life, and love. Choose your circle wisely,” she emphasizes.
The power of humility in leadership
Laura believes humility is a key characteristic for successful leadership. Referencing a quote from The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy, she highlights the bravery in asking for help. “Asking for help takes courage and humility — traits that are often overlooked in leadership,” she says. Humble leaders are open to learning, actively seek advice, and create a culture of collaboration and creativity.
“Humility is not self-doubt or a lack of confidence. It means recognising your strengths and weaknesses, being receptive to feedback, and treating others with respect and appreciation,” Laura explains. This blend of qualities makes leaders more approachable and adaptable, ultimately leading to greater success.
Wisdom for the younger self
If Laura could offer advice to her younger self, it would be to focus on momentum. “Just keep going. Stop worrying about the big stuff — it will paralyze you. Focus on the small wins every day, and that domino effect is what will drive you,” she says. Trusting oneself and learning from every experience, whether it results in success or failure, is the key to growth.
ALSO SEE: Inspiring women of the month: Andriette de la Harpe on turning your passion into a business
Inspiring women of the month: Andriette de la Harpe on turning your passion into a business
