Who are you, and what do you do?
My name is Megan Armstrong Wold, I am the Founder and President of a brand and marketing agency in Bozeman, MT – Armstrong Marketing Solutions.
What is one habit of yours that helps you be productive?
A good morning routine. Get up early, work out, have coffee and quiet time, eat breakfast, and get ready for the day. Without a healthy morning routine by whole day feels out of control.
What has been one insight or lesson that has been most helpful in your career?
Invest your time and energy into growing an amazing team that will continue the work you started. And work-life balance is a lie. It is not a teetertotter, it is a merry-go-round.
In the last few years, what lifestyle, habit or behavior change has had the biggest positive impact on your life?
Getting married! When I starting AMS I was single so it was easy to work anytime I needed/wanted. But having a life partner means setting more boundaries and leaving some energy at the end of the day for my husband.
What has been your favorite mistake? A mistake that in retrospect led to a great lesson and progress.
Hiring. Hiring the right people is hard, but it is important to invest in the right hiring process for your company to ensure you make the right decision the first time when it comes to bringing on new members of your team. By hiring the wrong people a few times, we have learned better ways to interview and train new employees.
When you feel unfocused, what do you do?
Step away. I usually feel unfocused when I have a long to do list and don’t know where to start. I find myself sitting in front of my computer checking emails and opening new windows. By taking a few minutes to step away, go for a walk, whatever – it allows my mind to settle and slow down. Then I can come back to my computer and be more productive.
Project forward ten years. How will your industry or field be fundamentally different then? What opportunities do you see?
This is a really hard question! I don’t know how my industry will change, but I do see opportunities in different revenue streams like coaching, books, and financially investing in small companies that need brand and marketing help.
What are some bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?
As a leader at AMS I strive to do anything I can to support my team and their professional growth. When in conversation with other professional leaders they seem to lax on taking extra time to train and invest in their team. Without setting your team up for success from the beginning, it actually makes more work for a leader later.
In the last two years, what have you become better at saying no to?
Additional professional obligations outside of my daily role at AMS.
What is the one book you recommend most often and why?
Built to Sell. This book outlines how to build, grow and sell a company. Don’t work so hard for so long for nothing in the end.
What advice would you give a smart and ambitious recent college graduate? What advice should they ignore?
Believe in yourself, work hard and be aggressive. It is important to do self work so you can be a better person for those around you and professionally.
Advice to ignore – any negative self-talk or feedback. Make sure you decipher what is value adding constructive feedback and what is just negative noise.
What is your favorite quote, one you aim to live by?
Be the light – Jesus.