Here, media mogul Laura Brown talks about navigating career challenges and the power of understanding your worth.
In February,InStyleshuttered its print edition, and editor-in-chief Laura Brown found herself out of a job.
Instead, she posteda video of herself doing tequila shotswith her former team, shouting, Onward!
She says her attitude was, Ill come back with something later.
Im just eating a McMuffin right now.
Nine months later, Brown has finished her snack and revealed her next venture,LB Media.
She says, Im open to everything and Im just going to see where it takes me.
(This isnt new territory for her; she madeDr.
The Sydney-born editorshalf-million Instagram followerswere excited about the news.
Im going to Australia, she laughs.
Browns popularity is well-earned.
Youve talked aboutyour worth not being dependent on your job title.
Did you always feel those two things were separate for you?
If not, how did you get to that place?
When I was younger, of course Oh my God, Ive gotten this job atHarpers BazaarorInStyleand wow-ee.
I think a lot of people still get seduced by all of that.
Its not the airfare you could afford or the handbags.
Its all sort of gifted and grafted and obligation-centered.
Its lovely but its not actually your life.
I think its about realizing where your power lies.
And I actually do not like the term empowering.
I find it very condescending.
Every woman has power, whether or not they can see it as easily as others.
If you have a change of job situation, you cant forget everything that youve worked for.
All the skills that youve accrued do not just float away.
They stay with you.
But it’s up to you to remember that.
How do you cope with setbacks?
Just be frank and pragmatic about it.
This is not the be-all, end-all of your life.
Dont give things, people, or circumstances power that dont deserve it.
I was lucky enough to have a lot of people who support me and I support them.
No matter how social you are, everybody has this web link.
But really, I had a deluge of messages and DMs for a week.
I wouldnt have gotten this if I just left.
And I didnt leave I was going to take my leave a little later.
How do you turn your brain off after a long, stressful day?
Ill just do some zombie-sit and watch the telly, like Stephen Colbert from the night before.
I just love him.
When do you feel the most creative?
Oh God, I call them night flights.
It sometimes takes me a while to get to sleep because my brain just gets all fired up.
I always used to say, when Sheryl Sandbergs book said lean in, I said lie down.
How do you pump yourself up before a big meeting?
Understand that you are in the room, too.
And I was like, Well, Im also here and Im pretty smart and Ive got social skills.
Remind yourself to equalize yourself with people, and then I think youre fine in any room.
What advice do you have for making friends at your job or in your industry?
Its weird now because theres no water cooler, is there?
But you dont have to over-calibrate.
I always say you’re able to smell the effort sometimes.
You’re all there in the first place because you have similar interests.
So in a weird way, it’s been winnowed down for you.
When you were just starting out in your career, who was your role model?
I was never, Oh my God, I love this editor-in-chief for this magazine.
That was more seductive than, I want to be like that lady.
Even though, of course, I really enjoyed Carrie Bradshaw, because come on.
Im a living, breathing gal.
Ive met her a few times, and shes just really down and really funny, too.
Whether in media or fashion, what advice would you give somebody who’s just starting out now?
Internships, if you might get them.
They’re so tough now.
God, I really miss the simpler days.
I feel like this word is so overused, but I really mean it: Be humble.
It doesnt mean you are lesser.
Also, really listen to your inner 8-year-old: What do you like?
What do you not like?
You cant force anything.
What is one thing that you need advice on?
I think I still have a bit of a way to go on that.
Pick one word to set your intention for 2023?
I have no interest in that.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
This article was originally published onDec.
