Leila Phillips

Hard work, perseverance, and the support of my loved ones have been crucial to my success. I’ve learned so much by staying open and being a student of life, always willing to learn from whatever experiences come my way. I believe that every experience, whether positive or challenging, offers an opportunity for growth. Being able to reflect, adapt, and carry those lessons forward has shaped who I am professionally. I’ve faced difficult life experiences early on that taught me resilience, adaptability, and emotional strength. Those qualities influence how I approach my work every day. They’ve given me the ability to navigate uncertainty, stay committed through challenges, and continue growing with intention and purpose.

Follow what you genuinely love and trust your instincts—passion and persistence create opportunities even when the path is uncertain.

Passion is what sustains your vision. When you love what you do, it becomes easier to move through uncertainty, setbacks, and moments of doubt. You can remind yourself that even if things are difficult now, they are not permanent—they are part of the process. Especially as a woman early in your career, it’s natural to question whether you’re making the right choices, whether you’ll be secure, and whether everything will work out. I’ve had those same thoughts and still do from time to time. I remember being an intern, doing work that felt small, and wondering how long it would take to become who I knew I could be. But growth rarely looks linear while you’re inside it. If you hold onto your passion and stay true to your vision, you will find your way. Trust yourself. You already have what you need.

The biggest challenge right now is definitely AI. It’s an incredibly useful tool, but it also brings a lot of uncertainty. Things are evolving so quickly, and learning how to adapt while continuing to develop your own creative and strategic skills has been a challenge. The same is true for e-commerce and influencer marketing, which are constantly changing in response to new platforms and consumer behavior. At the same time, there are more opportunities than ever for creatives and entrepreneurs. Social media has made it possible for individuals to build their own brands, market themselves directly, and create real business opportunities without relying on traditional gatekeepers. Creatives are no longer limited to traditional paths—they can build visibility, collaborate, and create their own momentum. It’s a challenging moment, but it’s also an incredibly exciting one.

Intention is incredibly important to me. I always try to lead with intention in everything I do. Integrity is also essential, along with kindness and respect. Innovation rounds out my core values, because I believe it’s important to think creatively and stay open to new ideas and approaches.

When you operate from those principles, you’re able to produce stronger, more meaningful work, and your clients feel that difference. I’ve encountered environments where kindness, respect, or care were lacking, and it ultimately made collaboration less productive and less fulfilling.

These values guide everything I do, both professionally and personally. They shape how I approach my work, how I treat others, and the standard I hold myself to.