Olivia Kopchik

I attribute my success to grit and determination. Ever since I was probably 5 or 6, I always wanted to work in publishing and magazines. I remember back in college, I really wanted to intern in New York City, and I opened up a credit card and got an NYU dorm for the summer, went to the city, and was like, I'm getting this internship. And I did, at Universal Music Group through one of my sorority sisters. What I really attribute it to is having a mom and a grandmother that were homemakers, and I always just saw them not living out their dreams, and I wanted to do that. I also believe in manifesting. I look back and I'm like, unintentionally, I've manifested exactly the place where I live, exactly the son that I wanted, exactly the job that I wanted, and it's pretty wild. I always wanted to work in publishing, and not just at any magazine, but with luxury titles, which is something I've always had an affinity for since I was a child. It was later in life that I found the exact niche, but it happened.

The best career advice I've received is to always find that female mentor to champion you and push you to do things that are out of your comfort zone. I always had some sort of female mentor that pushed me harder and championed me. Two mentors stand out in particular: Carol Evans, who was the founder of Working Mother Magazine and a pioneer in advocating for working moms. I worked for her for about a decade and built up their digital media revenue stream. She always pushed me, but in a positive way, and I'm forever grateful for her. I still have her book that she signed at a lunch. The second was Amy Lloyd, who was my boss back at Parenting Magazine. We still talk, and she was just a great resource and mentor. I'm grateful for her, always.

My advice to young women entering the industry is to not shrink. There's a tendency in corporate America where people don't let someone who's capable participate. I've been in a room with male leaders so many times where people try to make you small so that they feel better. Be true to yourself and don't shrink to make someone else feel bigger. Also, dreams do come true. I had my son in my later 40s through IVF, and the clinic said it was advanced maternal age and not possible, but you can do anything you want if you surround yourself with the right people who will lift you up and support you. I look back and I've manifested exactly what I wanted, and it's pretty wild. I always tell my son that he can do whatever he wants, and I think it's really important.

I think the biggest challenge and opportunity is that the media landscape is constantly evolving, and people have to evolve and keep up with that. But it's also an opportunity because then I can learn new things all the time.

The most important value to me is to not shrink. There's a tendency in corporate America where people could make you feel small. I've been in a room with male leaders so many times, and people don't let someone who's capable participate. I think I always try to be true to myself and don't shrink to make someone else feel bigger.