Laura Cibilich, co-founder of Run, a design and advertising agency in New Zealand, shares her journey from naive graphic designer to agency owner guided by Māori values.
Laura discusses how indigenous values aren't separate from business—they're fundamental human principles. She reveals how becoming a parent forced strategic thinking, leading to winning major clients like Niue Tourism despite being up against agencies with cafes and corporate perks.
The conversation explores navigating neurodivergence in creative partnerships, the courage to say no to misaligned clients, and why human creativity will always matter more than AI-generated shortcuts.
Key Takeaways
- Creativity isn't taught out of people—it's about maintaining curiosity and finding the right environment to express it naturally
- Not knowing the formal rules can be an advantage, allowing you to break conventions and make unexpected discoveries
- Starting without a perfect plan isn't failure—it's part of the journey, and going back to employment to stabilize isn't defeat
- Having children forces you to think strategically about life and business, often providing the catalyst needed for serious growth
- Smaller agencies can win against corporate giants by offering passion and guarantee of being the client's priority, not smallest account
- Defining and writing down your values creates a guiding compass for decision-making, hiring, and client selection
- ADHD can be a superpower in advertising where constant idea generation is the job—understanding neurodivergence helps rather than hinders
- Indigenous values are fundamentally human values—about relationships, environment, kinship, and treating people with genuine respect and care
- Saying no to lucrative but misaligned work gets easier when you're clear on values and positioned for right-fit clients
- AI tools have their place, but human creativity rooted in culture, values, and tactile experiences cannot be replicated
- Being one of few women founders carries weight and responsibility, but sharing your story helps pave the way for others
- Long-term thinking helps navigate setbacks—bumps in the road are temporary when you maintain vision of where you're heading
Daring Creativity. Daring Forever. Podcast with Radim Malinic
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