MENTOR SPOTLIGHT: KINSEY WOLF
Tell us about your venture/work.
I lead The Lane Collective, a collective of independent consultants that help companies grow. We’re a flexible, agile alternative to the traditional agency model. As the founder, and an independent consultant myself, I work directly with future-focused tech startups as a Fractional CMO and marketing consultant.
When did you know you wanted to take an entrepreneurial path?
I grew up in an entrepreneurial family, so I caught the bug early. I had no illusions about how difficult it is to start and grow a business, but I also saw how rewarding entrepreneurship could be personally and professionally.
How did you decide to tackle this particular issue?
I believe that success is better shared, so I wanted to find a way to bring experts together toward a common goal; that is, our clients’ success. I also knew that the traditional agency model left something to be desired for startups and even mid-market innovators, so I tried to design a flexible, transparent solution that would provide more value.
What do you enjoy most about being an impact entrepreneur?
What’s hardest about it?I love helping big ideas achieve their potential; enabling founders achieve their vision for a better future is what gets me out of bed every day. The hardest part is balancing my passion for the work and the mission with not being able to support everyone. I don’t love to say “no,” but sometimes, I have to.
How do you navigate the space of being a founder and also being a POC/women/non-binary person?
Community. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of a rich network of peers, partners, mentors, and collaborators.
What advice do you have for early-stage impact entrepreneurs about using their time, relationships, and opportunities at The New School to prepare for this kind of career?
Entrepreneurship will challenge your sense of self and force you out of your comfort zone. Now is a beautiful time to push your own boundaries and challenge yourself, so that when those growth opportunities surface down the road, you’ve already built the self-awareness (and self-confidence) to navigate them with more ease.
Anything else you would like to add?
If I could go back and do it all over again, I would have spent a lot less time worrying about what my career would look like when I was in school. The truth is, your future is yours to make, and at this stage in your career, there’s no “wrong path.”
Click here to learn more.