Meet Glenn Marsden

We recently connected with Glenn Marsden and have shared our conversation below.

Glenn, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Being the only one in the room” , it’s a powerful place to be, but it’s not always a comfortable one. I learned early on that when you’re not invited to the table, you don’t wait for the invitation, you build your own.

I realised that if I kept waiting for someone to open a door, I could be standing still for years. So I got to work creating the Imperfectly Perfect Campaign, my philanthropic endeavours in aims to change the narrative around mental health one story at a time, not because I had all the resources, but because I had a message and a mission I refused to keep quiet. That opened doors I never imagined: from media to boardrooms to international stages.

Being “the only one” taught me a few key things:

You don’t need permission to lead, just purpose.

Authenticity is your power, especially in rooms that weren’t built for you.

Presence matters. People remember how you made them feel, not just what you said. So when you show up, show up fully, with substance, not just style.

Over time, I’ve gone from being the outsider to bringing others in. And that’s the point, to create rooms where others feel seen, heard, and inspired to lead too.

You can either wait to be invited to someone else’s table or build your own and make space for others around it. I chose the latter , and I’d do it again every time.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

At the heart of what I do is creating platforms that amplify purpose, whether through storytelling, media, or strategic brand building. What excites me most is helping people turn their lived experiences into influence, impact, and legacy.

I bring together international public figures, from celebrities to athletes, entrepreneurs to thought leaders, alongside everyday people with extraordinary stories, and I showcase them in my international bestselling book series, The Imperfectly Perfect Campaign. What makes this so powerful is the mix of high-profile voices and real-life perspectives coming together to shift conversations around mental health, identity, and leadership.

But it doesn’t stop at publishing a book. I give my co-authors the opportunity to take the stage, literally, by helping them launch or expand their speaking careers through appearances at international events, often alongside recognisable names. From there, many go on to grow personal brands, gain media attention, and step confidently into new levels of influence.

I also host exclusive masterminds in Los Angeles, where I equip clients with the tools to not only market themselves or their projects effectively, but to build real relationships across media, corporate, and entertainment sectors. We focus on creating brand clarity, generating publicity, forming high-level partnerships, and building multiple income streams, all from a foundation of purpose and authenticity.

What started with a personal story and a camera has become a global movement and at the side, my own business that brings awareness, strategy, and opportunity together. For me, it’s always been about legacy, and helping others create the same.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful things in my journey have been: resilience, self-awareness, and relationship building.

Resilience — No matter how talented or connected you are, setbacks are inevitable. What got me through wasn’t just motivation, it was commitment to the bigger vision. I always say, “You don’t rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the strength of your systems and mindset.” Developing resilience means getting comfortable with discomfort and continuing to show up, even when no one’s clapping yet.

Self-awareness — I had to get brutally honest with myself about what I’m great at, where I need support, and when I was over-thinking and was getting in my own way. This clarity helped me focus my energy on what actually moves the needle. For anyone starting out: spend time understanding your values and strengths. If you’re not clear on who you are and what you stand for, start there because once you know you will truly start creating real value.

Relationships — One of the biggest things for me has and will always be about building genuine relationships. So many people these days seem to care more about collecting contacts. Where it should be about building trust, showing up consistently, and creating mutual value to those you start building the relationships with.. People remember presence, not pitches. Relationships are the real currency in business, especially in industries like entertainment, media, or entrepreneurship.

My advice for those starting out? Stop waiting for permission. Start messy, be imperfect, stay consistent, and always align your actions with your purpose. Build your brand around who you are, not just what you do, and the right people and opportunities will start to align.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

Honestly, the most impactful force in helping me overcome challenges and develop the skills and perspective I needed has been God, though not in the traditional sense, because I wasn’t brought up around faith or spirituality.

It was only through building what I have, the campaign, the brand, the movement, that I started to sense there was something greater guiding all of it. Too many things aligned that I couldn’t explain logically: the right people showing up at exactly the right times, doors opening that I didn’t even knock on, and certain challenges that, while painful, taught me exactly what I needed to grow. For me, I learned that is God, not just in a religious sense, but as a deeper, guiding presence that’s been constantly working in the background.

I’ve had mentors, peers, and even strangers pour into me in ways that shaped everything, whether through encouragement, opportunities, or even hard lessons. Some of those moments were tough, but looking back, they were necessary. I truly believe God doesn’t always give us what we want, but always what we need, especially when we stay open, keep moving with integrity, and trust the process.

So while I didn’t find faith in a church, I found it in the journey. In the alignment. In the moments I was stretched beyond what I thought I could handle, and still came out stronger, wiser, and more grounded in purpose.

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