We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sarah Malcolm a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Sarah with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I owe my strong work ethic to my mother. Witnessing her shatter every glass ceiling from the 1980s to the 2000s, ultimately becoming the president and COO of Regency Centers, was a privilege. She worked tirelessly, becoming the primary breadwinner for our family. Having a front-row seat to her achievements profoundly shaped who I am today.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m Sarah, the Founder and EVP Managing Director of Quiet Valor, an ad agency that serves companies in the tech, biotech, real estate, and healthcare innovation sectors. My passion lies in transforming brands with zero traction into something truly remarkable.
Since the start of my career, I’ve poured my energy into the companies I work with. To me, it’s never just about click-throughs and metrics. There’s always a person behind every data point and every B2B relationship. Embracing cutting-edge strategies to enhance human connections has positioned me as a pioneer in digital marketing within the commercial real estate industry.
I’ve been honored to be named one of the Top 25 Women Founders in Commercial Real Estate, 2024 CREi Women of Influence as well as a Power Beacon, a group of top performing women in CRE helping to illuminate other women and commercial real estate. I also was chosen to be one of ICSC’s inaugural top 10 influencer content creators. My ability to build authentic relationships through the latest digital marketing innovations makes me a sought-after voice in the industry. This passion for connecting people in new and meaningful ways has earned me awards and recognition, including being a Featured Contributor for Forbes. Additionally, I founded #CREMarketing Call to further these conversations.
Outside of work, I cherish my role as Chief Lego Builder, appointed by my three little boys. I also sing at Church on the worship team. ☺️
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, there are three things that really made a difference in my journey: resilience, adaptability, and relationship-building.
1. Resilience:
• Impact: Getting through tough times and bouncing back from failures was huge. It taught me a lot and kept me moving forward.
• Advice: If you’re just starting out, try to see challenges as chances to learn. Don’t be afraid of failing—use it as a lesson. Start with small goals to build your confidence and resilience over time.
2. Adaptability:
• Impact: Things are always changing, especially in tech and innovation. Being able to adapt and learn new things helped me stay relevant and grab new opportunities.
• Advice: Stay curious and open to new experiences. Keep learning, whether it’s through courses, books, or hands-on projects. Being flexible and willing to step out of your comfort zone is really important.
3. Relationship-Building:
• Impact: Building real, strong relationships was key. Understanding the people behind the businesses and creating trust opened a lot of doors for me.
• Advice: Work on your people skills. Listen actively, be empathetic, and communicate well. Networking is about quality, not just quantity—invest time in meaningful connections and help others out too.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
At Quiet Valor, we’re excited to work with clients who share a few key traits that really make for a great partnership:
1. Innovative Mindset:
• We love collaborating with people who are eager to push boundaries and explore creative, out-of-the-box solutions. Whether it’s commercial real estate, restaurants, retail and beyond, were drawn to those who aren’t afraid to try something new.
2. Collaborative Spirit:
• Teamwork is really important to us. We’re looking for clients who value open communication and are willing to work closely with us. When we can bounce ideas off each other and build strategies together, it leads to the best results.
3. Clear Vision and Passion:
• Passionate clients with a clear vision are a joy to work with. Their enthusiasm and commitment to their mission help drive the creative process and ensure we’re all on the same page.
4. Commitment to Growth:
• We aim for long-term relationships with clients who are focused on growth and making a lasting impact. We appreciate those who are looking beyond just short-term wins and are invested in sustainable, long-term success.
These qualities help us create meaningful, impactful campaigns. We’re genuinely excited to partner with clients who share these values.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Quietvalor.com
- Instagram:@mrssarahmalcolm
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahlmalcolm
- Twitter: @mrssarahmalcolm
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.