In Conversation with Susi Aminian

Tell us about your background:

I'm a Creative Director with a background spanning beauty and fashion — with experience at brands including Bumble and bumble, Philosophy, MAC Cosmetics, Coach, and Diane von Furstenberg.

What do you wish you’d known when you started out?

Just how many opportunities there were to work in this industry in terms of professions. I was completely clueless.

Best career advice you've ever received?

Know the audience you're speaking to and speak their language.

What leadership qualities are important to you?

Leading with empathy and kindness. Supporting my team. Building their strengths. Having the ability to see things strategically and pragmatically. Teach what you know you can teach to others and support talent to grown and shine.

What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?

Managing my own impostor syndrome. Being a creative means always putting yourself out there and in a vulnerable space. This can be a superpower!

How do you define success in your career, and how has that definition evolved over time?

I am passionate about the work I do. I am always striving to do something better, using entrepreneurial approaches. I think the feeling of success has a lot to do with feeling proud of the work, but it is also about how it came together. The process matters too. Success in the numbers is very motivating and can be exciting, but is not always aligned to the quality of the work and the constraints of the project.

How has networking contributed to your professional growth and success?

I think it is the number one thing that we all have to do. It has made a big difference in my life and helped me land jobs I would never have been able to connect to otherwise. It is also an area that feels neglected. It's hard to balance it all. Being a mom, working, seeing friends, taking care of yourself. Networking tends to fall off the list but it is so important to your career trajectory.

What are your top networking tips for building strong connections in your industry?

Genuine connections. Actual friendships vs more transactional interactions.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susie-aminian

Website: https://susieaminian.com/

Instagram: @susieaminian