Celebrating Female Leadership: An Interview with EMW3 Media's Founder Lydia Ma

Mar 8

In honor of Women's History Month, we want to spotlight remarkable female leaders who are shaping industries and inspiring change. Today, we celebrate Lydia Ma, the visionary founder of EMW3 Media. Lydia's journey from seasoned marketer to entrepreneurial trailblazer embodies the essence of female leadership in the modern business landscape. Through our exclusive interview, Lydia shares her insights, experiences, and empowering advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, shedding light on her remarkable achievements and the transformative journey behind EMW3.

Q1: Can you tell us about your background and what inspired the creation of EMW3?

A: My background spans various industries as a growth marketer, managing substantial yearly budgets exceeding $100MM. What really sparked the idea for EMW3 was my frustration with the typical agency model, which often prioritizes profit over client success. I envision EMW3 as a place where exceptional results and client growth take the priority. I've always believed that there are no perfect individuals, but you can create a perfect team. Recognizing the importance of this, I've strived to build a cohesive team where individual strengths complement one another. Additionally, I've aimed to establish a framework that emphasizes quality over quantity, enabling us to focus on nurturing a select group of clients for 10X+ growth. That's what sets us apart from the traditional agency model – and it's been an incredibly rewarding journey so far!

Q2: How do your experiences as a woman shape your leadership style and business approach?

A: As a female leader, I embrace a serving leadership style, prioritizing transparency, empathy, and collaboration. I believe in fostering an environment where team members feel empowered to express their authentic selves. My journey has taught me the significance of deeply understanding clients' needs and customizing solutions to drive mutual success. Additionally, as a female leader, I've experienced firsthand the unique challenges faced by women in the workplace. This personal insight influences how I shape our work environment to accommodate the needs of individuals, whether they're navigating motherhood, need to work different hours to take care of a loved one, have nontraditional career backgrounds, etc. While we welcome individuals from different backgrounds, they all share a common desire to grow, exhibit empathy, and have ambition without ego. My mission is to create a nurturing space where each individual can realize their full potential.

Q3: What advice do you have for women aspiring to start their own businesses?

Entrepreneurship is a lonely journey. Finding a good business partner (cofounders) is crucial but can be even more challenging than finding a life partner. You need someone who not only shares your big dreams and strong values but also sees eye-to-eye on the long-term vision. It's all about finding that perfect match who won't compromise their principles or sacrifice our long-term goals for short-term gains. The challenging moments will truly put the compatibility and resilience of your partnership to the test. But if you weather those storms together, it will only strengthen your relationship and trust, paving the way for greater achievements.
Growth solves 95%+ of problems in business. Only 1% of decisions will truly be critical to the core of your business success.
Only a fraction of decisions truly matter, so learn to distinguish between the critical ones and the rest. Letting go is a lifelong practice. Releasing control allows others and your business to thrive.
Your health is the key to your business success, physically and mentally.
Culture is essential for attracting and retaining talented individuals. Respecting and treating every individual so they feel comfortable to be themselves is vital. And very importantly, remember that no culture is also a culture—it's just a bad one. So, invest wholeheartedly in fostering a positive and nurturing environment for everyone's benefit. It's not just about the bottom line; it's about creating a space where each person can thrive and contribute their best.
Always prioritize cash flow and build a healthy revenue model, regardless of your business's target market or funding structure. These are foundational for sustainable growth and long-term success.

Q4: Is there a female figure who has significantly influenced your life?

A: Absolutely, I attribute much of my bravery to my mother. Her courage in the face of challenges and constant positivity has inspired me to embrace discomfort, practice being fearless, and to pursue new opportunities with enthusiasm. My mantra of finding comfort in discomfort reflects my mother’s influence on my entrepreneurial journey.

Q5: Can you share any additional highlights from your entrepreneurial journey?

A: As I reflect on my entrepreneurial journey, I've come to realize that the challenges I face are ever-evolving. To shed light on my growth and offer insights to fellow entrepreneurs, I'd like to share some pivotal questions I've asked myself:

It’s crucial to think clearly through two things at the beginning of your entrepreneurship journey - 1. What do I want to achieve and 2. Why should I be the person to achieve it? Answering this question has helped me unearth my passion and identify my competitive edge in the market.
How can we build successful growth case studies without the resources and platforms that exist in enterprise companies? This question pushes me to really focus on our strengths, and invest in ways to exceed client expectations and deliver exceptional results, setting a high standard for my business.
How do we budget for our first full-time hire? This is a big company milestone and forces you to really think through P&L, revenue models, cash flows, and all things financial because you will be responsible for another person. Navigating the financial aspect of scaling up our team is a crucial in laying a solid foundation for growth.
How do we attract and retain top talent in our industry? Once you surpass the milestone of hiring your first employee, the next step is thinking through how to scale, attract and retain the best people in the industry. It’s important to switch your mindset from what can a person do for the company to what can we do for our employees. This goes back to the crucial piece of building a nurturing, empowering, and safe work culture.
What steps lead to achieving $10 million in revenue annually? Once you are able to map this plan out, you will be able to think through the plan from $10 million to $1 billion.
How do we evaluate investment opportunities in other companies? Whether it's through equity partnerships, revenue sharing, or outright acquisitions, understanding the intricacies of business growth models is essential in making informed decisions.

By continually asking these questions and seeking answers, I've been able to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and chart a course for success.

As we conclude our interview with Lydia, it's evident that her unwavering commitment to client success, innovative approach to business, and dedication to fostering a supportive work environment underscore her role as a true leader in her field. We look forward to witnessing the continued growth and influence of EMW3 and how she continues to shape and reshape the entrepreneurial landscape for future generations of female leaders in the business world.