On this episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast, host Paul Spiegelman speaks with Heidi Baumgart, COO of Skidmore Studio, a 65-year-old branding firm. 

As an only child growing up in rural Ohio, Heidi observed generations of her family work hard to build their businesses, be it a dairy farm or a home renovation business. She took these values with her through her academic career, and into her first job after college at an advertising agency. Soon enough, though, when Heidi and her now-husband were planning their wedding, she pivoted her career to run her own event planning business for five years, which she claims has heavily informed every role she’s had since. Heidi’s redirected her career since then, first into marketing leadership, and most recently into people management, which is allowing her to live her purpose of helping humans flourish. 

Tune in to this episode to hear Heidi and Paul discuss Skidmore’s strong remote work culture, the influence of the Small Giants Community Summit on Heidi’s career journey, and their shared optimism about young people entering the workforce. 

Show Notes:

• 5:05 - Building a better culture through remote work
• 12:30 - Growing up with elbow grease
• 15:40 - Transferring skills into entrepreneurship 
• 17:05 - The Small Giants Community influence 
• 23:40 - Skidmore’s devotion to values
• 32:23 - Heidi’s advice for young people

Book that Inspired Heidi:
Atomic Habits by James Clear

Listen to Heidi's story below: