In Conversation with Madeline Schwarz

Tell us about your background:

I studied apparel design at Cornell and interned for Malia Mills the summer they got approved for credit card sales. I cut patterns, packaged orders, and occasionally stood in as a fit model. I became a lifelong fan of Malia and the brand. 

The next summer, I worked at a larger company and realized that clothing construction wasn’t my driving passion. After college, I landed a job at a design book publisher and moved to Brooklyn. 

I ran the publicity department for a design book publisher and placed authors and books in national media like the NY Times and Fresh Air. I loved being immersed in the creative world and getting invited to museum and gallery openings but I outgrew my position and wanted to get back to hands-on creative work. 

I went back to school at F.I.T. to study display and exhibit design. I got recruited straight out of school to design window displays for Armani Exchange. I spent the next decade designing retail environments, window displays and experiential marketing events for brands like Coach, Diesel and Luxottica. What I learned was how to get a message across in seconds. 

I worked with so many creative people who were great at creative problem solving but struggled to talk about their ideas and sell their vision to other people. That’s the problem I wanted to solve when I started my business.

Now I help other people tell stories and invite audiences into their world. I’ve worked with employees and teams at brands such as Etsy, Tommy Hilfiger, Mastercard, Blink Fitness, and Fancy LLC. I’ve helped them change conversations in presentations, board meetings, pitches, and podcasts. 

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

Communication is a skill, something you can learn through practice, like sewing and softball. You just need to have the right tools.

Best career advice you've ever received?

Do it before you feel ready. 

That's what a mentor said to me when I started my business and asked him to read my first website copy. 

It’s something I constantly remind my clients. There are no crystal balls, the best way to find out if it’s going to work is to experiment.

What leadership qualities are important to you?

Communication, Creativity, Community

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

I left my job without another lined up just before the market crash in 2008. I was in the fourth round of interviews with two different companies and was pretty sure I’d get an offer. 

I had planned my resignation date and a trip abroad so when the date rolled around, I resigned and went to Peru.

I didn’t get either job and the market crashed shortly after. There were no brand jobs but one of my vendors scooped me up and that's how I moved into account and project management. I discovered I liked being on the other side of the business, working with a variety of brands and creative styles. 

And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?

Brightly printed dresses and jumpsuits in warm weather. Jackets and blazers with standup collars in colder months.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeline-schwarz-coach/

Website: www.madelineschwarzcoaching.com

Instagram: @madeline.schwarz