Today we’d like to introduce you to Lara Schmoisman.
Lara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina. After graduating from college with a BA in radio and TV production, I moved to the US to learn English – I didn’t speak a word back then. One thing led to another, and some doors started opening. At that time, I was sleeping on a hand-me-down mattress with coils literally sticking out of it. I was taking as many jobs as I could and sleeping little, but even so — somehow life was starting to fall into place. Opportunities to learn and grow came my way. I worked in TV, film distribution, digital, marketing, and advertising. After flirting and dating for a while with each industry, I realized that I didn’t want to settle down with any of them because each one was equally important. They complement each other. And, as I was taking a step back and evaluating where I was going, after coming across a comment from the CEO of the last company I worked for saying “Tell Lara not to give opinions during ours meetings” and being told that no one would hire me because of my background being “too broad”, I realized, while crying at a gas station, that I was SO done with working for other people. I wanted to be in charge of my life. Thankfully, new opportunities came my way, which prompted me to start my own agency, The Darl. Now, we are a 360 Marketing and Production boutique agency that specializes in digital, with a team of 30+ individuals who work remotely from across the globe.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My story is one of perseverance and hard work. As an immigrant, I had to prove myself worthy in the entertainment industry to show that I have what it takes to succeed despite my imperfect English skills and non-American education. I have used over 20 years of experience and a versatile background to create a successful company with over 30 team members around the world.
One of the biggest lessons that I’ve learned in life is to learn how to adapt. And honestly, that comes from someone who’s fallen down a lot and had to get back up to reach her goals.
That’s what I think people should get from my story, that the process of creating and leading a business is filled with mistakes. There is no shame in not knowing everything. I believe we all should have the courage to embrace our mistakes and the curiosity to learn from them. Success only happens after you learn how to fall, get up, and try again.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Darl?
At The Darl, we break the rules.
At The Darl, we raise the bar.
The Darl is a full-service award-winning marketing agency with a twist. We are thinkers, creators, and strategists who believe in the power of storytelling to build something spectacular.
We are visionaries who love a challenge.
We provide our clients with the most kick-ass, cutting-edge marketing solutions you can find. We pride ourselves on using data and the latest research to constantly learn, improve, and innovate our approach.
We take a truly personalized approach to every client we partner with. We provide multi-channel marketing solutions that tackle every aspect of a brand’s presence:
We see how your brand is unique.
We want to connect people with your products and services.
We work as a team for expertise from every angle.
We use data-driven strategies to ensure results.
We take brands and amplify their voice; we elevate brands to new heights,
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I didn’t have a mentor, maybe because I didn’t look for one of didn’t know that there were people willing to give you advice. The entertainment industry could be cruel and you need to stand up for yourself and never expect anything from anyone – and if someone does something nice for you take it as a nice surprise.
However, my experience made me reflect in the idea of mentors, and it is a wonderful thing, as a former educator I believe in the power of learning from others and I try to be not only a leader but also a mentor to my team. My motto is “I try to treat each individual of my team as I would like my son’s to be treated”.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thedarl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laraschmoisman/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/caffeineforentrepreneurs
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRhzLL_4dXakTazb4k5m1FA
- Other: www.larsaschmoisman.com
Image Credits
The Darl
