Kim Chappell: Storytelling, Motherhood, and the Power of Betting On Yourself

When Kim Chappell was offered to lead marketing for the infant formula company, Bobbie, back in 2020, she laughed; she didn’t think she had the credentials to take on the job.

Even though Kim had spent ten years in the news industry and done extensive marketing work for tech startups like Weebly and Square, she still felt out of her league. It was a classic case of imposter syndrome.

After some forward-thinking and reflection, Kim did eventually take the job, and today, she is the Chief Brand Officer of Bobbie, an AMAZING company that I personally have leaned on to feed my own babies. Her story gives me chills and acts as a reminder to be willing to bet on yourself.

In this episode, Kim takes us on her career journey, from the newsroom to the C-Suite. She talks about the invaluable skill of storytelling, which she’s leaned on throughout her career, and about motherhood, from infant feedings to the myth of work-life “balance.”

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Kim’s career journey, from her first job making $20,000 a year to her time as a news anchor, to her pivot into marketing
• How Kim leveraged her journalism skills to transform how brands like Weebly and Square communicated their mission
• The scrappiness and resourcefulness needed to build a brand from scratch, focusing funding on product development rather than expensive marketing
• How Bobbie was built from the ground up, driven by a mission to improve the nutritional support and societal perception of formula feeding
• An honest perspective on balancing a C-suite role with motherhood, breaking down myths around work-life balance and recognizing the importance of support systems

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Sarina is a consultant who works with startup leaders and entrepreneurs. Connect with her on her website, on Instagram, and on LinkedIn, and check out more episodes of the Career Memos podcast.