Singer-songwriter Lachi on building a network of changemakers

Ad Age is marking Women’s History Month 2024 by publishing a series of guest essays from women industry leaders who share their personal journeys and career lessons. Today, Lachi, the singer-songwriter, touring performer and CEO of RAMPD, writes about “paying forward while receiving with grace.” Ad Age Leading Women Luncheon Join us Aug. 7 in New York as we recognize this year’s honorees Buy your ticket today We’re living in very interconnected, full-flavored times and I’ve found that maintaining a robust, well-rounded and versatile professional network has been paramount in finding success. When discussing a big break or dream job, you’ll often hear people use words like “I got connected with” or “took me under their wing” or “offered to mentor me.” A strong network is an invaluable, indispensable currency that keeps on giving. While today I pride myself on—and owe many of my wins to—the powerful network I’ve built within the music industry and in my cultural activism work, my journey to creating that network was a meticulous and intentful one. In creative industries, such as music and entertainment, it really is all about who you know. So, as a daughter of immigrants, a woman of color with a disability and a small-town girl with big-city dreams, I had to start my hand-shaking from square one. Read more essays from women advertising leaders One day, very early in my career, I found myself wall-flowering at a dimly lit cocktail party where many “who’s whos” were mingling. I remember feeling anxious because of how dark it was—I have low vision and am legally blind—but was too embarrassed to navigate with a white cane for fear of appearing non-competitive. I remember feeling like an impostor and being so self-conscious that I ended up leaving the mixer having spoken to no one. I knew instantly that that mindset would have to change if I wanted to succeed—that I wasn’t an impostor but a unique, creative thinker with a lot to offer—and that not only would it be great to build my own community, but that any community would be lucky to have me. My approach to networking has since been rooted in authenticity and reciprocity—being open about what I need and what I have to offer, lending space while balancing energies, paying forward while receiving with grace. I continued attending industry events, conferences and workshops, this time with my cane, and began walking up to folks and saying, “Hi, I’m Lachi.” It was a big step, but with the cat out of the bag and the elephant out of the room, I was free to be myself, embrace my authenticity and begin to build a community of folks attracted to someone who could be so bold. And boy oh boy, did it work. Through these strategic hellos and proactive relationship-building with genuine connections, I’ve cultivated a diverse and supportive community of visionaries with views, perspectives and differing lived experiences that continue to open my mind, inspire and empower me. For those looking to create supportive connections and build a network of powerhouses, my advice is simple: Be authentic, proactive and generous with your expertise. Networking is an opportunity to learn, share and uplift others. Reciprocity is key in cultivating meaningful relationships—so remember, you always want to have people in your network who you are happy to connect with others in that network. By fostering a supportive community grounded in mutual respect and shared values, we can amplify our collective voices and drive positive and powerful change. Ad Age Leading Women Luncheon Join us Aug. 7 in New York as we recognize this year’s honorees Buy your ticket today

Singer-songwriter Lachi on building a network of changemakers

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