Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into owning your brilliance and thriving as an “only” with Lola Bakare, the author of “Responsible Marketing: How to Create an Authentic and Inclusive Marketing Strategy”. Discover how to recognize your worth in challenging environments, advocate for yourself, and overcome adversity.Lola is an Anthem award-winning inclusive marketing strategist, founder of be/co, a boutique marketing consultancy, and a 2022 LinkedIn Top Voice in Marketing & Advertising. Her previous employers include PepsiCo, Diageo, Dell, and more.  Lola equips CMOs and marketing leaders to harness authentic high-impact strategies that resonate.Key Discussion Points:03:21 Finding Confidence in Your Voice: If you do not know what’s next, just put one foot in front of the other and commit to doing the work. The path will reveal itself.10:08 Taking Action in the Face of Fear: Fear can paralyze us and make us forget logic. We need to learn to take action despite the fear we feel.15:04 Recognizing Workplace Discrimination and Toxicity: The longer you stay in a toxic environment, the more you will start to question your self-worth and the more your critical thinking skills and creativity will decrease.25:56 The Power of Choice: While it is a privilege to be able to leave a toxic work environment, we all have the choice to stay or go. 29:48 The Value of a Support System: Past negative experiences can create limiting beliefs. A support system is valuable for helping you recognize your true worth and workshopping ideas.35:36 Responsible Marketing: Lola shares details of her book, “Responsible Marketing” and future projects she is working on.In Summary: Lola Bakare challenges us to listen to our emotions and recognize if the environment we are in is serving us or not. She urges us to take action despite the fear and commit to doing the work. The only regret you will have is not starting sooner.Resources from this episode:Follow Lola on Linkedin or check out her website.Responsible Marketing: How to Create an Authentic and Inclusive Marketing Strategy by Lola BakareCultural Intelligence for Marketers: Building an Inclusive Marketing Strategy by Anastasia Karklina GabrielIf you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/.Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the websiteReady to make a change?→ Struggling with your corporate career but have big goals? Reach out to Olivia on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ Ready to leave corporate or start a side venture? Archita can guide your next steps.Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.