Episode 22 | Rising Fast: Learning to Lead Early in Your Marketing Career with Addison Cursey
What does it really take to rise fast in your career — to step into leadership earlier than expected and do it with confidence, grace, and heart?
In this episode, Anastasiia sits down with Addison Cursey, Chief Marketing Officer at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, to talk about what it means to grow quickly in leadership while staying grounded, creative, and true to yourself.
Addison shares how her background in musical theater and MBA in marketing shaped her unique leadership style — one rooted in collaboration, storytelling, and play. From managing teams older than herself to learning how to delegate, build trust, and lead with confidence, Addison offers an honest look at what it takes to grow fast without burning out.
This conversation is a must-listen for women in marketing who are stepping into leadership roles earlier than expected and learning how to own their space — without shrinking themselves.
5 Key Takeaways from This Episode:
Dependability is your brand. Building trust early in your career com
Find mentors and sponsors. Mentors guide you, but sponsors speak your name in rooms you’re not yet in. You need both.
Lead before you have the title. The best way to be seen as a leader is to start showing up like one — regardless of your role.
Own your authority. As Addison says, “Anytime that I’ve chosen to shrink myself, not speak up, it’s never led to an outcome that’s been successful for any parties involved.”
Protect your energy. Rapid growth can be demanding — find a rest ritual that restores you, so you can sustain your success.
Connect with Addison:
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• Website: www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com
Join the Marketing Your Way Community
AI and automation are changing marketing faster than ever — but you don’t have to figure it out alone. That’s why I created the Marketing Your Way Community on Slack: a free space where women in marketing can share AI tools, swap automation workflows, and run ideas past each other.
Whether you’re leading a corporate team, running an agency, or freelancing on your own, you’ll find support, inspiration, and real-world examples you can put into action right away.
It’s free, it’s collaborative, and it’s built to help you work smarter, not harder.
Join us here: www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com/community
Thank you to our affiliate partners:
This episode is brought to you in partnership with two of my favorite tools for building and managing a marketing business:
Full Focus Planner — the only paper planner that’s ever helped me actually feel more in control of my time. Created by productivity expert Michael Hyatt, this planner is designed to help you set clear goals, stay focused on what matters most, and finally break free from the never-ending to-do list cycle.
Airtable — My go-to tool for organizing client projects, content calendars, and podcast production. If spreadsheets and Dropbox had a baby, it would be Airtable.
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Hi, I’m Anastasiia!
Ukrainian-born, Miami-based, and someone who spent over a decade building a successful marketing career before finally building something that felt like mine.
I didn’t leave corporate on a whim. I left because I wanted creative freedom, flexible time, and a business that aligned with my life — not the other way around.
It started as a freelance gig. Then a full roster. Then a boutique real estate marketing agency. Now, it’s also this — an education platform and podcast that helps women like you transition from “stuck” to “started.”
I’m here to teach you how to build a business that fits your goals, your energy, and your version of success.