Andrea Luhtanen

“What’s your story?” my dad used to ask. It was just his way of asking “what’s up?” but I always felt the need to come up with something interesting or entertaining. I mean, who doesn’t love telling a good story?I was brought back to this memory, years later, when I was prompted with the same question, “what’s your story?” This time I was speaking on a panel, being asked about my career path. After all these years, there I was again—but this time, it was about coming up with a way to tell my career story that would engage the audience. No one wants to hear my credentials or job history, so what the heck is my story?After pausing for what seemed longer than I should have, I explained that even at a young age, I had this fervor for advertising. As cliché as it sounds, I thought it was my destiny. So, when I found a perfect entry-level job in media after graduation, I knew that somehow this door was opened just for me. (In other words, I was fresh out of college, hungry, and in desperate need of a job.)I remember that interview vividly. I tried my best to recall phrases and buzzwords I’d learned in my advertising classes while ad-libbing about my fascination with media insights and brand objectives. I felt like an actor, stumbling over lines in front of an expectant audience…but I pushed through. I knew this interview was a foot in the door; a steppingstone to achieving my Mad Woman lifestyle—bouncing from one New York ad agency to the next. Although my story didn't go the way I had imagined, the opportunities I've had in this business are far greater than my story can tell. This industry is filled with smart, creative, caring people who have shaped my thinking and leadership style. Having genuine interest in the success of our employees motivates me to both challenge and support them, and set the stage for the next generation of Haworth.Turns out that's the glitter and rainbow in my story.