Building Bubbly: Creativity, Confidence, and Championing Women in Business

At Bubbly Creative, we believe marketing should be as joyful and celebratory as our name suggests. In this Q&A, Founder & Creative Director Cara Chatellier shares her journey from corporate constraints to building a marketing agency that champions creativity, uplifts women-owned businesses, and isn’t afraid to pop the cork on bold ideas.

What inspired you to start Bubbly Creative, and what was your vision when launching the company?

I was always telling clients about the importance of having a brand and brand consistency, and I realized I was not practicing what I preached. I wanted to create a company that offers fun, creative marketing strategies and is fun to work with and for. Bubbly is always brought out for celebration, and I believe marketing should be fun!

Can you share a defining moment in your entrepreneurial journey that shaped the direction of Bubbly Creative?

Every team member we’ve hired has been instrumental to our growth. Additionally, moving to New York has opened up a lot of networking opportunities as well as a whole new market of female owners we can connect with–that’s been a big change for us. 

What does being a female founder mean to you, especially in the marketing and creative space?

I feel so lucky to be able to have a business at all. In the last 50 years, trailblazing women have carved a path for small business owners like me, and for women in general. I mean, we used to not be able to have our own bank accounts. In previous jobs, I always felt really stifled creatively, working within tight brand guides that felt really stale or very corporate. Being able to have creative expressions and offer unique solutions and ideas is really exciting and fun. It makes what we do enjoyable.

What has been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a woman in business, and how did you overcome it?

Imposter Syndrome by a mile. Women suffer from imposter syndrome significantly more than men… the stats are astounding. I also have some fear of success, which I know sounds ridiculous–but I am always challenging my limiting beliefs and doing things scared. But imposter syndrome can really hold you back, and I am constantly coming against it and trying to work through it. 

How do you approach leadership at Bubbly Creative, and what’s your favorite part about leading a team of creatives?

I have a very laid back approach to management and leadership….sometimes maybe too laid back? It’s something I’m working on. I love having ideas to bounce off my team and truly taking their feedback and ideas into account. We try to create a very comfortable environment that really values life balance with work, and also takes mental health very seriously. We openly talk about therapy and don’t shy away from sharing our real feelings. 

How does Bubbly Creative support women-owned businesses, and why is that important to you?

It’s our goal to support primarily female-owned businesses, especially in today’s climate where being woman-owned is considered a DEI initiative and is under attack–it’s critical to uplift all marginalized business owners. The organizations we support typically target women as their ideal clients, and as women, we can truly get into the mindset of the buyer/potential client. Sometimes you need a woman’s touch. 

What advice would you give to other women looking to start their own business or enter the marketing world?

Start small and build slowly. I would also say if you’re passionate about it and excited about the thought… do it. You have to hustle, and you’re going to want to give up a lot… but hang in there! Also, you’re probably worth more than you think! Don’t undervalue yourself.

What’s one piece of advice you wish you could give your younger self when you were just starting out?

I don’t think it was very obvious that building a business was possible or even that freelancing was an option. I feel like I kind of fell into it over and over again. I would love to tell my younger self: you hate all your jobs because you’re going to build your own thing! 

What are your hopes for the future of Bubbly Creative and for women in business more broadly?

I would love to have another employee in New York and maybe more of a homebase office. I’m a very social person, so having a remote team can be tricky for me sometimes. I would also love to take on more pro bono projects and focus on working with brands with missions and visions we find especially compelling. 

I want more women to feel like they have the autonomy and ability to start their own businesses. It’s not easy and it’s not always fun, but it can be incredibly rewarding.

At Bubbly Creative, the mission remains clear: support women, have fun, and keep the ideas flowing. Here’s to the next chapter and to making marketing something worth celebrating. Reach out to us today to see how Bubbly can help your business pop!