La capsula Informativa: Franco Values in Action: Persistence

Back in 2017 when Dan Ponder, Tina Kozak and I began working together to define Franco’s core values that would set the tone for the agency’s future, persistence was the value that resonated most with me. I’d be nothing without it.  

I grew up the daughter of Italian immigrants who worked tirelessly to build a life that was purpose-driven and rewarding. I knew I’d have to work just as hard if I wanted to succeed. 

Driven by my desire to climb the ladder of success most certainly did not preclude me from failure, and at times, my life felt more like a game of Chutes and Ladders.   

Sure, the highs and lows can take a lot out of you, but when you love what you do and have a true passion to succeed, if you stumble, you get back up and try again. You see, persistence can only exist if there is passion. 

Stand-out moments in my life have truly kept me going, but it is in the times of failure that I have truly learned the most. Only through taking the time to reflect did I ever figure that out.  

When you fail at something, you have to reflect and take a look around you before you can move forward. Otherwise, you’ll fail to course-correct and will never get to where you’re trying to go.  

And on the other side of it, when persistence has gotten you to the moment you’ve dreamt of all along—the top of the mountain—it’s important to take a moment to sit and reflect on all you’ve accomplished before you set your eyes to the next milestone. For those high achievers out there, this can be the most difficult. 

Earlier this year, Tina, Nikki and I announced an ownership transition that resulted in Franco being 100% women-owned. It was a top-of-the-mountain moment for us – a stand-out moment in my life that I will never forget.  

Once all was said and done we sat together, reflected on where we came from and took a moment to soak it in while thinking of where we want to take things next. The passion and persistence to drive this agency forward is in all three of us.   

As we continue to lead Franco down the path of success, we look forward to our future and are committed to never forgetting what got us to where we are today.  

And now, we continue to climb. 

Tina Benvenuti Sullivan is Franco’s President and COO. Connect with her on LinkedIn.