Lexie Aderhold – 20 Under 40
38
SparkFarm
Education: SMU, University of Texas
Lexie Aderhold came to marketing in a happy accident.
“I was a financial analyst in the airline industry and loved what I did but was introduced to marketing while at Sabre Holdings and quickly knew that was where I wanted to be,” Aderhold said. “I quickly realized I prefer to work with clients directly and utilize my analytical skills to help their businesses succeed.”
After graduating from SMU’s MBA program, she returned to the airline industry in a marketing strategy role at American Airlines, then started at SparkFarm about five years ago.
“Like many other moms, I wrestled with how to still do the work I loved, but not at the expense of also being a loving and present mother for my son (and now daughter). Wrestling with this out loud among friends and colleagues led me to SparkFarm, a local marketing firm of industry veterans who see it as their moral imperative to reshape the workplace for women and – by extension – for their sons and daughters.”
“I quickly realized I prefer to work with clients directly and utilize my analytical skills to help their businesses succeed.”
Out of the office, Aderhold likes to spend her time traveling and supporting nonprofits, cultural organizations, and her children’s schools in Preston Hollow.
She served as the 2020 chairperson for the Partners Card fundraiser benefiting the Family Place.
“Our committee was able to lead the typically in-store retail-based fundraiser to exceed goals despite COVID shut-downs,” Aderhold added.
She’s also a board member of The Family Place Partnership Auxiliary, a member of the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Dallas, and an active supporter of The Texas Ballet Theater and Community Partners of Dallas.
Biggest business/career success in the past 12 months:
Chairing Partner’s Card while also supporting my clients and overseeing e-learning for my two small children who were at home due to COVID school closures. Unexpectedly, our business became in high demand during COVID when a lot of companies decided to prioritize digital advertising.
Where do you see yourself and/or your career 10 years from now?
For a second, I thought about saying I would be retired on a beach… but the truth is I love what I do and look forward to continuing to help a variety of clients grow their businesses to their fullest potential by nailing down their audience, content and strategic marketing plan.
Which leadership skills were the most challenging for you to develop and why?
It has taken me a long time to get comfortable with public speaking. I used to fear getting on a stage and talking to a large group of people.
If you could buy a book (or rent a movie) for your neighbor, what would it be and why?
Local author Meagan Brown’s Beautiful Boards. I first heard Meagan speak at a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) event and loved her advice on how to make entertaining easy. On the side, I am a Scout & Cellar wine consultant and love sharing clean-crafted wine and a beautiful board at all my wine tasting events.
Toughest business/personal challenge?
Finding work / life balance. SparkFarm has allowed me to achieve a closer balance as I juggle driving results for clients while supporting my children and community I love on a daily basis. This continues to be a personal challenge but I am moving in the right direction!
What would you tell an 18-year-old you?
If I were giving advice to an 18-year-old, I would tell them to make travel a priority in their early years while life is more flexible. I was lucky to have had the opportunity to travel the world while working for American Airlines, and those experiences have positively impacted many aspects of my life.
Fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you?
I traveled 13 countries in 30 days the summer after I graduated from The University of Texas.
What’s on your bucket list?
Traveling the world with my husband and kids for a year so my kids can learn while experiencing new cultures.
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