Brittany Hennessy, VP of Outbound Product Management at Sprout Social, didn’t just write a book, she shaped an industry.

Her career-defining moment? Publishing INFLUENCER, a book she wrote to make her own job easier, and ended up changing lives. Years later, it’s still opening doors for creators and setting the standard.

Her advice? Build your personal brand. Say yes. And treat your network like a living, breathing asset, because who knows what you do matters more than who you know.

Her mantra? Use what you’ve got. Know which balls are glass. And don’t apologize for taking up space.

Read more from Brittany here…

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What has been your career defining moment as a woman in business?

In 2018 I published INFLUENCER. Honestly, I wrote it to help creators get better at their jobs so my job would be easier.

Instead, it became a cult classic and an industry-defining text.

Seven years later, people still come up to me at events and tell me that book changed the trajectory of their careers, and that has been the most rewarding part. The royalties do not hurt either.

Were there any obstacles you had to overcome as a woman in business?

I would not say I have faced obstacles as a woman, but definitely as a mom.

The higher up you go, especially in male-dominated industries, the more likely you are to be the only mother in the room. Executive roles often come with travel, which is tough, but remote work has made it more manageable.

The daily juggle is real, but long term it has been worth it. My kids see that their mom is a big contributor to her industry, and they are proud of that. So am I.

What advice would you give to a younger woman looking to join your industry?

Build your personal brand online, say yes to every invite, and keep your connections warm.

Every single job I have ever had came through someone I knew from my personal brand projects, often before the role was even posted.

In this industry, your network is not just who you know, it is who knows what you do.

If you could do one thing to accelerate the pace of change for gender equality, what would it be?

Childcare. After school, during school closings, over summer break, we need it all. Mothers are carrying the mental load and it is, not so slowly, driving us insane. Honestly, I would love to start a family logistics company to solve it... if I had the time.

Until we fix support systems for parents, gender equality at work will always be capped.

What compelled you to attend a Panelle event?

I was invited and I am so happy to be here. Thank you for hosting spaces like this that bring women together to learn from and inspire each other.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Use everything you have to your advantage. You can be the best, but it will not matter if no one is paying attention. Your appearance, your hobbies, your network, they can all give you an edge. Take every opportunity unapologetically.

What is your go-to advice for preventing burnout?

I often feel burnt out, but here are three ways I am managing it:

Wake up before everyone else. Even 15 minutes of quiet to myself before the house needs me has been a game changer.

Find a hobby you cannot monetize. Everything does not need to be a side hustle, do something that is just for joy.

Know which balls are glass and which are plastic. If you are juggling nonstop, some will drop. Knowing which ones can bounce and which ones cannot is life changing.

Why do you think it is important for women to help other women win?

I have a controversial take: women are not a monolith. Many women hold views that actually harm our advancement, so I do not believe in blanket statements like "all women should help all women."

What I do believe in is being the person you wish you had in your corner, offering unsolicited praise because no one gets enough of it, and remembering that sometimes dealing with someone’s mess is simply the price of community.

Please put the spotlight on another woman in business who either inspires you or has pulled out the seat for you.

I want to spotlight Carrie Kerpen, founder of The Whisper Group. Carrie has been opening doors for me for over a decade. She put me on my first podcast, featured me in her book Work It, and has always sent connections and opportunities my way.

What I admire most about Carrie is that she did not just build and sell a successful company, she turned around and built resources to help other women do the same.

She calls out "The Exit Gap," the way women founders often get less value when selling their businesses, and she has made it her mission to change that.

She is proof that when women win big, the best ones turn around and make sure the rest of us can win too.

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