I had the pleasure of being a guest on “Success and Ambition”, Simona Campo’s format. She’s a Marketing Strategist and Executive Coach who explores these themes with industry professionals every Friday. A valuable opportunity to reflect on concepts that deeply influence how we work and live.
The Format That’s Redefining Professional Dialogue
Simona Campo has created a format that goes beyond the classic interview. “Success and Ambition” is a space for authentic dialogue where professionals open up about the real pressures, expectations, and challenges of today’s working world. It’s not about just sharing successes, but exploring the journey, including moments of disillusionment and growth.
During our conversation, we tackled topics that rarely emerge in standard professional content but are fundamental for anyone wanting to build a sustainable and fulfilling career.
Dismantling the “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way” Myth
One of the central points of our discussion was overcoming that toxic narrative that characterized our generation: the idea that working hard is enough to achieve any goal. I shared how this “false promise” has created disillusionment in many professionals, myself included.
The reality is more complex: success requires not just effort, but also awareness, resources, timing, and often a bit of luck. Recognizing this doesn’t mean giving up – it means being more strategic and sustainable in your professional journey.
Time as the New Success Metric
During the interview, I explained how my definition of success has evolved. Today, after almost two years as a freelancer, success for me means having control over my time and being able to balance work and personal life. It’s not just about financial stability, but quality of life.
This shift in perspective happened about a year and a half ago, when I decided to leave my employee position after realizing that maximum effort doesn’t always lead to the promised results. From that moment, I started building my business with different criteria: transparency, valuing time, mutual respect.
The Value of Transparency in Client Relationships
A topic particularly close to my heart that I explored with Simona is the importance of establishing professional relationships based on transparency. I shared how today I approach clients not as a simple executor, but as a strategic partner.
This also means knowing when to say no when there’s no value alignment or when requests don’t respect the value of our work. After 15 years of experience, I’ve learned to recognize the signs of potentially problematic professional relationships and to preserve the quality of my work and life.
The Complexity of Work in Marketing and Design
With Simona, we discussed how our sector is often undervalued. Without a professional registry, we find ourselves in a market where prepared professionals coexist with amateurs. That’s why it’s crucial to communicate your value and educate clients about the creative and strategic process.
I emphasized how my approach is always collaborative: I don’t see myself as a supplier but as part of the client’s team. This shift in perspective completely transforms the quality of work and achievable results.
Reflections for Those Building Their Own Path
This conversation with Simona Campo touched on raw nerves in the freelance and entrepreneurial world. We talked openly about compromises, moments when we undervalued ourselves, and how we learned to give ourselves the right value.
The message that emerges is clear: success today can’t be measured only in economic or status terms. It’s a personal balance between professional aspirations, quality of life, and consistency with your values.
Watch the full interview on Simona Campo’s Instagram profile →
