It’s March, which means it’s women’s month, and as a woman managing a woman owned business I was feeling the urge to share something inspiring, uplifting, inspirational even.
AND what could be more inspirational than my favorite deodorant commercial of all time?
NOTHING. Trust me.
Let me set the scene: A ladies restroom.
A woman in a stall is practicing what she’ll say in a meeting with her boss, “Mr. Johnston, I deserve a raise for my efforts……”
Another woman walks in and washes her hands.
The stall woman walks out and they make eye contact.
Clean hand lady, “You got this.”
Yep, that’s it.
Pure. Simple. Direct. Storytelling at its finest.
So why do I love this marketing so much? Because, at its core, it’s hitting on women’s empowerment.
Are they also trying to sell you deodorant that is apparently going to help you defy a glass ceiling and get that raise, sure. Exploit it even? Yep.
But I live for the idea of empowerment. Human empowerment. That moment in which you understand, connect, and give what you can on the spot.
Give what you can to help that person get a bit further, reach out, up, and just maybe push that ceiling to create more space.
I feel it in my soul.
Friends, I’m not going to lie – I think about this commercial all the time.
Like, weekly.
AND it’s probably been about 15-ish years since I’ve actually watched this ad.
Did she say Mr. Johnston or Mr. Smith?
Did she wash her hands or fix her makeup?
Is it the same brand of deodorant that I wear? (It’s not.)
Doesn’t matter. It’s the concept. I hold it close.
I keep it in the back of my head to hype myself up and as a beacon as I move through my day to day.
We can’t always lead a revolution, but we can always support each other – whether it be family, friend, loose tie, or stranger.
Happy Women’s Month + Happy Spring.
You got this.
Much love,
Melanie, Operations + Community Engagement