Gratitude Is a Power Move: How Leading With My Heart Built My Business and My Team
- Nov 20
- 3 min read
By Madi Balman
When I first started my business at 18, I thought success meant checking off boxes — clients, projects, invoices, repeat. I didn’t realize how hollow that would feel until I started connecting with people who shared my values. When I began working with clients who actually cared about building their businesses instead of just “getting it done,” everything shifted. That’s when gratitude stopped being a nice-to-have and became my compass.
In 2022, I made the leap from solo freelancer to agency owner of Skellydog, where we help creators, innovators, and change-makers build bold, authentic brands. That transition forced me to take a hard look at what I wanted out of entrepreneurship — not just the kind of work I wanted to do, but the kind of people I wanted to work with. When I rebranded from a personal brand to a full agency, I finally started attracting clients aligned with my vision and values. That clarity didn’t just change my business — it changed me as a leader.
Leading with gratitude means being humble in business without losing the spark that got me here. It’s about being thankful for the messy parts, the failures, the lessons, and the people who pushed me forward. Gratitude keeps you grounded when things get chaotic, because it reminds you that every win — and even every mistake — is part of the story that builds your resilience.
And let’s be real — chaos comes with the territory. When things start spinning out, I take a step back. I know good leadership doesn’t come from panic; it comes from perspective. Sometimes that means giving myself a moment to breathe. Sometimes it means making little handmade gifts for my team and clients — small tokens of appreciation that remind me how far we’ve come. It’s my way of saying, “Hey, I see you, and you matter to this journey.”
Skellydog has grown into an all-female team (completely by accident, but it works beautifully). Being surrounded by women who are ambitious, collaborative, and ready to build something real has been such a gift. They get it — the creative chaos, the emotional labor, the hustle and the heart. I make it a point to tell them how grateful I am for them as often as I can. Words of affirmation are my love language, and I believe leaders who speak their gratitude out loud build stronger, more loyal teams.
That same spirit of appreciation shows up in how I mentor. I’ve been lucky to have mentors who shaped me — starting with Mike Janda and the More Creative Academy — and now I get to pay that forward. I mentor through AIGA Connecticut and host internships for young designers and marketers. Watching women find their footing and confidence in this industry fills me with pride. Gratitude in leadership isn’t passive; it’s active. It’s creating opportunities for others to rise with you.
What people get wrong about gratitude — and about women in leadership — is thinking kindness makes us weak or emotional. It doesn’t. Gratitude isn’t softness; it’s strength. It’s what lets us lead with clarity, empathy, and conviction without losing ourselves in the process.
If there’s one thing I want other women to take away, it’s this: you don’t need to fit anyone’s idea of what a leader should be. You can be loud or calm, tough or tender, bold or balanced. As long as you lead with integrity, gratitude, and the drive to lift others, you’re doing it right.
Because gratitude isn’t a footnote in leadership — it’s the power move that changes everything.
Madi Balman is the founder and Creative Director of Skellydog, a full-service marketing and design company specializing in building and managing bold brands online. Her team offers services ranging from brand strategy, social media marketing, web design, logo design, and beyond.
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