March marks the beginning of Women’s History Month, and today is International Women’s Day, a time to celebrate the remarkable contributions of women past and present, who have shaped our workplaces and communities.
For decades, women have been shattering societal norms, redefining possibilities, and proving their strength as leaders across industries. Eleanor Kubacki, CEO of EFK Group, embodies this progress as she breaks the glass ceiling and champions innovation and inclusivity in business.
In this Q&A, Eleanor shares her remarkable journey—building a purpose-driven agency, overcoming challenges as a young female entrepreneur, and mentoring the next generation of leaders. Her insights and experiences inspire anyone to navigate their path in business and beyond.
What inspired you to develop EFK Group, and did your passions influence its development?
Eleanor: Initially when we started EFK Group, our goal was to focus specifically on nonprofits, providing them with the same marketing, branding, and communication tools typically available to the private sector. For the first 5 years, we only worked with nonprofit organizations like Boys and Girls Club and Women & Children. We then started working with the National Audubon Society, our first paid client. Even today, that’s why we specialize in higher education and go after clients who do good and give back to their community in some form (education, workforce development, poverty, social programs). For me, I always found value in doing service while also conducting business. It’s an ecosystem that works together. At EFK that’s a part of our mission to make a positive impact while doing business.
Did you encounter any doubts about being a female leader in the early stages of your career? If so, could you share some of those experiences?
Eleanor: Yes, I started when I was pretty young and people laughed at me because when I started over 25 years ago, there weren’t a lot of women starting consulting businesses. It’s bizarre how much it’s changed because now it’s one of the few ways you can break through the glass ceiling. People said I was too young and it was going to be very difficult for me as a woman. I had to fight those stereotypes, and I believe the real issues lie in the upper echelons of business, where we still see a significant lack of women. You will see a lot of women managers, but once you get outside of that in higher positions of leadership, we are seeing the numbers drop. However, I also believe I’ve had some advantages as a woman and I’ve utilized a lot of programs that help women-owned businesses.
Did you have a support system? If so, what did it look like?
Eleanor: Yes, my mom was my number one support system. She was a first-generation working woman in my family. She was very excited, not so much when I first started because I was young, but once I got going, she was so proud, and I could talk to her about my business all the time. We shared a strong camaraderie over our experiences as women. She had navigated corporate America and launched a successful business at 50. It was so cool to share that with her.
What were the biggest challenges you faced when starting EFK Group?
Eleanor: Having a work-life balance and raising my children was my number one priority. And that was hard because sometimes I felt I couldn’t give EFK my everything and that was for a long time. But you must learn to prioritize what is truly important to you, and I have to be honest, I wouldn’t have changed anything. For me, I didn’t dream about having kids, but boy when I did it was my dream. To be able to do both and have my children work with me in the business has been so cool! They have interned for me and both respect my journey. I’m now at the stage where I want to mentor. I love women, I love younger women and working with them because I have learned so much and to share that cuts down the process for other women. Also, my best friend owned a business and she helped me learn a lot, especially about the fundamentals of running a business.
How has the glass ceiling affected you personally while growing your business? Was there anything that stood out to you?
Eleanor: I am so proud that EFK is ranked in the top 1.7% of the top-earning women-owned businesses in the nation. There are so many women-owned businesses, but to reach that upper echelon is an incredible feeling. I’m naturally a scrappy person, and when I learned that I said “Wow okay” and to be able to share that, I know my mother would’ve been so proud. This experience has shown me what it takes to succeed and how to navigate the process. I honestly feel like I’m just getting started, especially since so much of my focus has been on my kids and where they’re at in their lives. But that’s the fun part. It’s flexible. It evolves with you through different life stages, whether you’re getting married, having kids, or facing new challenges. You can get through anything. It’s all about learning to be flexible and enjoying the ride.
Can you share any particular moment when you had to challenge or change organizational norms to create a more inclusive environment?
Eleanor: Yes, all the time. When you have a small business, reinvention happens often. When I first started there were so many advertising agencies in New Jersey, that I couldn’t even count them. Now I can count the larger agencies on one, maybe two hands. To beat the odds you have to reinvent yourself and for me, it’s always been a value to make sure we are inclusive and that we are a part of the community. One thing we are working on now is redefining our priorities as an agency and what that looks in terms of inclusivity. You can talk the talk but have to walk the walk.
What are three tips you would give to any woman or young professional looking to start their own business or grow in their career?
Eleanor: First, you have to get comfortable with losing. This is one of the most important lessons I share with my kids. When you run your own company, you’ll face more losses than wins—it’s part of the journey. But those losses aren’t a reflection of your skills, talent, or worth; they’re simply a reflection of the marketplace. The key is resilience.
Second, you need to find balance. It’s essential to ensure your career doesn’t overshadow your priorities. Take the time to define what truly matters to you—both personally and professionally—and let those priorities guide your decisions.
Third, surround yourself with top talent. I’ve learned to be more selective about the people I work with, whether they’re specialists, strategists, or attorneys. Early in my career, I held onto people longer than I should have. Now, I focus on building a team of exceptional individuals whose strengths complement one another. Together, we create an ecosystem built on the principles of doing good, being good, and trusting that good things will follow.
Finally, looking back, is there anything you would have done differently in your career?
Eleanor: Yes! I would have operated a little less fearful and not cared about what others thought. Now I’m doing that because I feel more comfortable with myself and who I am. I encourage everyone to step into their power and prioritize being true to themselves—it’s a game-changer.
What’s one action you’re inspired to take after reading today’s story? Let us know in the comments!
#BreakingBarrier #WomenInLeadership #WomenWhoInspire
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