Natalie Byrne, Founder of ‘blank space’
Name: Natalie Byrne
Founder: blank space
Who is Natalie Byrne?
Natalie Byrne is leading the charge in global impact by championing both brands and individuals to create meaningful legacy and activate their authentic purpose. As Founder of blank space, an impact and communications strategy firm, she works with top CEOs, celebrities, foundations and brands to build a more sustainable and equitable world.
Positioned at the intersection of impact, business and culture, her bold take and original voice creates space for future-forward action to take place. With a lens on empathy and progress, Byrne’s solution-oriented approach bridges the divide across conflicting viewpoints and helps to move us from where we are, towards where we want to be as a society.
In less than three sentences tell us about your company and what you do.
'blank space' heads social impact and brand purpose strategy for Fortune 500s, global brands, foundations, funds and celebrity influencers who are committed to using their platform to create long term change. This work reaches across gender equity, food insecurity, health and wellness, economic development, entrepreneurship and education; and recently includes activating philanthropic resources to rebuild post COVID, funding small business growth, launching media platforms to reach diverse audiences and building cross sector coalitions.
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
In the past, as a female entrepreneur, I have felt that in order to be successful and taken seriously I have to keep my feminine side, my spiritual side, my dance at the wedding until the DJ shuts us down side, neatly tucked away. Full integration was not something I was comfortable with.
I've since had several experiences of overlap and a small epiphany that I was actually at my best, when I showed up fully with ALL the hats on. Showing up as our ‘full selves’ is what is needed to be able to relate to one another and get things done.
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
I works closely with the United Nations on leadership and SDG 5 Gender Equity. Prior to launching ‘blank space’, I led the brand purpose strategy for Unilever’s Prestige portfolio including global skin care company Dermalogica and the award-winning FITE initiative. Working in more than 70 countries, FITE (Financial Independence through Entrepreneurship), invests in the potential of women and creates pathways to entrepreneurship by providing access to small loans and business resources, supporting education and leadership training, and helping to amplify women’s voices around the world.
At what point did you make your company a full time gig? How did you know the time was right?
I was inside of a multinational company, Unilever and working as what call an intra-preneuer. With impact work you need to connect the dots across business, marketing, foundation and HR work and I loved being able to help move the brand purpose work forward for the brands in the Prestige portfolio there. I also launched the Foudners Coalition which was a way to engage our brand Founders post M&A on their thought leadership and legacy. Working in all these different places within the company it became clear that I had an agency in the making so sat down with leadership and talked through options. It was an exciting process and I was so lucky to have such encouragement from the executive team. When I launched ‘blank space’ – Unilever was my first client. I would tell anyone that if you work hard, and follow your passion – the path will open up for you to follow.
What is something you do differently from the industry standard?
In order to move forward, some rules need to be broken. While I'm never irreverent, I'm not afraid to act in my clients best interest and be a “no” person. I encourage the introspection that is needed in order to produce results.
I also believe that the next wave of philanthropy filling the ‘blank space’ that divides activists and corporations. Future-forward solutions can come from controversy. My compassionate and neutral approach to conflicting viewpoints breeds meaningful conversation to bridge the gap and produce actionable outcomes. By not living in ‘absolutes’, or placing blame, I work to create opportunities for collaboration that will ultimately create change.
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