From Toxic Bosses to Freelance Freedom: Emma Davies and Ruta Sudmantaite's Career Lessons
Real career stories and we’re all ears!
What a delight to have the founders of Blame it On Marketing - Emma Davies and Ruta Sudmantaite - on my podcast and chat about their careers - both the highs and the lows! We’ve also attempted to define and understand fractional marketing (a concept that can feel fuzzy and confusing, yet a viable career path nonetheless), talked about Emma’s own career coaching experience, and much more. Enjoy!
Key lesson learned: "Push back sooner with toxic managers."
Undeniable truth: "Targets are often unrealistic in tough times." So true but why, and more importantly what can we do about it? We talk about it in this episode.
Words of wisdom: "Protect your peace at all costs." Sometimes, it’s ok to cut ties and leave a role that’s taking more than it gives back. Related stories included in the episode.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Emma’s Early Career Lesson: Managing Upwards / Don't let fear prevent you from advocating for yourself and your career goals.
One of the most significant challenges faced by young marketing professionals is managing upwards effectively. Emma recalls a time when she struggled working under a very difficult manager and felt unable to voice her needs and establish firm boundaries - which is not uncommon for new professionals who feel intimidated by senior leaders. Through this experience, Emma learned advocating for your needs is vital for career growth.
Ruta’s Early Career Lesson: The Product-Market Fit Discrepancy
Ruta shares another perspective from her experience working with a Swedish company in the UK. Despite her best efforts, she struggled to sell a product that didn’t meet the market's expectations. Ruta highlighted the critical importance of product-market fit and how external factors can influence your performance. It’s essential to recognise that sometimes, poor results are not a reflection of personal performance but rather a mismatch between the product and its market.
Also, when job searching ensure that the company you’re about to join or apply with sells a viable product or service.
Addressing Burnout in Marketing
We wish it wasn’t so but burnout is a prevalent issue among marketers, made even worse by external pressures such as economic instability and unrealistic expectations. Emma emphasised that, while burnout has always existed, it now has a name, making it easier to identify but not necessarily easier to prevent or manage. Many professionals find that taking time off for mental health reasons is a privilege not afforded to all.
Recognising the signs of burnout early can help mitigate its effects, but the current economic climate makes it difficult for many to step back and reassess their workload.
Be aware of your mental health and prioritise self-care especially during difficult times at work (when we’re least inclined to prioritise our wellbeing).
The Reality of "Doing More with Less"
Ruta points out that this expectation often leads to unrealistic revenue targets, which can create a toxic work environment. Companies need to understand that pushing employees to achieve more without the necessary resources will ultimately lead to dissatisfaction and turnover.
As a marketing professional, you have the option of questioning targets that don’t correspond to the economic realities of the quarter or year you’re in, or to the budget you’re given. Push back on unrealistic targets and excessive demands that set you up for failure.
Conclusion
Navigating your marketing career can be fraught with challenges! But you don’t have to do it alone. Here’s how we can help:
Chapters
00:00 Navigating Career Mishaps
06:07 Burnout and Sustainability in Marketing Careers
12:20 Career Progression and Job Market Realities
15:50 Navigating Career Transitions
19:38 Understanding Fractional Marketing
25:21 Self-Care and Professional Growth
ABOUT RUTA SUDMANTAITE
Ruta is one of the Top 26 Marketers to Follow in 2026 by Girls in Marketing, and Co-Host of Blame It on Marketing.
As the founder of Sudmant, she acts as Fractional CMOs for startups to help them achieve their next revenue goal.
Ruta’s marketing experience includes companies from a variety of fields, from tech start-ups to unicorns and public companies, where she brought her storytelling, brand and demand generation skills.
Connect with Ruta on LinkedIn.
ABOUT EMMA DAVIES
As Co-Host of the Blame It on Marketing podcast, Emma explores the challenges, misconceptions, and triumphs that marketers face. Through candid conversations and actionable insights, the podcast aims to demystify common marketing myths and celebrate the critical role marketing plays in driving business success.
As the Founder of Advocitude and Fractional Senior Marketer, Emma has worked with organisations including Investors in People, Savannah, Appraisd as well as high-growth SaaS businesses navigating everything from early-stage growth to successful exits.
She is also on the Advisory Board of Technology for Marketing.
Connect with Emma on LinkedIn
