Paige Arnof-Fenn is the founder and CEO of a global branding and digital marketing firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She started her company 23 years ago, though becoming an entrepreneur was not her original plan. Her dream was to work in a large multinational corporation and eventually become a Fortune 500 CEO. Inspired by leaders like Meg Whitman and Ursula Burns, she pursued a corporate career that included working on Wall Street and holding marketing positions at Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, and three successful tech startups.
Paige Arnof-Fenn | Founder and CEO | Mavens & Moguls
However, after the 9/11 attacks, when the company she was working for cut its marketing budget, she decided to take a leap and start her own business, embracing the uncertainty and seeing an opportunity to create something new. At EliteX, we are proud to have Paige Arnof-Fenn as part of the edition: 10 Extraordinary Women in Business, 2025.
Her journey into marketing began unexpectedly. Initially, she pursued finance, believing it was the right path for her. Despite being strong in numbers and analytics, she did not enjoy her job in investment banking. A friend helped her recognize that her favorite aspects of the job—running ads, planning closing dinners, and designing promotional items—were all related to marketing, not finance. This realization set her on a new career path. She excelled in her marketing courses, landed a summer internship at Procter & Gamble, and ultimately accepted a full-time role in brand management. From that point forward, she never looked back. Her ability to use data strategically gave her an edge in the marketing world, and her experience in corporate America helped her build a solid foundation for entrepreneurship.
“You don’t exist today if you can’t be found online—having a brand helps you stand out from the noise.”
Throughout her career, she learned valuable lessons that shaped her approach to business. Working on Wall Street taught her the importance of hard work, curiosity, and building a strong reputation. She believes that great opportunities come from learning from the best and being open to new ideas. Entrepreneurs need to be driven, focused, and always on the lookout for ways to improve. Strong communication skills, respect for great ideas, and a relentless work ethic are key ingredients to success. One of the biggest challenges she faced when starting her business was realizing that not everyone who started with her would grow with her. In the early years, she made the mistake of holding on to underperforming employees for too long. Their insecurity and resistance to change hindered the company’s growth, and once she let them go, the company’s culture improved. She learned the importance of hiring slowly and firing quickly, ensuring that only top talent remained on the team.
Another challenge was overcoming the fear of stepping away from work. For the first five years, she avoided vacations, worried that her hard work would unravel. However, when her family members started experiencing health issues, she needed to step back. Over a period of six years, she lost seven family members, and she also became an executrix, which was like having another job. She realized the importance of self-care, prioritizing her well-being, and allowing downtime. To her surprise, her business did not suffer—in fact, it thrived. The company attracted better clients, and she learned that taking breaks actually made her more productive and creative.
As an entrepreneur, she now values quality over quantity. She no longer overschedules herself or tries to attend multiple events in one evening. Instead, she focuses on meaningful work and selects engagements that align with her interests. Running her own business has allowed her to engage in volunteer work, serve on boards, mentor future leaders, and contribute to impactful initiatives, such as an anti-bullying program that has helped over 250,000 middle school students. She takes pride in the impact her company has made. Rather than focusing on awards, she measures success by the positive outcomes her clients achieve. Her firm has worked with organizations across various industries, including branding a conference at the Sundance Film Festival, helping a nonprofit raise funds for AIDS awareness, rebranding social service agencies, and improving visibility for a juvenile justice program. One of the projects she is most proud of is her work with an industrial products company in New Orleans. She started working with them before Hurricane Katrina and continued supporting them afterward. Her firm played a crucial role in keeping their marketing efforts running, attracting top talent, and strengthening their brand message. As someone who grew up in New Orleans, this project held personal significance for her.
A defining moment in her career came when Harvard Business School wrote two case studies about her company. The cases were used in both MBA and executive education programs, recognizing her firm as an innovative model for outsourcing marketing services. Knowing that her business serves as an example for future leaders was a rewarding milestone. She stays motivated every day through her passion for connecting with people, solving problems, and staying curious. She enjoys uncovering new opportunities and helping others succeed. Professional development is a priority for her, ensuring that she stays ahead of industry trends and continues to learn and grow. She believes that curiosity fuels creativity and leads to innovation, which is why she encourages continuous learning.
“Resilience is the key trait for entrepreneurial success; with it, you can pivot, recover, and succeed.”
Throughout her journey, she has been fortunate to have great mentors, champions, and role models, including former bosses, her father, and senior women in her field. She emphasizes the importance of finding a support system, whether through mentors, mastermind groups, or trusted advisors. Having a strong network can provide guidance, introduce valuable connections, and help entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls. Her biggest supporter has been her husband, who is also an entrepreneur. He has been her sounding board, motivator, and advisor, always looking out for her best interests. She acknowledges that entrepreneurship can be overwhelming, but having a reliable support system makes a significant difference.
Her leadership style is collaborative. She believes in asking questions, gathering input from all levels of the organization, and encouraging open communication. She prefers to delegate tasks and empower her team, fostering a sense of ownership and investment in the company’s success. She has found that some of the best ideas come from unexpected sources, which is why she values a collegial work environment. The core values that drive her business include loyalty, authenticity, and integrity. She believes that every organization, regardless of size or budget, deserves world-class marketing expertise. Her company is committed to helping clients tell their stories effectively and make a meaningful impact. She prioritizes relationships and strives to work with clients and colleagues who align with her values. Maintaining authenticity and staying true to her mission is essential. She has learned that sometimes, walking away from clients or partnerships that do not align with her brand is necessary to protect its integrity.
For her, success is about more than financial achievements—it is about creating a lasting impact and staying true to what matters most. She has built a career and a business that reflect her passions, values, and strengths, proving that taking risks and following one’s instincts can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding journey. Paige Arnof-Fenn believes that networking and mentorship are essential for young women aspiring to start their own businesses. Even in a digital world, networking remains crucial because business is fundamentally about personal connections. She advises entrepreneurs to engage in face-to-face networking during business hours and use online platforms in their personal time. She emphasizes the importance of making a strong and lasting impression, as opportunities can arise at any time. Being kind, building relationships before needing them, and having a networking partner can make the process more effective and enjoyable.
She does not believe in failure but sees every setback as a learning experience. Successful people often have stories of struggles behind their achievements, and overcoming challenges is part of the journey. She has faced obstacles such as conflicts with bosses, disappointing reviews, and long working hours, but persistence and resilience have helped her succeed. The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the need for adaptability, leading her to embrace virtual meetings and flexible business strategies. She highlights key traits for entrepreneurial success, including persistence, curiosity, active listening, clear communication, strong ethics, and a sense of humor. These qualities help entrepreneurs navigate uncertainties and turn challenges into opportunities.
Regarding the future of her business, she remains open to evolution while maintaining a strong foundation of clients and colleagues who value communication and marketing best practices. She trusts that her journey will make sense in hindsight and remains committed to following her path with confidence. To stay innovative and relevant, she relies on curiosity and a growth mindset. She surrounds herself with people who are eager to learn and improve. Professional development is a priority, and she stays informed through reading, attending conferences, networking, and engaging with thought leaders. She believes in continuous learning to keep up with industry trends and technological advancements.
“People do business with those they know, like, and trust—so get out there and build your reputation.”
Balancing work and personal life is challenging, especially in a world where remote and hybrid work blurs boundaries. She recognizes the importance of self-care and views personal time as maintenance rather than luxury. She sets boundaries by saying no when necessary, disconnecting from technology periodically, and prioritizing human interactions. She also finds creative ways to combine work with physical activity, such as walking meetings or networking over a round of golf. Small lifestyle changes, like taking the stairs or using public transportation, contribute to maintaining energy and focus. To recharge and stay focused, she practices tai chi and knitting, both of which have meditative qualities. These activities help her relax, concentrate, and make better decisions. She has continued practicing them virtually, maintaining connections with her groups throughout the pandemic. She values these hobbies for the balance and mindfulness they bring to her daily life.
Her key message to women in business is the importance of personal branding. She believes that having an online presence is no longer optional—everyone is a brand. Without a strong personal brand, individuals’ risk being perceived as commodities rather than unique professionals. She advises choosing a platform that aligns with one’s strengths and being active where it matters most. LinkedIn is particularly important for professional credibility and relationship-building. While not everyone needs to be on every social media platform, it is crucial to maintain an authentic and consistent presence on the chosen ones. A well-crafted online presence helps professionals stand out and build trust in the digital economy.