Redefining Success as a Business Leader and Mother
For Erin Adam co-founder of The Social Lab, entrepreneurship is about creating a business that fits her life, not the other way around. She has built an independent agency that has worked with some of the world’s leading e-commerce brands, scaling their revenue through powerful Meta ad strategies. Under her leadership, the agency has achieved record-breaking ROI for clients and become one of the highest Meta ad spenders in APAC.
But her biggest milestone wasn’t a revenue figure or a client acquisition, it was navigating business growth while becoming a mother. The Social Lab experienced its most successful year right after Erin had her children, proving that personal and professional achievements don’t have to compete; they can thrive together. From breastfeeding between meetings to closing deals with a baby on her hip, Erin has redefined what it means to be a female entrepreneur, proving that motherhood and business success can go hand in hand.
Challenging Bias & Leading with Empathy
Being a woman in business often means facing unconscious bias. Erin has experienced it firsthand – while scaling, strategy, and numbers-focused questions are often directed at her business partner Cam, anything creatively inclined gets pushed her way. At first, it was frustrating. But over time, she learned to leverage it as an advantage – “if people underestimate you, it only makes it easier to impress them with results”.
Beyond business, motherhood has been her greatest leadership training. It has taught her patience, empathy, and the power of understanding – qualities that have made her a stronger leader and business owner.
Advice for the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs Erin’s advice is simple but powerful:
Delegate at work and at home. You don’t have to do everything yourself, whether it’s hiring support staff or accepting help from family, freeing up your time is essential for success.
Don’t believe the social media illusion. A high follower count doesn’t mean high revenue, and a flashy lifestyle doesn’t always mean financial stability. Focus on real growth, not perceived success.
Live within your means and invest wisely. Success isn’t about looking the part, it’s about building long-term financial stability.
We celebrate B:HIVE members like Erin, who challenge norms and prove that you can build a thriving business while raising a family, and redefine what success looks like – on your own terms.