The Fabbys: Molly Thompson, Co-Founder of Kind Campaign

Molly Thompson, the co-founder of Kind Campaign, proves that there really is no force more powerful than a strong and determined woman. Through the nonprofit she started with her best friend Lauren Paul, which works to reduce girl-against-girl bullying, she’s teaching girls and women to always lift each other up.

Below, Thompson explains the importance of removing toxicity from your life, being present in the moment, and more.

Why do you think it’s important for women to be in positions of leadership?
Women should be in positions of leadership because women are leaders. The fact that women being seen as leaders is relatively new is baffling to me. Women are incredibly multifaceted and have some of the fiercest voices out there. We need to elevate them more so they can share their innovative ideas that infuse intelligence and passion, and so that women in these roles isn’t an anomaly, but rather the norm.

What does success mean to you?
Doing something you’re passionate about, feeling supported by the people around you, and being free to evolve and discover new things in business and in life.

What kind of legacy do you hope to leave for women in your industry?
You can be strong and kind. They are not mutually exclusive. You can be in a position of power without pushing other women down to get there. By bringing others up and supporting others, everyone is lifted higher and the outcome of success is much greater. I hope to empower women to practice kindness while never hesitating to stand up for themselves [and] realizing that assertiveness doesn’t make a woman unkind. It just makes her stronger.

What’s the best advice you could ever give?
Be true to yourself. In all things, don’t feel like you have to change yourself to fit in with any perceived idea of how something “should” be.

How do you drown out the negative criticism and stay authentic to yourself?
Sometimes that is hard to do, which I think is important to acknowledge. It’s also important to recognize and pay attention to where that negative criticism is coming from – media, “friendships,” yourself, etc. By understanding where these feelings are rooted, you can do a better job [of] cutting them out of your life by spending less time on social media, phasing out a toxic friendship or relationship, or even practicing better self-care. Be honest and check in with yourself, take note of how certain things make you feel, and make adjustments accordingly so that you feel like you have space to be you without that negativity weighing you down.

What are three words that best describe you?
I asked Lauren and also my husband, Chris, because sometimes it’s easier to have someone else describe you. After hearing their responses, it reminded me how good affirmations feel (thanks guys!). Together they said: inclusive, kind, passionate, genuine, and loyal.

How do you define happiness?
Being present and soaking in where you are. Finding joy in the now and not longing for the past or the future. Being content and not comparing your own situation with others.

When things get crazy, what’s one thing you always remember to do for yourself?
Take deep breaths. I know that seems so trivial, but it is the easiest way to ground yourself no matter what is going on around you, whether it be a big business decision or a two-year-old having a tantrum.

Who are the women you think paved the way to where you are now?
Every woman who has used their voice to show the world who they are – unique, powerful, loyal, strong, intelligent, fierce, [and] beautiful females. Every woman who has come before us has had their own journey in charting new territory, facing unique challenges, and showing how multifaceted females are.

What’s the first thing you do every morning?
Open my eyes, look at my husband, hear one of our two little babes letting us know that they’re ready to get up, and feel so unbelievably blessed by it all.

What’s the last movie or book you’ve read that made you feel empowered?
Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I’m actually still in the middle of reading it, but already I feel so empowered to create [a] space to live and breathe.

xx, The FabFitFun Team