Ever wonder what it looks like to lead with intuition and softness while revolutionizing an entire industry—all by age 36?
In this episode, I chat with the remarkable Anna Polonsky, the French founder of the NYC-based branding and design agency, Polonsky & Friends. Anna and I first met in Paris in 2010, when I tried to recruit her to build Yelp’s Paris community. She politely declined, as she was about to embark on her next big adventure: launching Le Fooding in the USA. This project would go on to redefine how we experience food, blending it with art, culture, and community in ways that had never been done before.
Since then, Anna’s career has skyrocketed. She co-founded MP Shift, where she pioneered the concept of 360-degree hospitality branding, helping to create some of the most iconic restaurant brands. Her work earned her a coveted James Beard Award for restaurant design and a spot on Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 list. Now, with her latest venture Polonsky & Friends, Anna and her growing team focus on mission-driven projects, collaborating with some of the world’s most innovative chefs and food brands.
In this episode, Anna opens up about breaking away from conventional paths, her gift for turning restaurants into brands, and how she leads with intuition and softness. It’s a masterclass in trusting your gut, knowing when to pivot, and leading with heart.
In this episode, we’ll explore:
- Why Anna followed her heart to New York instead of the traditional post-grandes écoles path.
- How living abroad turbocharged her entrepreneurial ambitions.
- The cultural differences of doing business in America vs. France.
- The rise of restaurant branding and how Anna pioneered this trend.
- Her journey from MP Shift to Polonsky & Friends, and why she felt the need to pivot.
- How intuition, relationships, and collaboration are at the core of her leadership style.
- Why softness and creativity have been key to her success in transforming the industry.
This conversation ties beautifully into our show’s theme of peering into the blueprints of successful women leaders to understand how they do power differently—how they lead with softness, intuition, curiosity, and a focus on collective success.
Links and mentions:
Credits: Artwork Jessie Kanelos Weiner; Editing Matthew Jordan; Music © Fabrice Fortin
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