Leadership, in my opinion, is inward and personal first, and outwardly impactful second. We must come to terms with ourselves first, leading ourselves in a holistic, honest and compassionate manner, before we can expect to lead others with compassion and kindness. Most leaders don’t think of this crucial step, and in my experience, it is absolutely necessary. As I mention in my book, put the oxygen mask on ourselves first, before we can put it on others helps us define and impact positive leadership.
As part of my series about “authors who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Martha Brown.
Martha Percival Brown is the former chief executive officer of Tipperary Sales, Inc. (La-Z-Boy Southeast) and author of the forthcoming book It’s On You: Empowerment for Leaders Seeking the Highest Level of Personal Satisfaction and Corporate Success (Feb. 4, 2025). As the first woman to lead her multigenerational, family-owned retail furniture company, Martha has secured the status of Tipperary Sales, Inc., as one of the most successful retail furniture companies in the US, having grown the organization to a team of 170 employees with revenue in excess of $70 million. A proven retail industry executive and franchise expert, Martha has transitioned to the role of board member and coach to aspiring CEOs and leaders. She was honored in 2024 with the Vistage Legacy Award, presented annually to a leader who leaves behind a positive, impactful, and memorable journey for future leaders to follow. Additionally, she served on the executive committee for the board of trustees of Columbia College in Columbia, South Carolina, and on the board of directors for Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte, North Carolina. Martha earned her bachelor’s degree in English and communications from Columbia College and holds her MBA from the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
I’m a native South Carolinian, born into a family of entrepreneurs. My parents started our company, and gave it to their 3 children, of which I was the very youngest. I grew up in the furniture industry, and while I always wanted to be a writer, I found myself on a track to grow within my family business, and eventually lead it. I did write during those years, just not exactly what I thought I would be writing! But my writing, nonetheless, helped both me and my company, and I ultimately found myself in a position to be able to publish a book that can help empower many others.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story about that?
I don’t mean to be controversial here, but The Catcher In The Rye was definitely impactful. I still remember reading what Holden was wrestling with, his thoughts, the pace of his activities, and it spoke to me. It had an indelible mark on my young adulthood, as it made me feel less lonely and more encouraged that others could have such deep thoughts and feelings about the world around them, as they tried to make sense of it all.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I think mistakes are signs that a human being is trying. They are inevitable. I don’t regard mistakes as being necessarily bad, but they can provide significant setbacks if we repeat the same ones consistently.
Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?
Since my book is about things I learned as CEO and ways to CEO or lead better, I could say that it allows others to learn best practices of how to manage and lead ourselves and others better, which I suppose could be interpreted as having social impact. I do believe in the butterfly effect, so if all of us treat ourselves and others with respect, and help each other rise, then I do believe it will help society in the short and long run to rise as well.
Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
Interesting stories are subjective. My book has quite a few, and they are all a little different, so as to connect with different folks along their leadership journey. From that perspective, they are all interesting and my prayer is that at least one element of my book will resonate deeply with someone else.
What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
There was about a 3-month period in my CEO journey where I met several new people from different industries, learning from them, sharing with them. Invariably after speaking with them, most of them said, “You need to write a book!” So I started looking into that, and doors kept opening, so I kept walking forward, and here we are!
Without sharing specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
Based on feedback from various people, I’ve been humbled to learn that there were quite a few. There was one young woman who came back to tell me how what I shared with her made all the difference in her self-esteem and her ability to rise within her organization due to what she learned and put into practice. She now is head of a critical department, receiving praise and recognition from her supervisors and their supervisors. As a result of her work, their company is sounder and poised for positive growth.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership, in my opinion, is inward and personal first, and outwardly impactful second. We must come to terms with ourselves first, leading ourselves in a holistic, honest and compassionate manner, before we can expect to lead others with compassion and kindness. Most leaders don’t think of this crucial step, and in my experience, it is absolutely necessary. As I mention in my book, put the oxygen mask on ourselves first, before we can put it on others helps us define and impact positive leadership.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
The most important of the 5, in my opinion, is patience with our writing is key. Writing is hard but that’s just part of the process. It teaches us not to give up so easily. Some days words come much more easily than others, and to literally go with that flow. Don’t give up, and absolutely continue being a voracious reader and writer. Read different things, at different times of the day, then go for walks, considering what you’ve read, and if you are a faithful person as I am, ask God — or however you understand the divine — to guide you. And even if the road gets very bumpy, hang on and keep walking toward the light.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Don’t let the turkeys get you down.” The humorist and illustrator Sandra Boynton gave this phrase great visuals but the core message to me is one I claim as much as possible — don’t let other’s negativity impact your own positivity or interrupt your flow.
Is there a person in the world with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Well, if it could be anyone from any time, I would pick Ernest Hemingway. He was probably my favorite multi-volume author. His book The Sun Also Rises has been very impactful to me. I’ve visited his home in Key West, and felt so close to him there, seeing his personal items, and walking the same stones he walked on in his gardens. I think writers are sensitive souls, and the world can have its way with us at times, but to keep walking forward, to keep writing in the face of critics, to keep working through challenges, to stay positive and resolute on what we know is truth, is critical. The storm winds will come, but we must continue to rise. There’s always the next book…to read and to write!
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Through my own website, https://coach-martha.com and my author page on Amazon. And connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martha-brown-b887a3aa/
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Authors: How & Why Author Martha Brown Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.