
Real stories that remind us growth doesn’t always come with a plan
Why Being “Ready” Is Overrated: 7 Lessons from Gen Z Creative Leader Mili Storto
Everyone’s always talking about being “ready.” Ready for the next move, ready for the job, ready to be taken seriously. But let’s be real…no one ever actually feels ready. It’s like one of those choose-your-own-adventure books: wait for the perfect moment (and probably wait forever) or trust yourself and do it anyway.

Mili Storto
Mili Storto chose to do it anyway. She’s 27 (!!) and already the Chief Creative Officer at CROING—one of the 0.1% of creative agencies founded by women. CROING’s built on creativity that connects—crossing brands with people, running multicultural campaigns that actually speak to communities, and working with faves like Sol de Janeiro, L’Occtaine, and Adidas (to name a few!).
Mili didn’t climb her way here with a 10-year plan. She said yes before she felt ready, and let creativity lead the way. Now she’s sharing her lessons—from turning doubt into fuel to making representation non-negotiable—so you can take them with you, wherever your path leads.
Lesson 1: Find Your Compass
I’ve always been attracted to art. As a kid, I loved painting and drawing. When I was a teenager, I loved writing short stories. Creativity has always been there as a way of entertaining others, which is something I truly enjoy doing. Whether it was with friends, family, or in my job, I’ve always loved the idea of sharing something meaningful.
When it came time to choose my career, I wanted something that could combine visuals and art with storytelling. I remember doing a career orientation test, and one of the options that came up was “advertising and communication.” That was the first time my “tingling sense” appeared. For me, it just clicked: the perfect mix of art, storytelling, and strategy.
Tip for you: If you’re not sure what direction to take in life, ask yourself: what do I make or share that feels like me, and lights something up in others? That’s usually your compass.
Lesson 2: The Right Environment Helps You Grow
Think of it like those flowers that grow, breaking through the cracks in the pavement—if there’s enough strength, they’ll find a way. In my case, it wasn’t only about my strength; it was about the environment being healthy enough for me to actually bloom.
When I joined CROING at 21, Alejandra Salazar—the founder and CEO—interviewed me and told me: “Look at what the team is doing and think about where you can add value. I trust you’ll know how, and you can always ask me if you need to.” From the start, she and the other leaders celebrated me, gave me feedback, and encouraged me to be myself. And they still do. That shaped me.

From left to right: Mili, Alejandra Salazar (Founder & CEO), and Anggie Salazar (Head of Marketing & Sales) at Cannes
More than just my determination—which I do have—having their support and trust allowed me to go from starting on the team to leading teams in a short time.
Tip for you: Surround yourself with people who see your potential and give you space to grow. And when you can, be that person for someone else.
Lesson 3: Use Being Underestimated as Fuel
There will always be someone who thinks being young or being a woman makes your opinion less valid. But, honestly? That’s a reflection of their limited way of thinking, not yours. Something that helped me a lot is not thinking people are underestimating me personally, and instead looking at what I can learn from the situation. See “the good side.” If someone gives me their best, I take it. If they give me their worst, I use it as an example of what not to do.
Tip for you: When you feel underestimated, don’t take it personally. Use it as fuel to speak more clearly, to trust your perspective, or to show up even stronger.
Lesson 4: The Best Ideas Don’t Happen Alone
I don’t see creativity as an individual act—it’s a collective one. My role is to create a space where people can bring both their professional and personal selves into the work, because that’s where the most powerful ideas happen.
At CROING, we have a morning meeting every day with a theme, and everyone shares their ideas. It doesn’t matter if you’re in design, strategy, or finance—everyone contributes. Some of the most surprising insights come from people you wouldn’t expect. I’ve learned a lot from Yanira, our Head of Finance. Creativity isn’t limited to one role.
Tip for you: Try being the “space-maker.” If you’re in a group project, invite everyone’s perspective. You’ll be surprised where the best ideas come from.
Lesson 5: If You Don’t See It, Create It
Representation matters everywhere, but especially in creative and media spaces. Perspective itself means “to look through.” Without representation, those perspectives become empty—they’re missing parts.

One of my favorite examples is a campaign we created for Hispanic Heritage Month called Untranslatable. We highlighted Spanish words that don’t have a literal English translation to show the richness of language and culture, and shared data about Latino contributions to the U.S. in culture, economy, and art. As a Latina, it was deeply personal. It reminded me that creativity itself can be a form of representation.
Being part of the 0.1% of female-owned and led creative agencies means we can change the story of the creative industry, and therefore, the advertising women and diverse communities are exposed to. That perspective isn’t just important for us; it’s essential for every audience who sees the work.
Tip for you: You don’t need a campaign to practice representation. Be the one who asks, “What perspective are we missing here?”
Lesson 6: Risk Is Part of the Job
The best creative work usually comes with a little risk. I like to present three ideas: one proven, one slightly risky, and one boldest. Even if the bold idea doesn’t get picked, it stretches the way we think about the others.

One of my favorite examples is a campaign we did with Sony Electronics. They wanted to connect with Gen Z but were seen as too corporate. We proposed TikTok as the platform—right before the pandemic, when it wasn’t the huge platform it is today. But we had data, insights, and a gut feeling that the audience wanted stories, not ads.
So we created a content house with three characters and filmed over 30 videos of them living together. The product showed up as part of their everyday lives, not the star of the show. Some videos didn’t even show the product—just the music and the vibe. The campaign went viral, with millions of organic views. It was one of the first moments where I thought, “This is a big hit.”
Tip for you: Risks won’t always go viral, but they’ll always teach you something. Try pitching one safe idea, one risky, and one bold.
Lesson 7: Your Story Is a Starting Point

When Alejandra first said, “We need a Chief Creative Officer,” I thought she was about to introduce me to this amazing, experienced person. I even said, “Okay, I’d love to meet her.” And she looked at me and said: “No, it’s you.”
My first reaction? Maybe not. Maybe I’d just stick with being a social media manager or creative director. “Chief” felt too big, too soon. But by then, I’d already been given so much trust and space to lead at CROING. Alejandra and the team celebrated me, encouraged me, and showed me what leadership looked like. So when she said “you,” it was scary—but it also made sense.
That moment taught me something I’ll never forget: being ready is not the point. The point is trusting your process, building your skills, and letting your perspective grow into the role. The rest comes naturally.