This promoted content is produced by a member of The Drum Network. The Drum Network is a paid-for membership product which allows agencies to share their news, opinion and insights with The Drum's audience. Find out more on The Drum Network homepage. There is still shock and surprise when people learn I run my own agency; because I’m female. I get lots of raised eyebrows and emphatic, congratulatory reactions from people. And something else happens when I tell people, too: they bestow glorious praise on me, putting me into this ‘extraordinary’ category while seemingly covering embarrassment (or shock?) as they recalculate their preconception. I think a lot about this frequent and awkward encounter. Putting me in this category, somehow, let’s everyone off the hook. Surely, it shouldn't be regarded as so ‘extra’.