Back in 2022, my friend Sydney Batch was running for re-election in the North Carolina General Assembly. At one of her fundraising receptions, I met her wonderful father and brother; soon after, Sydney shared with me that her brother’s wife (Carly Mask) is a fellow female entrepreneur (having founded Camp Digital) who had recently moved from California to our great state. I started following Carly on Instagram and quickly realized what a kindred spirit she is. From our shared passions of travel, where we live in Raleigh, supporting women making a positive impact on our world and good food to how we are both multi-passionate leaders that embrace work-life integration, I’m so grateful to have connected with such a compadre. I get great inspiration from what Carly is doing out in the world and solace from her many words of wisdom. Enjoy this peek inside the mind and heart of this absolute rock star!

First Friday Female Founder Feature:

Carly Mask

How would you describe your company and the products / services you offer?

Camp Digital is a creative studio that powers the social media, influencer and digital needs of changemaking brands, including Nike, Spotify, Lime, P.F. Flyers, Daily Harvest, Keds, Airbnb, American Express, Aura Frames, Affirm, Orbitz and Paul Mitchell among others.

We are known for three primary offerings:

Influencer Programming
Social Media Account Management
Content Production

Why did you start your company?

After working in Silicon Valley for nearly eight years at big brands and startups, I noticed a need for brands to have access to creative agencies that didn’t entail the red tape, hoops and million-dollar budgets. Social media was also becoming increasingly popular and a necessity for brands while, simultaneously, the talent wasn’t scaling up to support it.

I always said I’d work for the last startup I was with or for myself so, when that startup got acquired by Airbnb, it was time to make moves, take a leap of faith and start my own business using the skillset, experience and relationships built in the Valley. If I failed, I figured I could always try to pivot back to a traditional tech job, but it felt like there had never been a better time to try my own thing.

What has been the most rewarding part of your journey in founding this company?

Whether it’s being able to employ a team of people doing something they love, seeing an idea come to life on Nike.com or seeing a client have an AHA moment or breakthrough for their small business, there are so many rewarding and rad parts that come along with being a founder of Camp Digital.

We started with a blank canvas and have operated for nearly a decade. In some ways, it feels like we’ve accomplished so much while I also know we’re just getting started and becoming more and more clear on the lifestyle brands we dream of attracting and working with. Ultimately, because social media and digital marketing are such instant mediums, we’re fortunate to see our team's impact on a brand and the world often in a pretty immediate way.

About what are you most proud?

My greatest source of pride is the legacy I’m crafting at Camp Digital as a female CEO in an often male-dominated workplace and as a mom on the go. It’s important to me that my boys get front-row seats to what it means to chase after what you’re passionate about. I’m all about showing them that building something from scratch, especially in a field I love, isn’t just a dream—it can be and is a reality.

It’s about mixing that grind with passion, proving that, when we truly lean into what we love, magic happens. My dream? For this venture to be something they’re proud of, learn from or even jump into someday. More than anything, I want to spark that flame in them to chase their own dreams, to show them that, with a bit of hustle and a whole lot of heart, anything’s possible.

Are you naturally organized, was it a skill you learned or is it something with which you regularly struggle, and what tips or tools do you use to stay your most organized?

Let’s be real — balancing the CEO life at Camp Digital with mom duties is like trying to keep a dozen tabs open in my brain (and laptop) all at once. It’s a skill I’m still honing (we’re all still ‘Becoming,’ right?), but having the right tools and support system have been key. Todoist keeps my projects in check; Google Calendar manages everything from Zoom meetings to Soccer Shots games. These apps are my go-to for breaking down life’s chaos into something beautifully manageable.

The real game-changer has been learning to let go of the need for perfection. It’s about embracing the seasons of life, focusing on what’s truly important, and, sometimes, that means being okay with the chaos and opened (and unopened) tabs.

Behind me is an incredible, all-star support network—my husband, my boys, our nanny, my extended family, our friends and community who rally around us on a daily basis and my team at work. It’s about teamwork and finding that sweet spot where everything more or less aligns.

Who’s the one person who changed your life and why?

Whew, I can't name just one. But a few people who have changed my life would be my mom, who taught me at a young age that anything is possible, my husband, who has taught me that I’m stronger, smarter and more courageous than I think (I can do hard things)–amongst many other lessons, my freshman year professor Jock, who taught me how to see the world with a camera in my hands, the first photographer I ever interned with, Chris, who taught me the foundations of running a photography business, and Lisa, who taught me how to lead teams with vision and boldness at Apple.

What words of wisdom would you have for someone who is overwhelmed with staying organized and / or productive?

Someone once told me, “Make your bed every morning. If you accomplish nothing else, you will have accomplished this.” I try to start there each morning, plus a word of gratitude.

It was so freeing when I finally realized that not everything has to (or can) get done every day and started prioritizing what really matters most.

Find the tools and processes that work well for you. Ask for help. Don't be afraid to raise your hand if you don’t know something or think you could be doing it better. Ask people you admire what their hacks or tips are. I always learn something new!

When you’re ready to scale, assess what you can delegate, train that person well, delegate where you can and always show gratitude to those around you who help make your life/work/job possible.

Do you use technology to help stay productive or organized? If so, what’s your favorite program, app or tech tool?

I love Google Docs, Slack, Todoist and Planoly for productivity. And (to me) there is a thing as too many tools. Sometimes, less is more. Use what works well for you (and your team, if you have a team).

How do you feel about work / life efficiency or integration in your life, including any tips or challenges for managing the personal and professional commitments in your life?

I love the phrase “work/life integration” as I’m not sure this idea of “work/life balance” actually exists. For me, it’s less of the idea of striking a perfect or always-the-same balance and more of a lifestyle. I try to pour my all into work and life when I can and where I can as it’s all intertwined, and I try to show up as a similar human in both areas.

Because I own my own business, it all feels a bit more intertwined than a traditional workplace, which I’m okay with because of the lifestyle of flexibility, creativity and autonomy that it unlocks.

As far as tips, I try to “batch” tasks and commitments where and how I can (e.g. keeping calls within certain hours, focusing on more creative tasks at optimal hours), and I’ve found that having a routine (e.g. morning rituals, working out at a set time) keeps me structured. Baking in social activities with friends and plans with family gives me a whole lot of life and inspiration while keeping me looking forward to the week I’m in and weeks ahead.

About what causes are you most passionate?

I’m passionate about women in business, entrepreneurship, conscious parenting, diversity and sustainability-related causes (especially fashion and home goods).

What have you found to be the most effective way to relax after a long day or super long week?

This has definitely evolved since becoming a parent. As for this season of life, relaxing after a long day usually involves outdoor play with my kids, followed by dinner and a handcrafted cocktail at home with my husband.

After a long week, there’s nothing more recharging than sleeping in on a Saturday, followed by a hot bubble bath, and watching one of my favorite shows.

What is your favorite author / book?

I don’t read books too frequently anymore, but my favorite podcast that I listen to weekly is Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard and Monica Padman. I especially love the “Experts on Expert” interviews where I discover new specialties and niches that always teach me something new.

What is your favorite inspirational quote?

“Work hard and be nice to people.” It’s simple yet powerful by Anthony Burrill, a graphic artist who combines a knack for simplicity that packs a punch with analog craft skills and powerful, positive messages. We have this print hanging in our home to remind us and our boys of this on a daily basis.

What is your go-to accessory?

My go-to accessory would be my AirPods. They’re always with me (both the mini and Max versions) in case I need to take a client call on the go, if I want to listen to a playlist while working or for a podcast in between meetings.

What are the fundamentals of your beauty routine?

A few of the biggest beauty tips that are foundational to my routine are to always always always wear a dedicated SPF under your makeup (I love Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46), regardless of whether you’re spending the day inside (with UV rays from laptops and lights) or outside on the beach or around your city and to always remove your makeup every night. Lately, I’ve loved trying out various oils and micellar water which have been gentler solutions than traditional makeup removers.

These days, I’m also trying to do more research to discover clean beauty products and replace lesser clean products one at a time so it doesn’t feel as overwhelming. Sephora does a great job at labeling their products without toxic ingredients with an indicator online and in-store, and I’ve loved discovering a few new brands like Lawless, Merit, Saie, Glow Recipe and Isle of Paradise.

What is your favorite food?

Tristan lobster tails have become our go-to for a special occasion or celebration, melt in your mouth and pair perfectly with a filet and glass of bubbles.

Of the locally-owned and -operated establishments in the place you currently live, which are your top 3 favorites and why?

Heights House is my favorite locally-owned luxury 9-room boutique hotel and event venue in a restored 1858 mansion. We started as guests and since have become best friends with the owners, Sarah and Jeff, and their children. They’re open to the public for cocktails and tea and host several events throughout the year, like their Supper Club and music on the front lawn. There’s no other place like it in our city.

Black & White Coffee at Videri is my favorite coffee shop in Raleigh. They believe coffee should be simple, so it’s pretty straightforward with only a few (solid) options. It’s Black and white-owned and the brainchild of two US Barista Champions. The coffee is strong with quality you can taste, and it’s in an exposed-brick and wood-beamed building in the heart of the city.

Crawford & Son is my favorite neighborhood restaurant, perfect for a date night or drinks at the bar. They shine with their warm hospitality and have the most incredible handcrafted cocktails (in town) by Jordan Joseph. Kat Rider runs the restaurant like a symphony, and Chef Scott Crawford continues to raise the bar for the North Carolina culinary scene. I’m excited to experience all of the new restaurant concepts that Crawford Hospitality has on the radar coming (soon) this year.

What is your favorite place that you have visited?

I’ve had the opportunity to visit 33 countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Ghana, Togo, South Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Ethiopia, England, Italy, France, Mexico, Argentina, Iceland, Norway, Canada, Antigua, Australia, Guatemala, Colombia, Costa Rica, Belize, Dominican Republic, Haiti, The Bahamas, Ecuador/Galápagos Islands, Spain and Morocco.

Mexico City, Mexico is hands-down my favorite overall. I’ve been five times and yearn to visit at least fifteen more times. I love the culture, the food, the mezcal, the colors, the history, the city vibe and all that it has to offer. My favorite neighborhoods to visit are Roma Norte, Coyoacán, Polanco and Condesa. If you have the opportunity to go, go!

What movie could you watch on endless loop?

Home Alone (the original). And, yes, even if it’s not Christmastime. If you haven’t listened to the soundtrack, it’s also incredible and one that always brings me peace and nostalgia–all at the same time.

What advice would you give your 21-year old self?

If I could sit down with my 21-year-old self, the first thing I’d say is, “Breathe. You’re exactly where you need to be, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet.” Here’s the advice I’d pack into that conversation, distilled from the roller coaster of building Camp Digital and balancing life as a mom:

➢ Embrace the Chaos: Life will throw you curveballs, and, while your instinct might be to dodge or panic, sometimes, the best thing you can do is catch them. Each one teaches you, shapes you, and, eventually, you’ll start throwing them back with precision.

➢ Find Your Passion and Run with It: Don’t wait for the 'right' moment to pursue what sets your soul on fire. Start now, start small, but start. Camp Digital was born from a spark, a tiny 'What if?' that I dared to explore.

➢ Tech is Your Friend: Dive into the digital world sooner. Learn the tools that will later become your lifelines in managing a business and a family. Efficiency tools aren’t just about saving time; they’re about creating space for what truly matters.

➢ Perfection is a Myth: Let go of the idea that everything has to be perfect. Your best work often comes from the messiest parts of life. It’s in the imperfections that you find your unique voice and path.

➢ Build and Invest in Your Community: Surround yourself with people who support, challenge and cheer you on. You’re going to need them for both the victories and the setbacks. Remember, it’s not just about finding support; it’s about giving it, too.

➢ Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: It’s essential. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Find time for yourself, even if it’s just a few moments of quiet or a hobby that brings you joy. Your future self, business and family will thank you for it.

➢ Stay Curious: Never lose your hunger to learn and grow. Every skill you acquire, every interest you explore, adds layers to your capabilities and depth to your character.

Looking back, every challenge, every late night and every leap of faith has been worth it. So, to my 21-year-old self, know this.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

My business often requires me to travel quite a bit (as does my husband’s). I would love if we each had a superpower that allowed us to teleport to another location instantaneously or have high-speed flight to get from North Carolina to California or New York or Austin or Boston at a much quicker speed than we can currently to maximize our time with clients/co-workers and to minimize our time away from our boys.

If you could have lunch with anyone (living or deceased), who would it be and why?

Oprah. I’ve always felt a closeness and admiration for her and dreamed I’d cross paths with her at some point when we lived in Santa Barbara for four years. It hasn’t happened yet, but I’m still hopeful! She has overcome adversity, is a global symbol of strength and empathy and is one of the most powerful women. Her blend of media innovation, heartfelt storytelling and philanthropy mirrors the values I strive to embody at Camp Digital. Her mastery in connecting with people and using her platform for positive change is something I’ve always admired since I was a little girl. A lunch with Oprah would not just be a meal but a masterclass in resilience, purposeful living and the art of impactful leadership.

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