November 5, 2013
At a Glance
Bio The path that led her to this point
I stumbled into blogging almost 7 years ago with no idea where it would lead me.
I was on a totally different course in life - studying theology and exploring women's ministry in my local church.
Entrepreneurship was not at all on my radar! But I was in a new city and I felt very, very alone.
My blog would provide me with a lifeline back to my family and friends who urged me to start it...and then never read it!
So it was then I began to connect with people from around the world and started a little community called "Where the blog are you?" which has long since closed it's doors.
That little community was a vibrant beautiful place that taught me a lot about the possibilities and future of blogging.
Fast forward a few years - my blog grew and the Australian blogosphere grew and my tummy grew once and then twice.
Finally my desire for freedom and flexibility - to stretch my brain but be with my children pushed me to make the very scary but exciting leap of setting up my own business, Brand Meets Blog.
My first client was Kellogg Australia which was very exciting and we've continued to build a lovely client base and work with a stable of quite wonderful, talented bloggers.
I've recently started up a networking event for women called The Drawing Room.
I hope it's a place for women doing cool things with social media who don't fit the traditional definitions of success and achievement but are actually completely accomplished and successful to find each other, learn from each other and collaborate with each other.
I'm really excited about this - it's exactly the sort of thing I would have loved when I started out and I can't wait to see what the future brings for it.
Q&A Insider advice & tips
What's been your greatest achievement to date?
Honestly, the whole thing just feels like a great achievement.
I've set and met a number of goals along the way and continue to move in a direction that excites and challenges me and allows me to do things I'd never otherwise get to do. What could be better?!
What's been your biggest challenge so far?
Keeping my ambition at bay.
I'm in an industry that has exploded since I started out but I have three children aged 5 and under who are the reason I got into this. That means I don't have email on my phone and I try to keep myself in a mental check about my priorities.
Best lesson you've learned along the way?
Work out how your values will inform your business and business practice.
When I was pregnant with my third child I had a conversation that crystalised it.
I was asked "What opportunities are you prepared to lose while you are focused on the new baby?" It was such a helpful way to think about and be comfortable with my choices.
A website, book or resource that has helped you in your business or inspired you and why?
I am a big fan of Scott Stratten from Unmarketing.
I have found it really helpful to have so much of what has seemed intuitive to me, unpacked and backed up really, through his work.
Which person or brand do you most admire and why?
My Mum!
She's amazingly successful at her job and has achieved great recognition in her industry, yet she spent so many early years dedicated to us as kids.
She's shown me that that it’s never too late to do something you love (and to be good at it) but also that making sacrifices to focus on family is truly worthwhile.
What advice would you give someone starting an independent business in your industry?
Four things -
1. Be willing to believe in your idea and back yourself - always.
2. Don't got it totally alone. Make sure you've got people around you who believe in you and are willing to talk through ideas and strategies with you.
3. Get a good business coach and
4. Network!
Finish this sentence
Everything changed for me when…
I went back to work, part time, when my son was 6 months old and completely broke down.
It was the most flexible workplace I could have asked for but it was just too much - I had a 2.5year old and 6 month old and I was somewhere I didn't want to be.
I took a leap of faith a agreed to go to a "mums in business" lunch and came away completely inspired by the possibility of "what if". What if I just did it?!?! So I did and within a month Brand Meets Blog was born. I haven't looked back since.