“Start Small & Dream Big”: Industry Leaders Inspire Women To Re-imagine Their Careers
Roughly 100 senior women in media and marketing attended an inspiring discussion about ‘re-imagining your career’ at The Ivy Penthouse in Sydney’s CBD on Tuesday night.
The event, hosted by the Senior Women in Media and Marketing (SWIMM) group, featured a panel of four industry figures: Sarah Wyse, founder of Wyse Women and chief revenue officer of Allure Media; Tom Culver founder and CEO of Goodments; Taryn Williams, founder and CEO of The Right Fit; and Paul Brooks CEO of Carat.
The quartet came together to share their stories and experiences as it relates to re-imagining careers, whether that be finding a way of balancing life’s priorities through flexible working opportunities through to taking the plunge and starting that business idea you have always dreamed of.
Co-founder of SWIMM, Kate Edwards (who is herself an entrepreneur who left the corporate world to start up her businesses Kontented and SnackableTV) moderated the panel and took questions from the high-profile audience who were keen to understand some of the learnings and experiences from the panellists.
With four different stories told by four different people with very different backgrounds, it became immediately clear that there is no single or right approach to reimagining your career.
Culver shared his story of how he created a two-year exit strategy to leave his corporate job at ANZ to launch his fintech start-up, Goodments, whose mission is to create a more sustainable future by making it easy to invest in good business.
Culver undertook an MBA before starting his business with wife Emily Taylor, and carefully planned his exit into the world of tech start-ups.
He shared his motivation and passion for his new business, whilst opening up about some of the more daunting moments along the way, including what it was like to sacrifice his steady income, going into business with his wife, the process around raising capital and the unknowns of what the future brings.
Williams then spoke about her experience and how she got started. After launching her first business – WINK Models – 10 years ago, WIlliams recently started her second venture (The Right Fit), a two-sided marketplace connecting creative talent with businesses looking for models, photographers, influencers and stylists in an easy to use end to end platform.
Williams explained that her motivation came from the need to create a solution to simplify the talent booking process as in her mind the industry was in disarray.
She re-imagined the model for her industry and told the audience that for her, being surrounded by great people and having mentors to help guide her along the way was a real aid in getting her businesses off the ground.
Williams said she has had several mentors along her journey, and is always tapping into a range of skills and experiences to help her with advice depending on the challenge she is up against.
Brooks also joined in the conversation, sharing how, as the CEO of one of the country’s largest media agencies, he thinks about supporting the careers of his staff staff’s.
Brooks identified both senior women and those who have just started out in the industry (under two years of experience) as the two groups that Carat is most at risk of losing if employment structures and practices don’t evolve.
Brooks believes that as an industry, we need to re-imagine the way we work, and flexible working is critical to attracting, maintaining and growing his employees – both professionally and personally.
After launching the agency initiative ‘Flex It Your Way’, Brooks said that over a quarter of employees at Carat are now working flexibly, which has, in turn, seen motivation levels across the board increase and churn rates significantly lower.
Finally, Wyse shared her story and the story of over 100 members who are now subscribed to the Wyse Women service.
The Wyse Women initiative was set up to provide experienced women in the industry with an alternative to working, connecting them with flexible opportunities in the industry.
Whether it be stay-at-home mums, women on maternity leave, entrepreneurs looking for projects to help support them while they launch their business, or those who are simply burnt out after years of long, intense work weeks, looking for a more flexible schedule, Wyse Women caters for all women, helping to educate companies about to engage this highly skilled and talented workforce.
As someone who is living proof that the portfolio career does exist and can work, Wyse talked about how working practices and structures are evolving to hire for skills in a flexible capacity. For her, re-imagining your career doesn’t need to be an all or nothing task.
With an honest and transparent approach, Wyse explained she has the support of her colleagues at Allure whilst she continues to pave the way for all women (and men) in the industry. “Start small and dream big” was her advice, and so far she has seen a lot of success with this approach.
Please login with linkedin to comment
arnold new york Lucy Lloyd Senior Women in Media and Marketing SWIMM taryn williams Tom CulverLatest News
Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm
Sydney Comedy Festival 2024 is live and ready to rumble, showing the best of international and homegrown talent at a host of venues around town. As usual, it’s hot on the heels of its big sister, the giant that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, picking up some acts as they continue on their own […]
Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced the final epic lineup of local and global marketing powerhouses for RESET for Growth 2024. Lead image: Josh Faulks, chief executive officer, AANA Back in 2000, a woman with no business experience opened her first juice bar in Adelaide. The idea was brilliantly simple: make healthy […]
Is Meta’s New AI Chatbot Too Left-Wing?
Meta's chatbot accused of being left-wing after being caught wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt & listening to Billy Bragg.
TV Ratings (23/04/2024): Why Did No One Tell Angela That Farmer Wants A Wife Is Set On A Farm?
As wonderful as this headline is, let's face it, we all know an 'Angela', don't we?
PubMatic Unveils New AI Partnership To Turn Social Posts Into Ads For Any Digital Channel
Here's some nifty tech for turning social posts into ads. Assuming said posts aren't one-star character assassinations.
Intuit Mailchimp Makes A Splash With Its First Australian Brand Campaign
Ever laugh along at a gag you didn't get so as not to appear dumb? Get ready for more feigning with this new work.
GumGum’s Rob Hall: Advertisers Can No Longer “Rely On Binary Descriptions” Of Consumers
If anyone's got their finger on adtech's pulse, it's Rob Hall. He also avoids using the good paper in the office printer
Mastercard Nabs Florencia Aimo From Marriott International
Marriott International's Florencia Aimo jumps from the hotel business to the exploitative credit card one.
Bastion Agency Appoints Cheuk Chiang As New ANZ CEO
Cheuk Chiang takes the reins over at Bastion Agency. But not the rains down in Africa.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Major Sponsorship Wins After A Disappointing Week In Sport
B&T continuing our deep dive into local sport sponsorships & that's despite not a single offer of a free ticket as yet.
Macca’s Marketing Director, Samantha McLeod On Big Mac Chant: “What Was Once Old Is Now Cool Again”
Macca's using the power of nostalgia in latest Big Mac campaign. Well, only for those who've ever eaten one sober.
World Premiere Of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line To Open Sydney Film Festival 2024
Oil's biopic to open Sydney Film Festival. Here's hoping Molly Meldrum will take his pants down at the premiere.
Entries Are Now Open For The 2024 Brandies, IntelligenceBank’s Annual Brand Marketing Awards
The Brandies are, of course, a prestigious marketing gong and not the mystery tipple favoured by nannas everywhere.
The Fred Hollows Foundation Appoints Ardent For PR
Yes, we all like to have a joke at PR's expense. But sometimes it does important work, like this.
AI, eCommerce & Marketing Specialists Are In Increased Demand By Businesses, New Data From Fiverr Shows
Has your philosophy & anthropology degree left you with nothing but a huge HECS debt? Here's what you should've studied.
Perth’s First 3D Anamorphic Billboard Arrives Courtesy Of oOh!media
Do you love a buzzword? Now you can add anamorphic to the list as it relates to billboards, not a colleague's ears.
MasterChef Australia & Crown Resorts Launch Unique Dining Experience With ALUMNI
A pop-up restaurant staffed by MasterChef contestants! That's fine dining prices for first-year apprentice chef cuisine!
Amanda Laing Announces Resignation From Foxtel Group
Foxtel's chief commercial & content officer heads for the exits. Read nice things the bosses said about her right here.
The Lost Letters From Our Diggers: News Corp Unveils ANZAC Day Special
It's nice when brands respectfully acknowledge ANZAC Day.
Howatson+Company Acquires Akkomplice
Large indie acquires a slightly smaller indie. Much like a shark eating a tuna, just with less thrashing and blood.
Google Delays Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Again
In good news for the sale of picture library biscuit photos, Google continues to tease over the end of cookies.
Education A Low Priority For Aussies More Concerned With Cost Of Living Forethought Study Reveals
Study finds Aussies cutting back on education due to cost of living. Booze & Uber Eats sales remain largely unaffected.
“I’m Still The Same Person That I Was”: Rikki Stern Says “Fucc It” To Cancer Stereotypes
B&T always happy to promote the anti-cancer cause. Even brands that massively overdo it with the hot pink.
The Unapproved Climate Certification Allegedly Causing Mass Greenwashing
Are you left flummoxed in the canned tuna & free range eggs aisle? Just wait till this green certification gets up.
TV Ratings (22/04/2024): Fans Mock “Over The Top” Reaction To New MasterChef Judges
MasterChef returns for its 2024 season. B&T stands by putting peppercorns in Gravox & no one will be any the wiser.
Dentsu Restructure: Muddle, Harvey & Johnston Take Leadership Baton As Bass & Yurisich Exit
A large broom has swept through Dentsu's local ops this morning, taking with it some big names & the air con's cobwebs.
Industry Shares Trends Shaping The Industry This International Creators Day
B&T's asking adland creators to reveal their top trends. And it's not good news for your Jenny Kee cardigan collection.
Mable Extends HOYTS Sensory Screenings Partnership
Mable has extended its HOYTS sensory screening partnership. Vigorously defends its two-star Oppenheimer review.
Orphan Launches ‘They Need Our Help. We Need Yours’ For Children’s Cancer Institute
Anything to do with childhood cancers has B&T's 110% support. That said, we do ignore the red meat & alcohol warnings.
Smile Team Orthodontics & Keep Left Collaborate On Smile-Inducing Campaign
As parents would attest, given the cost of orthodontics you'd expect this campaign to be a lavish production indeed.
Opinion: How Video Calls Neglect Learning Diversity
Need an excuse to duck out of a video call this arvo? Show this to your boss.
DoubleVerify Achieves First-Of-Its-Kind Responsible AI Certification From TrustArc
DoubleVerify receives responsible AI certification. However, not its robotic vacuum that's been seen menacing the cat.
Smile For A Good Cause: The Social Media Campaign Giving Back To The Community
Are you known as the office Austin Powers? More for you teeth than shagability? Get snappy new fangs with this news.
Elon Musk Mocks Albo After ESafety Wins Court Injunction Against X
Albo's 2024 from hell continues - Rabbitohs in crisis, down in the polls and now feuding with world's richest man.
Real Estate Developer In Hot Water Over “Sexually Exploitative” OOH Campaign
Real estate agents again tops in the 'least trusted profession' polls, nudging used car salesmen & ad creatives.
Epsilon’s Shane Hanby: Post-Cookie Era Relies On “Teamwork” Between Brands, Marketers & Tech
This pro predicts more "teamwork" in a post-cookie era. Which spells bad news for the uncooperative or plain stubborn.