Your Career Journey

Today, I'm joined by Damian Lucas, a fractional CMO through Lucas Growth Advisory.Damian shares his journey from being a creative student passionate about graphic design to becoming a strategic marketer obsessed with consumer behaviour and working with some of Australia's best-known Retail brands.In this episode, we dive into the evolution of the Australian retail landscape and why e-commerce was surprisingly slow to gain traction.Damian also shares valuable lessons from his career, including how he utilised this knowledge when his Marketing stopped working in one particular role. How did he diagnose the problem, strip everything back, and rebuild a strategy that worked?And how did he cope with the emotional and stressful rollercoaster that this brought about?Plus, we unpack the power of speaking the language of commerce, from knowing your metrics to understanding what's truly driving revenue and sustainable growth.Looking for practical tips and meaningful insights to understand how to bridge the gap between creativity and commercial success? Then this episode is for you.Episode breakdown:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:17 Early Career and Creative Pursuits00:59 Transition to Marketing and Education02:07 Retail Marketing and Consumer Behaviour07:31 E-commerce Evolution in Australia16:45 Challenges in Retail and Marketing Strategies24:10 Campaign Strategy and Media Planning24:38 Experimenting with Offers and Competitor Analysis25:42 Budget Constraints and Predictive Planning25:53 Board Presentation and Campaign Adjustments26:43 Achieving Positive Results27:12 Lessons Learned in Marketing27:34 The Importance of Real-World Experience34:03 Consumer Behaviour and Psychology39:41 Marketing Metrics and Business Conversations44:03 Final Reflections and AdviceIf you'd like to connect with Damian:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasdamian/I'm Emma Graham, Career Coach, ex-recruiter, here to help you:

In this episode, I chat with Scott Baker, Founder of Toast Financial.After spending 20 years building a successful career in retail and e-commerce at The Cotton On Group, Scott found himself at a crossroads. He knew he wanted more. More purpose, more alignment with his passions, and more impact from the work he was doing. But he wasn't sure what direction that should take.So, what does it actually look like to reinvent your career after two decades in one industry? We unpack the steps Scott took to figure out his next move, from identifying his transferable skills to exploring what really lit him up, and how he made the leap.We also talk about the emotional side of making a big change like this. What came up for him? What felt exciting, and what was downright scary?Scott shares what it was like going from the structure of a big corporate role to starting his own business, and the key skills and mindset shifts that helped him navigate that transition. He also dives into how building a strong network and personal brand helped him open doors and gain traction.If you're sitting in a role that no longer feels quite right, and you're wondering how to figure out what's next, this episode is full of practical advice and inspiration to get you started.Episode breakdown:00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:27 Early Career and Retail Journey04:27 Transition to a New Career08:12 Starting a Business as a Mortgage Broker17:51 Purpose and Impact24:03 Challenges of Running a Business25:21 Staying Disciplined While Working Alone26:53 The Importance of Curiosity in Learning29:27 Building Momentum in Business32:25 Networking and Personal Branding44:42 The Power of Vulnerability and Asking for HelpIf you'd like to connect with Scott:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottybaker/Website: https://www.toastfinance.com.au/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scott_thebroker_baker/I'm Emma Graham, Career Coach, ex-recruiter, here to help you:

In this episode, I'm joined by Margot Andersen, the owner of TalentInsight Australia, a leadership development and workforce strategy consultancy, and the founder of InSync Network Group, a career advisory and professional network supporting Australian expats as they navigate the tricky road of returning 'home'.Margot's career journey started out in Queensland as a teacher, before a move to London saw her transition into the world of organisational development. It wasn't until she decided to come back to Australia that she experienced firsthand the challenges so many expats face when re-entering the local job market.We dive into some really important topics, like the power of networking, the emotional side of career transitions, and why patience and a clear strategy are essential. Margot also shares more about the work she does at InSync Network, helping returning expats reconnect, reposition, and rebuild their careers locally.This conversation is packed with insights around aligning your personal and professional goals, making the most of your global experience when you come home, and the critical role that community and shared experiences play in making that transition smoother.If you're thinking about a global move or making your way back home, this episode is a must-listen.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:09 Early Career Beginnings01:36 Transition to London02:43 Career Shift to Recruitment05:59 Return to Australia09:33 Building New Ventures12:24 Challenges of Returning Expats23:54 The Importance of Positioning24:47 Providing Context in Your CV27:19 Challenges of Returning Home29:41 The Role of Recruiters32:48 Preparing for the Job Market34:41 Emotional and Financial Transitions38:10 Networking and Shared Experiences40:29 Final Thoughts and AdviceTo connect with Margot:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margot-andersen/Website: talentinsight.com.au and insyncnetworkgroup.com/Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

In this episode, I'm joined by Vanessa Lyons, CEO of ThinkNewsBrands, to talk about how she navigated her way from a career in Marketing to becoming a CEO.Starting her career as a Product Marketer at Phillips was, in hindsight, pivotal, not only because of the highly commercial nature of the role but also because of the broader global roles she was able to take on. What did she learn from roles based in China and New Zealand, and what lessons did she take from an early mistake?How did working in large corporates and a redundancy help to refine what came next? Why the intentional move to work for smaller businesses, and how did she make the shift to take on broader business management roles outside of the traditional Marketing remit?What has she learned from this, and what advice does she have for other Marketers who want to do a similar thing?Vanessa and I also talked about our experiences with cancer and what we've both learnt from it, which is a far more entertaining and uplifting conversation than it sounds! How has it changed Vanessa's approach to work/life balance and what it meant for finding meaning and purpose in her work?Vanessa is a real powerhouse, and it's clear throughout our conversation how intentional she has been with her decision making and her career journey. There are lots of insights and great career advice in this one! 00:00 Introduction and Career Beginnings00:27 Early Career at Philips02:27 International Experience in China03:55 Marketing Leadership in New Zealand07:05 Transition to Telstra and Redundancy08:41 Diverse Industry Experience12:21 Challenges and Growth in Smaller Businesses14:52 Reflections on Career and Success23:03 The Hidden Efforts of Leadership24:02 Managing Stress and Risk in High-Stakes Roles25:28 The Importance of Creating Time to Think26:23 Gaining Perspective Through Personal Challenges27:48 A Personal Battle with Cancer33:08 Finding Meaning and Purpose in Work40:10 Defining Personal Success41:37 Final Reflections and AdviceIf you'd like to connect with Vanessa:https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessalyons1/Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

In this episode, I sit down with Amy Barry to unpack the lessons she's learned throughout her career in Retail Marketing and she shares insights that are valuable no matter where you are in your own journey.Amy's career took a major turn when she said yes to what seemed like a short-term opportunity, a three-month contract at The Good Guys. That decision ended up shaping the next decade of her career, allowing her to gain invaluable experience and work her way up the corporate ladder. From there, she spent nearly five years at Spotlight Retail Group before making the jump to the supplier side in her current Head of Marketing role. We dive into what those transitions taught her about taking risks, advocating for herself, and stepping into leadership roles before feeling 100% 'ready.'One of the biggest game-changers in her career? A lightbulb moment during DISC Behavioural Model training that completely shifted how she worked with her team and managed up. Amy shares how this understanding of different work styles transformed her leadership approach and deepened her relationships at work.We also discuss the influence of great (and not-so-great) leaders in shaping her own management style and how she continues to evolve as a leader.And finally, we wrap up with a conversation about the power of dreaming bigThis episode is packed with career wisdom, real talk, and some seriously valuable takeaways. I hope you enjoy it!If you'd like to connect with Amy:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-barry-8b988956/00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:32 Early Career and Education01:58 First Job and Real-World Lessons02:54 Career Challenges and Breakthroughs03:45 The Good Guys Experience05:47 Leadership and Management Insights08:07 Transition to Anaconda and New Challenges09:37 Supplier Side and Current Role14:00 Retail Marketing Dynamics22:49 Navigating Management Roles25:22 Frustration with Team Dynamics25:42 Discovering the DISC Principle26:20 Adapting Communication Styles27:16 Building Better Relationships at Work27:48 The Impact of DISC on Team Performance28:43 Leadership and Management Insights31:17 Personal Experiences with DISC35:00 Advocating for Yourself in the Workplace46:18 The Importance of Dreaming Big48:23 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsHi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

Today, I'm joined by Andrea Andric, a freelance Digital Marketing Strategist with a unique journey, starting with a journalism degree before diving into the world of Social Media and Digital Marketing.Andrea shares how her early career shaped her expertise, highlighting the value of varied experience, especially in agency roles, where she built a diverse skill set and worked directly with clients instead of niching too soon.From there, she took on roles at The Arts Centre and a tech startup, where she continued growing, leading teams, refining her craft, and staying ahead of industry shifts and trends.Diving into social media strategy, we discuss the common mistakes brands make, the biggest challenges in the space, and what actually works. We also explore that buzzword 'authenticity', how its meaning has evolved, and its ongoing impact on social media.And of course, we can't ignore AI. How does Andrea see it shaping the future of digital marketing?Finally, we wrap up with a conversation on the power of strategy and the advice she'd give to her younger self.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:25 Accidental Entry into Digital Marketing03:36 Early Career and Agency Life05:29 Transition to Arts Centre Melbourne06:51 Tech Startup Experience07:58 Freelancing and Personal Growth08:33 Importance of Trying Different Things09:44 Industry Experience and Niching Down17:04 Challenges in Social Media Marketing20:42 Trust and Agility in Marketing30:37 Authenticity in Social Media33:48 AI in Content Creation40:00 The Role of Strategy in Marketing42:15 Final Thoughts and AdviceHi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change.If you'd like to connect with Andrea:Website: andreaandric.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaandric/Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

In this episode I'm joined by Susan Toft, CEO and Founder of The Laundry Lady, the world's first online marketplace for laundry services.We dive into how she transitioned from the corporate marketing world to launching The Laundry Lady and how an unexpected redundancy became the catalyst for her entrepreneurial leap. Where did the idea come from? And what did she take from her marketing career that helped her along the way?Susan shares what it was like to start a business during the GFC and the mindset shift that comes with having to make it work. She talks about the early days, the value of starting with a minimum viable product, and navigating the rollercoaster of scaling—hiring the right team, upgrading tech, and growing through the messy middle.Now, as CEO of a rapidly expanding business, she's embraced leadership, built a strong personal brand, and even stepped onto Shark Tank! We chat about that experience and what's next as she takes The Laundry Lady global.Susan's journey is a great reminder that when you back yourself and take the leap, incredible things can happen.If you'd like to connect with Susan:Website: https://thelaundrylady.com.au/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-toft-b855ab41/Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/homeLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

In this episode, I'm joined by Kym Kearney to talk about her journey from a small country town to leading national marketing teams—before making a bold career pivot into Marketing recruitment.Kym talks about navigating career uncertainty when leaving school to her early passion for psychology, and how an unexpected placement in marketing set her on a path she didn't know existed. We chat about what she loved about her Marketing career, the brands she worked with, the teams she built and what ultimately made her want to look at other career paths. How challenging life events led her to want to take more risks, and how she channelled this into starting her own Marketing recruitment business.We talk about the importance of authenticity, what she loves about working for herself, how it feels to be marketing your own brand and her thoughts on Career transitions now she's on the other side of one.If you're a marketer considering a change or just love a good career pivot story, you won't want to miss this one!00:00 Introduction00:45 Discovering a Passion for Marketing02:01 Early Career and Education09:29 Transition to Retail Marketing12:05 Challenges and Growth in the Entertainment Industry13:39 Balancing Career and Personal Life16:59 The Shift to Recruitment23:40 Navigating the Freedom of Entrepreneurship24:47 The Vulnerability of Personal Branding25:35 Embracing LinkedIn and Storytelling26:53 The Intersection of Recruitment and Marketing27:58 The Human Element in Recruitment29:17 Leveraging Marketing Experience in Recruitment36:21 Challenges and Rewards of Running a Business41:37 The Importance of Authenticity and Self-Belief44:00 Final Reflections and AdviceIf you'd like to connect with Kym:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kym-kearney-1b2b961a2/Website: marketingmixrecruitment.com.auHi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/homeLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

In this episode, I'm joined by Catherine Toms a senior Marketer with over 20 years of global experience across digital agencies, and blue-chip brands and Co-Founder of the Marketing Growth Academy.How do you stay current in the ever-evolving field of Marketing, particularly at the moment with AI? Catherine has been through this before, having worked through the digital transformation of the early 2000s (as have I), and that's worth remembering. This is nothing new; we've been here before, and Digital Marketing is now just part of the whole Marketing mix.When it comes to AI specifically, Catherine discusses the importance of adaptability and curiosity, emphasising its integration into everyday tasks while preserving core marketing principles. She highlights the significance of upskilling and staying informed amid the rapid evolution of AI technology and shares a number of different sources that she trusts to stay current and on top of things.We talk about how Marketing often finds itself the ‘canary in the coal mine' and how to manage business expectations whilst maximising the opportunities that AI brings. How do blend human and AI skills for the best results and how to upskill yourself even if you're organisation isn't on board?Finally, we discuss how she finds working with her husband, as their business celebrates its 10th anniversary! 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome02:14 Transition to Digital Marketing02:54 Launching a Business in Australia04:00 Embracing Change in Marketing06:23 Navigating AI and Technological Trends08:36 Upskilling and Adapting to AI18:05 Generational Perspectives on Technology20:15 AI in the Workplace: Challenges and Solutions26:23 Integrating AI Across Business Functions27:56 Marketing's Role in AI Adoption29:47 Upskilling Yourself in AI35:25 The Future of AI and Human Skills40:38 Starting a Business in a New Country43:17 Challenges and Rewards of Entrepreneurship46:15 Working with Your Spouse48:51 Embracing Lifelong LearningIf you'd like to connect with Catherine:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinetoms/Website: https://aiinmarketing.co/Free webinars: https://aiinmarketing.co/webinars/Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/homeLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

I wanted to start 2025 with this episode as Becca has so many examples of how she's taken ownership and control of her career, from moving to Australia from the UK, from building relationships, being proactive in looking for opportunities for herself and building a personal brand. It hasn't all been plain sailing, though, from overcoming challenges like visa constraints, the lack of ‘local experience' barrier and building a career in a country where you don't know anyone and don't have an existing network.We talk about the importance of genuine connections, leveraging contract roles, and how asking questions and continually learning have all played a role.  Becca gives practical examples of how she has done the things we talk about, how she built her network, who did reach out in the first instance and what did she say?We also talk about the importance of getting out of your comfort zone and the value of climbing 'Cringe Mountain' and posting on LinkedIn. If you'd like to make some changes to how you approach your career in 2025, this episode is a fantastic place to start! It's jam-packed with practical advice on how to take control and achieve greater ownership.00:00 Introduction to Your Career Journey Podcast00:45 Meet Becca Spencer: From Creative to Marketing02:29 Early Career in the UK04:47 The Move to Australia09:11 Building a Network in Australia17:45 Overcoming Local Experience Challenges23:40 Taking Control of Your Career26:11 Building Genuine Relationships27:58 The Power of Networking29:21 Approaching Initial Conversations33:58 The Importance of LinkedIn38:14 Asking Questions for Career Growth44:26 Overcoming Fear and Taking Action49:10 Final Thoughts and AdviceHi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/homeLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

This week I speak with Wendy Chamberlain, a self-employed Buyers Agent and Sellers Advocate. Wendy's love for property and her desire to help empower and educate others about Real Estate ultimately led her in this direction, but it wasn't all plain sailing.Not knowing what she wanted to do after school led to Secretarial College, working in a bank, living in Tokyo, and exploring various roles at a law firm. Things took a significant turn when Wendy did a computing degree and shifted into IT consultancy. Climbing the corporate ladder, taking on larger projects and bigger teams meant a huge amount of stress, which resulted in a number of health issues.Realising that her job was literally making her sick Wendy made a huge change, shifting to being self-employed and focusing on her love for Real Estate. Wendy talks openly and honestly about this time, and what she was telling herself whilst pushing herself so hard, and what she's learnt since then.Wendy has a fascinating story, and I love the way she views things and how she shares the lessons she has learnt. If you feel a bit stuck and aren't sure what to do about it, this episode is a great place to start! If you'd like to connect with Wendy, you can find her at:Website: https://chamberlainadvocates.com.au/Podcast: https://www.propertymama.com.au/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendychamberlain/Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

Join Emma as she chats with Katie O'Malley, a leadership and organisational development coach from Chicago.  We chat about Katie's career journey from political campaigns and nonprofit work, and eventually finding success with her own coaching practice. Katie shares her insights on leadership development, organisational culture, and the importance of psychological safety at work. They discuss the challenges of transitioning careers, the pressures of traditional success metrics, and the power of betting on oneself. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on personal growth, resilience, and creating impactful workplace cultures.If you'd like to CONNECT with Katie:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateomalley/Website: https://encouragecoaching.org/Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:31 Katie's Career Journey: From Politics to Nonprofits07:07 Transition to Commercial Real Estate and Mental Health Struggles10:01 Pivot to Coaching and Building a Business14:15 Facing Gender Bias and Making Bold Choices18:30 Reflections on Success and Choices23:53 Choosing to be Childfree and Societal Reactions26:58 Diving into Workplace Culture and Diversity27:11 Transitioning Through Different Work Cultures27:37 The Nonprofit Industrial Complex29:36 Workplace Induced Trauma30:18 The Impact of Middle Management32:10 The Importance of Leadership Training38:34 Recognizing and Retaining Employees42:47 Building a Positive Workplace Culture50:33 Final Thoughts and AdviceHi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

In today's episode, I'm joined by Paola Piccinno who shares her experiences navigating an international marketing career, the unique challenges, and the lessons learned along the way. Born in Naples, Italy, and raised in Puglia, Paola's inherent curiosity and passion for travel led her to pursue a career that accommodated her love for exploration. Initially studying journalism, a pivotal conversation with a professor redirected her path towards marketing. After moving within Italy for study and then working at Microsoft in Milan, Paola made her first internal move to London.Here working for Kingston Technology, she was tasked with expanding the brand into EMEA which involved frequent trips to South Africa. What did she learn working in this part of the world? Another of the interesting features of Paola's career has been taking sabbaticals, highlighting how one-year breaks have allowed her to learn new languages and grow personally. After one such year, she returned to London and took on a role at Google.After working extensively in Europe and a brief stint in Turkey, Paola moved to Australia, continuing her career in tech marketing. Beginning in Sydney, then Melbourne and now up on the Sunshine Coast.In recent years, she transitioned to a fractional CMO role, leveraging her expertise in the niche of account-based marketing (ABM). Given the network she has built globally, she is working with a number of clients in the Middle East and India.What has this international approach meant for her in terms of what she's learnt and what has it meant in terms of how she has approached her career?Join us to find out! If you'd like to connect with PaolaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolapiccinno-abm-b2b-marketing/Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

In this episode, I'm joined by Rita Martinez, a seasoned marketer with a career spanning blue-chip companies like Coles, Energy Australia, and CareSuper. Rita's journey through diverse marketing roles has given her a wealth of insights to share. But, in the beginning, how did she know marketing was her calling? And how did having a mentor early on shape her path?In the early days, Rita focused on Retail and Customer loyalty roles, before really branching out and taking on the ‘toolkit' approach to building her skills. She also embraced the opportunities that came her way, whether that was taking shorter contract roles that led to other things, or taking on new challenges in parts of the business that were new to her.Adaptability has been central to Rita's success, especially over the last decade. Embracing change came naturally to her and became a key factor in how she continued to grow her career.We also discuss the unique Marketing challenges of working in regulated industries and leading teams.This is a wide-ranging conversation packed with insights on navigating career pivots, the evolving marketing landscape, and the power of continual learning. Whether you're starting out or considering a change, Rita's story is filled with inspiration and practical advice.If you'd like to connect with Rita LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritamartinez/Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

In this episode, I'm joined by the amazing Lucy Owens, a personal stylist and image expert, and the founder of Style Rises. Lucy shares her inspiring journey, transitioning from a marketing career to launching Style Rises in 2019, with a mission to empower women through the power of style.Together, we chat about how style and personal brand are closely linked, and how what you wear can boost your confidence, improve performance, and even shape how others see you.We dive into fascinating topics like the psychology of clothing, the idea of "enclothed cognition," and the tricky balance of modern work environments and their evolving dress codes.We also bust some myths about style—like the belief that it's something you're born with and can't learn. Lucy gives practical tips for looking sharp on Zoom, why your LinkedIn photo matters more than you think, and how to show up to interviews with confidence and authenticity.This episode is packed with real, actionable advice on using style to elevate your personal brand. You won't want to miss it!In the episode, Lucy mentions her style quiz, here is the link: https://www.stylerises.com/style-quizHi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

Kellie is a Marketing & Comms consultant and writer, who joins me to talk about her journey from full-time agency and corporate roles to freelance. And her newly found passion for travel writing.Kellie built the first part of her career in Agency, primarily in Account Management. It was when she had a family that she found the lack of flexibility challenging, she was able to work part time but it affected the type of Accounts she worked on, and she ultimately didn't enjoy the work as much.Kellie talks openly about the challenge of balancing her career aspirations with having a family and how that led her to burn out.  For her, freelance was an option she wanted to explore, to see whether it would give her the flexibility and time with her family, whilst also allowing her to grow her career and work in a slightly different direction.She talks about embracing the unknown and jumping off the cliff as being key parts of her freelance journey. What she's learned from different types of projects and what life as a freelancer has actually been like.The other thing it's enabled her to do is focus on her love of writing, and she has expanded her work to include travel writing. We talk about what she's learned about pitching, putting herself out there and where her favourite travel destination is.Connect with Kellie via:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellie-floyd/Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

In this episode, I'm joined by Kelly Gurr a strategic marketing generalist and project manager. Kelly has had a varied career working across B2C, B2B, B2B2C with both local and global brands. Her favourite place to be is at the intersection of strategy, customer experience and operations. Recently Kelly has taken on a new challenge, embarking on life as a digital nomad. Travelling around Australia in a caravan with her husband and 2 kids, for 8 months.Curious about what life on the road is really like? Join me as we dive into the adventure of van life and uncover the lessons learned along the way.What's life on the road been like? What have been the ups and downs of van life? What has she learned, what are the things which have surprised her? What does a typical day look like and how are her family getting on with it? How did she approach the conversation with her employer?What advice would she give to someone who is considering doing a similar thing?Whether you're seriously considering hitting the road or just daydreaming about it, Kelly's insights and tips could be just what you need to turn your idea into reality!If you'd like to connect with KellyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellygurr/Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

In this episode, I'm joined by Charlie Syme, a senior marketer and comms specialist, who has worked with member-owned, enterprise, not-for-profit and start-up businesses.Just over a year ago, he started his own business, Pigface Marketing, where he operates as a fractional CMO. The discussion kicks off with Charlie celebrating the first anniversary of his business, which is a huge milestone. To understand the current direction, we go back to the beginning to uncover what led him to this point. Charlie reflects on his career trajectory, what he learned from the different stages and the importance, for him, of purpose.Once he'd decided to start his business one of the challenges he faced was with business development, and we discussed how he overcame that. We talk in depth about the importance of brand storytelling in marketing and Charlie details his approach and why he loves it so much. He also gives a perfect real life example by explaining where the name Pigface Marketing came from.We also touch on the personal growth that comes with starting a business, something we have both experienced and the important role of networking and building a community.The conversation ends with Charlie talking about the common threads between career, marketing and storytelling (there are quite a few!).If you'd like to connect with Charlie.Website:  https://www.pigface.au/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliesyme/Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

In a slightly different episode this week, I'm joined by specialist Marketing Recruiter Lucy Bolan from New Chapter Talent to talk about what's happening in the market at the moment.Lucy has been in Recruitment for almost twenty years, with all bar two of those in the Melbourne market. She also recently started her own business earlier this year, called New Chapter Talent.In news that will surprise no one, it's still very much an employers' market at the moment, particularly at the more senior end.  Lucy talks about how competitive it is for those types of roles, and how the number of applicants leads some employers to be spoilt for choice, meaning very slow processes, and in some cases an ability to make decisions.We talk about how to deal with redundancy and Lucy gives some great advice on what to do next if you find yourself in that situation, including the importance of having a solid plan.About how to stand out in a crowded market place, the importance of networking and how to leverage specialist recruiters effectively. Tips on what to include and not include in your CV, and how to differentiate yourself from other candidates with similar experience.If you'd like to connect with Lucy.Website:  https://www.newchaptertalent.com.au/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-bolan/Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

In this episode, I'm joined by Rhiannon Di Martino, who has had a really unique career path covering Marketing, People and Culture, Diversity and Inclusion and is currently working as the chief of staff to the CEO of a mental health charity.The broader themes for Rhi are around taking control of her career and finding purpose in what she did, but how did she go about doing that?Rhi has sought out and taken on a succession of roles she's never done before, she's very much been the driver in her own career. Breaking this down she talks about the importance of curiosity, the value of having advocates within the business and the type of culture which supported her growth to try new things.Over time wanting to define and find purpose in her work became a key part of the puzzle, Rhi talks through her thought process and how she was able to clarify what it meant to her.Rhi also talks openly about imposter syndrome and how she was able to deal with it, learning how to embrace vulnerability and the importance of knowing what she's aiming for.Rhi's career journey is a fantastic example of what can happen when you take control, map out your path and make it happen! If you'd like to connect with Rhi:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhiannon-di-martino-588481Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

In this episode I'm joined by Martin Kelly, as we talk about how he took his career from initially studying Engineering in Scotland to ultimately building his life and Marketing career here in Australia. Martin talks about the lessons he's learned along the way, the things which have made a difference for him and shares practical advice and insights. From realising Marketing was a career option instead of Engineering, to how a chance meeting with his future wife in a backpackers in the Middle East ultimately led him to Australia.In terms of his career in Marketing how he's learned to work with Sales and to make sure Marketing has a seat at the leadership table. Gained clarity through experience of the things which are important to him and how he balances those things when choosing or rejecting roles. In addition to understanding the role ‘gut feel' has to play here. A really interesting discussion about Mentoring and Networking. What role have mentors played in his career and how did he go about finding them?So many great pieces of advice, thank you Martin for taking the time to chat with me.If you'd like to connect with Martin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinekelly/Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

In this episode, I'm joined by Nigel Taylor, a highly experienced video and content producer whose career has spanned both full time corporate work and freelance work here in Australia and in London. Specific projected have included video and digital production including TV & film, shoot and talent direction, project management, editing and scriptwriting.We talk about how Nigel got into the industry, after initially thinking that medicine would be the route he took.  What he learned from his first professional role in regional TV and why it was such a great place to start.Next came a move to London and landing his dream job working at Disney. What did he learn during this time of working for a large global corporate and what impact did it have on the level of creativity he could bring to the role. Nigel also worked on his own passion and freelance projects, what part did this play in his overall learning and approach.On returning to Australia and effectively starting his career again (an aspect of global relocation that often gets overlooked), what made the difference for him and how was he able to re-establish himself?We end with a fascinating discussion about AI and its impact on the Creative industry. Nigel holds a very positive view and I loved his take on it.So many takeaways and insights from this conversation, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did having it.My links:Website: https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/Guests' links:Website: https://abiggerboat.tv/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelandrewtaylor/Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

In this episode, I'm joined by Jane Betshel to discuss her journey from Marketing to Mortgage Broking. Jane built a highly successful career in Marketing, working in Events, e-commerce, Product Marketing, and ultimately leading a team of 70 people as Head of Marketing.Feeling burnt out, Jane decided to leave that role and, after a period of reflection, ventured in what seemed like a completely different direction by starting her own mortgage broking business.Discover how Jane began her career in Marketing, successfully climbed the corporate ladder, and learned key management and leadership insights along the way. We also discuss the challenges she faced leading such a large team and the burnout that followed.Taking some time out for reflection, how did Jane discover her new path? What role did the advice of a trusted friend play in her decision? How did she realise that Mortgage Broking was her next career move, and how does she feel about starting her own business? We also explore how she is leveraging her Marketing and other transferable skills in her new venture.This episode is packed with valuable insights and advice on career development, leadership, and making bold career transitions.If you'd like to connect with Jane you can do here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janebetschel/Just Right Lending - https://www.justrightlending.com.au/Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

Pierre is an Executive Coach, Human Resources Advisor and leadership development fanatic. After starting his career as a Chartered Accountant he soon moved away from numbers and towards people, focusing instead on HR, Talent, Learning and Development. Having lived and worked in a number of different countries including Australia, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and the USA, Pierre has gained valuable lived experience and insights into what really makes people tick and how being an inclusive leader has a tangible impact to the bottom line.Our conversation starts with Pierre's own journey from being a Chartered Accountant in  South Africa, moving into the Learning & Development space to ultimately building his career in the HR and Talent leadership space.Having had the opportunity to work in a number of different countries and choosing to settle in Australia some sixteen or so years ago, Pierre brings his experience to bear on his perspective on culture and diversity. He shares insights as to how great leaders can get the best from their teams and some of the common mistakes that get made.We also talk about how organisations approach leadership and Pierre shares valuable advice which focuses on authenticity, feedback and curiosity.If you'd like to connect with Pierre you can do so via:https://www.linkedin.com/in/padevilliers/thetalentexchange.com.au Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

My guest today is Mickey Rummery, Founder of Connect Experience Design.Mickey started his career in recruitment in London, before moving to Melbourne in 2010. Whilst honing his relationship-building skills he saw an opportunity to become more involved in the then up and coming area of User Experience Design. By proactively networking and creating his own opportunities, he over time, transitioned his career into the Human Centred Design space, the area in which he now has his business.A recurring theme in Mickey's career narrative is his proactive pursuit of opportunities. By researching potential avenues, reaching out directly to organisations, and initiating conversations, he significantly altered the trajectory of his professional path. In the episode, Mickey delves into the specifics of how he navigated this process, offering firsthand, actionable advice based on his experiences.We also talk about what led him to start his own business, and how he's finding the transition from working for someone else. You can connect with Mickey via:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickeyrummery/https://www.connectxd.co/Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

My guest today is Sharon Morris, whose journey unfolds from an uncertain graduate to an experienced Executive championing authenticity and social impact. Along the way, Sharon explores various roles across industries and learns the importance of saying yes to new challenges. Her desire for change ultimately leads to her climbing the corporate ladder, although that was not outwardly her intention.Another key part of her story is embracing lifelong learning and the shifts in perspective that this creates. The final pillar is the importance of being true to oneself, following her passion and working in spaces which have social impact.Sharon also shares her approach to leadership, to hiring good people and the impact that networking has had on her career.Her story serves as a compelling reminder of the rewards that come with embracing change and seizing opportunities for growth. Tune in for valuable insights and actionable advice from Sharon's inspiring journey. Enjoy the episode!Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Steph Sta Maria, a talented copy and digital content writer originally from Malaysia, now calling Australia home. Steph's journey into the world of writing is a fascinating one - despite always knowing this is where her passion lay, she shares how discovering the right pathway was still a journey in itself.We delve into Steph's early career, where she had the opportunity to explore various roles and mediums within the media industry, providing valuable insights into what she enjoyed and what she didn't.Talking about her relocation to Melbourne, Steph shares what helped her to settle quickly, offering practical advice that others can apply. She also discusses her experience navigating the job market and addresses the 'local experience' barrier.Transitioning from freelance and contract work to a position in a large corporate organisation, Steph provides useful insights into managing this shift and offers advice for those stepping into this type of environment for the first time.Lastly, Steph opens up about finding her voice and confidence, sharing techniques and practices that have empowered her along the way.Packed with nuggets of wisdom and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who has recently relocated to Australia, has recently joined a large organisation, or is grappling with imposter syndrome. Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/

Today's guest is Matt Woodard, a Talent acquisition specialist who has spent the last 16 years in this space across NZ and Australia, although the accent will tell you he's originally from the UK. Matt now runs his own business Scalr where he works with start-ups and scale-ups in setting up their talent acquisition functions for success. This episode aims to give you an insight into what's happening on the other side of the fence. Once you've applied for the advertised role with 'X' company, what happens to that application?How is it assessed?What role does technology play?Does my CV need to be keyword optimised?How do I give myself the best chance of being successful?What does a standout application look like?We also talk about why applications may not be getting responded to, and what's gone wrong when an application falls through the cracks.Matt also gives his advice on how best to prepare for an interview, and what the interviewer is looking for from you. What type of questions should you be expecting and what questions should you be asking?Finally, Matt shares the advice that's been helpful to him in his own career.Hope you enjoy the episode and find it useful.Hi, I'm Emma. A Career Coach helping Marketers and Creatives get greater clarity on their career paths and confidently navigate the steps needed to create change. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me via:Website - https://www.egconsulting.au/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham/