ISSUE 6
COVER WOMEN
ALISHA & MON Rising with reels.
LEADING BY DESIGN.
Former Sportgirl CEO Colleen Collander.
BE YOUR OWN HYPE GIRL.
PR Guru Anna Scott.
Career changing.
Sandy Lowres and how life begins at 40.
And loads more.
empower ISSUE
SANDY LOWRES
DENSHAM ETTE ANN
ALISHA & MON COLLEEN CA
ANNA SCOTT
LL AN
Jasmine Parasram
DER
SARAH & KATARINA
“As women achieve power, the barriers will fall. As society sees what women can do, as women see what women can do, there will be more women out there doing things, and we’ll all be better off for it.” RUTH BADER GINSBURG
contents 06
Rise with reels.
14
Leader by design.
18
This is what's important.
21
Charge your worth...
24
Turning self-doubt into a super power.
28
How to do empowerment.
30
Career changer.
32
Be your own hype women.
34
How to speak as an expert.
36
Blooming together.
40
In, into and be able.
ALISHA MARFATIA & MONIQUE LOMBARDO
COLLEEN CALLANDER
COLUMNIST KIM DARBY
JASMINE PARASRAM, YOUR PRICING QUEEN
ANNETTE DENSHAM, AUDACIOUS AGENCY
COLUMINIST BECKY PAROZ
SANDY LOWRES, WB40 MAGAZINE
ANNA SCOTT, VISIBILITY COACH
COLUMNIST RACHEL KURZYP
KATARINA ROSA & SARAH CLEATON, EMBEDDED BLOOMS
COLUMNIST KATHY RAST
WHAT EVEN IS
?
empowerment
As woman in business we are exposed to a
Then along came empower, and over time,
seemingly unending parade of buzz words.
it became tarnished with the same overuse
Off the top of my head some such cliched
and gross generalisation like the others as it
examples include 'balance', 'hustle', 'blessed'.
seemed to reinforce the not enough, you-
Each of these words makes me cringe as
should-be-more culture.
I now associate them with the idealised and
This issues diverse collection of inspiring
often toxic side of business.
woman has removed my jaded-colored glasses.
NEW My own definition of empowerment has shifted from outside validation to seeking internal certainty, clarity and confidence.
As you read through this issue, like me, you may notice a common theme emerging. Empowerment is deeply personal. We each have our own morals, values and beliefs that are grounded in our experiences. What makes us empowered today could be different next year, month, or even day as we progress, grow, change and adapt.
COLUMNISTS
KIM DARBY
@sisterriseollective_ "Empowerment can not be taught! Instead, I teach or shed light on the tools that can assist in seeking, integrating and embodying empowerment. Planting seeds of selfawareness while encouraging self-inquiry and self-responsibility. They already have everything they need to lead a beautifully empowered life within themselves." | PG 18
Empowerment can be: saying no, making a sale, being surrounded by others, going to therapy... The list is endless, unknown and all part of the empowerment journey. Consequently my version of empowerment is going to look different to yours as the power comes from us. Maybe instead of em-power it should be me-power?
Welcome to Issue Six, “The Empower Issue” ROWENA PREDDY
FOUNDER | DESIGNER | EDITOR
RACHEL KURZYP @rachel_kurzyp
"In the next 10 years I hope to see women to have control over their lives and bodies. To no longer have to sacrifice their joy, happiness and fulfillment for the benefit of those who wish to uphold capitalism and the patriarchy." | PG 34
with reels
Reels; can it reely explode your brand? According to digital marketing experts, the best time to start incorporating Reels into your social media strategy was yesterday, and the next best time is now. They are fun, trendy, entertaining and will have you scrolling for hours without even reel-isling it — but these aren’t the only reason to use Reels. Experts say Reels are perfectly designed to grow your brand by educating your audience, showcasing your business’s personality and values while also highlighting what differentiates your products or services from your competitors.
6
It’s clear that the social media culture has shifted in recent times; gone are the days of the perfectly curated Instagram grid - the 2022 vibe is calling for more authentic, more raw, more reel.
WRITTEN BY KIM DARBY
And our cover women, strangers-turnedbusiness-boss-lady-besties Alisha [The Social Impact] and Monique [The Socialista] share with the Brand You team how they collaborated to create a groundbreaking course, ‘Rise with Reels’ that is designed to educate and empower business owners by taking the confusion out of reel-making while also claiming to turn the forever changing — and picky — Instagram algorithm into their best friend.
Originally, Alisha reached out to Monique via DM and after a few months of messaging on Instagram she felt a desire to combine their strengths and despite living in Melbourne and Monique living in Sydney and having never met one another before, she FaceTimed Monique with a “crazy idea”. With a little convincing, Monique was in and later that day Rise with Reels was already forming. “Both fully booked in our own coaching, we realised we could provide double the value, double the strategy and help entrepreneurs globally to harness the power of Reels. Together we could give people a crazyyyyy amount of value. We decided to strike while the iron was hot (aka when reels were in the baby phase), and BOOM ‘Rise With Reels’ was born. We do what we do because we want to invest in our reelers. We want to take the results we’ve gotten and transfer them to our students (or, as we like to call them — our Reelers!) And we’ve seen INSANE results from them!”
And it all started with a slide into the DMs. Alisha and Monique were one another's Insta-bestie hype gal, supporting one another through the highs, lows, wins and struggles of forging an online business in the modern World. Then Instagram introduced Reels, and with both having video marketing backgrounds they were in social media HEAVEN. Their desire to show up authentically generated insane results, Alisha shares, “I took the filter off and started sharing my life. I showed my dog to the world, danced on camera, made mistakes openly, cracked jokes, spilt things on my white clothes, and displayed the fact that I’m human every single day.”
That was back in September 2020, and they’ve been enthusiastically sharing their story, shenanigans and success with Reels [and other creations: Content planners and podcasting] together ever since.
With Monique reiterating the importance of imperfection, “You don’t need all of the fancy equipment (I used my windowsill as my tripod for months) or the perfect background. You just need to show up as you and with the right guidance, you can transform your Instagram into a sales generator! And that’s when I not only grew my account, BUT I had my epiphany. People don’t want perfect, they want real. And reels allow you to show off your personality in an unfiltered, engaging way.” Their success in creating captivating, fun and engaging Reels led to them both being inundated with questions flooding their respective inboxes asking for tips, tricks and the secrets behind their smooth transitions and their Reel success.
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EMPOWERMENT IN EDUCATION. The results their clients have since received upon completion of their ‘Rise with Reels’ course has solidified Alisha and Mon’s position as Reel Queen Royalty and leaders in the social media marketing niche.
They encourage their clients to really explore what their ideal customer audience wants to see and learn from them by investigating what content provides real value and how to combine all of this insight into Reels that convert.
“A past client has now doubled her prices, went fulltime in her business and now her DMs are full of enquires and sales that are easy! These are the results that happen when you invest in learning how to market yourself, your product or your service using strategic video marketing!”
“When you’re a Reeler, you don’t just post Reels for the views, you create them for the SALES!
Alisha and Monique know that there is more to Reels than just slapping a few videos together with text and music and hoping for the best and they’ve got the combined insider intel and wisdom to know that there are a few key points in creating a Reel that not only captivates attention and engages the viewer, but also converts into sales and customer loyalty.
• Have a structure to your Reel that draws viewers in, gives them value and where to go after.
And this is exactly how they empower their students, by educating them with the knowledge that turns views and followers into happy paying clients.
"VIRAL Reels do not guarantee you SALES!”
• Have a purpose behind your Reel. • Make sure it connects to your audiences pain points or dream points. • Create content relevant to your niche.
• Connect with your content pillars. "It’s time to really sit down and ask yourself what your audience wants to see from YOU... And HOW you can provide value!
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EMPOWERED WOMEN, EMPOWER WOMEN. It’s no secret that the team at Brand You are pretty attached to the notion that the most empowering thing you can do is surround yourself with other strong women.
"We both have our own strengths and weaknesses, and together we've truly been able to grow into such a dynamic duo. When a bump in the road comes, the other will be there to pick the other up... or encourage them to keep going and focus on what is most important.
And it’s pretty evident that the success the Reel Queens have experienced since the launch of ‘Rise with Reels’ comes down to their collaboration of shared passions, values and goals plus an undeniable commitment to supporting one another while navigating the ups and downs of personal and business growth together.
"It's truly an indescribable relationship, that we have been able to grow with one another.” When asked who they looked up to as the pinnacle of female empowerment, both were quick to answer that Erika Cramer, also known as The Queen of Confidence [and our cover woman and previous contributor for the Feeling Good issue of Brand You Magazine] has been a huge part of their journey who has continued to inspire them and highlight the importance and power in sisterhood.
"When people see us for the first time we can seem so similar. Strangers that could have been sisters."
Coupled with their opinion that an empowered woman is one who truly sees their own ‘sparkle’, feels no need to compete and genuinely shares the excitement and success of those around them — this showcases the genuine desire and quality in service that both Alisha and Monique have, to not only show up in this way for themselves and one another, but for their students, clients and online community too.
“We have most definitely empowered each other. Naturally, when people see us for the first time we can seem so similar. Strangers that could have been sisters... so similar. Yet, so different.
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WE CAME TOGETHER WITH ONE GOAL IN MIND —
To give like-minded entrepreneurs the same opportunities to experience the power of reels and to change their futures.
RISING TOGETHER, WITH LAUNCHES AND LUXURY BAGS. Eight months later, after the creation of the course, Alisha donned a huge welcome sign and even huger smile while awaiting the arrival of Monique at the airport. The Insta-bestiehype-gal-pals turned Insta-boss-biz-partners had finally met.
"And the most incredible part? Not only was it that our success came from helping others succeed... but also being there together. Experiencing this moment, that same feeling... together.” Like many women in business, Alisha and Monique share the view that young women are often underestimated in the business world and are also of the belief that whilst the world and general outlook of the entrepreneurial woman has shifted in recent times, we still have a long way to go in terms of gender equality and being seen and recognised as powerful and worthy industry leaders. Their shared disdain and pain for being mistaken for assistants, “enthusiastic hobbyists” or even worse, being told that their success was due to luck has only fuelled them with more motivation to continue paving the way for other women; the women of today and those to come.
The dynamic duo wanted to mark the momentous occasion of finally being in the same state, and described as one of their most empowering experiences, they decided they’d do this by purchasing their first ever luxury designer bags together. After oohing and ahhing about which Yves Saint Laurent item to buy, a decision was made and they each became the proud owners of a YSL handbag. “The rush, the excitement, the realisation that WE did this. Not just Monique, not just me... but together, two girls... two strangers formed a solution and have earnt their own success. We made our success and we're now in a position we never ever dreamt of being in.
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AUTHENTICITY, THE PRACTICE OF KEEPING IT REEL. Since their introduction into the social media sphere, Instagram Reels have been an innovative way for brands and businesses to flex their creative muscles and add a captivating visual experience that ignites interest beyond a static grid post. Our cover women have well and truly tapped into the magic and power of showing up as their true selves and not allowing the societal expectations of what a ‘professional woman’ is define them; one look through their online accounts and you’ll see what we mean they’re fun, they’re relatable, they're human, they’re super high-vibing and…yep, you guessed it — they’re REEL. Business trends, much like social media trends, are changing. “We hope that it becomes a more acceptable world where "professional" isn't based on what you look like, act like... or dress like... but more reliant on your proficiency in your skills.” The Reel Queens most definitely have the skills - and their ‘Rise with Reels’ course proves it. Their course isn’t just an Instagram course. It’s a course packed with industry secrets and powered by video marketing that guides students to create scroll-stopping reels that explode their business on Instagram [even for the most technologically challenged Instagram user!]. Empowering others to rise through the noise of the social media algorithm and begin creating reels like a pro. The Rise with Reels course covers the four main elements of making a reel that skyrockets brand awareness — how to record your reel for success, creating content ideas that attract your audience's attention, editing like a pro, [including mastering smooth transitions and voiceovers], while also focusing on how to weave selling from the heart into a strategy that can sell in disguise.
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"Reels allow you to show off your personality in an unfiltered, engaging way."
REELS REALLY ARE WORTH IT. Whilst it’s true that social media platforms continue to change, adapt and evolve, one thing stays consistent: they are extremely popular. Every new iteration and introduction of a new creative option and outlet on Instagram is a fresh new chance for brands to win the hearts, minds, and business of their target audience. There is even data to back this up; the Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri announced that Instagram is no longer just a photo sharing platform and encourages users to implement reels and video marketing. Not only are Reels worth it — they're the new cool kid on the block and are favored by the algorithm. Incorporating Reels into your Instagram marketing strategy is a must if you’re serious about growing your brand and online presence. And having the skills to know how to make Reels work for you with a defined plan and deeper understanding, is the key to feeling empowered in 12
@THESOCIALIMPACT.CO
@THE SOCIALISTA_
this digital age where trends will inevitably continue to change.
grew the moment she chose to show up as her true self — unfiltered and real — using Reels.
When it comes to success with Reels, Alisha and Monique have combined their expertise and figured out a recipe that works. The recipe combines the importance of showing up authentically with the importance of consistency and strategy.
“People don’t want perfect, they want real. And reels allow you to show off your personality in an unfiltered, engaging way. Now, I help business owners embrace their quirky weirdness and show up as themselves on reels. Using my background in film, television, and video marketing, I’ve seen business owners go from nervous IG posters to fiercely real IG creators.
Monique shared that the biggest mistake business owners make is posting for the sake of posting and that in order to truly succeed with reels, reel creators need to post with purpose, an impactful hook and a juicy call to action so that it actually drives engagement, sales and skyrockets business growth.
"And I love every minute of it.” As the experts say, the best time to whip out that phone and pop it on your window sill and record a Reel was yesterday, and the next best time, is now.
“That's why we created Rise with Reels — to empower others to quantum leap into reels success with the exact step-by-step process and strategy to create Reels that stand out on Instagram, be seen by your dream customer and elevate your brand”. For those ready to step out of the comfort zone as your raw, authentic and human self to be seen in the online community — we invite you to take inspiration from Alisha’s epiphany and moment of empowerment when she realised her account and online community
CLICK HERE TO
LEARN MORE 13
R E D AEL by design Colleen Callander is an awardwinning CEO and an inspiration to women of all generations. She encourages women globally to have the confidence to believe in themselves, their ability, share their voice and break through glass ceilings. She empows women to step up, take action and become the leaders they always wanted to be in business and in life.
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WRITTEN BY COLLEEN CALLANDER
There is female empowerment every corner you turn, and for me not one is better than the other, but all are important as we are stronger together.
models in our lives providing inspiration
Now, more than ever, it’s crucial for women to empower and support each other. Together we can create change, bring about equality and help women flourish in all aspects of their lives – not just in their careers.
women, and it is what I have always
As human beings, we’re inspired by other people’s stories of adversity, accomplishment, fear and failure. It is through these stories that we connect, learn and grow. That’s why it’s so important to have empowering women and strong role models in our lives.
who are change makers, breaking
and guidance for each of the different areas we are passionate about. I am always inspired by women supporting tried to do, not only as a CEO, but also in my everyday life. I strongly believe the next generation of young women must have strong role models to look up to: women through glass ceilings in their careers and everyday lives. Having positive, fierce, intelligent, kind women making change in the world sends a message of empowerment, paving the way for the next generation to believe their opportunities are limitless. A role model can come from anywhere:
There are so many qualities used to determine great role models. Ideally, we'll have several role
it may be someone you know, or someone you’ve never met. She could be world-famous, or someone who lives in your neighbourhood. She might
It’s so important to have women and strong role models in our lives. 15
be a rock star, an athlete, a teacher, a community leader, an actor, a coach, a philanthropist or maybe even your mum. A role model is any woman you look up to. She is a woman who makes a difference – whether that’s in the little things she does in her everyday life or grand gestures made in the public eye.
bold and fearless. At the time, I didn’t describe them as role models; in fact, I probably didn’t even know what role models were. I just knew I admired these women and was inspired by their actions, what they stood for and how they behaved. I realised later in life that my true role models were much closer to home: my parents. All my life, they have both been a constant source of inspiration and guidance. They showed me that hard work is the key to success, that it's important to live according to your values, that anything is possible if you're willing to put in the work and to never give up.
Growing up as a young girl in the ‘80s, my role models included Princess Diana, for her strength and kindness, Brooke Shields, for her grace and beauty, and Madonna because she was
As women we need to lift each other up, empower and inspire those around us, share our voice, build real confidence and encourage each other to reach our full potential. This is the way we can drive meaningful and lasting change and empower the next generation of women. We may not be able to change the past, but we can shape the future.
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LEADER BY DESIGN inspires leaders to embrace a new era of leadership. One where we lead with kindness, compassion, collaboration, trust, and authenticity, and one that puts people at the heart of everything we do. It is packed with tips, advice, insights, and guidance relevant to all generations and all ages - whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder, an entrepreneur, a volunteer, a teacher, a coach, a student, or working part-time. Regardless of where you are on your leadership or life journey, LEADER BY DESIGN will inspire and empower you to believe in the power within, reach your full potential and create the life you deserve.
We can drive meaningful and lasting change and empower the
colleencallander.com.au
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COLUMN
This is what's
IMPORTANT By Kim Darby | Youth Mentor | Empowerment Coach
“And everyday, the World will drag you by the hand, yelling “This is important! And this is important! And this is important! You need to worry about this! And this! And this!” And each day, it’s up to you to yank your hand back, put it on your heart and say, “No. This is what’s important.” - Iain Thomas.
unassuming paragraph of perfectly woven words that hit right at the core of my being and remind me of my innate power that deep down, I always know what is best for me. Hand-on-heart. Come back to SELF. Always. And there, in my experience, is where the process of empowerment can truly begin.
This quote is one I find myself coming back to over and over and over again. An
It begins with acknowledging that 18
COLUMN empowerment comes from within - nobody can teach or give it to you - nobody. Ever.
"Empowerment comes from within - nobody can teach or give it to you -nobody. Ever."
People can encourage you, inspire you, advocate for you and, yes - can even hand you worksheets with dot point ‘tips and tricks’ on how to traverse the feeling of being empowered - but these suggested pathways to empowerment often lack the true substance, depth and insight required to authentically explore, integrate and embody true empowerment.
empowered enough to make the right decisions for your own personal wellbeing and highest alignment.
I write this as someone who has founded a business focused entirely on female empowerment - and I’ve come to learn that regardless of the intent I place behind my offerings and my genuine desire to help each and every individual who chooses to embark on an empowerment journey with me - I know, that aside from anything I teach, guide, share, explain or educate - true empowerment is self-empowerment.
The process of self-inquiry doesn’t need to be anything elaborate or grand - it can be as simple as carving out a few moments of time each day to sit with yourself - alone - connected to your heart space, mindfully breathing and asking yourself a few questions. “What was the highlight of my day today?” “Were there any moments of my day that sparked joy for me?”
Self-empowerment has two very distinct and inseparable components; knowing who you are [through self-inquiry, getting to know yourself deeper, self-awareness] and owning who you are [through boundaries and taking proactive action towards your desires].
“Is there anything that happened today that triggered overwhelm or confusion?” Make it a priority to have some time to be alone. Even just the most miniscule time pocket. Schedule it in your planner if you have to. Go gently, there is no rush - you are exploring one of the most important relationships of your entire life - the relationship you have with yourself.
The path of self-inquiry will differ between individuals; but at the crux, it involves being in a relationship with yourself deeply, wholly, fully - which yes, equates to spending time with yourself in a variety of different ways, to truly be able to anchor and know who you are.
As your willingness and devotion to self-inquiry begins to expand, so too will the measures in which you discover yourself. Daily checkins may start to evolve into incorporating journalling, regular meditation, nature walks, energetic healings, solo-dinner dates, revisiting old hobbies and interests, questioning previously held motives and opinions and / or unshackling from the confines of your comfort zone to try new things.
‘Get to know yourself’ can seem like a fundamentally simple concept, however, I assure you - this is where the magic of unlocking your innate power and the integration of self-empowerment begins. Once you know yourself in a conscious capacity, you’ll be able to move through life with a deeper sense of inner-trust that enables you to feel equipped and
There are no limits or bounds as to where the pathways of self-inquiry and self19
empowerment can take you - having the awareness that self-inquiry will more often than not, take you to your ‘edge’ while understanding that it is there, at the ‘edge’ where you will learn the most poignant lessons about yourself; and as long as you stay self-aware, consciously turning your attention inward with a willingness to stay open to growth, self-empowerment is inevitable. And with great [inner, self-empowerment] power, comes great responsibility. When you begin to be empowered you will have clarity on who you are by knowing what you like and dislike - with this knowing, you can invite a sacred boundary around yourself of what you will and will not tolerate. Establishing clear boundaries and priorities gives you space and permission to explore what you truly want to create in the World, what you want to leave behind as your
legacy, who matters to you, how you want to spend your time and what action you’ll take to become the best, most empowered version of yourself in this lifetime. Self-empowerment is the process of discovering our own personal power - and it’s imperative that you remember only you can access that. Place your hand on your heartspace, close your eyes, breathe in the words, ‘This is important’ and start there. Kim is a bonafide hand-on-heart-passionateas-heck advocate for all things sisterhood, girl power and female empowerment. The Sister Rise Collective was born from her desire to create safe and empowering spaces for girls and women to come together and connect through the web of sisterhood.
The Sun is Coming invites you to listen to a collection of honest conversations, heart rambles, discussions and explorations around life experiences, matters of the heart [mind, body, spirit, soul] that visits and unpacks a kaleidoscope of varying topics.
the sun is c oming PODCAS
T
LISTEN HERE >>>
The kind of topics you’d usually find in the handscrawled pages of a secret diary. Except now, they’re not secret. The Sun is Coming serves as a space that believes everyone has a story worth sharing; a story that someone else needs to hear, a story that could be the very ‘AHA’ moment someone needed to make their next BOLD move, a story that could heal, a story that encourages belly laughs and knee slaps, a story that leaves a lasting impression of ‘I can do this, because I am not alone’.
The Sun is Coming for you, too. TOMORROW, THE NEXT DAY, AGAIN AND ALWAYS.
charge YOUR worth What a load OF BULLSHIT! WRITTEN BY JASMINE PARASRAM
You know the posts that litter those groups on Facebook. “I’m doing this project for a client and I’m charging $50/ hr. Does this sound right?” And then the comments are literally LITTERED with, “Hun, you’re charging way too low!” or “Girl, you need to double your rates right now!” Look, I’m guilty of this too. I have definitely added to the noise when I see someone posting those questions and I can see they need help pricing their creativity and skills. But this whole “charge your worth” movement can be a little counterproductive IMO. On the surface, for sure, the aim of that sentiment is to empower someone to reconsider the worth of what they are offering, but it can (and does) have some pretty problematic results. 21
The self-worth vs skill-worth conversation gets messsssyyyyy. As a creative, I know how easy it is to get caught up in the struggle of defining that perfect dollar amount to place on your time, skills, effort and energy. But often we find ourselves mistaking that for the worth we have as a person. So if I’m charging more, am I worth more? If my rate is higher than someone else, my worth as a person is higher too? Yeah… no. In case it wasn’t clear enough, your worth as a person doesn’t have a dollar amount - but your skills, experience and output does. One is professional, the other is personal. The two are milk and oil, don’t mix them.
Cost without context is counterproductive. I know a friend of mine who charges $10k for their branding packages, and others who charge $500. Both are skilled creatives but have different experience, different approaches and more than likely different results based on what they charge. If you were to place the offers side by side, there may be similarities, but there would probably be way more differences. And that’s where context plays a massive part in the decision making process of your clients, as well as your own decision of what to charge. Similarly, thinking that all client’s can be charged the same way can be limiting. A $10k rebrand to a small business is vastly different value to a massive company, but they also probably have different expectations too. Understanding the context before you cost is crucial.
Higher rates means higher paying clients right? One of the biggest mistakes I see time and time again is when a creative chooses to charge more, but then doesn’t change the client’s they are chasing and expects their current clients to just pay more because they said so. They then get confused/ disappointed/confidence crushed because they now have these new rates and no one is paying them. The issue here isn’t the clients and their unwillingness to pay your new (well deserving) rates, it’s that there is no justification for the current cost to change. You don’t have to charge all client’s the same rates, but introduce new clients with your new rates and let your older clients know about the change and give them the option to transition and a justification why. Pricing is giving a choice to your clients to say, yes or no. So where do we go from here? If this is the wrong approach to the value conversation and “charging your worth”, then what is a better, potentially more healthy approach to all this?
Build your confidence alongside building your rate. Yeah you can charge $500/hr off the bat, but can you confidently say that you are providing the value you are delivering? No. Because you don’t know the value yet. This takes time, so let it take time. If you want to increase your rates, increase the value you provide. This way you are pushing a choice rather than a comparison for your client, with you being the better value for money option. Learn a skill that solves your ideal clients problems and get so good you can charge well for it. And when you can’t see it yourself, when you need someone to show you how to do it, my DM’s are always open.
Ready to raise your rates? Join my Free 5 Day Raise your Rate Challenge and start charging more by this time next week. Sign up at www.easyaspiepricing.com/brandyou
jasminedesigns.com.au
TURNING
self-doubt INTO A
SUPER POWER WRITTEN BY ANNETTE DENSHAM
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"You deserve to live a wonderful life; stop getting in your own way." as competent as others perceive you to be. It is an insidious curse that stifles creativity, innovation and performance - and we do it to ourselves. So, how do you turn that nagging, negative voice of self doubt into a super power? Because you can use it to move through doubt into a place of personal empowerment and audacious action. The first thing to do is acknowledge it's a problem in your life. To solve any problem, you need to work out the root cause. This means you need to work out what type of imposter syndrome you suffer from. Are you are a perfectionist or someone who gets things done without help, or just naturally talented?
Inside most of us, there is a little voice that is the bane of our existence. This little voice sounds like us but instead of encouraging us to shine and be the best we can be, it spews doubt and fear into our hearts and heads, stopping us from taking even the smallest step.
There are four types of imposters: - Perfectionist
That little voice, otherwise known as the ittybitty-shitty-committee, is poison. It slows our personal progress as it puts up walls and barriers. Think about it. The last time you did something outside your comfort zone, what was that inner voice telling you? Chances are, if it is anything like mine, it said;
- Super heroes (otherwise known as martyrs) - Naturally genius - Soloist Which one are you? Once you know this, you can then overcome the F.R.A.U.D factor by fessing up.
“Who do you think you are?”
The problem with being human is that we think if we speak our foibles and weaknesses out loud, we’ll be judged. Maybe by some, but vulnerability and speaking honestly about the human condition will take these taboo and stigmatised topics into the mainstream, making it more comfortable for others to recover from imposter syndrome. Never be afraid to talk about the challenges you face in life. You will probably help more people than you realise by being honest and open.
“You can’t do that; you are too dumb” “You haven’t done enough to enter an award” “People will find out you are a fraud” “You are not worth it” Or, is that just me? I know it is not just me. Research has shown 70% of high achievers suffer from this pesky thing called ‘imposter syndrome’. Imposter syndrome is the belief you are not
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The next step is to work out if that itty-bittyshitty-committee is a voice of truth or an evil voice intent on sabotaging your life. The problem with that voice is it doesn’t know the difference between fact and fiction. Your brain believes what you tell it. If you are always telling it you suck, then that’s exactly the space you come from. But if you tell yourself you are awesome, you start to believe it. Affirmations are a powerful tool to change your internal program. After you have sorted out what is real in your head, you can then move onto growth. Years ago, Dr Carol Dweck wrote Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, where she explored the difference between a fixed and growth mindset. Those who struggle to move forward are stuck in a fixed mindset; a little like cement of the grey matter, getting stuck in the details and the way things have always been done. Your abilities are not carved in stone. You can change. Failing is an opportunity to learn and grow - this is underpinned by a growth mindset. If you can start to acknowledge your talents and abilities can be developed. Learning something new is good and is how you get smarter and more resilient. Keep doing that and that little voice will shush. Finally, take delight in the everyday and know that it is ok to celebrate your wins, mourn your losses, and that life is not perfect. Hey, if Stephen Hawking, one of the smartest men on the planet, tells you the universe is not perfect, then why do you expect to be?
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While I am not a big fan of faking it until you make it, sometimes we need a few hacks to trick us on our journey turning self doubt into a super power. When that voice is nagging you, strike a pose a power pose. Amy Cuddy’s TED talk on power posing shared that an expansive body posture, like Superman’s, can uplift your mood and attitude. Stand like a superhero, hands on hips, chin up, chest out for five minutes, and tell me that doesn't make you feel more powerful. We are all human, trying to do our best and get ahead. It is time to stop giving yourself a hard time. You deserve to live a wonderful life; stop getting in your own way.
The Audacious Agency has a special offer right now to help you enter win and leverage not just one, but THREE awards programs. Including: • Interviewing you to ensure eligibility and the right fit for each program and category. • Writing your entry, including telling your awards story so well that the judges will love you (and making sure you have the right word count and information included to stand out and shine). • Creating a professional support document to help your entry credibility and wow the judges. • A guaranteed media article about your award journey, regardless of whether you win or not. • An award-winning guidebook to help you leverage your awards PLUS online resources and our advice.
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COLUMN
HOW TO
DO EMPOWERMENT
By Becky Paroz | Speaker | Mentor | Author | Project Manager
I am often asked about how I empower other
you remove a source of empowerment,
women, and I understand that my story
what is left but to go find another source?
inspires and resonates with many women.
So, like teaching someone to fish, instead of
My answer, however, is that I choose to show
giving them the fish, I prefer to share self-
women how to empower themselves. When
empowerment as an option.
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COLUMN For me, being empowered is a verb, a
"That sense of owning that space, the fulfilment of achievement, knowing you have done well - this is the empowered state that you seek."
doing word, an activity. I discovered this during my 30 years of working in the world of construction. As you could imagine, not a lot of empowerment was coming my way, and it is interesting to note that empowerment is almost a uniquely feminine word as I have never really heard a man use it unless he is in the coaching space. I had to discover what empowerment was and how to wield it for myself.
becomes unconscious, embedded behaviour
It wasn't until I did my first coaching course
we do without thinking, like driving a car.
in 1999 that I realise I was already 'doing'
You don't necessarily need to seek out that
empowerment. I was leading teams, I was
guru and be around empowered people to
making decisions for project outcomes, and
have that sense of empowerment, although
I was guiding and teaching and mentoring
it is lovely to be surrounded by like-minded
graduates; all of this as a part of my work role,
people. It is equally satisfying to own and
but more than I was 'paid' to do. I was already
recognise our own power at any point, so
in the business of empowerment without
we are able to access that empowered state
realising it.
when we need it, rather than relying on an
The actions and decisions I made daily
external party to provide it. It is why I say I
wielded power, and therefore, were
teach women to be empowered, rather than I
empowering. A coaching course gave me
empower women.
better recognition of the process, greater
Take your own glory and let it shine, rather
access to the language, and a quicker
than reflecting someone else's light. Pass it
start to gaining that empowered state, but
on by allowing another woman to reflect your
mostly, a recognition that I was already an
light until she learns to shine via her own
empowered woman.
empowered state. In this way we can ensure
How many of you are searching for
every woman, no matter her circumstances,
empowerment without realising that you are
can rise above what has been and create
probably already doing it? When you reach a
possibilities for herself.
goal, achieve completion in a project, sign off on client order as finished, or even just get
And then pass it on.
the house cleaned! That sense of owning that
This is how to do empowerment.
space, the fulfilment of achievement, knowing you have done well - this is the empowered
Becky has 20 years experience in business
state that you seek.
with clients expanding worldwide, Becky is
Recognising this can put you in that
passionate about providing a broad range
empowered state more frequently, and what
of services for women to succeed in male-
we do regularly becomes a habit, which then
dominated industries.
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career CHANGER The rise of the over 50 entrepreneur
30
Buy Wb40 Magazine now or subscribe to Wb40 eXtra and save!
WRITTEN BY SANDY LOWRES
As a female entrepreneur over the age of fifty, nothing brings me more joy than seeing other women forging their way in business. In mid-life, I feel more creative than ever as I have more freedom to focus on what brings me joy. Is it ever too late to follow your passions? Hell no! In my 50s, having worked for others for years, I launched a successful podcast, The Good Girl Confessional, and a media platform – Women Beyond Forty - for diverse women to share their stories and talents. However, I’m not the only one to pivot at this age.
our fifties. We reach an age where we embody those Annie Lennox lyrics from that ‘80s classic, Sisters Are Doin’ It for
Sandy Davies for example had been happily semi-retired but going through perimenopause buoyed her back into business. Sandy created a natural, innovative product called HappyPause Balm, helping many women experiencing symptoms of perimenopause and found a new passion along the way.
Amalia Chilianis points out, “While the
Themselves, in every aspect of our boss life and personal life. Except that now there’s even more magic in it because not only are we ringing our bell but ringing the bells of all the other incredible women around us. The vibration becomes such a powerful beat that we all succeed.” As we are living longer and healthier lives, exploring new career paths can be empowering. In her book Work-a-holistic, journey of making a change can have its challenges, on the other side of it you will hopefully find greater satisfaction with your work, expand your future potential and learn a lot about yourself along the way.” I couldn’t agree more. If you’re dreaming about a business idea, my advice would be
“I’ve loved every decade of my life and have always owned my power,” she lamented, “However, there’s something magical and even more powerful about
to take the leap, and do it.
wb40.com 31
BE YOUR OWN
HYPE
woman WRITTEN BY ANNA SCOTT
Tooting your own horn, bragging, or big noting yourself… As a society we’ve come to avoid such behaviour, especially when it comes to our work – but the time has come to throw that “My work will speak for itself” mentality out the window!
In your new role as a Hype Woman, you
In today’s busy digital world, it is easy to get lost amongst a sea of content and other brands. That’s why, now more than ever, you need to become your own Hype Woman. It’s time to put yourself proudly out there and actively pursue opportunities that will help others learn exactly what you have to offer. It’s time to position yourself as an authority in your industry, so you can rise up and stand out from the crowd.
people (aka dream clients/customers).
will need to strategically build your personal brand through storytelling, connection and visibility. You are the best advocate for getting yourself noticed; through your words, your passion & conviction in how you help your So if you are ready to step into the limelight and become your own Hype Woman here are some tips to make it happen. 1. Get clear on your message Ensure that what you’re sharing aligns with what you want to be known for and is relevant to your audience. When your messaging is consistent across all the
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your people can assist in growing your network and reaching new audiences. 4. Go for GOLD Be courageous and go after those opportunities, pitch your ideas with enthusiasm and don’t let rejection set you back. If you want something, it is up to you to make it happen. 5. Take small actions every day Every day that goes by that you aren’t sharing your message and aren’t sharing who you are and what you do, more people are missing the opportunity to learn and be helped by you. There are so many ways you can be putting yourself out there and becoming noteworthy in your space, from media placements to brand collabs, podcast interviews to guest posting - you have the power to champion yourself and secure these opportunities. Try one simple task every day to propel yourself forward whether it is something big like pitching an idea to a podcast, doing an Instagram Live with another biz owner or something a little smaller like writing a thought-provoking comment on a high-profile feed or RSVP’ing to your next networking event. Lastly, always remember why you do what you do and how it helps others – feel good about that and use this new-found confidence when you share your passion with the world.
channels (i.e. socials, email, media, podcasts etc.) it allows you to build trust and a deeper connection with your people. 2. Look for opportunities Understand where your people (those you are
Ready to become your own Hype Woman?
trying to reach) are hanging out and where you need to start showing up so you can meet them where they are at. What publications,
CLICK HERE to book a free coffee power up session with Anna to help you feel empowered to step into the limelight, become noteworthy in your industry and start attracting + working with more of your people.
brands, businesses, and personalities do they already know, like and trust? How can you add value to these existing forums and in turn, reach and attract your own people? 3. Start creating connections Developing authentic relationships with
www.annascott.com.au
established voices that have influence with
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COLUMN
How to speak as an
EXPERT when you don't feel like one yet
By Rachel Kurzyp | Ethical Marketing and Business Coach
If I asked you to visualise the word expert,
what it means to be a thought leader, let’s
what do you see? Is it a middle-aged white
redefine what being an expert means.
man wearing a suit standing in front of a
You don’t need to speak fast, wear tweed
blackboard? Because this is what many of
or do another course. You already have
my clients imagine.
everything you need to influence, motivate,
And this doesn’t surprise me. We’ve been
and guide others. So use the microphone,
conditioned to associate expertise with
pick up your pen and take up space.
academic excellence, age, and masculinity. If you’ve been comparing yourself to this
Are you ready to claim your expertise? Let me
outdated capitalist and patriarchal view of
show you how.
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COLUMN 1. Lead with your humanity: lived experiences, skills, knowledge, and expertise
"You already have everything you need to influence, motivate, and guide others."
When you’re immersed in the online business space, it’s easy to hold onto your gifts and tell yourself that you’re not deemed worthy of an opinion until you’ve hit financial milestones and arbitrary vanity metrics. Please know that your story is inspiring, and the advice you share will be what someone needs to hear.
like, and trust and who make them feel safe, seen and heard. Prioritise creating content daily that illustrates your personality, demonstrates your working methods, and provides value, inspiration, and entertainment for your dream clients.
A modern expert doesn’t need to pay their dues and isn’t restricted by age or gender. They draw upon their humanity to overcome challenges and advocate for causes. When you lead from this place, you never have to worry about not being relevant or enough because your clients actively want to see the world through your lens.
4. Determine your authentic leadership style. There is a huge difference between performative and authentic leadership. Many of us have been taught that there’s one way to lead. Usually, that involves a ‘one-women show’ approach where the leader knows best, and everyone else follows the instructions.
2. Share the tangible and intangible results your clients can expect. Income claims have their place but know you don't have to speak to your monthly revenue. Instead, focus on the results you support your clients to achieve.
If you value peer-to-peer learning, collaboration, and creativity, you’re going to get tired of pretending you have everything figured out. Instead of imitating other leaders, get clear on your natural strengths, talents, and ways of being to define what being a leader looks and feels like for you.
In your offboarding process, ask your clients to answer questions like what three things were you struggling with before you signed up for this program? And what specific results or changes have you seen in your life and business since working with me? You can use this information to communicate tangible results, including financial gains and more clients and also to measure intangible results, like more ease and confidence in your testimonials and case studies.
So next time you find yourself thinking “who would want to listen to me,” consider the economic, societal, and political costs of not sharing your advice, insights, and wisdom at that moment. You were born to do this work, and that’s why you’re being called to lead.
3. Create stand-out content that connects. ‘Share valuable content that demonstrates your expertise’ is the advice often given to business owners. And while educational and how-to content has its place, your dream clients aren’t choosing to work with you based on your frameworks and tips alone.
Rachel Kurzyp is an ethical marketing coach, copywriter, speaker and teacher. She supports multi-passionate women to build an aligned, ethical, and profitable business without choosing between their passions, compromising their values, and using unethical marketing tactics.
People want to buy from others they know,
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Blooming TOGETHER
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What do you do when your entire income stream dries up overnight? For wedding florists Kat Rosa and Sarah Cleaton, the answer was to empower themselves by creating a whole new niche: high quality resin flower preservation. Now, two years on, and their business Embedded Blooms is booming (or should we say blooming?). We caught up with Kat and Sarah to talk all things empowerment, and how they’re building an empire, one bouquet at a time.
So the pandemic hit and weddings stopped happening. What next, Sarah? As florists and wedding stylists, our businesses were solely reliant on weddings as our main source of income. Almost overnight, our cash flow disappeared and there was little to no interest from brides planning dream weddings with so much COVID-related uncertainty. So often in my career I’ve been asked by brides, “What can I do to preserve my bouquet after the wedding?", but I never really had a great answer to give, other than the age-old, “hang it upside down and cover it with hairspray” idea. It just didn’t feel like a worthy way to truly preserve and treasure these most meaningful flowers. When COVID hit and our businesses dried up overnight, it forced me to rethink what was possible. Then someone close to me passed away, and I was determined to find a new way of making these moments last longer. I started researching flower preservation, and realised the potential of creating 3D pieces of art from preserved flowers cast in resin.
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But you didn’t want to do it alone? I was so excited at the possibilities, but I really wanted to partner with someone who could share my philosophy and help me create something really special. I’d met Kat a few times and knew we shared a similar approach to business - we went from being competitors to business cofounders. I’ve never looked back.
What has the response been like? We’ve been absolutely blown away by the response. Considering 3D resin cast flower preservation is still a relatively unknown concept in Australia, our business has grown rapidly. We’re now creating resin casts for weddings, but also as funeral memorials, and for general gifts and keepsakes. Once people see what we can create, they’re so excited at the possibilities, and we keep pushing ourselves to find new designs, shapes and creations.
How did you feel about trying something new, Kat? It was exciting and so empowering once I heard Sarah explain the process and watched videos on how to create the casts, I could see the potential was huge. Together, we’d solve the eternal problem of how to make wedding flowers last a lifetime while also creating beautiful pieces of art to be treasured. It was the ideal way for us to pivot during the pandemic, and find a new way of providing for our families, while still building a business that worked for us and our lives. It gave us hope that COVID wouldn't be the end of our careers.
We’ve got a lot of freedom in trying new things, and we’ve now built a huge following of loyal customers. Now that live weddings are back, we’re still working with brides - and our fresh box system means we can create pieces with bouquets from anywhere in the country.
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How has starting a new business empowered you? It’s helped us imagine new possibilities - we’ve gone from wanting to survive and keep our heads above water, to being focused on creating something epic. We’ve already gone from making the pieces in Sarah’s back garden, to hiring a dedicated workshop space where we live in Camden, NSW, and bringing on a team of staff to help us keep up with demand. Rapid growth comes with its own challenges, but we’re both so excited to be along for the ride. This year we’re focused on launching our new space, continuing to build awareness of what we do, and creating as many beautiful pieces as possible. It’s so rewarding to see how flowers can be given a new lease of life - we get to create beautiful things, while also building a family-friendly business and empowering our wider team as the business grows.
About Embedded Blooms
"We went from being competitors to business co-founders. I’ve never looked back."
Embedded Blooms is an innovative custom resin casting business, which preserves flower arrangements from life’s most meaningful moments, to last for a lifetime. Founded by wedding florists Sarah Cleaton and Katarina Rosa, Embedded Blooms turns wedding bouquets, funeral memorials and other meaningful flower arrangements into custom pieces of resin art, serving customers right across Australia. It's a modern take on an age-old tradition of preserving mementos from life's special moments. 39
embeddedblooms.com
COLUMN
in, into &
BE ABLE
As Pondered By Kathy Rast | Linguistiologist | Story Seamstress
Recently, I realised I struggled with empowerment. Has this ever happened to you too?
I worded my way out of a corner that I’d dug for myself and changed how I feel about empowerment in all its forms. You’re invited to take what you like.
We should all want it. Right?
First we find what the words are up to.
I questioned myself and wondered if I was doing this empowerment thing wrong.
Words are more than letters in a line. They can warm, cool, and create the most wonderful mischief when left unattended (think that moment when you realise the kids are too quiet). On the surface, words love to play nice as they draw your attention away from what they’re brewing beneath—say hello to a sleeper story. These are the stories we all have. They hold their cleverness in knowing how to go undetected until they get
My task here was straightforward—to show you words in a way yet to be explored. As a worder in residence, it’s my job to spark an idea, turn on some inspo, and encourage you to grow the seed I plant. An easy task, right? Yeah, that’s until I fully got in my own way in sitting with the word ‘empowered’. So, instead here I share with you how
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COLUMN the call-up, and then…BAM!
"When I think of empowerment in all its forms, I think of a single moment."
Each time, I feel like Alice as I fall into a sleeper story. Until I knew what to call them, I fought hard to keep them quiet. Now, I know it'll be over soon enough. I must pass go, not collect $200 and go straight to jail—it's actually the perfect place to be…so quiet and peaceful to sit in one’s thoughts.
You’ll be pleased to know you can see it from the outside.
When I look around and see my world spinning, I find the closest thing to grab onto. For me, it's finding the source of my spiral, in this case, empowerment, and tracing it back before the recent turn of events. By stripping back the layers of expectation, assumptions, and limitations, I can find a point of focus.
When I think of empowerment in all its forms, I think of a single moment. A moment that's so small that if you're not looking for it, it'll come and go unseen. It's the point where two connect—the outside with the in and the inside with the out. We all can catch this moment differently.
I grabbed a dictionary…
Some notice the upper eyelid lift as the eye brightens. Others hear a breath out as a stopper dissolves. Some feel a tingle on the skin as the connection is made. These are all evidence that somewhere, something is moving.
My eyes skimmed over the definitions of permission and authority from someone else and landed on its origins. Empower first grew from its Latin wording origins from words meaning 'in, into and be able'.
I wonder, could noticing these moments increase our connection to feeling empowered? Is it possible now to go looking for that movement and if it’s not yet moving, finding what we need to gain momentum?
Now we have a start, and we can break it down further to build it up to what we want it to be. First, we pick an angle. Here's my (very biased wordie) lens …
Ahhhhh, the wonders in pondering our lessons in our layers. Never the same path, and yet one journey. Thank you for dipping your toe in this ponder puddle as we land here.
'In and into' is an example of a location. A location is a place. A place is a destination. There, one new piece. Now, we create another…
We in the Brand You Magazine team are a curious bunch and love to see how you take what you find here and make it your own. We invite you to pop over and share on the
'Be able' is an example of an action. An action is a movement. Humans are naturally drawn to things that are moving.
Brand You Instagram page.
…bringing them together now, we can create our new experience.
Kathy Rast is a Linguistiologist. She works with businesses to take what they have and what they naturally do and show them ways to leverage what comes easy to them. For our audio learners you can listen to her read through here.
So, we know to focus inward to find what’s moving and not moving. We’re looking to feel whether our empowerment has kicked in yet. Sometimes it’s easy. Sometimes we need to come at it from a different angle.
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