Karen

I work with senior leaders in medium-large organisations and corporations across industry, helping them elevate results through building a culture of accountability, collaboration and alignment through trust. I also work with women in leadership and management, helping them to show up in full presence, speak up with authentic confidence and stand out to influence.

What are your 2020 goals for the business?
I’m so excited for 2020, building on what’s been an incredible year.
I’m writing and publishing my first book in 2020, which is daunting and exciting! The book is written for leaders who are looking for their edge – the 1%’ers that will elevate their influence and their results with less effort and much less stress. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the leverage point that most leaders still aren’t using well – EQ is what helps us navigate a difficult conversation more effectively, it helps us ‘unplug’ more quickly when our buttons are pushed, it allows us to really listen and ask new questions that unlock potential in our people that we didn’t know existed. EQ is about understanding what drives our own thinking and behaviour and the thinking and behaviour of others so we can influence for new levels of success and satisfaction.

What’s the biggest learning from 2019 that you will apply in 2020?
I’ve learned so much this year and am deeply appreciative of the journey. My biggest learning I would have to say is what’s possible when you make a decision to succeed, then trust, then do the work consistently that lights you up, and allow the support in.

Any words of wisdom for other small business owners?
Self-responsibility – take time to be still, connect and listen to what your body and heart need - take care of you every day. Your people and your clients need and deserve the best, most aligned and clear you.
Self-awareness – there is no substitute for understanding our unconscious drivers when we want to engage and influence others – whether that’s in sales, leadership or parenting. When we understand ourselves, we understand what drives others and can make a positive difference with and for them. Self-awareness is an ongoing practice, there is ALWAYS another layer to peel away that shines a light on the next level of clarity and empowerment available to us.
Self-development – grow yourself with an insatiable passion for learning AND implementing, as this is what will create a state of knowing. Information is very cheap these days, and it’s important, but wisdom comes from integrating the knowledge so we are living and breathing what we preach – only then can we have the maximum impact we want to have.

Dan and Brandon

Elephant Ed is everything you wish you had at school. EE send young, relatable and highly-trained facilitators to deliver fun and engaging sex education workshops to high schools, universities and community groups. We cover a range of topics in our curriculum about sexual health, relationships and growing up.
We're for young people, by young people. At the end of the day, the old-school sex ed class run by that PE teacher you never felt comfortable around has remained stale for decades. Elephant Ed is transforming the way sex education is delivered in schools, because it's more than just placing condoms on bananas.

What are your 2020 goals for the business?
First and foremost, to remain full of laughter. People and culture mean everything to us, so it's important as we grow, we don't lose that as a central priority. Secondly, Elephant Ed is at a really exciting stage of growth as we look to expand interstate to impact more young Australians in the likes of NSW and SA. Being only two years old, we have been based in Victoria to really solidify and become an industry leader. Now it's time to boom.

What’s the biggest learning from 2019 that you will apply in 2020?
People, people, people. Relationships are everything. Smile lots, laugh more, be flexible and make an impact.

Any words of wisdom for other startups?
If there is one thing I can guarantee, it's this: the downs are really bloody sh*t (can I say that?).
BUT
If you believe in what you're doing, the ups are worth their weight in gold.
Be persistent, be patient and be yourself. You got this.

Alex

Mindset Health helps people manage health conditions including IBS and anxiety with app-based hypnotherapy.

What are your 2020 goals for the business?
In 2020 we want to build out our team and help us scale to thousands more people across both iOS and Android.

What are your personal 2020 goals? (you don’t have to answer this one if you don’t wish to share)
Create healthy, foundational habits for the next decade.

What’s the biggest learning from 2019 that you will apply in 2020?
Good processes are important. We're going to much more processes in how we do things in 2020.

Any words of wisdom for other small business owners/startups?
Startups largely succeed due to luck so do what you can to increase the surface area that luck can hit by meeting people, doing new things, making big bets and taking chances.

Lauren

Legalite is a new kind of law firm specialising in business and franchising.

What are your 2020 goals for the business?
Build on our client base and develop a wellness program for the company.

What are your personal 2020 goals?
Further develop my public speaking skills by doing more presentations. Save up for a holiday to North America!

What’s the biggest learning from 2019 that you will apply in 2020?
Adversity can have surprising positive consequences. Earlier this year I was made redundant by my previous employer. I was devastated and felt a lot of uncertainty around my future. However, it allowed me to find an even better opportunity and employer at Legalite (and now I couldn’t be happier!).

Any words of wisdom for other small business owners/startups?
Live true to your values by demonstrating them day to day to your staff and clients. If your clients do not align to your values or respect the value you can offer them, move along and find someone who does!