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The Audacious Agency shares Audacious, entrepreneurs’ stories of challenge and success. Insight, inspiration and motivation, tips, tools and quick-fire questions packed into 20 minutes to share what it takes to stand out, be seen and noticed.
Episodes
2 days ago
2 days ago
Welcome to a special solo episode of the That's Audacious Podcast! Lauren Clemett tackles one of the most frequently asked questions she receives as a professional award writer: "Am I ready? Have I done enough to enter awards?" Lauren debunks common myths, challenges self-limiting beliefs, and instils the confidence needed to pursue recognition for your hard work and impact.
Myth #1: You Need Stellar Financials or Massive Growth
Many believe that awards are only for businesses with sky-high revenue or exponential growth. Lauren clarifies that this is largely a myth. Most awards, almost 90% of them, don't even ask for your financials. Instead, they focus on:
- Innovation: Your fresh ideas and unique solutions.
- Potential: The future impact you could make.
- Challenges: How you've overcome obstacles.
- Impact: The positive difference you're making, not just your bottom line.
Therefore, you don't need a massive income jump to be award-worthy.
Myth #2: You're Too Small, Too New, or Too Unknown
Awards are for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises. The key is finding the right categories. Lauren highlights a golden window for startups, with categories specifically designed for new ventures (often within 12-24 months of operation), even those pre-profit or without external funding. Missing this window means losing eligibility for these unique opportunities, so if you're a startup, now is the time to seize it.
Myth #3: Imposter Syndrome (The "Itty Bitty Shitty Committee") is Holding You Back
This is a common internal battle. Many entrepreneurs feel insecure, believing their business isn't "perfect," optimised, or free of mistakes. This mindset often focuses on external validation and the fear of judgment. However, Lauren encourages a shift in perspective: "Nothing ever really is perfect."
By pausing to reflect on your journey – your challenges, your original motivations, and your achievements – you can gain a profound sense of self-recognition. Even failures are part of your success story. You're never too small, too new, or too late to enter awards. There are countless categories for various business types, products, services, and impact makers, regardless of whether you have a physical product or a well-established business model.
Inspiring Case Studies: Awards at Every Stage
To illustrate her points, Lauren shares three compelling examples:
- Angela Dion (Blissful Bond Booby Pillow): Angela, a new entrepreneur, had sold only about 50 units of her innovative breastfeeding support product when she first considered awards. Despite her early stage, they entered the Stevie Awards for Women in Business (an international program). Angela won two bronze awards, even competing against giants like Google in the product innovation category. This recognition not only boosted her confidence but directly led to a major opportunity with Westfield, proving the power of branding by association.
- Kimberly Sumner (She Prosperity): Kimberly won a gold Stevie Award for her concept of a program designed to close the gender pay gap in corporate settings, even before the program was launched. This demonstrates that awards can be won for vision and future potential, offering instant credibility to an untried idea.
- Emmelia O'Sullivan (Author to Advocate): Emmelia started by winning author awards for her book about her extensive medical journey. Building on this, she leveraged her podcast to win podcast awards. As she transitions into a coaching business and builds online products, she then won a top prize in the Beam in Business Awards for a wellness advocacy role. This highlights that awards aren't just for established businesses; they can be won for impact, social change, and advocacy roles, positioning individuals for future business success.
These stories underscore that you don't need decades of history or massive revenue to be award worthy. Your impact, your innovation, and your unique story are more than enough.
Are You Awards Ready? Take the Quiz!
Ultimately, being awards ready comes down to:
- Having a clear purpose: What do you want to win awards for? What's your unique solution or approach?
- Having the courage to articulate your value: Even if your idea is new or your business has faced challenges and pivoted.
- Passion, dedication, and the problem you solve: These are what truly matter, not just financial metrics.
- Commitment to leveraging the award: Turning recognition into tangible growth.
Don't let self-doubt or outdated myths hold back your brilliance. Lauren encourages listeners to find out just how awards ready they are right now by taking the free Are You Awards Ready? Quiz.
This quick quiz culminates in a personalised guide that identifies your current readiness level (gold, silver, or bronze) and offers tailored advice for your next steps, whether you're a first-time entrant or looking to elevate previous wins.
Take the quiz, embrace your journey, and be bold, brave, and audacious!
Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
In this engaging episode of That's Audacious, host Lauren Clemett speaks with Francesca Moi, a dynamic speaker and the founder of Empowering Virtual Solution. Known for her no-fluff approach, Francesca’s agency is Australia's most human-focused VA agency, designed to help 7-figure CEOs with overwhelmed teams reclaim their time, build high-performing offshore teams, and master the art of smart delegation.
Francesca candidly shares her journey, which wasn't initially aimed at entrepreneurship. A pivotal moment came while working in a corporate role where her efficiency was discouraged. This, coupled with personal challenges, ignited a profound personal development journey. This transformation, inspired in part by attending a Tony Robbins event (which she resourcefully earned a free ticket to by selling 100 tickets for him!), revealed her innate talent for sales and community building. She realised that if she could sell for others, she could sell for herself, setting audacious goals that she ultimately achieved.
The Power of Authenticity and Pivoting Through Adversity
Francesca's path led her to become an event specialist, filling rooms and generating commissions, eventually being encouraged to speak herself. Despite initial self-doubt and a “crap” first presentation (as a friend honestly put it!), she embraced her authentic, upfront style, which became her unique signature and resonated deeply with audiences. She champions the idea that the less polished the videos, the better it is for genuine connection, contrasting it with overly professional content that can create distance.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced an unexpected pivot. Faced with the stark reality of her events business collapsing, Francesca confronted the worst-case scenario head-on. By accepting the possibility of failure, she liberated herself to see new opportunities. She realised that a core part of her academy, virtual assistant services, was gaining traction. This insight led her to focus solely on the VA agency, which miraculously grew to $1 million in just 14 months, providing a powerful lesson in resilience and adaptation.
Overcoming Delegation Hurdles: Mindset and Growth
A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the common challenges business owners face with delegation. Francesca highlights two key hurdles:
- Fear of Imperfection: The worry that a VA won't do the job as good as they want it to be.
- Cash Flow Concerns: The apprehension that hiring a VA will shrink the bank account.
Francesca counters these fears with a powerful mindset shift: "Done is better than perfect." She emphasises that if tasks aren't delegated, they might never get done, leading to overwhelm and stagnation. She provocatively asks, "Would you hire a CEO for $200,000 to do your Canva, emails, and bookkeeping?" Her point is clear: CEOs delegate to focus on growth, and business owners should too. If you're in growth mode, every profit should be reinvested into the business, including hiring support, to unlock your time for strategic activities.
For Francesca, delegation became almost an "addiction" once she saw the benefits of freeing up her time. She outsourced everything from cleaning to cooking, allowing her to focus on high-value activities like learning, networking, and maintaining her health, all crucial for running a thriving business without exhaustion.
Cultivating an Authentic Personal Brand
When asked about building her profile and reputation, Francesca stresses authenticity. She receives consistent feedback that she is exactly the same whether online or in person, a quality she believes people crave. She encourages others to embrace their true selves, even if it means not always looking perfect, as this genuine approach fosters stronger connections.
Francesca's final, powerful advice to her past self is to never, ever, ever stop working on your mindset. She attributes every business roadblock to neglecting her personal development practices – meditation, coaching, networking, and staying updated. She passionately encourages listeners to actively seek knowledge, surround themselves with ambitious individuals, and continuously invest in their personal and professional growth.
If you're an overwhelmed CEO ready to delegate, reclaim your time, and step into your true role as a business leader, Francesca Moi offers the no-fluff, human-focused solutions you need. Find links to her book and VA business below.
https://empoweringvirtualsolution.com/
Don't wait for perfect; just get out there and be audacious!
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
In this compelling episode of That's Audacious, host Lauren Clemett sits down with Saurabh Arora (Sab), the dynamic founder of Eminence Finance Group.
Sab, a former top-performing mobile lender with ANZ and a multi-award-winning mortgage broker, is revolutionising the mortgage experience with his commitment to lightning-fast customer service and unparalleled client care. Beyond his remarkable business growth, Lauren dives into how Sab has swiftly built an incredible profile and a stellar reputation in the competitive sector of mortgage broking.
Sab's journey to Australia in 2016 marked a fresh start, propelling him back to basics despite a solid eight years of banking experience in India. This initial step backwards paradoxically accelerated his progress in the Australian banking industry due to his prior knowledge and adaptability.
Within three years of his initial broking phase, a purely random call from ANZ changed everything. Despite initial hesitation, he took the leap and in just two and a half years, rose to become the number one mobile lender in the country.
This monumental achievement wasn't just a dream come true; it was the ultimate confidence booster that spurred him to launch his own venture, Eminence Finance Group (EFG).
The Power of Proactiveness and Customer-Centricity
Sab's ethos is rooted in proactiveness. He thrives on clearing his desk and ensuring clients are never left waiting, a stark contrast to the industry's common pain points of poor communication and long wait times. He believes in treating people the way he would like to be treated, a seemingly basic principle that has become a significant point of difference for EFG.
He shares a powerful anecdote about clients straying from their previous mortgage brokers due to a lack of ongoing contact. Sab emphasises that maintaining relationships with existing clients is the most organic and effective way to generate business through word-of-mouth referrals, a marketing strategy often preached but rarely practised consistently.
Awards are More Than Just an Ego Boost
Sab enthusiastically discusses how awards have played a pivotal role in boosting his profile. He notes that receiving awards not only provides an ego boost but, more importantly, validates his legitimacy and reassures existing clients that they are in capable hands. He recounts how winning the Stevie Awards led to calls from clients, both current and past, reaffirming their trust and even prompting former clients to return for his services.
A highlight of his recent achievements is winning the national title for Customer Service in Finance at the Australian Achiever Awards. This particular award is significant because it involves direct interviews with clients to gauge their satisfaction, providing an undeniable third-party endorsement of EFG's commitment to delivering on its promises. Sab was genuinely stunned to win this prestigious national award, a testament to his consistent delivery of exceptional service.
Niche Down, Think Big
Initially, Sab found it challenging to niche down, especially when clients' primary focus was solely on interest rates. He consciously shifted his conversations to clients' long-term objectives and goals, demonstrating that he prioritises their financial well-being over just securing the lowest rate. He candidly admits to turning away rate-sensitive clients, recognising that long-term client relationships, built on trust and alignment, are far more valuable for sustainable growth and referrals.
Looking ahead, Sab is focused on building a corporate environment within EFG, aiming to mentor and grow a team of mortgage professionals. His vision is to pay it forward, empowering others to achieve wonders in their careers, all while scaling EFG into a prominent brand.
Sab's Advice for Success
Reflecting on his journey, Sab's advice to his past self is profound: "Don't be scared, don't be afraid of taking action." He stresses that results only come from action, and even if an action doesn't lead to an immediate win, it provides invaluable experience and learning. He also encourages people, especially immigrants, to think big and not limit their aspirations.
Finally, Sab highlights the importance of delegation when building a brand. Knowing that one person can't do everything, he advises business owners to trust and delegate to other experts in the market, allowing them to focus on their core strengths.
Ready to experience lightning-fast customer service and work with an award-winning mortgage expert?
Learn more about Saurabh Arora and Eminence Finance Group and get in touch with Sab here:
Friday Jun 06, 2025
Friday Jun 06, 2025
In this inspiring episode of That's Audacious, host Lauren Clemett sits down with Kylie King, the visionary founder of the Australian Ladies in Business Initiative and the driving force behind the Alibi Awards. Kylie shares her deeply personal journey from corporate burnout to building a thriving, supportive community for women entrepreneurs across Australia, a testament to the power of authentic connection and self-belief.
Kylie's path began after a significant period of corporate senior management, which, combined with the demands of new motherhood, led to burnout. This pivotal experience ignited her realisation of a profound need for genuine support and community among women in business. What started as a coaching business quickly evolved into a mindset-focused endeavour, ultimately blossoming into the Australian Ladies in Business Initiative. This community grew organically, filling a crucial void felt by many women navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.
The Power of Community and Battling the "Perfect" Barrier
The Australian Ladies in Business Initiative welcomes all women in Australia, from seasoned business owners to aspiring entrepreneurs. Kylie highlights that this community thrives on celebrating both successes and the challenges of business ownership, fostering a supportive environment where women can openly share their experiences. She underscores the unique pressures women often face, influenced by societal expectations and a tendency to prioritise others, which can inadvertently sideline their own business growth.
A significant barrier Kylie identifies is the pervasive pressure women feel to be "perfect" before taking action. This notion, often amplified by social media's curated realities, feeds into imposter syndrome and a fear of judgment, preventing many from confidently putting themselves and their businesses forward.
The Alibi Awards: A Community-Led Celebration of Authenticity
Inspired by her own experiences with awards and a desire to address community concerns about integrity, Kylie took on the audacious challenge of creating her own awards program. The Alibi Awards were born as a truly community-led initiative, with categories and even their names chosen by the members of the Australian Ladies in Business community. Kylie advises anyone considering entering awards to exercise discernment and thoroughly review terms and conditions to ensure genuine recognition.
The Alibi Awards are designed for members of the free Australian Ladies in Business Initiative community who hold an ABN. The submission process is crafted for authenticity, featuring a written application (around 10 questions) and a unique five-minute video submission. Kylie emphasises that the video component is crucial for allowing entrants to share their story and passion authentically, effectively combating the rise of AI-generated entries.
Transparency and support are central to the Alibi Awards' judging process. Finalists receive personal notification, and all participants receive written feedback from three judges. This invaluable feedback, developed by a committee of entrepreneurs and business academics, aims to help businesses refine their strategies and improve future award entries.
Tips for Audacious Award Entries
Kylie offers practical advice for potential Alibi Awards entrants:
- Thoroughly review category descriptions to ensure alignment.
- If a category resonates, don't hold back.
- Seek advice from fellow members in the free community on category selection.
- Authenticity is a core value of the Alibi Awards. Show up as your true self in your submissions.
- View the entry process as a celebration of your business achievements, journey and personal growth, not just the opportunity to win a (fabulous purple) trophy
With 24 categories and an entry cost of $99 (including GST), the Alibi Awards offer a diverse range of opportunities. Nominations close on August 4th, with written submissions accepted until August 11th, culminating in an awards night on October 17th in Penrith. Kylie reinforces the importance of aligning with the Australian Ladies in Business community's values, noting that the very act of entering awards can help overcome imposter syndrome.
Reflecting on her own path, Kylie's advice to her past self during a difficult time is simple yet profound: "just take one step forward."
For those seeking to elevate their business success, she encourages actively choosing change and confidently standing up for their business to gain recognition and support within their community.
Ready to step forward and celebrate your business journey?
Discover the supportive community and empowering opportunities offered by the Australian Ladies in Business Initiative and the Alibi Awards.
The Alibi Awards: https://alibiawards.com.au/
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/AustralianLadiesinBusinessInitiative/
Thursday May 29, 2025
Thursday May 29, 2025
In this vibrant edition of the That's Audacious podcast, host Lauren Clemett welcomes the remarkable Rowena Preddy, founder of Preddy Creative. Rowena's bold branding studio is on a mission to liberate small business owners from "cookie-cutter" approaches, helping them confidently express their real, raw, and totally aligned brand identity.
Rowena's journey into the world of design began young, captivated by the magic of art and the unexpected creations that stemmed from deep thinking. Despite early career experiences that felt stifling and conforming - a far cry from her "colourful rainbow of unicorn expression", a redundancy became the unexpected catalyst for her audacious leap into entrepreneurship.
This pivotal moment, fueled by a desire to prove herself and support her two children, initially led to burnout. Yet, it was through this challenge that Rowena found her true purpose: rebuilding her business to be a place she loved, working with clients who aligned with her values, and empowering women to shed their "shoulds" and embrace their glowing uniqueness.
She passionately believes that branding should be fun and impactful, a stark contrast to the common perception of it being a tedious, expensive, or disappointing process. For Rowena, helping clients unearth their authentic brand is a reciprocal joy, reigniting her own creative spark.
Key Insights from Rowena Preddy:
- Embrace Your Authentic Self: Rowena's personal transformation from "beige and conformative" to boldly expressive underscores the power of aligning your brand with your true self.
- Creativity is Innate: Even when you might not think you are creative, you can discover and express your unique vision through an engaging mood-boarding process.
- Originality Over Imitation: In a world saturated with AI-generated and repurposed content, finding your distinct voice is paramount. Don't fall prey to "comparison-it is."
- Brand Values as a Litmus Test: Distill your core brand values and use them as an internal compass. If something feels "ick," it's likely misaligned with your authentic brand.
- The Right Amount of Sass: Personal expression in branding should be genuine and build over time. Know your professional boundaries – "two mojitos deep sassy" might not be right for your brand!
- The "Quickie" Solution: Rowena's signature Quickee design day addresses the common business trifecta of needing things fast, good, and affordable, proving that quality and personality don't have to be sacrificed for efficiency.
- Consistency Drives Impact: Consistency in branding builds recognition and engagement. Every design choice should serve a clear purpose and drive specific results, not just look "nice."
Rowena champions the idea that a personal brand is inextricably linked to a company's brand, especially as consumers increasingly seek to do business with people, not just faceless entities. She advocates for businesses of all sizes to infuse their personal beliefs and values into their overarching brand identity.
As the interview wraps up, Rowena offers a profound piece of advice drawn from her own journey: "Figure out who you are... and then just go all in on it. Back yourself like a thousand percent." She firmly believes that "personal growth equals business growth," with every embrace of her true self leading to greater business thriving.
Connect with Rowena Preddy and Preddy Creative:
Ready to ditch the cookie-cutter and unleash your brand's true potential? Discover Rowena's bold approach at Preddy Creative.
Don't settle for beige. Be the rainbow, be audacious, and let your brand truly shine!