Thats Audacious

EP 31 | From Frustration to Innovation Hub: George Hedon, Visionary Founder of Pause Fest

This episode of That's Audacious is a captivating conversation with George Hedon, the visionary founder and CEO of Pause Fest and the esteemed Pause Awards. 

Dubbed Australia's flagship innovation festival and a recognised innovation capital, Pause Fest, under George's guidance, has drawn over 80,000 attendees and established itself as a significant benchmark for business excellence. We eagerly delve into the origins and inner workings of Pause Fest and the Pause Awards, uncovering the passion and perseverance behind this remarkable platform.  

George recounts his journey, sparked by a post-university sojourn in Europe that ignited a creative fire within him. Upon returning to Melbourne, he identified a crucial gap in the landscape: a space where individuals with side hustles, nascent ideas, and unconventional projects could connect and share. In a pre-startup boom era, Pause Fest emerged as a "moment in time" for these audacious thinkers to converge.

The conversation beautifully illustrates the evolution of Pause Fest from its initial focus on animation, screen film, and digital culture to the dynamic hub it is today, championing creativity, technology, and business. George candidly shares the challenging early years, navigating the complexities of building something entirely new and finding its commercial footing.

Key Insights from George Hedon:

• Identifying the Gap: Pause Fest's inception highlights the power of meeting unmet needs and creating solutions where none exist.
• The Importance of Community: The festival's foundation was built on the desire to connect like-minded individuals, creating collaboration and shared growth around the many breakthrough moments in a successful journey.
• Embracing Evolution: Pause Fest's journey demonstrates the necessity of adapting and expanding a vision to achieve broader impact and sustainability.
• Celebrating Incremental Breakthroughs: The Pause Awards uniquely focus on the significant, small steps of innovation within businesses, rather than solely celebrating major events and achievements.  
• Transparency in Judging: George shares the clear criteria and rigorous two-round judging process of the Pause Awards, encouraging entrants to articulate their breakthrough moment, implementation tactics, results, and market impact.  
• Focus on Relevance and Impact: The Pause Awards are for recent achievements (within the last year) and tangible results, moving beyond mere concepts. 
• An Infinite Number of Winners: Unlike traditional awards, Pause Awards celebrates all entries that meet their criteria, with unlimited finalists and winners - a spirit of recognition for genuine innovation.
• The Power of Curiosity: George's personal journey and advice underscore the vital role of curiosity in driving innovation and personal growth.

For those contemplating entering the Pause Awards, George offers a clear directive: articulate your breakthrough in under 1000 words, focusing on the situation before, the tactics employed, the results achieved, and the broader impact. Honesty and a clear articulation of your "interesting" and impactful work are key to standing out.  

As the episode concludes, George leaves listeners with a simple yet profound call to action: "Just be curious. Look up things, engage, go to meetups, find out stuff slowly, meet people. It starts with small steps, and there's this saying, small steps lead to big things." His words resonate with the core ethos of the podcast – to embrace the audacious journey of innovation, one step at a time.

Step into your creativity, be curious, and dare to be audacious!

Ready to explore the world of innovation and perhaps even be seen and noticed for your own breakthroughs? 

Discover more about Pause Fest and the Pause Awards here:
https://www.pausefest.com.au/
https://pauseawards.com/

EP 30. | From Army Boots to Media Maven: Nic Hayes on Navigating the Audacious World of Media

In this engaging episode of That's Audacious, host Lauren Clemett welcomes the insightful Nic Hayes, a media professional with an impressive three decades of experience spanning broadcasting, podcasting, storytelling, writing, and communication. Nic takes us on a fascinating journey, recounting his unexpected pivot from the discipline of the army and the Victorian Police Force to the vibrant realm of media.

Nic's story underscores the often unpredictable paths that lead to fulfilling careers. His initial foray into media intelligence, monitoring the pulse of the news provided him with a unique perspective on the media landscape. He talks about the increasing pressure on media outlets to find credible experts and commentators and his pivotal observation that sparked the audacious idea for Media Stable, now a thriving business in its fourteenth year, connecting media professionals with trusted experts across various fields.

Lauren and Nic delve into the significant transformations within the media industry over the years. From the era of faxes and the nascent stages of email to the seismic shift brought about by social media and the 24/7 digital world, Nic shares his firsthand experience of these changes, highlighting the paradox of our time – that we’re more connected globally yet increasingly disconnected on a personal level.

The conversation navigates the challenges of the overwhelming volume of content and the constant emergence of self-proclaimed experts, requiring established relationships and trust.

Key Insights from Nic Hayes:

• Authenticity Over Vanity: Forget flashy logos and focus on substance, journos can quickly identify genuine expertise versus superficial claims (Australian experts, leave the Fox News badges off your profile!)
• Relationships are Key: Building direct relationships with journalists is far more effective than relying solely on press releases if you want to become a known and trusted entity.
• Be Ready and Available: Media opportunities often arise with little notice, so being prepared and responsive is crucial.
• Provide Value: Offer journalists well-researched information, compelling case studies, and insightful opinions to make their job easier. A "ready-made package" increases your chances of being featured.
• Leverage Everything: Don't let your media moments go to waste! Share your interviews and features with your audience to build credibility.
• Understand Paid vs. Earned Media: Be transparent about any paid media opportunities and avoid misrepresenting them as organic features. Your integrity is paramount if you want to build a credible profile.

Nic also sheds light on Media Stable and the Expert Registry platform that serves as an accessible entry point for those beginning their media journey, offering training and a profile visible to the media. Media Stable connects vetted experts with media professionals actively seeking credible sources and runs “Meet The Media’ events around the country.

As the conversation draws to a close, Nic offers a powerful piece of advice: "Put your hand up. Say that you're ready. You are an expert. You are an award winner. Get out there and do it. Don't regret anything." His words serve as an empowering call to action for anyone ready to share their knowledge and make their mark in the world of media.

Don't just be knowledgeable, be audacious! Get your voice heard.

Find out more here:
www.mediastable.com.au

https://expertregistry.com.au/

EP 29. | From Frustration to Innovation: Angela Dion and the Blissful Bond Boobie Pillow

In this episode of That's Audacious, host Lauren Clemett interviews Angela Dion, the founder of Simple Breastfeeding and the creator of the revolutionary Blissful Bond Boobie Pillow. Angela shares her inspiring journey of turning her own breastfeeding challenges into a groundbreaking product that is helping mothers worldwide.

Angela's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and innovation. Frustrated with the inadequate solutions offered to her, she took matters into her own hands and created a product that addresses the real needs of breastfeeding mothers. Her dedication to quality and her willingness to seek out unconventional solutions have led to the creation of a product that is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing.

This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those who have identified a problem and are passionate about creating a solution. Angela's journey is a reminder that with tenacity and a willingness to think outside the box, even the most challenging obstacles can be overcome.

Key Takeaways:

• Solving a Personal Problem: Angela's story highlights the power of turning personal frustrations into innovative solutions.
• Perseverance and Tenacity: The journey to create the Blissful Bond Boobie Pillow was filled with challenges, but Angela's determination to find the right solution ultimately led to her success.
• Quality and Attention to Detail: Angela's commitment to quality and her refusal to compromise on the design of her product have been key to its success.
• The Power of Awards: Winning prestigious awards like the Stevie Awards has provided Angela with credibility and opened doors to new opportunities.
• Outsourcing and Leveraging Expertise: Angela emphasizes the importance of outsourcing tasks and leveraging the expertise of others to accelerate business growth.

About Angela Dion:

Angela Dion is the founder of Simple Breastfeeding and the creator of the Blissful Bond Boobie Pillow. Her innovative product is designed to provide comfort and support to breastfeeding mothers. Angela's dedication to improving the breastfeeding experience has made her a respected figure in the parenting community.

Don't let your frustrations hold you back. Turn them into innovations!

Find out more about Anglea Dion of Simple Breastfeeding and the Blissful Bond Boobie Pillow here: https://simplebreastfeeding.com/

EP 28. | Making The Most Of Your LinkedIn Presence with Kylie Chown

Making The Most Of Your LinkedIn Presence with Kylie Chown

In this episode of That's Audacious, host Lauren Clemett is joined by Kylie Chown, Director of My Digital Brand and a LinkedIn strategist with over 15 years of experience. Kylie shares her expertise on how to leverage LinkedIn for personal and professional branding, lead generation, and business growth.

Kylie discusses the common mistakes people make on LinkedIn, highlighting the importance of creating a profile that reflects your current value proposition and actively engaging with your network. She also delves into the evolving role of AI in content creation and offers practical tips on how to stay ahead of the curve.

This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals looking to build a profile, utilise a strong LinkedIn presence and unlock its full potential. Kylie's insights into LinkedIn strategy and her passion for helping people build their online presence make this an informative and inspiring conversation.

Key Takeaways:

• Beyond Job Searching: Kylie shared that LinkedIn is much more than a job-searching platform; it's a powerful tool for building your personal brand, generating leads, and growing your business.
• Common Mistakes: She highlights the common mistakes people make on LinkedIn, such as neglecting their profile, not understanding the importance of SEO, and failing to connect with their ideal audience.
• AI and LinkedIn: Kylie discusses the evolving role of AI in content creation, encouraging listeners to use AI strategically while maintaining authenticity and personality in their posts.
• Staying Ahead of the Curve: She offers practical tips on how to stay ahead of the curve on LinkedIn, such as using LinkedIn newsletters, leveraging company pages, and participating in expert commentary.

About Kylie Chown:

Kylie Chown is a LinkedIn strategist, speaker, and trainer with over 15 years of experience. She helps businesses and individuals build their online presence and achieve their goals through LinkedIn. Her expertise in LinkedIn strategy and her passion for helping people succeed make her a valuable resource for anyone looking to maximise their LinkedIn presence.

Connect with Kylie Chown:

To learn more about Kylie Chown and her work, connect with her on LinkedIn or visit her website:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyliechown/
• Website: https://www.mydigitalbrand.com.au/

Don't miss out on the opportunities LinkedIn offers. Take action today and build a powerful online presence!

EP. 27 | Christine Innes how living your purpose can inspire others to do the same

In this episode of That's Audacious, host Lauren Clemett chats with Christine Innes, a visionary entrepreneur, storyteller, and founder of the Corporate Escapist and the Inspire Awards. Christine shares her journey of escaping the corporate world to build a media company that empowers changemakers through storytelling.

Christine discusses the importance of recognizing and celebrating individuals who are making a difference in the world, regardless of their financial success or status. She also delves into the common fears and self-doubts that hold people back from pursuing their dreams and offers valuable advice on how to overcome them.

This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs, changemakers, and anyone seeking inspiration to create a positive impact. Christine's insights into the power of storytelling and her dedication to celebrating those who are making a difference make this an empowering and motivating conversation.

Key Takeaways:

• Celebrating Changemakers: Christine shares the importance of acknowledging and celebrating individuals making a difference and having an impact, regardless of their financial success or status.
• Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt: She addresses the common fears and self-doubts that prevent people from pursuing their dreams, such as fear of failure and the "what ifs."
• The Inspire Awards: Christine discusses the unique aspects of the Inspire Awards, highlighting their focus on inclusivity, impact, and affordability, plus how her platform helps entrants leverage the awards around the globe.
• The Power of Storytelling: She shares her belief in the power of storytelling to inspire and motivate others, encouraging listeners to embrace their authentic selves and share their stories with the world.

About Christine Innes:

Christine Innes is an entrepreneur, storyteller, and founder of the Corporate Escapist and the Inspire Awards. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and changemakers share their stories and create a positive impact in the world. Through her media company and awards program, she provides a platform for individuals to shine and inspire others.

Connect with Christine Innes:

To learn more about Christine Innes and her work, check out the links below:

• The Corporate Escapist: https://thecorporateescapist.com/

The Inspire Awards: https://theinspireawards.com/