Kim’s story isn’t a get-rich-quick tale; it’s a master class in deliberate life architecture. Equal parts numbers, nerve and knowing yourself. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can build a career you love and a life you choose, this conversation is your permission slip (and plan).What happens when the fearless strategist behind award-winning brand transformations turns her lens inward? In this episode, Kim McKay - business architect, entrepreneur and straight-talking advisor - shares how she deliberately designed a non-linear life, retired in her 40s, and swapped rigid routines for intentional freedom.

From early “Project 50” planning to the very real messy middle of leaving a high-identity career, Kim breaks down the blend of big-picture vision and first 10% execution that powered her choices. She talks candidly about intuition (yes, including astrology and human design), why fear is data not a directive, and the simple decision filter she uses for scary moves: What’s the worst that can happen - and can I handle it?

In this episode of the Fearless Females Podcast, we cover:

1. How to set a freedom goal (and why money = time + patience, not hacks)
2. The two gears every business builder needs: zoom-out strategy and zoom-in action
3. Leaving before you’re stale: spotting the moment a season is complete
4. Replacing identity tied to work with a wider definition of self
5. Why “no routine” can be a valid routine

This episode is jam packed. Our favourite quotes from Kim McKay include:

• “We have two lives. The second begins when you realise you only have one.”

• “I value freedom, so I planned for it. That’s not luck, that’s design.”
• “Leave the party while you’re still having fun.”

Partner shout-out

Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has doubled its Female Entrepreneurs commitment to $1B and offers the Startup Business Loan - apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50K unsecured. Learn more: search “Westpac supporting female founders.” Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges, and T&Cs apply. General advice only.

If this episode added some fearless courage to your day, hit Follow, drop a quick review, and share it with someone who’s building better systems for people.

At 26 years of age, Paulette Kolarz was handed the keys to a $400M division and asked to help steer a 150-store icon through receivership - while leading 3,500 staff. Today, the BespokeHR founder and Performance Collective Academy creator distils those hard-won lessons into a people-first playbook any leader can use.

Paulette makes a simple, powerful case: you don’t build a business, you build people, and people build the business. She shows how to anchor teams to a clear North Star, install a rhythm for feedback and performance and create cultures built on trust (not osmosis). We dig into her “no BMW” rule (no bitching, moaning, whinging), why exits shouldn’t be a dirty word and how to spot when someone (or you) has fallen out of love with the role - then act humanely and fast.

You’ll hear Paulette’s morning reset (top-three priorities +ten minutes for gratitude), the mindset that dissolved imposter syndrome in that giant boardroom, and the growth shortcut she swears by: run toward the biggest problems and solve them. We also explore kind authority (“kindness is a strength, not a weakness”), building mastermind circles so you’re not the smartest in the room, and her next bold chapter - scaling her leadership academy, international stages, and a book.

Candid, practical and generous, Paulette reminds us leadership works best when it’s firm on standards, soft on people and utterly authentic - even on the days you’re calling your Brat Pack from the couch.

Key takeaway highlights

Leadership philosophy

• Build people first. Results follow when you invest incapability, clarity and care.
• Kindness. Be warm and human and hold high standards - “the standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”
• Don’t be the smartest in the room. Curate masterminds and mentors who stretch you.
• Solve the biggest problems. If you want outsizedgrowth, run toward the hardest issues and fix them.

Culture + operating system

• North Star alignment. Everyone should know thepurpose, the plan and how their role moves the needle.
• Install rhythm, not osmosis. Cadences for 1:1s, feedback, goals and reviews beat ad-hoc “people stuff.”
• Trust as infrastructure. Open, vulnerable leaderscreate safety for honest conversations - including exits.
• Right seats, right people. Act quickly (and kindly)when the fit or the love for the role fades.

Personal performance

1. Night-before priming. Go to bed knowing the top three moves that will shift tomorrow.
2. 10-minute morning reset. Gratitude → focus → blockers; set the day’s energy intentionally.
3. Fuel from service. Energy comes from helping others progress—use that as a flywheel.

Entrepreneurial moves

• Scale through leaders. The Performance CollectiveAcademy shifts from “done for you” to “built within you.”
• Next bold bet. Go bigger and louder: internationalstages, a book, and expanding leader capability at scale.

Our favourite quotes from Paulette Kolarz:

“You don’t build a business - you build people, and people build the business.”

“Kindness is a strength.”

“Stand for something or you’ll fall for everything.”

“If you’re the smartest person in the room - leave the room.”

Partner shout-out

Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has doubled its Female Entrepreneurs Fund to $1B and offers the Startup Business Loan - apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50K unsecured. Learn more: search “Westpac supporting female founders.”Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges, and T&Cs apply.General advice only.

Links :

https://bespokehr.com.au

https://performancecollectiveacademy.com

If this episode lifted you, hit Follow, drop a quickreview, and share it with someone who’s building better systems for people.

Doctor, social entrepreneur and 2021 Young Australian of the Year Isobel Marshall has built a career at the intersection of medicine, gender equity and practical change. As co-founder of TABOO, she helped turn a simple idea - sell period products here to fight period poverty and stigma everywhere - into a national conversation. On the policy front, she’s served on the Premier’s Council for Women SA and contributed to high-stakes panels (including Australia’s independent COVID-19 response review), where she learned that the bravest move in a room of experts is often to ask the obvious question no one wants to admit they don’t understand.

Now, as co-founder of Acro Health, and as a young woman embarking on her graduate career as a Medical Doctor, Isobel is reframing midlife women’s health: making prevention tangible (think protein, resistance training and bone/muscle strength) and challenging the harmful belief that pain and depletion are “just part of being a woman.” She explains the difference between physiology (what’s normal) and pathology (what needs treatment) and why that clarity changes lives - from periods to pregnancy to menopause.

Isobel also gets candid about seasons of focus (right now, deepening her craft as a doctor), imposter feelings as a pre-performance check rather than a stop sign, and the underrated superpower of saying no. You’ll hear how she motivates patients with what actually matters to them (“Who - or what - do you need to stay strong for?” hello, dog-walk goals), why we shouldn’t silo ourselves as “science” or “creative,” and how to architect a life that’s ambitious and humane.

Key takeaways

• Ask the obvious. In expert rooms, basic questions surface better decisions and shared understanding.
• Name it right. Don’t label pain and heavy bleeding as “normal” - that’s pathology, not “women’s lot.”
• Prevention is power. Through menopause: prioritise protein, resistance training, and bone/muscle health to reduce frailty.
• Motivation that sticks. Tie health goals to what people love (kids, grandkids, the dog, independence).
• Imposter = readiness check. Use nerves like stage butterflies - proof you care - then perform.
• Don’t silo yourself. You can be medical and creative; allow a wide identity.
• Life in seasons. You don’t need to do policy, startups and medicine all at once - rotate focus.
• Permission to say no. “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” Protect energy for what matters.
• Rebrand ageing. Midlife is a phase of power - women deserve visibility, support and celebration.
• Design your days. Small rituals (hello, coffee craft) can anchor presence and reduce rush.

Mic-drop moment : “Your value isn’t determined by your productivity.”

Partner shout-out:

Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has doubledits Female Entrepreneurs Fund to $1B and offers the Startup Business Loan—apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50K unsecured. Learn more: search “Westpac supporting female founders.”Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges, and T&Cs apply.General advice only.

Links :

Acro Health

Taboo Period Products – TABOOPeriod Products

If this episode lifted you, hit Follow, drop a quick review, and share it with someone who’s building better systems for people.

Who should listen?

Founders, clinicians, policy wonks, educators, and anyonenavigating women’s health - from first period to post-menopause - who wants practical, humane ways to create impact without burning out.

Suzanne Brown started in real estate at 21, became one of WA’s youngest licensed agents, and went on to build Rentwest into one of the state’s largest property management firms. Today she’s the President of REIWA, only the second woman in 106 years and the first leader to come from a property management background.

In this uplifting conversation, Suzanne shares how a love of learning (and an early detour from accounting) set her up to scale a values-led business that now oversees tens of millions in rents while championing great experiences for tenants and owners alike. She opens up about saying “not yet” to the presidency while her youngest finished school - why that boundary was fearless leadership, not hesitation - and how stepping into a very public role matters for visibility: “You can’t be what you can’t see.”

We dive into WA’s rental crunch - its disproportionate impact on women, older renters, and those leaving domestic violence - and the policy levers that actually move supply. Suzanne also unpacks why real estate has long been a strong industry for women (pay parity and flexibility when it’s done right), her 10-10-10 morning ritual for focus, and the obligation leaders have to elevate and mentor the next generation.

If you care about housing, inclusive leadership, andbuilding a career that fits real life, this one’s rich with practical wisdom.

Key Takeaways:

• Visibility is leadership. Suzanne accepted a public-facing presidency to model what’s possible: only the 2nd female REIWA President in 106 years - and the first from property management.
• Fearless can be “not yet.” Setting family-first boundaries (delaying the presidency during her son’s final school years) was a strategic, values-aligned choice.
• Real estate can work for women. In residential PM, Suzanne’s seen genuine pay parity, flexible pathways (early or late-career entry), and rapid success built on networks and service.
• Rental crisis has faces. Women exiting DV, single-income renters, and older Australians are bearing the brunt; support must pair demand help with supply solutions to avoid worsening affordability.
• Lead with lift. “Elevate other women” isn’t a slogan - Suzanne mentors actively so opportunity compounds across the industry.
• Operate on routines, not willpower. Her 10-10-10 start(movement, meditation/breathwork, learning) resets focus and energy, even on busy days.
• Purpose over polish. You don’t need to love the spotlight to serve; integrity, advocacy and consistent results build the kind of influence that lasts.

Thank you to Westpac for supporting this episode of Fearless Females Podcast. Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has committed $1B to support female entrepreneurs and offer the Startup Business Loan. Apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50k unsecured. To learn more, search 'Westpac supporting female founders'. Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges and T&C's apply. General advice only.If you'd like to learn more about real estate in Western Australia, you can visit RentWest Solutions and REIWA

From AFL locker rooms to the News Corp boardroom, Melissa Librandi shares how courage, empathy and a well timed “yes” can change your career and your company. Melissa embodies how fearless leadership is forged at the crossroads of empathy, pragmatism and bold bets.

From pioneering flexible work years before it was mainstream to backing disruptive destination marketing that won “World’s Best Tourism Film,” Melissa shows why the bravest decision is often the most human one.

She reframes imposter syndrome as a “positive nervousness” a stage ready gut check that keeps ego in place and standards high. We dig into her talent philosophy (great leaders listen more than they speak), why a true leader expects star performers to outgrow roles and the art of unlocking potential by asking people where they want to be in five years - and then helping them map the path.

Melissa opens the playbook on fearless innovation: use the data, but don’t outsource judgment, intuition is still a competitive edge. She shares the five global megatrends leaders must operationalize now (from AI to health and wellness) and translates each into practical, small-business moves.

We also go inside high-performance sport, where weekly scrutiny demands poise, empathy and relentless reset rituals (yes, sometimes it’s as simple as writing a list).

Her mantra “say yes and work it out later” comes with the counter skill of knowing when to say no, by listening to your gut. And her mic-drop truths - “If not you, then who?” and “Keep leaning in until you must lean out” are a rallying cry for women weighing career moves alongside life plans.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance heart with hard metrics and how to lead teams through euphoric wins and brutal losses, this episode is your blueprint.

Key takeaways:

• Imposter syndrome and how to flip it as your super power.

• Developing and growing your team - a manager hopes you’ll stay but a leader knows you’ll move on and they will help you get there.

• Use data to inform, intuition to decide. Sometimes you back the good idea and then prove it.

• Marketing technology and innovation.

We cover a lot of ground in this one! Unfiltered insights that resonate with both emerging and established leaders

Thank you to Westpac for supporting this episode of Fearless Females Podcast. Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has committed $1B to support female entrepreneurs and offer the Startup Business Loan. Apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50k unsecured. To learn more, search 'Westpac supporting female founders'. Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges and T&C's apply. General advice only.

From her grandmother who famously waxed her legs in the foyer of David Jones to a modern brand leading with science and soul - this episode goes behind the scenes with Pippa Hallas, CEO of Ella Baché.

Pippa opens up about steering an 80-year Australian icon through massive industry change while staying anchored to one simple truth... healthy skin builds real confidence.

You’ll hear how Pippa:

• Keeps Ella Baché centered on skin health over hype (no Kardashian fad-chasing, just evidence-led formulations and education).

• Balances heritage with innovation - growing to 150+ locations and a national training academy while nurturing teams with decades-long tenure.

• Made bold brand bets (hello, Jessica Watson’s solo circumnavigation) by backing people first and trusting her gut.

• Advocates for authenticity in an era of “fast-food beauty”encouraging us to own our skin story rather than chase someone else’s face.

• Designs a life that works (early starts, family dinners, shared logistics) and a culture that hires for talent and kindness - then lets the culture “spit out the rattlesnakes.”

• Thinks about what’s next, including selective international expansion when the timing is right.

Pippa also shares her favourite mantra, “When they go low, we go high”, and why reframing tough moments (and returning to gratitude) is a leadership superpower. If you’ve ever wondered how a beloved, family-led brand can stay fresh, principled, and fearless in a crowded category, this conversation is a masterclass.

Mic-drop takeaway: Be the best version of you - own your skin, your story, and your pace. Then go for it.

This episode will be a favourite for anyone working in a family business and women needing a push to own their own skin proudly.

A big Fearless shout out to our partner, Westpac. Recently Westpac have committed $1B to support female entrepreneurs and offer the Startup Business Loan. You can apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50k unsecured. Learn more by searching 'Westpac supporting female founders'. Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges, and T&Cs apply. General advice only.

Links and mentions:

www.ellabache.com.au (Pippa's family business, Ella Bache)

Corporate Christmas Gifts (Kelly, our co-host and founder of Edible Blooms & Co, delivering joy daily)

Ideas for your Kris Kringle (Anna, our co-host and founder of Palas, Australian designed jewellery with meaning)

“I don’t like saying I’m a hospital CEO - healthcare management takes a team.” In this candid conversation, Cara Miller, CEO of North Eastern Community Hospital (and current National Chairperson of AHPRA), shares how she’s challenging the status quo with a patient-centred, staff-first, tech-enabled model of care.

Cara traces her path from sick kid turned St John Cadet to radiographer and sonographer - then the defining moment that set her leadership compass: pausing a routine scan to properly care for an unexpected twin pregnancy, even when the system pushed for speed and profit over patient care. That became her blueprint: respect the patient, invest in people, and build systems that make the right thing the easy thing.

We dig into how she embraces regulation (don’t evade it - innovate within it), the practical role of AI and automation to put attention back on patients, and the culture shifts that keep hospitals human (from greeting night-shift cleaners to flattening hierarchy while staying accountable). Cara’s leadership mantras land hard and useful: tackle the hardest problem first, don’t be afraid to lead, and her mic-drop: “If you’re not using data to inform decisions, you’re not making good decisions.”

In this episode:

1. The moment that mattered: choosing patient dignity over throughput and why people → patients → profit (in that order).

2. Innovation inside the rules: embracing regulators and making compliance-by-design the engine of improvement.

3. Tech that gives time back: AI note - taking, smarter workflows, and the non-negotiable human touch.

4. Team, not titles: building high performance through gratitude, visibility and clear accountability.

5. Put a bounce back in your step: the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded people.

6. Networking without the ick: lead with generosity, make it a safe space, and invite the introverts in.

7. Leadership with courage: tough calls, constrained budgets, and data dashboards that keep you honest.

Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has doubled its Female Entrepreneurs Fund to $1B and offers the Startup Business Loan, apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50K unsecured. Learn more: search “Westpac supporting female founders.” Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges, and T&Cs apply. General advice only.

Helpful links:

Discover more about our hosts, Kelly and Anna by visiting www.edibleblooms.com.au and www.palasjewellery.com

If this episode lifted you, hit Follow, drop a quick comment and share it with someone who’s building better systems for people.