What She Did Next

Hello and Happy 2025 to you! It's been a while between episodes but today we're bringing you a special conversation from our friends over at the Mumbition podcast, featuring our very own Jacqui Ooi. This episode takes you behind the scenes of our work with career-changing women, with lots of great insights and inspiration for anyone on the cusp of a new chapter. Hope you enjoy it! Welcome to the Mumbition Summer Series! This week, we're excited to feature Jacqui Ooi, the founder of What She Did Next and creator of the Career Change Kickstarter course. Jacqui is dedicated to helping women navigate career changes and build fulfilling careers they love. Through her podcast and courses, she shares inspiring stories and proven strategies to empower women at all stages of their career journeys. Join the Mums & Co community to connect with amazing women like Jacqui and gain access to fantastic resources and expert support for your business. Visit mumsandco.com.au to join today! Don't miss this inspiring episode with Jacqui Ooi, and let her journey motivate you to achieve your own career goals. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the conversation! Find out more about the Career Change Kickstarter course at whatshedidnext.com.au Credits Produced by – Lucy Kippist Edited by – Morgan Sebastian Brown‍‍ Interviewers – Carrie Kwan and Lucy Kippist ‍Guest – Jacqui Ooi ‍Are you ready to join a movement of business owning women? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Mums & Co today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you do when your dream career suddenly loses its shine? Do you give it up for something new – or change the way you’re doing it? If anyone had a dream career, it was Nina Karnikowski. As a travel writer at the Sydney Morning Herald, and later going freelance, she was off on adventurous travels a dozen times a year. But in 2019, she went on a trip that would change her forever, coming face to face with the devastating impacts of climate change and leaving her questioning her lifestyle and career choices. Returning home from that trip, she started saying no to the travel assignments coming her way, and threw herself into learning everything she could about how to live and travel more sustainably. Nina has since reshaped her career to become a voice for sustainable travel – writing books, doing speaking gigs and leading mindful travel expeditions. In this episode, Nina talks about what it took to make that shift happen and how 'leading with purpose' in her career decisions has opened up a whole new world of opportunities. If you've been questioning your career and whether it fits with your values, you'll love this conversation. And if you're looking for more purpose and joy in your career, Nina has some great tips for you! Nina’s memoir The Mindful Traveller is out now. CONNECT WITH NINA Visit her website: ninakarnikowski.com Follow her on Instagram: instagram.com/nina_karnikowski CONNECT WITH US Interested to make a career change of your own? Sign up to our newsletter or check out our new online courses at whatshedidnext.com.au Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast Facebook: facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast CREDITS Creator, host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Audio production: Browntree Productions What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you at a career crossroads and thinking about ‘what’s next’ for you? Then you’ll want to dive into this mini episode, to find out how our Career Change Kickstarter course can help you! If you’re feeling the niggle (or roar) of needing a change, but you’re not sure what you want to do next or what steps to take, this course is for you. Applications are now open for our April program (get in quick!). Join the waitlist on the ‘Our courses’ page at whatshedidnext.com.au to receive the course info. CONNECT WITH US Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast Facebook: facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast CREDITS Creator, host and producer: Jacqui Ooi What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you always dreamed of doing something creative? But you’re not sure how to turn that into a career? For Kris McKee, her early creative interests fell by the wayside as she pursued a more stable career in nursing. Being a nurse opened up opportunities to travel and live in London, and over 20 years, she worked her way up in a very specialised field. Despite her success, there was always a sense that something was missing… but she was worried it was too late to make a change. When COVID struck, it was the push Kris needed to embark on a new career path, exploring her creative talents and discovering joy in working with flowers. Now she runs her own business, creating beautiful and sustainable floral designs for weddings and events – gradually stepping away from her nursing career as the business grows. In this episode, Kris talks about the process of unravelling herself from nursing and finally learning to be ok with prioritising her own happiness and wellbeing. If you’ve been struggling to give yourself permission to make a change in your career, you’ll love Kris’s story. And if you’ve ever considered a move into floristry, she has some great tips for you! CONNECT WITH KRIS Visit her website: krismckeefloraldesign.com Follow her on Instagram: instagram.com/kris.floraldesign CONNECT WITH US Interested to make a career change of your own? Sign up to our newsletter or check out our new online courses at whatshedidnext.com.au Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast Facebook: facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast CREDITS Creator, host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Production support: Perk Digital What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you want to make a difference in the world without leaving your corporate career? Are you passionate about using your skills for good? This has been a driver for Malini Raj throughout her working life, as she’s built a successful career in financial services. Malini started out on a more traditional path in investment banking. But she soon discovered a passion for working with people and creating positive change… which steered her into the social impact space. Today Malini has a multifaceted career, working as Head of Community Engagement at a large bank and lending her skills to an array of not-for-profit boards. She’s also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, not to mention a long-time volunteer. In this episode, Malini talks about how she reshaped her corporate career to align with her values and be a voice for change – through a series of career transitions, rather than a big leap. If you’re wanting a more purposeful career or curious about stepping into a board role, you’ll love this conversation. CONNECT WITH MALINI Follow her on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malini-raj CONNECT WITH US Interested to make a career change of your own? Sign up to our newsletter or check out our new online courses at whatshedidnext.com.au Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast Facebook: facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast CREDITS Creator, host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Production support: Perk Digital What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you been rethinking your career after becoming a mum? Do you want to explore what else could be out there for you? For Steph Jacobs, the transition to motherhood was a real turning point in her career… and after having two sons of her own, she became fascinated by the world of early childhood. It was a big leap from her previous career, working in HR, but the more she explored, the more her interest grew. Steph ended up retraining while her youngest was still in preschool and returned to work in 2018, as an early childhood educator. She’s since gone on to discover a deep passion for working with neurodivergent children and has recently taken a new role in the early intervention space. In this episode, Steph talks about the steps she took to navigate her career transition and what she's learned about the career change process that could help other women. If you’re rethinking your career or interested in exploring the early childhood sector, you’ll love this conversation. STEPH’S RECOMMENDATIONS Visit the Early Childhood Australia website: earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au Find out more about Necessity Kids: necessitykids.com.au CONNECT WITH US Interested to make a career change of your own? Sign up to our newsletter or check out our new online courses at whatshedidnext.com.au Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast Facebook: facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast CREDITS Creator, host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Production support: Perk Digital What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you in a career that has an expiry date? And soon, you’ll have to figure out ‘what’s next’ for you? This was the case for Anna-Liza Mopio-Jane, who started out as an athlete in the world of swimming, going all the way to the Beijing Olympics representing Papua New Guinea. But after more than 12 years competing internationally, she retired from the sport in 2015… and has retrained as an accredited counsellor. Now running her own practice in Brisbane, she’s using her new skills to give back to the sporting world and support her fellow athletes. In this episode, Anna-Liza talks about how she made her career change into counselling and her best tips for others who might be thinking about a similar move. She also talks about the other role that’s keeping her busy right now, as a guest presenter on ABC TV’s That Pacific Sports Show. If you’re figuring out your next career move (or a fan of women’s sport!), you’ll love this conversation. CONNECT WITH ANNA-LIZA Visit her website: annalizamopiojane.com Follow her on Instagram: instagram.com/annalizamopiojane Follow her on YouTube: youtube.com/@Anna-LizaMopio-Jane CONNECT WITH US Interested to make a career change of your own? Sign up to our newsletter or check out our new online courses at whatshedidnext.com.au Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast Facebook: facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast CREDITS Creator, host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Production support: Perk Digital What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you fallen out of love with a career that once inspired you? Do you want to feel that spark of excitement in your work life again? This is where Melissa Di Marco found herself after 12 years in the hairdressing industry, but she didn’t know what else she could do. Putting her CV out into the world, she hit a raft of rejections – but she did land a job in a tea shop. Being introduced to the world of tea opened up a whole new interest for her and she has since become a certified tea master and tea blender. Today, Mel is the founder and creative force behind TeaEsk, an award-winning tea brand that prides itself on being ethically made and sustainably packaged. From starting out in her home kitchen, she now has nearly 100 stockists across Australia and a successful online store – and she recently took the big step of opening her first shopfront. In this episode, Mel talks about how she navigated such a big career transition and what it’s taken to make her mark in an industry that was completely new to her. If you're looking for career change tips and business inspiration, you will love this conversation! CONNECT WITH MEL Visit her website: www.teaesk.com.au Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/teaesk CONNECT WITH US Interested to make a career change of your own? Sign up to our newsletter or check out our new online courses at whatshedidnext.com.au Join us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast CREDITS Creator, host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Production support: Perk Digital What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you love the idea of packing up your life to go travelling? Just stepping off the daily treadmill and seeing where it takes you? That’s exactly what Evie Farrell did back in 2016 and her travel buddy was her young daughter, Emmie. As a solo mum, Evie had been struggling to balance her busy corporate career with spending enough time with Emmie and she decided an overseas adventure together was the answer. But what was intended to be a year-long trip away, exploring Asia, has turned into a whole new way of living and working. Gaining a huge following on her Instagram account, Mumpack Travel, a raft of unexpected opportunities came her way. And now Evie runs her own travel company called Mumpack Trips, providing fun and thoughtful travel experiences for women, and for mums and kids, in some of her favourite countries like Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia. In this episode, Evie talks about how she created this life and career of travel for herself – and her best career change tips for other women. If you love to travel or are simply feeling the need for a different kind work life, you will love this conversation. CONNECT WITH EVIE Visit her website: mumpacktravel.com or mumpacktrips.com.au Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/mumpacktravel or www.instagram.com/mumpacktrips CONNECT WITH US Interested to make a career change of your own? Sign up to our newsletter or check out our new online courses at whatshedidnext.com.au Join us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast CREDITS Creator, host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Production support: Perk Digital What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you thinking about making a career change? But you’re not sure ‘what’s next’ for you? Join host Jacqui Ooi for Season 5 of What She Did Next, as she chats with women across Australia who’ve changed up their careers in all sorts of interesting ways – to create more freedom and flexibility, explore their creative interests and do work that feels more meaningful. Whether you want to redesign your career in some way or completely change industries, these stories are for you. We hope you hear something in these conversations that inspires your next move. Season 5 will drop on Wed 2 August, with new episodes released fortnightly. CONNECT WITH US Sign up to our newsletter or check out our new online courses at https://whatshedidnext.com.au/ Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast CREDITS Creator, host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Production support: Perk Digital What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re wrapping up Season Four of What She Did Next with our always popular highlights episode. If you’re new to the show, this is where you can get a little taster of the stories we’ve shared and if you like what you hear, you can scroll back through the feed to find the full episodes. This season, we’ve been chatting to women who’ve made all sorts of inspiring career changes at all different stages of their careers. Some of these women have redesigned their careers in some way – by going freelance or starting a business – while others have completely changed industries. If you’re thinking about making a career change but you’re not quite sure what you want to do next or whether you’re making the right decision, these stories are for you. We’re all about women making brave choices in their careers, so we hope you hear something in these conversations that inspires your next move. For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/ CREDITS Host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Associate producer: Catherine Cavill Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The idea of going back to study when you’re already juggling work and family might seem out of reach... maybe you’re worried that it’s too time consuming or too expensive or just not possible to fit in with your busy schedule. But things have definitely changed on the study front, with the shift to online learning opening up a whole new world of possibilities, and the rise of short courses and more flexible courses making a career change more doable than ever. Kathy Garabelli from Swinburne Online has more than 20 years’ experience in the tertiary education space and been at the forefront of online learning over the past decade. She has tons of great insights to share about the latest career change trends, the most popular courses right now and her best tips for women who might be thinking about returning to study – whether that’s to upskill or reskill to start a whole new career. This episode of What She Did Next is sponsored by Swinburne Online. Learn more about Swinburne Online: https://www.swinburneonline.edu.au/ For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/ CREDITS Host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Associate producer: Catherine Cavill Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jen Webster worked in the IT industry for 30 years, spruiking software for some big tech firms until her first child started school. Needing more flexibility in her work, Jen shifted to a part-time role running her organisation’s corporate social responsibility program… which opened her up to the world of charities. It was a role she loved for many years until suddenly she was faced with redundancy – a daunting prospect in her early 50s, but also paving the way to make a career change and follow her dream of working for a not-for-profit. Jen soon discovered that was easier said than done, but her determination paid off. She’s gone on to work in what she describes as the ‘gritty’ end of the charity sector, in areas like HIV, homelessness and drug and alcohol addiction. Now the Marketing Manager at Odyssey House NSW, Jen has found a great sense of meaning in her work and loves using her marketing skills for good. Inspired by her frontline worker colleagues, she’s also become a qualified social worker and is studying to be a counsellor. In this episode, Jen chats with host Jacqui Ooi about: · Why she loved working in IT and what drew her to the charity space · Going through a redundancy and the rollercoaster of job-searching and interviews · The challenges she faced and overcame in moving to not-for-profits · What she’s learned from working at different charities helping marginalised people · Her best tips and recommendations for aspiring career changers For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/ JEN’S RECOMMENDATIONS Working Wisdom – a Facebook page set up by Jen offering practical tips to help women on the job hunt: https://www.facebook.com/workinginwisdom/ CONNECT WITH JEN Learn more about Odyssey House NSW: https://www.odysseyhouse.com.au/ Follow Jen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennwebster/ CREDITS Host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Associate producer: Catherine Cavill Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melissa Chan has been a career changer throughout her working life, driven by a desire to learn and embrace new experiences. During her 15-year career, she’s done everything from teaching yoga to advising a Prime Minister… and she’s also spent time in both the corporate and creative fields as a management consultant, writer and documentary maker. Melissa is what you might call the ultimate ‘slashie’ – or what these days is often referred to as ‘multi-passionate’ – following her curiosity to explore different interests and talents, and enjoying the journey of self-discovery along the way. Having recently finished up working with Malcolm Turnbull, during and post his political career, and making the documentary series Women’s Work, shining a light on financial issues facing women, Melissa is now getting ready to launch an exciting business venture of her own. In this episode, Melissa chats with host Jacqui Ooi about: · What’s led her to make big career leaps throughout her working life · Her various career chapters from working in PR to working for a PM · What she’s learned from throwing herself into different work environments and industries · The role of confidence, values and identity in her career change journey · Her best tips and recommendations for aspiring career changers For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/ MELISSA’S RECOMMENDATIONS Read: ‘Big Magic’ by Elizabeth Gilbert Inspired by: Her mum, the OG career changer! CONNECT WITH MEL Watch her doco: https://womenswork.org.au/ Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefullestmel/ CREDITS Host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Associate producer: Catherine Cavill Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dervilla McGowan had always loved science, ever since she was a kid. She went on to study microbiology at uni and even completed a PhD. But at the end of her studies, she realised a career in academia wasn’t for her… and instead she wanted to use her scientific skills to make craft gin! Derv and her hubby launched Anther in 2016, an award-winning gin brand that celebrates Australian botanicals and employs mostly women. More recently, they built their own distillery and bar at the historic woollen mills in North Geelong. Derv is now a leader in Australia’s craft distillation industry and is passionate about supporting and empowering more women to join her. In this episode, Derv chats with host Jacqui Ooi about: · What drew her to study science and why she eventually gave it up · How her early days as a bartender in London developed her palate and interest in spirits · The process of making a career change in her 40s and starting a business with no formal training · Why she loves making gin and championing women in the distillation industry · Her best tips and recommendations for aspiring career changers and business owners For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/ DERV’S RECOMMENDATIONS Read, listen or watch: Brené Brown https://brenebrown.com/ Inspired by: Marie Curie Brittany Higgins Grace Tame CONNECT WITH DERV Visit her website: https://www.anther.com.au/ CREDITS Host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Associate producer: Catherine Cavill Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jane Hutcheon was a familiar face on our TV screens for 25 years. During her stellar career at the ABC, she was a foreign correspondent, a news presenter and the host of popular interview show One Plus One. But in 2019, Jane announced her decision to leave the national broadcaster… driven by a sense that life was getting short and there was more she wanted to do. Jane had been doing an annual stocktake in the years leading up to her decision – reflecting on where she was at, what she enjoyed doing and whether she was happy – and this helped her realise it was time to tread a different path, as ‘creator-in-chief’ of her own projects. Jane has since gone on to write and perform her first theatre show called Lost in Shanghai, and she’s released a new book, Rebel Talk, about the art of conversation and finding your voice. In this episode, Jane talks to host Jacqui Ooi about: · Why she was drawn to the magic of TV and what she loved about hosting One Plus One · How she made the difficult decision to leave the ABC after 25 years · Her career identity and the shift from ‘TV Jane’ to working for herself · How she now chooses which opportunities to say yes to and which ones to let go · Her best tips and recommendations for aspiring career changers For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/ JANE’S RECOMMENDATIONS Read: ‘Happiness by Design’ by Paul Dolan Watch: ‘How to make hard choices’ TED Talk by Ruth Chang https://youtu.be/8GQZuzIdeQQ Inspired by: Baroness Jean Corston Dr Deborah Keenahan CONNECT WITH JANE Visit her website: https://janehutcheon.com/ CREDITS Host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Associate producer: Catherine Cavill Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tamara Pitelen had worked in the media industry for 25 years in jobs that took her all over the world, before her growing concern about the climate crisis led to a major career change. The thought had been brewing for a few years as she started to tire of endless magazine deadlines. And looking back, she says, it was also around the time menopause was kicking in – a big transition time for many women. The turning point came when Tamara’s best friend Erin phoned her with an idea to launch their own sustainability consultancy… and as the COVID pandemic sent the world into lockdown and everyone turned to Zoom, Tamara took the opportunity to throw herself into online study. Tamara and Erin have since gone on to launch Greener Matters, a consultancy that helps businesses get started on their sustainability journey and takes them through the B Corp certification process. In this episode, Tamara talks to host Jacqui Ooi about: · Getting her start as a print journalist and working in different countries around the world · The key steps she took to retrain as a sustainability consultant · What it took to build a consultancy from scratch during a global pandemic · How she managed the financial transition and her own self-doubt · Her best tips and recommendations for aspiring career changers For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/ TAMARA’S TIPS Study: Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) Al Gore’s Climate Reality Leadership Corps Read: ‘The Art of Happiness’ by The Dalai Lama ‘Your One Wild, Precious Life’ by Dr Maureen Gaffney Watch: ‘Changing Your Life Is Easy with Marisa Peer’ on gaia.com ‘RuPaul's Drag Race’ on multiple streaming networks Inspired by: Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop Cindy Gallop, founder of MakeLoveNotPorn CONNECT WITH TAMARA Visit her website: https://www.greenermatters.com/ CREDITS Host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Associate producer: Catherine Cavill Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chamani Weerasekera always wanted to help people, so choosing a career as a pharmacist working in hospitals made a lot of sense. But a few years into her career, she realised she wanted something more… and in true ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ style, she headed overseas to see what else was out there for her. For the next three years Chamani worked as a tour guide in Southeast Asia, loving the travel and adventure but seeing poverty all around her every day. Inspired by the work of local charities, an idea started brewing to combine her love of fashion – which had always been there as a hobby – with empowering marginalised women here in Australia and overseas. She’s since launched her namesake conscious-luxury fashion label, Chamani, partnering with artisans and non-profit organisations to create unique, custom fabrics and slow-made, sustainable designs. Debuting her first collection at the Brisbane Fashion Festival, she’s now juggling her new career as a fashion designer and social entrepreneur, while continuing to “daylight” as a pharmacist as the business grows. In this episode Chamani chats with host Jacqui Ooi about: · Why she initially chose a more stable career over her creative interests · How she set up a purpose-driven fashion label with no formal training or business background · What she’s learned about working ethically and sustainably, and the power of persistence in overcoming startup challenges · Navigating the dual identity of being a pharmacist and fashion designer · Her best tips and recommendations for aspiring career changers and startup founders For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/ CHAMANI'S RECOMMENDATIONS Podcasts: Lady Startup Stories Lady-Brains Books: ‘Chapter One: You Have the Power to Change Stuff’ by Daniel Flynn (co-founder of Thankyou) ‘Shoe Dog’ by Phil Knight (founder of Nike) Insta follows: Clare Press @mrspress Erika Cramer @thequeenofconfidence Mia Freedman @miafreedman Rachel Bajada @madamerach Orsola de Castro @orsoladecastro Deni Todorovic @stylebydeni CONNECT WITH CHAMANI Visit her website: https://www.chamani.com.au/ CREDITS Creator, host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Associate producer: Catherine Cavill Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma McMillan loved many things about her job as a high school teacher but 12 years into her career, she was burnt out. As head of the drama and dance department, the additional night-time and weekend rehearsals on top of a heavy day-to-day workload had simply become unmanageable. When she fell pregnant with her son, a year of mat leave was the perfect opportunity to explore what else might be out there for her… and when she couldn’t find a job that she wanted, she decided to create it herself. Dreaming of a more flexible work life, Emma enrolled in some short courses to learn about copywriting and starting a business, before deciding to make the leap to work for herself. Six years on, she’s built a successful business as a freelance copywriter and copywriting coach, helping people become more skilled and confident writers. In this episode, Emma chats with host Jacqui Ooi about: · How she knew teaching wasn’t her ‘forever’ career · The steps she took to make her career change · How she financially planned for the change and got her business off the ground · Navigating the identity shift that can come with making a career change · Her best tips and recommendations for aspiring career changers and business owners For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/ LINKS Australian Writers’ Centre – Copywriting Essentials course: https://www.writerscentre.com.au/store/courses/copywriting-essentials/ She Mentors: https://www.shementors.com.au Emma’s book recommendations: ‘Passion Purpose Profit: Sidestep the #hustle and build a business you love’ by Fiona Killackey ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear CONNECT WITH EMMA Visit her website: https://www.emmamcmillancopy.com/ CREDITS Creator, host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Associate producer: Catherine Cavill Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you at a career crossroads and thinking about what’s next for you? Join host Jacqui Ooi for Season 4 of What She Did Next, as she chats with women across Australia who’ve successfully made career changes 10, 20, even 30 years into their careers. We’ll find out why they did it, how they did it and their best tips to help other women. Whether you’re looking to make a total career switch or to redesign your career in some way, these fun and engaging conversations will provide insights and inspiration to help you along that journey. Tune in on 6 April for a brand-new season. For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up for our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/ CREDITS Creator, host and producer: Jacqui Ooi Associate producer: Catherine Cavill Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.