I Made a Thing

Claire Robinson never imagined she would be so focused each day on bridging generational divides. But it’s hard to imagine a more perfect fit. Although Claire started out working in Public Relations, her CV grew to include additions from tech giants Google and EA Games. Claire was also passionate about volunteering in South Africa and later Australia. But ultimately, it would be COVID that was the turning point for Claire and the start of Basic Tech. This education-based business focuses on empowering the senior demographic with the tech knowledge they need to be confident and independent in our digital world.

“Overcoming mental blocks about your abilities, even when you have your own business can be particularly difficult. You've got to keep reminding yourself that you are running your own race and constantly reflect back on how far you've come.” Claire Robinson of Basic Tech

What we chat about

• Running your own race and dealing with imposter syndrome in the male-dominated tech space
• The importance and power of networking as a business founder
• Balancing altruistic passions with a profitable business
• Working with a mix of one-on-one and group clients
• Organising and raising money to start a business including utilising grants
• The crucial act of making time for yourself to have fun when you’re a busy founder

“I know that volunteering will always take precedence over money for me. So it's not always easy to find the balance again.” Claire Robinson of Basic Tech

More from Claire Robinson of Basic Tech

https://www.basictech.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/BasicTech4U
https://www.linkedin.com/company/basictech4seniors

More from Host Sophia

https://linktr.ee/sophiamartine_strategist

Help like-minded people find us

Loving the I Made a Thing Podcast? Make sure you rate or review, follow on your podcast app and Instagram @imadeathingpodcast

‍Connect with the IMAT community

How did your path to business take an unexpected turn? Do you want to incorporate giving back to the community as part of your business model? Let us know over on the IMAT Instagram feed.

‍

Speak soon,

Sophia

Whitney the brave

Whitney Hartmann has a niche in the beauty industry; natural brow restoration. But before specialisation, Whitney had a dream that she thought would bring her happiness, money and maybe even fame. But it wasn’t until she nearly ‘made it’ that she realised what she thought she wanted wasn’t the right fit.

“I wanted to be this successful makeup artist. I wanted to do editorial runway. I had that image, that's what I want. Once I was actually doing all the things that I thought I wanted to do, I didn't feel content and I couldn't figure out why.” Whitney Hartmann

What we chat about

• Pursuing a childhood dream (and then deciding to let it go)
• Working in a big, fast-paced city
• Going against your industry norms and completing overseas study
• Sticking to business decisions, even if means turning down Amy Shark
• Our bodies health limits (even in our twenties)

“When you're living in the city, you're very much caught up in the rat race and you're climbing the ladder no matter what industry you're in because that's the energy in a big city. If you don't take those opportunities, someone else's waiting in the wings to take those. So if you really want to be successful down there, you've got to be open and available to all of the things that you want.” Whitney Hartmann.

More from Whitney Hartmann

Instagram

Facebook

More from Host Sophia

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

Help like-minded people find us

If you love what you’re hearing on i made a thing podcast, please subscribe and take a moment to leave a rating on Apple Podcasts.

Connect with the IMAT community

Have you bucked trends in your industry? How did it turn out? Let us know on the IMAT Instagram feed.

Speak soon,

Sophia

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

5: It takes a village with stylist Kerrie, Part 2

Kerrie Carucci, a leading Australian stylist, is back on the IMAT podcast sharing style and business wisdom. Based in Brisbane, Kerrie gives us a glimpse into the day in the life of a personal and editorial fashion stylist. Missed part 1? Go back and listen before diving into this episode.

In part 2, Kerrie provides detailed insights (with no sugar coating) into the realities of starting and running a styling business. Kerrie explains how fundamental her support network, both professional and personal, has been in business.

Kerrie discusses why it was so important to reframe what success is for her life and business. And we go deep on practical methods for managing the sometimes toxic but unavoidable comparison trap for small business owners using social media.

“I'm under the firm belief, you can either do fewer things to an absolute, incredible level, or you do a lot of things that are just going to be okay” Kerrie Carucci

What we chat about

• How a corporate career offers transferrable skills into a creative business
• Kerrie’s ‘pricing mirror method’ and how to use this same behaviour test for stying choices
• The comparison trap as a creative in the fashion industry and practical tips to manage it
• The role of support and business mentors for Kerrie
• How Kerrie chooses to measure success
• Kerrie’s journey to developing a decision-making and leadership style

“If you are listening to this and you're thinking about making the shift, there's no reason to tell you that it's all going to be rosy 100% of the time, it's really not. You're going to have face-down moments, and you're going to question why am I even doing this? Is this really something that I am purposely driven by? Am I passionate about it? Is this worth it?” Kerrie Carucci

More from Kerrie

Website

Instagram

TikTok

More from Host Sophia

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

Help like-minded people find us

Loving the I Made a Thing Podcast? Make sure you rate or review, follow on your podcast app and Instagram @imadeathingpodcast

Connect with the IMAT community

Do you suffer from the comparison trap? Are you thinking about making the leap from a corporate career to a creative business?
Let us know over on the IMAT Instagram feed.

Speak soon,

Sophia

Join Sophia Colquhoun and Rachel Kurzyp as they talk about that time they started a business and didn’t know what to do next. Topics discussed in this intro minisode: - How we met and our biz love story (Rachel gets a little emotional :P) - How we fell face first into our business - Why we started the i made a thing podcast - Who we are and what we do outside of the pod BONUS: Hilarious bloopers just in case you thought we were total professionals ALL. THE. TIME. Help like-minded people find us If you love what you’re hearing on i made a thing pod, please take just a few seconds to leave a rating and / or comment. Thanks so much! Check us out www.imadeathingpodcast.com

Do you need passion to be successful in business? How do you find your purpose? Is this whole passion and purpose talk all just a fad? Topics discussed in this episode: - How do you define your purpose? Does passion play a role? And what's the difference - Why are we seeing a rise in “passion and purpose” driven businesses? Is this a fad? - What is passion burnout? How can passion burnout occur? - What should you do when you don’t know your purpose? - Is it OK to build a business or have a career that isn’t based on your passion and purpose? - What are ways to determine your purpose? How do you use your purpose as a framework for your business? Help like-minded people find us If you love what you’re hearing on i made a thing pod, please take just a few seconds to leave a rating and / or comment. Thanks so much! Check us out www.imadeathingpodcast.com