Celebrating Wins and Navigating Through Challenges: A Transformational Journey

Earlier this week , we held the 7th YTM Insight Awards. We have only missed one, since 2016 and I am sure you can guess why that was!

This year the topic was WHY NOT! and I saw it as an opportunity to encourage our community and guests to reflect on those "why not" moments in our lives – those pivotal moments that have influenced the paths we've taken and shaped who we are today.

In the months prior, while finalising the event plans and promoting the dinner, I too was inspired to think about my own journey and life and came up with SOOOOO many WHY NOT! moments. If missed this event, I encourage you to delve deep into your memories and in the comments, share times when you said to yourself, "Why not?" and took a leap of faith.

When we can share these moments in conversation, we are helping others recognise that they can also explore, excite and expand their own horizons and they are not alone. We all face and manage challenges in various ways. , they just come disguised in different forms and sizes, but they all matter in our development. as humans, who can contribute to others.

Often, we are not fully aware of the implications or realize the possibilities that can unfold until we take that first step. It's like connecting the dots, as Steve Jobs once said, its only when we looking back, we see how all those "why not" moments have led us to where we are now.

Do I have a market ?

I probably started my own business journey embroidering baby blankets.

Back in 1989, with my baby daughter in her pram, I sat having a coffee at the Mooroduc Cool Stores, outside a beautiful babywear shop. I looked at the blanket covering my daughter, that I had made, months before, and wondered whether there was a market to sell such things.

I drew up the confidence to go inside and speak to the owner, and found, that YES, they would take them on consignment at a price. However, on reflection, it was not viable. It took hours and hours to create just one blanket, and the shop would make all the profit. So WHY NOT apply to craft markets and become a stallholder!

It might seem like a simple decision, but it took me to various craft markets, over the next 18 months or so and to keep the story short, another "why not" moment led me to take that leap, and start my own market at The Brighton Town Hall it has been a crucial part of my journey. I learnt so much from those experience, while .further adding to my skills -marketing, negotiation, customer service, pricing, community building and more.

Finding purpose

Fast forward to 2010. I had an aging mother, was working part time, wanting some financial independence, stimulation and to find purpose in my life. I knew I had skills that were transferable. So it was another WHY NOT moment to register the business name , Your Time Matters , and set to work .

In 2013, having attended many, many networking events and always keen to learn, I grappled with the idea of running my own events to educate myself and others on how to run a business and all the complexities. After all, technical knowledge is just not enough.

I said to myself:

“WHY NOT…what’s stopping you? You don’t have to do this forever, and you do not want any regrets!”

“Networking with a Twist” was established.

Foster curiosity, growth, and support

Over the years, YTM has become a community that fosters curiosity, growth, and support among business owners and has been the reason to keep stepping out of my comfort zone to continue to explore, excite and evolve.

If you think about it, every decision we make, every "why not" moment, shapes our ability to critically assess situations and make informed decisions. We might not realize their importance at the time, but all these experiences expand our skills and contribute to our personal and professional growth.

What I've learned from all these "why not" moments is that taking a chance and trying something new is better than always wondering "what if." Every "why not" moment has brought me closer to where I am today, and I'm grateful for each of those experiences.

The four competitors at the YTM Insight Awards, shared their own journeys and there is no doubt in my mind that relationships were strengthened from the honest conversations and moments shared.

All speakers demonstrated the need for a supportive network, a growth mindset the ability to take risks, and to embrace the unknown.

I invite you to try out the YTM Business Community if you seek to push yourself, be surrounded by people who care and where access to knowledge is a key driver to help you make informed decisions and allow you to embrace every opportunity that comes your way, for you never know where it might lead you.

Many questioned our parenting, as he set to South Africa on a Gap year at the age of 18.but we , while not totally comfortable took on board this quote and thought WHY NOT! because-

"If you don't let go of the shore, you'll never know what lies beyond the horizon."

 Post script:

Our four speakers were inspiring and nominated their own charity/cause to which the YTM Ripple fund will donate too on behalf of our community that continues to influence change.

Congratulations to our Winner- Anna Osherov

Nominated charity/cause- Fitted for Work- YTM Ripple S500-

Peoples Choice Award Winner- Sue Glasser

Nominated Charity/cause- National Canver Council YTM Ripple $250-

And our runners, up- Saulo Canny and Ben Gray

Nominated Charity/cause- Fitted for Work - YTM Ripple $100- 

Nominated charity/cause - Autism Spectrum - YTM ripple $100-

Thank you also to Simon James Photography for the momentos of the night! So many wonderful conversations and connections come to fruition from these occasions. WHY NOT! join us.

 Hello, I am Kerryn Powell, The Network Catalyst and founder of Your Time Matters and podcast host of Conversations and connections to amplify and inspire. and am a connection strategist, conversation starter and network catalyst who thrives on building communities and creating the right connections for those seeking strategic allies to make a positive impact through connection, contribution and community.

I draw on my diverse career portfolio, experience, skills and knowledge to encourage, support and empower business owners, professionals, teams and individuals to create true connection through authentic conversations that build real relationships, boost confidence and generate business and opportunities.

Since 2013, I have provided opportunity for more than 3000 business owners to engage in real life and online events through her business, Your Time Matters. BOOK a discovery call TODAY, and let’s have a conversation to see how I can help you find , start or improve your business networking,

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