Emma Sharley and I are sitting in the cafe of Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art. It is a place she comes to regularly to change the pattern of her thinking; to disconnect from her phone and the everyday hustle of her consulting business; and to connect with the work of an artist she probably doesn’t know too much about.

Through putting herself in situations like this that get her thinking differently, Emma is able to let the inspiration it brings impact the work she is doing. It nurtures the creative juices and brings her closer to her flow state. Something that is so important to what she brings to the table for all her clients.

Almost two years ago now Emma started her own brand and marketing consulting business, after working for the previous six years in a corporate role at Westfield. Making the change without really knowing where the gap in the market was, she spent three months hustling, coffee-ing, and planning, and came up with the formula and niche for her new business.

Realising that the middle and smaller tiers of retail clients were getting left behind in their marketing and customer experience expertise, and matching this with her love of working hand in hand with business stakeholders and decisions makers, Emma launched her business with the specific purpose of providing resources and strategic advice to these types of clients.

Now also working with property, lifestyle and tech clients, Emma quickly learnt the importance of being fearless, persistent, and consistent; of backing herself and trusting her gut; and of being clear on her purpose and the types of businesses she wanted to work with.

Other things we talk about and mentioned in this conversation include:
– understand and creating routines and structures around times when individual flow is optimal
– joining groups like a cowering spaces, or the League of Extraordinary Women, for support, accountability, mentoring and collaboration
– living and working across different cities
– Adam Grant’s book Give and Take

Emma has a great personality and down-to-earth way of talking about her process of moving from a corporate role to her own business. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation.

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