After reflecting on the remarkable sessions at the Business Chicks Movers and Breakers Conference 2024, I’m still buzzing with excitement. Each speaker brought something unique to the stage, but collectively, they created a journey filled with laughter, introspection, and bold ideas.
Here are the highlights and key takeaways from the standout sessions that left me inspired and ready to embrace transformation.
Jackie Furey: Confidence, courage, and knowing your line
Psychotherapist, speaker and executive coach, Jackie Furey, is the director of Bedrooms to Boardrooms, a company that specialises in assisting people in bringing out the best in themselves and the people around them in love, life and work. Her session had the audience (and me!) in stitches – just like the first time I heard her speak over a decade ago. Beyond the humour, Jackie’s message was deeply empowering. Her focus was on being unapologetically yourself and having the courage to stand firm in your values.
She framed it simply: This is who I am, this is what I want, this is what I’ll give, and this is what I’ll take. This mantra is a reminder to be confident in our strengths, competent in our boundaries, and courageous in upholding them.
Jackie also explored the idea of intuitive intelligence, which is the concept of knowing and trusting yourself at a deeper level. One of the most profound moments for me was her reflection on the lineage of women before us, reminding us we are the result of generations of strength and wisdom. You are another mother’s story, she said, grounding us in the idea that we carry both the grief and grace of those who came before. Her wisdom reminded us that our journey is shaped by generations of resilience, but to become our ultimate self, we must overcome some of those stories to realise our full potential.
What I admire most about Jackie is her incredible mind, her ability to articulate these concepts and frameworks in a digestible manner, and her authenticity that shines through in everything she does.
Dr Mark Bonchek: From caterpillar to butterfly
Next on the Movers and Breakers docket, we heard from Dr. Mark Bonchek, the founder and CEO (Chief Epiphany Officer – clever!) of Shift Thinking, a company that helps leaders and organisations adopt a new mindset for growth and change. Dr. Mark Bonchek’s talk on transformational change was equally captivating, taking us on a journey through exponential growth and personal metamorphosis. He started by distinguishing between incremental growth — the small, necessary steps — and the space we need to create for exponential change, where the magic happens.
Mark’s model of metamorphosis painted a powerful metaphor: we are all caterpillars seeking transformation into butterflies. But what truly resonated was his description of the soup — the uncomfortable middle stage of change where we are neither caterpillar nor butterfly. This is where we must learn to embrace discomfort and trust the process of transformation.
His breakdown of the stages was equally inspiring and practical:
- Skin (Identity): Shedding our old identity.
- Shell (Safety): Creating a safe environment for transformation, emotionally, financially, and reputationally.
- Seeds (Capability): Cultivating latent skills, relationships, and mindsets.
- Soup (Transform): The in-between phase in which patience and discomfort lead to growth.
- Soar (Freedom): Learning to use our wings and take flight but understanding that vulnerability is highest when we begin to soar.
Mark left us with a profound thought: when we align with our true purpose and embrace change, the universe shows up to support us. Transformation is not just about doing more, but about being more, which includes living in alignment with the journey we are meant to take.
Steve Hui: Unlocking the secrets of business-class travel
Finally, we heard from Steve Hui, founder of iFlyFlat, a company that helps business owners and individuals fly Business class on points and wave goodbye to Economy forever. He took a practical yet game-changing approach with his session on credit card points and business-class travel. For those of us who’ve wondered how people seem to fly in luxury without breaking the bank, Steve broke down the strategy.
The key is leveraging the right credit cards to accumulate points and paying for everything through systems like Pay.com.au to ensure you’re earning points on all transactions — even from providers who don’t typically accept credit cards. It’s a lesson in being savvy with finances while ensuring every dollar spent works towards creating more value.
Embracing the journey of becoming
These sessions at Movers and Breakers left me reflecting on both personal and professional transformation. With Jackie’s message of courage and authenticity, Mark’s deep dive into the stages of metamorphosis and Steve’s practical tips on maximising business travel, the common thread was clear: the power lies in the journey of becoming — not just doing.
Whether we’re building a business, transforming ourselves, or simply navigating life, the lessons shared at Movers and Breakers remind us that change is the only constant.
So, here’s to embracing discomfort, shedding old skin, and soaring into new possibilities.
