In this inspiring episode of That's Audacious, host Lauren Clemett sits down with Kylie King, the visionary founder of the Australian Ladies in Business Initiative and the driving force behind the Alibi Awards. Kylie shares her deeply personal journey from corporate burnout to building a thriving, supportive community for women entrepreneurs across Australia, a testament to the power of authentic connection and self-belief.
Kylie's path began after a significant period of corporate senior management, which, combined with the demands of new motherhood, led to burnout. This pivotal experience ignited her realisation of a profound need for genuine support and community among women in business. What started as a coaching business quickly evolved into a mindset-focused endeavour, ultimately blossoming into the Australian Ladies in Business Initiative. This community grew organically, filling a crucial void felt by many women navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.
The Power of Community and Battling the "Perfect" Barrier
The Australian Ladies in Business Initiative welcomes all women in Australia, from seasoned business owners to aspiring entrepreneurs. Kylie highlights that this community thrives on celebrating both successes and the challenges of business ownership, fostering a supportive environment where women can openly share their experiences. She underscores the unique pressures women often face, influenced by societal expectations and a tendency to prioritise others, which can inadvertently sideline their own business growth.
A significant barrier Kylie identifies is the pervasive pressure women feel to be "perfect" before taking action. This notion, often amplified by social media's curated realities, feeds into imposter syndrome and a fear of judgment, preventing many from confidently putting themselves and their businesses forward.
The Alibi Awards: A Community-Led Celebration of Authenticity
Inspired by her own experiences with awards and a desire to address community concerns about integrity, Kylie took on the audacious challenge of creating her own awards program. The Alibi Awards were born as a truly community-led initiative, with categories and even their names chosen by the members of the Australian Ladies in Business community. Kylie advises anyone considering entering awards to exercise discernment and thoroughly review terms and conditions to ensure genuine recognition.
The Alibi Awards are designed for members of the free Australian Ladies in Business Initiative community who hold an ABN. The submission process is crafted for authenticity, featuring a written application (around 10 questions) and a unique five-minute video submission. Kylie emphasises that the video component is crucial for allowing entrants to share their story and passion authentically, effectively combating the rise of AI-generated entries.
Transparency and support are central to the Alibi Awards' judging process. Finalists receive personal notification, and all participants receive written feedback from three judges. This invaluable feedback, developed by a committee of entrepreneurs and business academics, aims to help businesses refine their strategies and improve future award entries.
Tips for Audacious Award Entries
Kylie offers practical advice for potential Alibi Awards entrants:
With 24 categories and an entry cost of $99 (including GST), the Alibi Awards offer a diverse range of opportunities. Nominations close on August 4th, with written submissions accepted until August 11th, culminating in an awards night on October 17th in Penrith. Kylie reinforces the importance of aligning with the Australian Ladies in Business community's values, noting that the very act of entering awards can help overcome imposter syndrome.
Reflecting on her own path, Kylie's advice to her past self during a difficult time is simple yet profound: "just take one step forward."
For those seeking to elevate their business success, she encourages actively choosing change and confidently standing up for their business to gain recognition and support within their community.
Ready to step forward and celebrate your business journey?
Discover the supportive community and empowering opportunities offered by the Australian Ladies in Business Initiative and the Alibi Awards.
The Alibi Awards: https://alibiawards.com.au/
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/AustralianLadiesinBusinessInitiative/
