Meet our new member, the inspiring & successful Jyotsna Mishra. 

Jyotsna Mishra is a Sydney-based landscape architect, designer, and creative entrepreneur with a passion for blending culture, design, and storytelling. With a background in architecture and landscape architecture ,she has built a career at the intersection of design innovation, placemaking, and digital workflows in the built environment. She has contributed to conversations around BIM and landscape design through industry platforms including  Landscape Australia.  

Alongside her professional design career, Jyotsna is the founder of  Kahaani Sydney; a handcrafted Indian décor and lifestyle brand inspired by heritage, craftsmanship, and meaningful living. Through Kahaani Sydney, she brings together timeless Indian artistry with contemporary aesthetics, curating soulful pieces that celebrate culture, storytelling, and the beauty of handmade design.

Her work is driven by a deep appreciation for thoughtful spaces, artistic detail, and creating experiences that feel authentic, warm, and deeply personal.

Kahaani Sydney is a handcrafted Indian décor and lifestyle brand that celebrates the richness of Indian artisan heritage through timeless, soulful design. Rooted in storytelling and craftsmanship, Kahaani Sydney aims to bring meaningful pieces into modern homes while supporting traditional artisans and preserving handmade techniques passed down through generations.

“Our vision is to create a bridge between culture and contemporary living by offering thoughtfully curated décor, textiles, and lifestyle products that carry warmth, authenticity, and individuality. Every product reflects a story; of skilled hands, cultural traditions, and the beauty of slow, intentional craftsmanship.

At Kahaani Sydney, we believe homes should feel personal and inspiring. Through carefully designed collections, we strive to help people create spaces that are elegant, comforting, and deeply connected to heritage. Alongside promoting sustainable and ethical production, we are passionate about empowering artisans and giving handmade creations a place in modern Australian living.

More than a brand, Kahaani Sydney is a celebration of culture, creativity, and human connection, bringing stories from India into homes across Australia in a modern and meaningful way.” Jyotsna says. 

We recently enjoyed interviewing her. 

Q. You work across two very different worlds; architectural design innovation with BIM and digital workflows, and handcrafted, heritage-rooted décor at Kahaani Sydney. How does your landscape architecture background actually shape the way you curate and design Kahaani’s collections?

A. My landscape architecture background has shaped Kahaani more deeply than one might initially expect.

As a landscape architect, I’ve always been interested in how people experience a space; not just how it looks, but how it feels, how people move through it, what they notice and, ultimately, what makes a place feel like it belongs to them. That philosophy naturally carries into the way I curate Kahaani.

I don’t look at a piece simply as an object. I think about its relationship with the space around it; its scale, proportion, texture, materiality, colour and even the way light interacts with it. I’m always asking myself: where does this piece belong, and what feeling can it create within a space?

There is also a beautiful contrast between my work with BIM and digital workflows and the handmade world of Kahaani. BIM is about precision, systems and efficiency, while traditional craftsmanship celebrates the human hand, time and the subtle imperfections that make each piece unique.

I don’t see those worlds as contradictory. For me, they represent two different expressions of thoughtful design.

For me, Kahaani is where my understanding of space meets my emotional connection to material, craft and heritage.

Q. Kahaani Sydney’s story is built around “the beauty of slow, intentional craftsmanship”. What was the moment or realisation that pushed you to build a brand around preserving these traditional artisan techniques rather than staying solely in your design career?

A. I think the realisation came from understanding how easily heritage can become something we admire from a distance rather than something we continue to live with.

Coming from India and working in design and BIM management in Australia with my husband through wkndBIM, I found myself constantly moving between two worlds. We were managing interior and BIM projects and importing large-scale elements such as tubs, sinks and tabletops from India for hospitality and high-end residential projects. But when it came to designing our own apartment, we were working with a very limited budget and suddenly found ourselves looking for smaller, more intimate pieces that could still carry meaning.

That experience changed something for us. We realised we weren’t simply trying to furnish an apartment; we were trying to recreate a feeling of home; something intangible, emotional and deeply connected to memory and belonging. Being far from home made that feeling even more important.

Yet we struggled to find objects that felt intentional, rooted and accessible at the same time. As designers, we also found it difficult to simply choose something off the shelf unless it genuinely resonated with us.

That made us wonder how many other people might be in a similar position — people who love Indian craft and storytelling, who want to bring some of that into their homes, but may not have large budgets or may simply enjoy curating their spaces with care and intention.

That gap led us to formally start Kahaani Sydney about a year ago as a B2C extension of our design practice. We wanted it to sit alongside wkndBIM, but speak in a more personal voice; one that could become part of people’s everyday lives and homes.

For us, it was never about preserving craft as something static or distant. It was about allowing it to continue living; giving traditional craftsmanship a place in contemporary homes, new contexts and new stories.

Because when a handcrafted piece finds a place in someone’s home, its story doesn’t end with the artisan who made it. In a way, a new chapter begins.

Q. You talk about creating spaces that feel “authentic, warm, and deeply personal”. Can you walk us through how you translate an artisan’s story in India into a piece that resonates with a home in Australia?

A. For me, it is about translation rather than transplantation.

I don’t want someone to bring a Kahaani piece into their home and feel that they have simply imported an Indian object. I want it to feel completely at home in an Australian space while still retaining the story, craftsmanship and cultural identity of where it came from.

I begin with the craft itself; the material, the technique, the history, the colours and the hands behind it. From there, I think about context. How will it sit within a contemporary Australian home? What will surround it? How will the light interact with it? Does it become a focal point, or does it quietly introduce texture, warmth and character?

That is where my design background becomes important. I naturally think about proportion, materiality and the relationship between an object and its surroundings.

Our collections explore traditional techniques such as marble inlay, hand-painted marble, meenakari, handwoven and embroidered textiles and block printing, but we curate them with contemporary living in mind.

Ultimately, I want each piece to start a conversation. Someone might initially be drawn to a marble inlay piece simply because it is beautiful. Then they discover how it was made, where it came from and the craftsmanship behind it.

That is when it becomes more than décor. It becomes a story that has travelled from one culture and found a new chapter in another.

Q. Balancing a professional design career with founding and running a heritage brand is a lot. What does supporting your artisan partners in India actually look like day-to-day, and what has been the hardest part of building that bridge between two cultures?

A. For me, supporting our artisan partners begins with relationships rather than transactions.

For our marble products, we work closely with artisans and family-run businesses in Jaipur. For our handwoven and embroidered fabrics from Kolkata, we work with families I have known for some time. That familiarity and trust is important because Kahaani is built around relationships, not simply sourcing products.

A lot of the creative work happens between our sourcing trips. At the moment, we travel to India twice a year, so throughout the year I’m developing ideas, refining designs and finalising dimensions so that when we are there, we can sit with the artisans and turn those ideas into samples specifically for Kahaani.

Embroidery is an even more collaborative process because of the time and skill involved. I might develop a design here in Sydney, share it over WhatsApp and then have a video call to explain what I’m envisioning. We select the fabric, discuss the details, and then the crafting hands take over and bring the design to life.

Something particularly important to us is making sure our artisans don’t carry the commercial risk of a young business. When we commission work, we pay for that work regardless of when the finished piece sells. We are still growing ourselves, but we want the people we work with to be able to grow alongside us.

The biggest challenge has been finding the balance between staying true to the craft and allowing it to feel relevant to contemporary Australian life. I never want to dilute the craftsmanship simply to make something easier to sell. At the same time, I don’t believe heritage should remain frozen in time.

For me, keeping heritage alive means giving it a sustainable reason to continue; allowing traditional skills to find new homes, new audiences and new stories.

That is the bridge Kahaani is trying to build between India and Australia.

Feel free to connect with her: 

https://www.instagram.com/kahaani.sydney

There is a particular kind of energy that shows up when someone is finally doing the thing they were meant to do. You can feel it before they even say a word and that’s exactly the energy Lence Naumovski is bringing right now.

The Shift That’s Turning Heads

Lence’s move from the corporate world into entrepreneurship isn’t just a career change, it’s a visible transformation, and people are noticing. There is real momentum building, the kind that comes from showing up consistently and letting the results speak for themselves.

“What’s been working,” Lence shares, “is that as people see me making the transition and sharing what I’m doing, it’s naturally attracting interest and opening up more conversations about the business opportunity.”

That’s the quiet power of authenticity in action. No hard pitch, no forced narrative; just someone walking a real path, out loud, and letting curiosity do the rest.

Curiosity as a Currency

As a wellness coach who also helps people build their own businesses, Lence understands something a lot of entrepreneurs miss: people don’t connect with polish, they connect with process. And that’s exactly what’s happening.

“I’m finding people are becoming curious about what I’m doing and asking questions,” Lence explains, “which is creating some really good conversations and potential connections.”

Those conversations are where the real magic lives; not in a sales script, but in genuine curiosity meeting genuine transformation. Every question is an invitation and Lence is answering them one authentic exchange at a time.

Wellness Meets Business, By Design

What makes Lence’s approach stand out is the integration; she is not just coaching people on mindset or wellbeing, and she is not just teaching business tactics. She is showing what’s possible when the two come together: a life and a business built on the same foundation of intentional growth.

Her own journey is the proof of concept. The momentum isn’t manufactured; it’s  earned, one honest conversation at a time.

Feel free to connect with Lence:

Email: lencenaumovski@bigpond.com

Mobile: 0419 714 184

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lencenaumovski

The Evolution of the Secure Woman: Words Are Easy. Consistency Is Everything.

By Jacqueline Koloski 

(https://www.connectingwithjacqueline.com)

 The secure woman knows words are easy. She has heard them many times before, but what she waits for now is consistency. It can be easy to fall for grand gestures, declarations of love, conversations about forever and promises to change. These things can make you feel special, loved and chosen. They can sweep you off your feet and leave you believing you have found someone you can create a solid life with.

 Grand gestures and empty promises do not create emotional safety, because words alone are easy. Emotional safety is built through consistency. It is found in the everyday moments, the regulated responses and the steady behaviour that calm our nervous system and allow us to trust.

 This is where her discernment begins to sharpen. She stops listening for the version of love someone can describe and starts noticing the version of love they can sustain. She no longer asks only, do they want me? She begins asking, can they meet me with steadiness, honesty and emotional responsibility when things are not easy?

 What behaviour is being shown, this will always tell you what is really going on. Are the words and behaviour congruent or are they two different things all together? Listen to the words and watch the behaviour. When they are irritated, do they communicate or withdraw? When they are triggered, do they repair or let distance grow? When they feel insecure, do they seek reassurance directly or create tension as a way of control? This is the truth, not the words that are used to create connection. Anyone can say the right thing, make promises and create closeness when the mood is high and the stakes are low.

 The secure woman has evolved past being impressed by intensity. She pays attention to patterns and watches for follow‑through. She notices whether someone’s behaviour aligns with their declarations. She knows that trust is not rebuilt through passion, apologies or poetic words but through repetition of behaviour. It’s seen through the small, steady actions that show emotional maturity. It’s seen through the moments where someone chooses repair over pride. It’s seen through the times they stay present instead of disappearing into their wounds.

 The secure woman no longer confuses chemistry with compatibility or intensity with intimacy. She understands that consistency is the real love language, the one that does not need to be spoken because it is lived. It is seen in the alignment between words and behaviour.

 Here are a few reflective questions to ask yourself as you continue evolving into the secure woman you truly are:

• Where have you believed words over patterns?
• What behaviours do you now recognise as emotional inconsistency?
• How do you respond when someone’s actions don’t match their declarations?
• What does emotional safety look like for you in the small, everyday moments?
• Where have you mistaken intensity for genuine connection?
• What becomes clear when you observe someone instead of interpreting them?

This evolution is not only about seeing others more clearly, but also about trusting herself more deeply. The secure woman learns to honour the discomfort that rises when words and behaviour do not match. She no longer talks herself out of what she knows. She no longer abandons her intuition just to keep a connection alive. Her peace becomes more important than potential.

 The evolution of the secure woman is reflected in her shift from being moved by promises to being grounded in patterns. She no longer waits for potential to bloom or for words to become actions. Instead, she watches how someone shows up when it is inconvenient, uncomfortable or unfiltered. In this clarity, she discovers a deeper truth: real love is not loud, it is consistent. It is steady and it is lived. The person who is meant for her will not need grand gestures to prove it; their everyday presence will speak for itsel

The Evolution of The Secure Woman: The Power of Clear Boundaries

By Jacqueline Koloski

(https://www.connectingwithjacqueline.com)

 A secure woman eventually reaches the point where she no longer negotiates her nonnegotiables. Not dramatically, not angrily and not as a threat. She states her needs with clarity: “This is what I require.” “This is what respect looks like to me.”

 Speaking your truth from a grounded place changes everything. When you are genuinely prepared to make the changes, you know are needed, not to manipulate orprovoke fear, but because you value yourself, your energy shifts. You are no longer trying to earn love. You are choosing to honour yourself.

 You stop performing emotional gymnastics. You stop overexplaining. You stop shrinking, bending and abandoning yourself to keep a connection that costs you your peace. Something remarkable happens when you stop overfunctioning: the other person either rises or falls away.Both outcomes offer clarity.

 This is the power of clear boundaries: not walls, not ultimatums but a firm and unwavering truth about what you will and will not accept. It’s the moment you stop trying to convince someone to treat you well and start watchingwhether their actions can meet your standards.

 The secure woman doesn’t set boundaries to control others. She sets them because she has chosen herself. She understands that respect is not something she negotiates; it’s something she embodies. The people who are meant to stay will meet her there without being pushed, persuaded or carried.

 She realises that losing herself to keep love was never love at all. Choosing herself is not rejection, it is selfrespect. It is the decision to stop auditioning for safety and start standing in the truth of her own worth.

 Here are a few reflective questions for you to ask yourselfas you evolve into the secure woman that you truly are: 

• Where have you been negotiating your nonnegotiables?

• What boundary have you been afraid to state clearly?

• What shifts when you speak your needs from a calm, grounded place?

• Who rises to meet you when you stop overfunctioning?

• Where have you mistaken tolerance for strength?

• What becomes possible when you stop trying to secure love and start assessing whether it is safe?

• Where are you still betraying yourself to keep the peace? 

• What are you calling love that is costing you your self-respect?

 The evolution of the secure woman is marked by the moment she realises that boundaries are not barriers; they are invitations. Invitations for healthier connection, deeper respect and relationships built on mutual effort rather than emotional imbalance.

 When she stands firmly in what she requires, she stops measuring her worth by who stays and who leaves. She trusts that what falls away was never aligned and what remains is meant for her. In that clarity, she discovers a deeper peace: the peace that comes from choosing herself without apology.

 Choose yourself. Not only when it is easy. Not only when everyone understands. Choose yourself because the woman you are becoming depends on it.

Meet the inspiring and successful Blair Du, a member of our BWB Community. Blair is the founder of Koala View (koalaview.com.au), working at the intersection of commercial decision-making and technology, with a focus on how businesses can improve outcomes through better customer experiences.

Her background in business banking, advising business owners on capital structure and risk within evolving commercial environments, shaped a commercially grounded perspective that extends beyond transactions to broader strategic outcomes.

With a CPA background, Blair brings a structured, analytical approach to interpreting financial performance, cash flow, and risk within real commercial contexts.

Her leadership experience as Treasurer at Abundant Water has further strengthened her commercial judgement and strategic thinking, shaping an approach that looks beyond individual transactions to the broader direction of a business.

We recently enjoyed interviewing her. 

Q. Your career moved from business banking and capital advisory to working at the intersection of commerce and technology. What was the turning point that drew you toward customer experience and tech-driven solutions?

A. The turning point came from spending years speaking with business owners across different industries.

Whether I was reviewing financial statements, discussing growth plans, or helping businesses access capital, I kept hearing the same challenge: “How do we grow revenue sustainably?”

What became increasingly clear was that many businesses were spending more to acquire customers, yet a significant portion of those customers never completed a purchase. The issue wasn’t always product quality or traffic volume. Often, customers simply lacked the confidence to make a decision.

That observation led me to become fascinated by customer experience. I started exploring how technology, particularly AI, could reduce uncertainty and help customers make decisions with greater confidence.

KoalaView was born from that idea: using AI to bridge the gap between customer interest and customer action.

Q. How does your accounting and financial analysis background shape the way you approach customer experience? Do you think most businesses undervalue the financial case for investing in CX?

A. My financial background has probably made me more disciplined in how I think about customer experience.

A lot of businesses view CX as a branding initiative or a marketing expense. I tend to see it as a revenue and efficiency lever.

When I look at customer experience, I’m asking questions such as:

Does it improve conversion rates?

Does it increase average order value?

Does it reduce customer acquisition costs over time?

Does it improve customer lifetime value?

Those are ultimately financial outcomes.

I do think many businesses still underestimate the financial impact of CX because the benefits are often spread across multiple metrics. But when customers feel more confident, they buy faster, buy more frequently, and return more often. The financial impact can be significant.

In my view, great customer experience isn’t just good service, it’s a growth strategy.

Q. What gap in the market did you identify that led you to found Koala View, and what problem are you most passionate about solving for your clients?

The gap was surprisingly simple.

Online shopping gives customers access to endless products, but it doesn’t always help them answer the most important question:

“How will this look in my life?”

For furniture, that might be:

“Will this sofa actually suit my living room?”

For fashion:

“Will this outfit suit me?”

For homewares:

“Will this fit the style I’m trying to create?”

Traditional product photos are excellent at showing the product, but they’re often not enough to help customers imagine ownership.

At KoalaView, we’re helping retailers solve that visualization gap. By combining a customer’s real room photo or personal image with the retailer’s product catalogue, we generate personalised visuals that help customers picture the product in their own context.

The problem I’m most passionate about solving is reducing purchase hesitation. When customers can confidently visualise a product becoming part of their lives, better purchasing decisions naturally follow.

Q. As Treasurer at Abundant Water, you have applied your commercial thinking to a purpose-driven organisation. How has that experience influenced your perspective on what “good business” really looks like?

A. That experience reinforced a lesson that I think applies to both nonprofits and commercial organisations.

Good business isn’t just about generating revenue. It’s about creating value that is sustainable and meaningful.

At Abundant Water, every financial decision ultimately came back to impact. Resources were limited, so every dollar had to be allocated thoughtfully. That discipline taught me that success isn’t measured solely by financial performance, but by whether you’re creating outcomes that genuinely matter to people.

It also showed me that purpose and commercial thinking aren’t opposites. In fact, the strongest organisations often combine both.

For me, good business means building something that creates value for customers, supports stakeholders, operates responsibly, and remains financially sustainable over the long term.

When those elements are aligned, businesses don’t just grow, they endure.

Meet our member, the inspiring and successful Sarita Kataria. Sarita is the founder of Grow360 (https://grow360.net.au/), a buyer’s advocacy and property advisory firm dedicated to helping families and business owners build lasting wealth through strategic property acquisition across Australia.

With a client-first philosophy at the heart of everything she does, Sarita has built Grow360 around three core principles: education, transparency, and tailored strategy. She believes that smart property investment isn’t one-size-fits-all, and her approach reflects that, with every solution carefully aligned to each client’s budget, financial goals, lifestyle, and existing portfolio position.

Grow360’s services span the full spectrum of property investment, from full turnkey house and land packages and high cash flow dual key properties, to established residential homes, dual occupancy investments, and commercial opportunities across Australia. Whether a client is taking their first step into property investment or expanding a sophisticated portfolio, Sarita and her team guide them through every stage, from initial strategy and market research through to negotiation, acquisition, and settlement coordination.

What sets Sarita apart is her commitment to empowering clients with knowledge, not just transactions. Her mission is to simplify the often overwhelming world of property investing, helping everyday Australians make confident, informed decisions that don’t just grow their wealth today but create generational impact for years to come.

For anyone serious about building a property portfolio with purpose and precision, Sarita Kataria and Grow360 are the trusted partners to have in your corner.

We recently enjoyed interviewing her. 

Q. What inspired you to found Grow360, and what gap did you see in the property advisory space that wasn’t being served especially for families and business owners?

A. Grow360 was inspired by my own property journey. When buying our first home and investment property, we spent nearly two years navigating the process and missed opportunities that ultimately cost us over $200,000 in potential growth.

I realised many families and business owners face the same challenges—lack of time, uncertainty, and conflicting advice. That’s why I founded Grow360: to provide trusted, personalised property guidance so clients can make confident decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and achieve their financial goals faster.

Q. Property investing can feel overwhelming for many people. How does Grow360’s education-first approach change the experience for first-time investors versus seasoned portfolio builders?

A. At Grow360, we don’t just help clients buy their next property. We take the time to understand their borrowing capacity, long-term goals, lifestyle aspirations, and current portfolio.

Our education-first approach ensures clients understand the “why” behind every recommendation. Whether they’re first-time investors or experienced portfolio builders, we focus on creating a tailored strategy that helps them build wealth through property without unnecessarily compromising the lifestyle they’ve worked hard to create.

Q. Dual key and dual occupancy properties seem to be a strong focus for you. Why do you believe these are particularly powerful vehicles for cash flow and generational wealth right now?

A. Dual key and dual occupancy properties are a strong focus because they can generate higher rental income than a traditional single dwelling. This additional cash flow helps our clients hold their properties more comfortably, especially as interest rates and living costs change.

More importantly, the stronger income can improve borrowing capacity, allowing investors to continue growing their portfolio sooner rather than being limited by serviceability. When combined with the right location and long-term strategy, these properties can be powerful tools for building sustainable wealth and creating a legacy for future generations.

Q. What is the biggest mistake you see clients make before they come to Grow360, and what would you say to someone who has been sitting on the fence about starting their property investment journey?

A. 4. One of the biggest mistakes I see is that people consume too much social media, news, and market commentary, which often leads to fear and assumptions that it’s “not the right time” to buy.

The reality is that property investing is not about timing the market perfectly—it’s about having the right strategy for your personal circumstances. Every investor’s financial position, borrowing capacity, goals, and risk profile are different.

For someone sitting on the fence, my advice would be to speak with a qualified professional and get tailored advice rather than relying on headlines or opinions online. A conversation can provide clarity on your options and help you make an informed decision. Waiting for the “perfect time” often means missing opportunities that may never come again.

AI Won’t Replace Great Leaders But It Will Expose Weak Ones

By Shyni Shyamsunder

There’s a sentence I keep hearing everywhere lately:

“AI is going to replace people.” But after spending time observing how organizations are adopting AI, from strategy rooms to operational teams, I think the bigger truth is this:

AI won’t replace great leaders. But it will expose weak ones.

Not because AI is smarter than humans. But because AI removes excuses. For years, many companies were able to hide behind inefficiency, complexity, slow processes, and unclear decision-making. People tolerated poor leadership because information moved slowly and transformation itself was slow. That era is ending.

AI is accelerating everything:

• decisions
• execution
• visibility
• customer expectations
• innovation cycles

And in that environment, leadership quality becomes impossible to hide. Technology Has Changed. Leadership Hasn’t Kept Up. Many organizations are rushing to “implement AI.” But implementation is the easy part. The harder question is:

Do leaders actually know how to lead in an AI-driven world?

Because AI doesn’t magically fix:

• weak strategy
• confused priorities
• toxic culture
• poor communication
• fear-based leadership
• slow decision-making

In fact, it amplifies them.

A poorly led company with AI simply becomes a faster poorly led company. AI Exposes Leaders Who Lack Clarity. One thing AI does exceptionally well is reveal operational truth. Where are the bottlenecks? Which processes are inefficient? What work adds value and what doesn’t?

That level of visibility can be uncomfortable. Leaders who rely on ambiguity, hierarchy, or endless meetings may struggle in environments where teams suddenly have access to faster insights and better tools. The leaders who will thrive are the ones who bring clarity.

Clear vision.
Clear communication.
Clear priorities.
Clear ethics.

Because when technology accelerates, confusion becomes expensive.

Great Leaders Will Become Even More Valuable Ironically, the rise of AI may make deeply human leadership more important, not less. Why?

Because AI can generate information. But it cannot replace wisdom. It can automate tasks. But it cannot build trust. It can analyze patterns. But it cannot truly understand people. The best leaders in the AI era will likely be the ones who combine:

• strategic thinking
• emotional intelligence
• adaptability
• ethical judgment
• calm decision-making
• human connection

These are not “soft skills” anymore. They are becoming competitive advantages. 

Employees Are Watching Leadership More Closely Than Ever

AI transformation creates uncertainty inside organizations. People naturally begin asking questions:

• Will my role change?
• Will my skills still matter?
• Is leadership making responsible decisions?
• Are we adopting AI thoughtfully or blindly?

In moments like this, leadership behaviour matters enormously. Employees do not expect leaders to know everything. But they do expect honesty. Clarity. Direction. Composure. Weak leaders tend to react emotionally to disruption. Great leaders create stability during it. And teams remember the difference.

AI Also Exposes Ego

One of the most interesting shifts AI is creating is around expertise. For a long time, leadership in some organizations was tied to:

• controlling information
• appearing to know everything
• protecting hierarchy

AI disrupts that model completely. Information is becoming more accessible. Ideas can come from anywhere. Smaller teams can now execute at incredible speed. This means leaders who operate purely from ego may struggle. The leaders who succeed will be the ones willing to:

• learn continuously
• listen openly
• adapt quickly
• empower teams
• make thoughtful decisions without needing to dominate every room

The future may belong less to “command and control” leaders and more to leaders who create intelligent, adaptable environments. 

The Real Competitive Advantage Will Be Human

Every company will eventually have access to AI tools.

But not every company will have:

• trust
• culture
• vision
• emotional intelligence
• ethical leadership
• strong decision-making

That’s why I believe the real differentiator in the AI era will not simply be technology. It will be leadership quality. Technology can improve capability. But leadership determines direction.

The Companies That Win Will Combine AI With Humanity

The businesses that thrive in the next decade will likely not be the ones blindly chasing every AI trend.

They will be the ones that use AI intentionally:

• to improve customer experience
• to remove friction
• to empower teams
• to increase intelligent decision-making
• to create better human outcomes

The future does not belong to companies that become less human because of AI. It belongs to companies that become more thoughtful about what humans truly need. And perhaps that’s the real shift happening now. AI is not just transforming business.

It is forcing leadership itself to evolve.

Meet our new member, the inspiring and successful Rashmi Chauhan. 

Rashmi is a Mortgage & Finance Broker at Premium Select Finance, bringing over 14 years of leadership, client advocacy, and community-focused experience spanning early childhood, disability, social services, and compliance. Having lived in Sydney for 21 years and navigating the journey of settling into a new country herself, Rashmi brings a deeply personal understanding to the home-buying process; particularly for clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. As a mother of two teenagers, she also knows firsthand the real-life juggle of family, finances, and long-term planning, and it is this lived empathy that shapes every client conversation she has. Fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi, she welcomes clients to connect in whichever language feels most comfortable.

Working alongside a team of highly experienced Australian Credit Licence holders, mentors, and finance professionals, Rashmi gives her clients access to strong expertise and genuinely tailored solutions. She has a gift for simplifying complex concepts; breaking down borrowing power, refinancing, and investment lending into clear, manageable steps so clients never feel overwhelmed. Based on the Upper North Shore and supporting clients across NSW, Queensland, and Melbourne, Rashmi offers personalised insights, real numbers, and a calm, steady presence from the very first conversation through to settlement. Whether you are a first-home buyer, a seasoned investor, or a family planning your next move, she shows up with honesty, education, and an unwavering commitment to your goals.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

We recently enjoyed interviewing her. 

Q. What was the turning point that led you toward finance, and how has your previous experience shaped the way you serve clients today?

A. Honestly, I never planned to end up in finance. My background was all about people , early childhood education, disability services, community work. But life has a funny way of pointing you where you need to go. When I became a single mum, I had to figure out money on my own. I had to work it out through trial and error, and there were moments that felt really overwhelming. That was my turning point. I thought, if I am going through this, there are so many others going through the same thing and nobody is explaining it to them in plain English either.

My background in community services and early childhood actually makes me a better broker, I think. I am trained to listen, understand and to read what someone isn’t saying. This helps me to connect better and tailor solutions based on their current and future needs.

Q. How do you use your lived experience of settling in Australia to support CALD clients entering the property market?

A. Coming to a new country and trying to understand a system that was different to what you were used to was a real thing. The language around property and finance in Australia can feel like a completely different world, even if your English is good. When I first arrived, there was so much I didn’t know, and I often didn’t know who to ask or whether I could trust the advice I was getting.

So when I sit down with a client from a similar background, I get it. I know what it feels like to not want to ask a question because you are worried you may look like you don’t know enough. I make it a point to slow down, explain everything without jargon, and never make anyone feel embarrassed for asking the most basic question. Sometimes people just need someone on their side who wants to help them and not just  focussed on their paperwork.

Q. What does work-life balance actually look like for you day to day, and what advice would you give to other women juggling family and a career?

A. I wish I could use the word balance :). I have two teenagers, and anyone with teenagers will know they still need a lot of you, just in different ways than when they were little.

What I have learned is that balance isn’t something you achieve once and keep forever. It shifts. Some weeks work needs more of me. Some weeks my kids do. I have stopped feeling guilty about that and started focusing on being fully present wherever I am  rather than not half-present everywhere.

My advice to other women would be: stop waiting until everything is perfectly sorted before you go after what you want. It will never be perfectly sorted. And please, ask for help. Accepting support is not weakness but shows how much you value and trust people and systems around you.

Q. What are the most common fears people have about buying a home, and what’s the first thing you do to help them feel at ease?

A. The biggest one I hear is, “I don’t think I’m ready” or “I probably don’t earn enough.” So many people have completely talked themselves out of it before they have even had a real conversation with anyone. The other big one is just not knowing where to start . It feels like there are a hundred steps and they don’t know which one comes first, so they do nothing.

The first thing I do is just talk. Not about numbers straight away but just talk. I want to know their story, what they are hoping for, what is holding them back. Once people feel like they’re being heard rather than assessed, the whole energy shifts. Then we look at where they actually stand, and very often it’s a lot better than they thought. That moment when someone realises it might actually be possible for them  is my favourite part of this job.

Q. What does the next chapter look like for you, in terms of clients you want to serve and the impact you want to make?

A. I’m really excited about this next phase, because it feels like everything I have learned and done is starting to come together. Finance, community, wellness, purpose  it’s all connecting. Beyond individual clients, I want to do more in the community, more conversations and more education about financial and personal wellness, more normalising the idea that empowerment is for everyone. Not just people who already have it sorted. I believe that when you help one member in a family get financially confident and healthy , the ripple effect goes much further to the entire generation.

Feel free to connect with her:

Website: https://premiumselectfinance.com.au/  

✉️ Email: rashmi@premiumselectfinance.com.au

📞 Mobile:0403 636 545 

Meet Podcast Host Prerna Vaswani, a very inspiring and successful member of the BWB community. 

Prerna is an International Podcast Host, Wellness Leader, and Certified USUI Reiki Grandmaster whose voice has become a beacon of inspiration across the globe. With over 19 years of corporate experience and a passion for purpose-driven storytelling, she founded ‘Prerna – Spreading Inspiration’, a thriving platform that has delivered 65+ podcast sessions spanning wellness, women’s leadership, youth empowerment, and soulful healing. As State President of the WICCI Wellness & Wellbeing Council Gujarat and G100 Gujarat State Chair for Youth Enterprise, Empowerment & Leadership, Prerna channels her influence into meaningful systemic change, one conversation at a time.

Recognised as a Global Woman of Distinction Top 100 – 2026 by Industreebiz, a Women Changing The World Global Awards Finalist, and crowned Inspiring Gem of India 2019, Prerna’s accolades reflect a life lived in service of others. From pioneering the Prerna Healing Circle and Prerna Juniors youth initiative to recently launching a Sindhi Language Podcast that honours cultural roots, she continues to break new ground. A Creative Video Blogger of the Year 2023 and a regular feature in global and corporate publications, Prerna embodies her own philosophy with quiet conviction: One Conversation Can Inspire A Thousand Lives.

We recently enjoyed interviewing her. 

Q. What was the defining moment that made you say “I need to create PRERNA – Spreading Inspiration” and whose voice did you most want to amplify when you started?

A. The defining moment behind PRERNA – Spreading Inspiration was deeply personal because the platform was truly born from my own life journey, a journey filled with ups and downs, silent struggles, resilience, self-discovery, and a never-give-up attitude.

There were moments in life when challenges tested my strength emotionally, personally, and professionally. But through every difficult phase, I realized something powerful; sometimes one positive word, one inspiring story, or one meaningful conversation can give someone the courage to keep going. I always carried a strong desire within me to inspire people, bring hope into their lives, and remind them that even after darkness, light is possible.

That is when I understood that PRERNA was not just my name, it was my purpose. The meaning of “Prerna” itself is inspiration, and that became the foundation of everything I wanted to create. I wanted to build a platform where stories could heal hearts, uplift minds, and create positive change in society.

During my corporate journey and personal interactions, I met many extraordinary individuals whose stories deserved to be heard; people who had overcome pain, failures, self-doubt, and life challenges with immense courage, yet never had a voice or platform to share their journey authentically.

That realization gave birth to PRERNA – Spreading Inspiration. I did not want it to become just another podcast platform; I wanted it to become a meaningful movement where people feel seen, heard, valued, and inspired.

When I started, the voices I most wanted to amplify were those of everyday changemakers; women balancing careers and responsibilities, youth searching for direction, wellness leaders creating awareness, and individuals who transformed their pain into purpose. I strongly believe inspiration does not only come from celebrities; it often comes from ordinary people with extraordinary courage.

Today, after hosting 65+ podcast episodes, every conversation continues to remind me that one story can truly change someone’s life. And that is the mission that continues to drive me every single day; to spread inspiration, healing, hope, and light through the power of stories.

Q. As both a Certified USUI Reiki Grandmaster and a corporate leader with 19+ years of experience, how do you bridge the world of energy healing with the demands of professional leadership and why do you believe that combination is exactly what women in business need today?

A. For me, energy healing and professional leadership are not two separate worlds, they complement each other beautifully. Corporate life teaches discipline, strategy, execution, and resilience, while healing teaches emotional balance, self-awareness, empathy, and inner strength.

In today’s fast-paced professional environment, many women are constantly managing pressure, expectations, burnout, and emotional exhaustion while trying to prove themselves in leadership roles. I believe true leadership is not only about performance; it is also about emotional intelligence, mental well-being, and the ability to lead with authenticity.

As a Certified USUI Reiki Grandmaster and a corporate professional with 19+ years of experience, I have personally experienced how inner healing creates outer clarity. When your energy is balanced, decision-making becomes stronger, communication becomes calmer, and leadership becomes more compassionate yet powerful.

Women today do not just need success; they need sustainable success without losing themselves in the process. That is why I advocate holistic leadership — where ambition and well-being can coexist. I truly believe the future belongs to leaders who are not only professionally strong but emotionally and spiritually aligned as well.

Q. What do you believe is the single most important thing we can teach young people right now to prepare them for a world being rapidly shaped by AI, uncertainty, and change?

A. The single most important thing we can teach young people today is self-awareness with adaptability. Technology, AI, and automation will continue to evolve rapidly, but qualities like emotional intelligence, creativity, empathy, ethics, communication, and resilience will always remain uniquely human. Young people must learn how to adapt to change without losing their individuality and values.

Through PRERNA Juniors, my goal is not only to inspire children and youth to dream big, but also to help them build confidence, emotional strength, mindful leadership, and a sense of purpose. Degrees alone may not define future success anymore; the ability to continuously learn, unlearn, and evolve will.

I also believe today’s generation needs guidance to understand that shortcuts cannot replace consistency, discipline, and patience. Social media often glorifies instant success, but true growth comes from learning through failures, experiences, and perseverance.

If we can teach young minds to stay grounded, emotionally strong, and open to learning, they will not fear change, they will lead it.

Q. Being named among the Global Women of Distinction Top 100 in 2026 is a remarkable achievement. How do you carry that recognition, and what does it mean to you beyond the title itself?

A. Being recognized among the Global Women of Distinction Top 100 in 2026 is deeply humbling and emotional for me because it represents much more than an award or title. It represents every challenge, every silent struggle, every moment of self-doubt, and every step taken with faith and purpose. I carry this recognition with gratitude and responsibility. 

Gratitude for everyone who supported my journey, believed in my vision, and trusted my platform. Responsibility because such recognition reminds me that my work must continue creating meaningful impact in people’s lives.

Beyond the title, this achievement symbolizes representation, especially for women who are balancing professional careers, personal responsibilities, wellness advocacy, and purpose-driven initiatives simultaneously. I want women to know that they do not have to fit into one definition of success. They can be leaders, healers, creators, storytellers, and changemakers all at once. For me, true success is not measured only by recognition but by how many lives you positively touch through your journey. If my story inspires even one person to believe in themselves again, then every effort becomes worthwhile.

Q. Can you share one conversation, on or off the podcast, that profoundly changed your life, and what it taught you about the power of simply showing up and listening?

A. One of the most life-changing experiences for me has not been just one conversation, but many heartfelt conversations with guests on PRERNA – Spreading Inspiration who turned their pain into power with incredible courage. I have had deeply emotional interactions with guest speakers who were cancer survivors, women who bravely walked out of domestic violence and rebuilt their lives, individuals battling alopecia who learned to embrace themselves beyond physical appearance, and specially-abled people who refused to let limitations define their dreams.

Before every podcast scheduling, while speaking to them personally, I often found myself emotional listening to their journeys — the pain they endured, the silent battles they fought, the moments they broke down, and yet the incredible strength with which they chose to rise again.

What inspired me most was that despite everything life had put them through, they still carried hope, positivity, courage, and the desire to inspire others. Those conversations made me reflect deeply: “If they can face such difficult battles with resilience and faith, then why can’t we fight our own struggles with strength too?”

These experiences transformed my understanding of life and human resilience. I realized that sometimes people do not need sympathy or perfect solutions — they simply need someone who listens with empathy, respect, and an open heart.

As a podcast host, wellness leader, and healer, I have learned that every person is fighting an invisible battle. And often, the greatest healing begins when someone feels heard, understood, and emotionally safe.

Feel free to connect with her:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/prerna-vaswani

Staying Open Without Over Giving : Emotional Availability Without Self‑Abandonment

By Jacqueline Koloski

(https://www.connectingwithjacqueline.com)

There comes a point in every woman’s evolution where she realises that her strength is no longer in how much she can carry, fix, or hold together, but in how she can stay open without losing herself.

For so long, many of us equated emotional availability with emotional responsibility. If someone was hurting, we stepped in. If someone pulled away or couldn’t meet us, we leaned further in. Not because we lacked boundaries, but because we were taught that love meant effort, and effort meant proving our worth.

The secure woman learns something different.

She learns that openness does not require over giving. Presence does not require self‑abandonment. Compassion does not require caretaking. Connection does not require carrying the entire emotional load.

This is the next evolution: I no longer confuse openness with obligation.

I can be warm without absorbing someone else’s chaos. I can be supportive without stepping into the role of healer. I can be emotionally available without sacrificing my own emotional safety.

The secure woman understands:

I can be present without participating in dysfunction. I allow others to reveal who they are without intervening. I notice who steps forward when I stop leaning in.

This is where many women stumble, not because they lack insight, but because they’ve been conditioned to believe that love is something they must earn through effort, patience, or emotional labour.

Staying open while staying grounded is a different kind of strength. It’s the strength of a woman who knows her worth and refuses to negotiate it. This is a lesson I am still learning, noticing day by day, where I have allowed myself to disappear in the name of love.

Here are a few reflective questions for you to ask yourself as you evolve into the secure woman that you truly are: 

• Where do you stay emotionally available out of habit rather than desire?
• What happens when you pause instead of stepping in?
• Who rises to meet you when you stop carrying the connection?
• What feels uncomfortable about letting others own their emotions?
• Where does over giving masquerade as intimacy for you?

The evolution of the secure woman isn’t about hardening or withdrawing, it’s about refining the way she gives, receives and stays open. She learns that her heart can remain soft without becoming a landing place for other people’s unhealed patterns. She discovers that true connection doesn’t require her to shrink, stretch, or overextend. As she stands firmly in herself, she realises that the right people don’t need her to over give to feel close, they simply meet her where she is. Not because she carries the connection, but because she finally allows them the space to carry their part too. She no longer proves her worth through how much she can hold. She honours it by how faithfully she holds herself.