PR guru Roxy Jacenko to dish up raw honesty at business lunch

Roxy Jacenko is known for being ahead of the game, as a businesswoman and influencer. We chat with her in the lead-up to the Business Moreton Bay Region luncheon she’s headlining.

Roxy Jacenko will be speaking at the next Business Moreton Bay Region luncheon series. Picture: Louie Douvis

Roxy Jacenko is known for being ahead of the game, as a businesswoman and digital influencer. We chat with her in the lead-up to the Business Moreton Bay Region luncheon she’s headlining. It’s sold out!

Q. Name a woman who has inspired you the most?

A. Without question my mother, Doreen. She worked so hard to give us the best possible education, experiences and start in life. I am channelling her to do the same for my children, Pixie and Hunter.

Q. What’s the biggest challenge facing women in business today?

A. I don’t see it as a male versus female world. I think no matter what gender you are, you can make a go of what you want in business as long as you have guts and determination. In my eyes, it’s a cop-out when people say ‘oh, but as a woman …’.

Q. What advice would you give a younger you about business and life?

A. Understand the importance of your back end, the accounts side of your business. Know what’s coming in and what’s going out and don’t ever leave it as one of those things you ‘get to’. I made the critical error in the early days of not watching the back end. A couple of big clients went bust and left me without funds that were owed.

Q. You’re well known for being innovative and ahead of trends … how do you do this?

A. I read, I search everything and everywhere. I don’t think you need to be overly smart, as long as you have an inquisitive mind, and are open to spending time looking at what people are doing around the world instead of next to you.

Q. Do you believe there’s a glass ceiling? How have you broken through?

A. I had to google that! Truly! I’ve never thought about hierarchy, I spend my time looking at what I can do better, how we can stand apart, what’s happening around the world, worrying about the challenges and what can happen when you trip over one …

Q. What’s the one big change you’d like to see happen in the next five years?

A. I have never really thought ahead of time, in terms of career. So many people ask where will you be in five years? I laugh thinking, ‘I don’t know what I’ll be doing in five hours’. The only thing I would say is that I would like to see people being less judgmental and more inclusive. The Tall Poppy syndrome, in this country, is alive and well. Let’s be the country that applauds hard work and determination not tears it down.

Q. What can the audience expect from your presentation?

A. Real. One thing I have never been is dull. I call it like it is, I’ll give you raw honesty of what the journey to creating a successful five companies has been like – the trials and tribulations of juggling a husband in jail, a cancer diagnosis and two kids as well as everything in between.

***Don’t miss Ita Buttrose when she headlines the next luncheon on June 26***

Visit: businessmoretonbayregion.com.au