I've recently realised the importance that family play in the role of making us into who we truly are. Can we really reach our full potential if our family life was one of hardship, dysfunction and lack of love or is it exactly those things that make us reach for the stars and be greater than we ever thought possible....We all hear of stories about those that grow up in less than favourable circumstances but somehow they reach deep within themselves and find the strength to create a life full of that which they never experienced growing up. I love those stories because it shows us that no matter what and no matter who we are and where we come from that we can reach our goals, we can live out our dreams if only we believe in ourselves and not allow the past to control us through the story we hold onto in our minds.
The successful women I have interviewed have come from all different backgrounds, some with famous fathers and others with role models they have found outside of their own families but what they share is their drive, determination and desire to find their calling in life and to be the very best by their own definition.
As Mahalia Barnes will share with you in the private interview that despite having an incredible role model and a famous father that this "privilege" which opened many doors also shut just as many. Famous parents or not ultimately we all have to prove ourselves and create our own success no matter what!
Where were you born?
SYDNEY
Where did you grow up?
MITTAGONG IN THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS TILL I WAS 12 THEN AIX EN PROVENCE IN THE SOUTH OF FRANE FOR A FEW YEARS, THEN TO SYDNEY.
Current city?
SYDNEY
Where did you grow up?
MITTAGONG IN THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS TILL I WAS 12 THEN AIX EN PROVENCE IN THE SOUTH OF FRANE FOR A FEW YEARS, THEN TO SYDNEY.
Current city?
SYDNEY
Favourite fashion brand - why?
CAMILLA – SO BEAUTIFUL AND COMFORTABLE!
Favourite designer - why?
CAMILLA FRANKS – SHE MAKES GREAT STUFF AND IS A GOOD FRIEND TOO!
How do these fashion brands/designers empower you as a woman?
THEY ARE GREAT TO WEAR, BUT ALSO LOOK FANTASTIC, VERY FEMININE, AND NOT ONLY FOR THE SKINNY, MODEL TYPE GIRLS – CLOTHES FOR REAL WOMEN!
Favourite charity?
THE CHILDRENS HOSPITAL – HAVE WORKED WITH THE GEORGE GREGAN FOUNDATION CHARITY EVENTS FOR THEM.
Favourite artist? And why?
MUSIC? PROBABLY ARETHA FRANKLIN OR TINA TURNER – SUCH INCREDIBLE SINGERS, STRONG POWERFUL PERFORMERS, INSPIRING WOMEN!…ARTIST OTHER THAN MUSIC? I LOVE VAN GOGH. I LOVE HIS COLOURS AND HIS SUBJECT MATTER REMINDS ME OF LIVING IN THE STH OF FRANCE.
Favourite holiday spot – why?
THAILAND. I’M HALF THAI AND HAVE BEEN GOING THERE MY WHOLE LIFE. THE BEST FOOD!
Favourite resort/place to stay?
IN AUSTRALIA, KIM’S BEACH AT TOWOON BAY, GREAT ATMOSPHERE AND FOOD, RIGHT BY THE WATER.
Things you love and cant live without?
MY PARTNER BEN, MY BABY RUBY, FAMILY, FRIENDS, MUSIC AND GREAT FOOD
How did you start out?
I GUESS, AS A KID WITH MY SIBLLINGS, YES I WAS A TIN LID – WE RECORDED OUR FIRST RECORD WHEN I WAS 9, BUT I WOULD REALLY SAY THAT I GOT STARTED IN MY DADS BAND AS A BACKING VOCALIST WHEN I WAS ABOUT 15.
What do you love most about what you do?
I LOVE BEING ON STAGE AND SINGING WITH MY BAND, MUSIC JUST MAKES ME HAPPY. I LOVE BEING ABLE TO TRAVEL AND SEE DIFFERENT PLACES, MEET A LOT OF PEOPLE. I LOVE SEEING OTHER PEOPLE ENJOY OUR MUSIC. I FEEL SO FREE WHEN I’M SINGING, COMPLETELY IN THE MOMENT.
What do you feel is your calling and how do you achieve it through your art and work as a singer/performer?
I GUESS IT IS TO ENTERTAIN, TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL SOMETHING THROUGH MUSIC. I ALSO LEARN A LOT ABOUT MYSELF THROUGH SINGING AND WRITING SONGS, HONESTY IS AN AMAZING THING. IF YOU CAN BE PURE AND HONEST IN YOUR PERFORMANCE, AS WELL AS IN LIFE GENERALLY, IT IS VERY LIBERATING.
What other professions have you tried and when and how did you know that this was your calling?
I HAVE WORKED IN RETAIL, I USED TO WANT TO BE AN OLYMPIC SWIMMER, BUT I’VE ALWAYS KNOWN I WANTED TO BE A SINGER. I GUESS IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY!
What inspired you to become a singer/performer? Did you always know what you wanted to do?
MY DAD I SUPPOSE. HE ALWAYS SANG AND PLAYED US GREAT MUSIC. I ALWAYS WANTED TO SING, MUM AND DAD NEVER PUSHED US IN ANY DIRECTION, BUT GAVE US A LOT OF SUPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
How much did your father Jimmy Barnes influence your career choice?
WELL, HE WAS ALWAYS TOURING AND PERFORMING, AND AS I SAID PLAYING US LOTS OF GREAT MUSIC, IT ALWAYS SEEMED LIKE A GREAT OPTION FOR ME. I SAW HOW MUCH HE LOVED HIS WORK.
How has being the daughter of such a successful Australian artist given you the upper hand?
IT HAS DEFINITELY HELPED ME, FIRSTLY BECAUSE I’VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH DAD AND HIS BAND MEMBERS AND FRIENDS, WHO ARE ALL AMAZING, THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY NOT MANY WOULD GET, BUT PART OF HIS SUCCESS IS HOW HARD HE WORKS AND HE HAS DEFINITELY TAUGHT ME THAT. A LOT OF DOORS ARE OPENED BY WHO I AM, BUT JUST AS MANY ARE CLOSED. UNFORTUNATELY PEOPLE SEEM TO ASSUME A LOT ABOUT WHO I AM AS AN ARTIST, AND HOW I HAVE GOT WHERE I AM SOLELY BECAUSE OF DAD, BUT I DON’T REALLY MIND WHAT PEOPLE THINK, I’D JUST LIKE THEM TO COME AND SEE ME PERFORM AND DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES WHY I AM WHERE I AM.
How did you go about achieving such a level of success? We want the secrets….
HARD WORK, PASSION, LOVE, PATIENCE, CONFIDENCE, COMMITMENT…A LOT OF SHOWS AND A REALLY GOOD SUPPORT NETWORK AROUND ME. I LOVE MY WORK, SO IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE DOING LOTS AND LOTS OF TOURING, IT DOES TAKE HARD WORK THOUGH. I THINK PATIENCE HAS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT TOO.
What do you believe is the reason you are where you are today?
I HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR A REALLY LONG TIME, AND I’VE WORKED REALLY HARD AND BEEN BLESSED TO WORK WITH A LOT OF GREAT MUSICIANS. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT SUCCESS AND FAME REALLY QUICKLY. IT CAN HAPPEN, BUT MORE THAN FAME I WANT LONGEVITY AND RESPECT. I WANT TO ENTERTAIN PEOPLE OF COURSE, BUT I AM ALWAYS TRYING TO IMPROVE, AND SING BETTER FOR ME. I SET A VERY HIGH STANDARD FOR MYSELF, BUT I AM STILL VERY CONFIDENT IN MY ABILITY. IT IS SO IMPORTANT AS AN ENTERTAINER TO HAVE CONFIDENCE, NOT ARROGANCE BUT REAL CONFIDENCE. YOU NEED TO BELIEVE IN YOUR SELF, BUT YOU ALSO NEED TO BE ABLE TO LAUGH AT YOURSELF AND NOT TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY. BE THICKSKINNED (BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS CRITICISE – ART IS ABOUT PERSONAL TASTE) BUT DON’T LOSE YOUR EMOTIONS. BALANCE.
What is success to you?
SUCCESS TO ME IS HAPPINESS, BEING ABLE TO MAKE THE MUSIC I LOVE, BEING RESPECTED MUSICALLY, BEING ABLE TO TOUR AND PLAY TO NEW PEOPLE, AND CONTINUE TO LEARN AND GET BETTER. MOVING FORWARD IS SUCCESS. BEING TRULY HAPPY IS SUCCESS.
What has your success enabled you to do? What other goals and dreams has it allowed you to pursue?
IT HAS ENABLED ME TO TRAVEL AND PLAY TO LOTS OF PEOPLE, MEET AND WORK WITH AMAZING PEOPLE. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED TRAVELLING TO NEW COUNTRIES, AND MY SECOND PASSION IS FOOD AND COOKING. I LOVE GREAT FOOD. WITH ALL THE TRAVEL AND SUCCESS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GO AND EAT AT AMAZING RESTAURANTS ALL AROUND THE WORLD!
Was success a choice or something that just happened? What conscious decision did you make to get to where you are today?
I GUESS IT JUST HAPPENED, I MEAN WHEN YOU GET INTO ANY ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY YOU ARE CRAZY TO SAY YOU DON’T HAVE A GOAL OF BEING SUCCESSFUL, BUT HOW SOME PEOPLE MEASURE SUCCESS IS VERY DIFFERENT TO OTHERS. I AM SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN GIVEN SUCH GREAT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH MY MUSIC, AND AS I SAID EARLIER SUCCESS FOR ME IS BEING COMFORTABLE AS AN ARTIST AND ENJOYING YOUR WORK, AND GETTING THE CHANCE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS. I MADE THE CONSCIOUS DECISION NOT TO SIGN A RECORD DEAL OR RECORD AN ALBUM UNTIL I WAS READY AS AN ARTIST, I WANTED TO KNOW WHO I WAS AND WHAT KIND OF SOUND I WANTED TO ACHIEVE BEFORE I REALLY PUT MYSELF OUT THERE. I AM SO GLAD I DID.
What do you believe contributed mostly to you achieving success and becoming a leading singer in Australia?
HARD WORK! AND PASSION. I HAVE BEEN PLAYING LIVE SHOWS OF MY OWN FOR OVER 10 YEARS NOW AND FEEL LIKE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS I REALLY KNOW WHO I AM AS AN ARTIST, I DON’T FELL LIKE I AM TRYING TO BE ANYONE ELSE, I AM JUST ME. I LOVE WHAT I DO SO MUCH AND I THINK PEOPLE SEE THAT AND IT HELPS THEM TO ENJOY MY SHOWS. I THINK CONFIDENCE IS THE KEY.
Who are your role models and what inspires you about them?
MY DAD – HE IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ARTISTS IN AUSTRALIA, BUT HE STILL WORKS HARDER THAN ANYONE ELSE I KNOW. WHEN HE IS ON STAGE I’VE NEVER SEEN HIM GIVE LESS THAN 100% EVEN WHEN HE’S TIRED. HE ALSO ALWAYS MAKES TIME FOR PEOPLE, HE IS SO GOOD AND GENEROUS WITH HIS TIME. NOT TO MENTION HE’S AN INCREDIBLE SINGER! I HOPE AT 54 I CAN BE GOING STRONG LIKE HE IS, STILL ENJOYING IT, STILL GROWING AS AN ARTIST. TINA TURNER – ONE OF MY FAVOURITE VOICES/PERFORMERS EVER. ARETHA FRANKLIN – FOR THE SAME REASONS. THEY BOTH INSPIRE ME AS PERFORMERS AND HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR SO LONG!!
What do you attribute to your success and having reached being at the top of your game? HARD WORK, LOVE, DEDICATION, LUCK, SUPPORT…AND I DON’T FEEL THAT I HAVE REACHED THE TOP OF MY GAME YET…I’VE STILL GOT A LONG WAY TO GO!
Have you had a mentor along the way and who inspires you most and why?
YES, MY DAD. I AM ALSO INSPIRED BY ALL THE AMAZING MUSOS I’VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH, THEY HAVE ALL TAUGHT ME SO MUCH OVER THE YEARS.
Who would you most like to meet and why?
WELL I GOT TO MEET ARETHA FRANKLIN ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO WHICH WAS INCREDIBLE! I GUESS TINA TURNER.
What are the most important lessons you’ve learnt along the way?
PATIENCE. WORK HARD. LOVE WHAT YOU DO. CONFIDENCE.
What difficulties and challenges have you faced to get to where you are and how did you turn them around?
A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE MADE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT ME AND MY ABILITY BASED ON WHO I AM, BUT I FEEL THAT I HAVE MANAGED TO “PROVE MYSELF” AND OVERCOME A LOT OF THOSE PRE FORMED IDEAS THROUGH A LOT OF TOURING AND CONSISTENCY IN MY PERFORMANCES. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN FAMILY DIFFICULTIES ALONG THE WAY, BUT WE HAVE ALL MANAGED TO GET THROUGH THEM WITH A LOT OF LOVE AND COMPASSION AND A GREAT SUPPORT NETWORK OF EXTENDED FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
When things were tough and there were moments where you doubted yourself and the path you were traveling on? How did you overcome the doubts and what did you do?
I HAVEN’T EVER REALLY DOUBTED MY PATH. I GUESS I’M VERY LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT.
What has been your strategy when things got tough personally and professionally?
WORK HARDER. I DON’T BELIEVE ANYTHING CAN STOP YOU IF YOU REALLY WANT SOMETHING. I AM NOT REALLY A NEGATIVE THINKER, I (SO FAR) ALWAYS SEEM TO THINK EVERYTHING WILL BE OK WITH TIME.
If you could say one thing to women out there to inspire them on their journey to success what would it be?
DON’T GIVE UP, BUT REMEMBER THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE FLEXIBLE AND OPEN TO CHANGES ON YOUR WAY TO BECOMING SUCCESFUL. KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY PRESENT THEMSELVES ALL THE TIME, BUT OFTEN GO UNNOTICED. WORK HARD, NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS WITHOUT HARD WORK AND PASSION. LOVE WHAT YOU DO OR YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME.
Do you have a favourite quote you would like to share with us and what it means to you?
“IN MY MIND, WE CAN CONQUER THE WORLD” – STEVIE WONDER FROM THE SONG YOU AND I….. I ALWAYS FEEL THAT WAY.....BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING.
I LOVE BEING ON STAGE AND SINGING WITH MY BAND, MUSIC JUST MAKES ME HAPPY. I LOVE BEING ABLE TO TRAVEL AND SEE DIFFERENT PLACES, MEET A LOT OF PEOPLE. I LOVE SEEING OTHER PEOPLE ENJOY OUR MUSIC. I FEEL SO FREE WHEN I’M SINGING, COMPLETELY IN THE MOMENT.
What do you feel is your calling and how do you achieve it through your art and work as a singer/performer?
I GUESS IT IS TO ENTERTAIN, TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL SOMETHING THROUGH MUSIC. I ALSO LEARN A LOT ABOUT MYSELF THROUGH SINGING AND WRITING SONGS, HONESTY IS AN AMAZING THING. IF YOU CAN BE PURE AND HONEST IN YOUR PERFORMANCE, AS WELL AS IN LIFE GENERALLY, IT IS VERY LIBERATING.
What other professions have you tried and when and how did you know that this was your calling?
I HAVE WORKED IN RETAIL, I USED TO WANT TO BE AN OLYMPIC SWIMMER, BUT I’VE ALWAYS KNOWN I WANTED TO BE A SINGER. I GUESS IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY!
What inspired you to become a singer/performer? Did you always know what you wanted to do?
MY DAD I SUPPOSE. HE ALWAYS SANG AND PLAYED US GREAT MUSIC. I ALWAYS WANTED TO SING, MUM AND DAD NEVER PUSHED US IN ANY DIRECTION, BUT GAVE US A LOT OF SUPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
How much did your father Jimmy Barnes influence your career choice?
WELL, HE WAS ALWAYS TOURING AND PERFORMING, AND AS I SAID PLAYING US LOTS OF GREAT MUSIC, IT ALWAYS SEEMED LIKE A GREAT OPTION FOR ME. I SAW HOW MUCH HE LOVED HIS WORK.
How has being the daughter of such a successful Australian artist given you the upper hand?IT HAS DEFINITELY HELPED ME, FIRSTLY BECAUSE I’VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH DAD AND HIS BAND MEMBERS AND FRIENDS, WHO ARE ALL AMAZING, THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY NOT MANY WOULD GET, BUT PART OF HIS SUCCESS IS HOW HARD HE WORKS AND HE HAS DEFINITELY TAUGHT ME THAT. A LOT OF DOORS ARE OPENED BY WHO I AM, BUT JUST AS MANY ARE CLOSED. UNFORTUNATELY PEOPLE SEEM TO ASSUME A LOT ABOUT WHO I AM AS AN ARTIST, AND HOW I HAVE GOT WHERE I AM SOLELY BECAUSE OF DAD, BUT I DON’T REALLY MIND WHAT PEOPLE THINK, I’D JUST LIKE THEM TO COME AND SEE ME PERFORM AND DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES WHY I AM WHERE I AM.
How did you go about achieving such a level of success? We want the secrets….
HARD WORK, PASSION, LOVE, PATIENCE, CONFIDENCE, COMMITMENT…A LOT OF SHOWS AND A REALLY GOOD SUPPORT NETWORK AROUND ME. I LOVE MY WORK, SO IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE DOING LOTS AND LOTS OF TOURING, IT DOES TAKE HARD WORK THOUGH. I THINK PATIENCE HAS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT TOO.
What do you believe is the reason you are where you are today?
I HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR A REALLY LONG TIME, AND I’VE WORKED REALLY HARD AND BEEN BLESSED TO WORK WITH A LOT OF GREAT MUSICIANS. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT SUCCESS AND FAME REALLY QUICKLY. IT CAN HAPPEN, BUT MORE THAN FAME I WANT LONGEVITY AND RESPECT. I WANT TO ENTERTAIN PEOPLE OF COURSE, BUT I AM ALWAYS TRYING TO IMPROVE, AND SING BETTER FOR ME. I SET A VERY HIGH STANDARD FOR MYSELF, BUT I AM STILL VERY CONFIDENT IN MY ABILITY. IT IS SO IMPORTANT AS AN ENTERTAINER TO HAVE CONFIDENCE, NOT ARROGANCE BUT REAL CONFIDENCE. YOU NEED TO BELIEVE IN YOUR SELF, BUT YOU ALSO NEED TO BE ABLE TO LAUGH AT YOURSELF AND NOT TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY. BE THICKSKINNED (BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS CRITICISE – ART IS ABOUT PERSONAL TASTE) BUT DON’T LOSE YOUR EMOTIONS. BALANCE.
What is success to you?
SUCCESS TO ME IS HAPPINESS, BEING ABLE TO MAKE THE MUSIC I LOVE, BEING RESPECTED MUSICALLY, BEING ABLE TO TOUR AND PLAY TO NEW PEOPLE, AND CONTINUE TO LEARN AND GET BETTER. MOVING FORWARD IS SUCCESS. BEING TRULY HAPPY IS SUCCESS.
What has your success enabled you to do? What other goals and dreams has it allowed you to pursue?
IT HAS ENABLED ME TO TRAVEL AND PLAY TO LOTS OF PEOPLE, MEET AND WORK WITH AMAZING PEOPLE. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED TRAVELLING TO NEW COUNTRIES, AND MY SECOND PASSION IS FOOD AND COOKING. I LOVE GREAT FOOD. WITH ALL THE TRAVEL AND SUCCESS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GO AND EAT AT AMAZING RESTAURANTS ALL AROUND THE WORLD!
Was success a choice or something that just happened? What conscious decision did you make to get to where you are today?
I GUESS IT JUST HAPPENED, I MEAN WHEN YOU GET INTO ANY ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY YOU ARE CRAZY TO SAY YOU DON’T HAVE A GOAL OF BEING SUCCESSFUL, BUT HOW SOME PEOPLE MEASURE SUCCESS IS VERY DIFFERENT TO OTHERS. I AM SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN GIVEN SUCH GREAT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH MY MUSIC, AND AS I SAID EARLIER SUCCESS FOR ME IS BEING COMFORTABLE AS AN ARTIST AND ENJOYING YOUR WORK, AND GETTING THE CHANCE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS. I MADE THE CONSCIOUS DECISION NOT TO SIGN A RECORD DEAL OR RECORD AN ALBUM UNTIL I WAS READY AS AN ARTIST, I WANTED TO KNOW WHO I WAS AND WHAT KIND OF SOUND I WANTED TO ACHIEVE BEFORE I REALLY PUT MYSELF OUT THERE. I AM SO GLAD I DID.
What do you believe contributed mostly to you achieving success and becoming a leading singer in Australia?
HARD WORK! AND PASSION. I HAVE BEEN PLAYING LIVE SHOWS OF MY OWN FOR OVER 10 YEARS NOW AND FEEL LIKE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS I REALLY KNOW WHO I AM AS AN ARTIST, I DON’T FELL LIKE I AM TRYING TO BE ANYONE ELSE, I AM JUST ME. I LOVE WHAT I DO SO MUCH AND I THINK PEOPLE SEE THAT AND IT HELPS THEM TO ENJOY MY SHOWS. I THINK CONFIDENCE IS THE KEY.
Who are your role models and what inspires you about them?
MY DAD – HE IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ARTISTS IN AUSTRALIA, BUT HE STILL WORKS HARDER THAN ANYONE ELSE I KNOW. WHEN HE IS ON STAGE I’VE NEVER SEEN HIM GIVE LESS THAN 100% EVEN WHEN HE’S TIRED. HE ALSO ALWAYS MAKES TIME FOR PEOPLE, HE IS SO GOOD AND GENEROUS WITH HIS TIME. NOT TO MENTION HE’S AN INCREDIBLE SINGER! I HOPE AT 54 I CAN BE GOING STRONG LIKE HE IS, STILL ENJOYING IT, STILL GROWING AS AN ARTIST. TINA TURNER – ONE OF MY FAVOURITE VOICES/PERFORMERS EVER. ARETHA FRANKLIN – FOR THE SAME REASONS. THEY BOTH INSPIRE ME AS PERFORMERS AND HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR SO LONG!!
What do you attribute to your success and having reached being at the top of your game? HARD WORK, LOVE, DEDICATION, LUCK, SUPPORT…AND I DON’T FEEL THAT I HAVE REACHED THE TOP OF MY GAME YET…I’VE STILL GOT A LONG WAY TO GO!
Have you had a mentor along the way and who inspires you most and why?
YES, MY DAD. I AM ALSO INSPIRED BY ALL THE AMAZING MUSOS I’VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH, THEY HAVE ALL TAUGHT ME SO MUCH OVER THE YEARS.
Who would you most like to meet and why?
WELL I GOT TO MEET ARETHA FRANKLIN ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO WHICH WAS INCREDIBLE! I GUESS TINA TURNER.
What are the most important lessons you’ve learnt along the way?
PATIENCE. WORK HARD. LOVE WHAT YOU DO. CONFIDENCE.
What difficulties and challenges have you faced to get to where you are and how did you turn them around?
A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE MADE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT ME AND MY ABILITY BASED ON WHO I AM, BUT I FEEL THAT I HAVE MANAGED TO “PROVE MYSELF” AND OVERCOME A LOT OF THOSE PRE FORMED IDEAS THROUGH A LOT OF TOURING AND CONSISTENCY IN MY PERFORMANCES. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN FAMILY DIFFICULTIES ALONG THE WAY, BUT WE HAVE ALL MANAGED TO GET THROUGH THEM WITH A LOT OF LOVE AND COMPASSION AND A GREAT SUPPORT NETWORK OF EXTENDED FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
When things were tough and there were moments where you doubted yourself and the path you were traveling on? How did you overcome the doubts and what did you do?
I HAVEN’T EVER REALLY DOUBTED MY PATH. I GUESS I’M VERY LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT.
What has been your strategy when things got tough personally and professionally?
WORK HARDER. I DON’T BELIEVE ANYTHING CAN STOP YOU IF YOU REALLY WANT SOMETHING. I AM NOT REALLY A NEGATIVE THINKER, I (SO FAR) ALWAYS SEEM TO THINK EVERYTHING WILL BE OK WITH TIME.
If you could say one thing to women out there to inspire them on their journey to success what would it be?
DON’T GIVE UP, BUT REMEMBER THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE FLEXIBLE AND OPEN TO CHANGES ON YOUR WAY TO BECOMING SUCCESFUL. KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY PRESENT THEMSELVES ALL THE TIME, BUT OFTEN GO UNNOTICED. WORK HARD, NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS WITHOUT HARD WORK AND PASSION. LOVE WHAT YOU DO OR YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME.
Do you have a favourite quote you would like to share with us and what it means to you?
“IN MY MIND, WE CAN CONQUER THE WORLD” – STEVIE WONDER FROM THE SONG YOU AND I….. I ALWAYS FEEL THAT WAY.....BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING.
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