Your Career Journey
Welcome to ‘Your Career Journey,’ the podcast designed to be your compass through the twists and turns of career development.
Whether you're a seasoned professional navigating a career transition, climbing the corporate ladder, looking to return to work after some time away, or just taking your first steps, this show is for you.
Each episode dives into real stories from people who have made their mark. We cover career challenges, triumphs, and everything in between, offering practical insights, inspiration and giving you valuable takeaways for your journey.
Expect candid conversations with industry experts and thought leaders who've embraced the highs, weathered the lows and emerged with wisdom worth sharing.
Join me and let’s explore the multifaceted landscapes of career development, learning, and growth together.
Your Career Journey
How Susan Toft Built The Laundry Lady | From Corporate Career to Startup CEO
In this inspiring episode of Your Career Journey, Emma chats with Susan Toft, Founder & CEO of The Laundry Lady, the world’s first online marketplace for mobile laundry services.
After being made redundant during the GFC, Susan took a bold leap. With no tech background and a young child at home, she built a business from scratch, turning a personal need into a multi-million-dollar enterprise, and landing a feature on Shark Tank Australia. 🦈
🎯 What’s Inside This Episode:
🔥 How Susan went from corporate marketing to tech entrepreneur
🔥 Starting small with a washing machine and big vision
🔥 Building an MVP (minimum viable product) instead of a perfect platform
🔥 Scaling to 300+ contractors across Australia and New Zealand
🔥 Pitching on national TV without prior investor experience
🔥 The power of personal branding as a female founder
This episode is perfect for marketers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and career changers looking for inspiration and insight.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:09 Susan's Early Career and Education
01:19 Transition to Marketing and Key Experiences
04:00 Working in Tourism and Government
10:27 The Birth of Laundry Lady
12:49 Starting the Business During a Crisis
20:06 Building the Business and Overcoming Challenges
23:48 Starting the Business During COVID
24:13 First Hire and Scaling Up
25:01 Importance of Marketing and Branding
26:07 Technology and System Integrations
29:27 Transitioning to Leadership
32:36 Personal Branding and Public Exposure
36:30 Shark Tank Experience
40:27 Lessons Learned and Future Plans
🤝 Connect with Susan Toft
✔️ Website: https://thelaundrylady.com.au
✔️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-toft-b855ab41/
I'm Emma Graham, Career Coach, ex-recruiter, here to help you:
💡 Gain clarity on what’s important to you
💡 Confidently communicate your value
💡 Build a personal brand and a strong network
💡 Take a strategic approach to your next move
💡 Navigate the job market effectively
💡 Build career confidence with a repeatable success blueprint
🌐 Explore my coaching programs and free resources:
Website: https://www.egconsulting.au/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmagrahamcareercoach/
🎁 Free Resources:
📄 CV Development Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/cv-advice
📄 LinkedIn Profile Optimisation Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/linkedin-profile-guide
📅 Book Your FREE Career Strategy Discovery Call:
https://calendly.com/emmagrahamconsulting/discovery-call
