Hello, I’m Kerryn Powell.

LOVES OF MY LIFE - The great loves of my life are my family, people and their stories.

Ever since I was a small child, I have always been curious. My parents would find me often talking to the people in the camping ground when we were holidaying and throughout my life, I have always been fascinated to hear why people do what they do, how that came about and what knowledge and experience they can share. I want to learn from their experience and if they are seeking a solution in their business, or life, I am keen to see if there are ways I can connect them with what they need or contribute so they can achieve their goals.

Through my career and life journey, I have connected with people from all walks of life who have experiences unlike my own.  The diverse conversations I have had, and the network I have built, has shown me that there are many ways to live your life and every person has wisdom to share. I believe it is in the individual’s power to make a difference, even if only in a small way, when we contribute - whether that be as simple as a kind word, a smile, a solution, a service or a product or a donation of time or money.

Infact, I often describe the world like a kaleidoscope. We all have a part to play in the overall scheme of things and when you fully understand the true value of real authentic conversations and are curious to explore and tune into “magic” and synergies, you will find there infinite opportunities that can come your way and you can access knowledge, experience and support, often right under your nose.

INFLUENCES

I grew up in a neighborhood where support was always available and neighbours were like family. As children we spent hours together riding our bicycles in the street, and skipping between house. It was not uncommon to find our parents, chatting in each others homes, having run out of sugar or flour and finding it was easier to “pop over to the neighbour” than go upto the shop.

My  parents ran a small business and often the kitchen table was covered in design layouts and fabric samples for our caravan manufacturing business. Over the course of the year, there would be promotional material for me to stamp and I can recall my grubby fingers from the ink stamp as I was “employed” to help and hours spent at the caravan and camping show at the Melbourne Exhibition Buildings.

I also overheard the struggles and challenges my parents faced:

• frustration through lack of sales, lack of knowledge and constant cashflow issues, causing sleepless nights

• poor communication, damaging relationships, causing unnecessary friction

• disconnection, creating feelings of isolation, doubt and worthiness

• under confidence, leading to poor decisions and lack of fulfilment

I have witnessed these issues throughout my life in my broader networks too.

When I was 16, my parents divorced. I moved from that safe neighbourhood environment that had supported me in tough times. Moving away, there were many times I felt lost and alone and my dream to be a teacher, when I left school had been squashed. I had needed to carve out a different path.

The emotions I have experienced are felt by many in business and life. We are not alone. Others experience the same things, maybe in a different form. I have worked with families who have moved interstate , or been challenged by moving overseas, and having to tackle a new work environment, build those valuable relationships , personally and professionally and create the business you desire. I do understand. Your network is critical.

I do not want you to feel alone. There is always help available, you just need to know where to find it and build the relationships and network to support you in finding the solutions, providing the support and enabling you to achieve, whatever it is that matters to you.

In 2013, I founded Your Time Matters, a business networking community.

I knew to build my business it was essential to:
* build a network of support
* connect and explore opportunities
* discover what support was available
* and keep learning and building the knowledge I needed to achieve my goals and build a business. It is a never ending journey!

I am grateful for every person I have met who have taught me about myself and expanded my horizons. And, I have much to be thankful for.

I have a wonderful husband, who works along side me and we enjoy both business and life. We enjoy spending time with our two grown up children, their partners and our gorgeous grandchildren and travel, long walks, the beach and good food also play important parts in our shared interested with our network. Networking is not just about business. It is a life skill we all need and benefit from. Sometime, I think that is forgotten and it is just a business strategy.

I understand that running a family and a business is a challenge. Managing all the hats is a juggle.

When our children were small, my husband travelled weekly, life was busy.

I owned and operated a craft market and built a community drawing on my past experiences in retail, hospitality, the travel industry and education.  As years passed, I moved from education into international relocation where the importance of a network was highlighted even more, as my clients often felt very alone. Then I had a stint in real estate and finally started Your Time Matters to be able to manage ageing parents and have flexibility…. and of course, that has been an evolving journey.

Each time though I was expanding my skills, experience and understanding and recognising there are so many ways to live our lives and contribute in our own way.

INFLUENCE

One of the greatest life lessons I have learnt results from attending more than forty funerals. At each funeral I have always listened intently to the eulogy. Whether it has been the funeral of a five-year-old child whose parents’ hopes and dreams were crushed, or the celebration of life of my eighty-five-yearold mother, ninety-five-year-old mother-in-law, or my stepfather and friends taken too early by cancer, or young adults taking their own life, or sons and daughters of friends killed in accidents … it is connection and relationships that leave an indelible mark, not the amount of dollars they made or the material things they accrued. We have one life to live, one chance to influence and impact lives of others. Have you ever thought about that? What legacy would you like to leave?

I aim to continue to create a ripple by amplifying and inspiring others to build valuable relationships, and understand the value of strong networks (internally and externally) to support others , to build communities that influence change and move people from “what’s in it for me” to “how can I make a difference”.

Hence our desire to start the YTM Ripple Grant fund in August, 2021 where 25% of membership fees to the YTM Business community are directed to the YTM Ripple Grant fund, designed to support , in the main grassroots not-for-profit and for-profit organisations, who seek to make an impact through positive change.

VISION

Technical knowledge is not enough for success in business and life. You need curiosity, know how, support, resilience, persistence, people to cheer you on, and push you forward. You must be prepared to step out of your comfort zone and the easiest place to do that is to make every conversation you have count and connect with like and un-like minded people from whom you will always learn something.

Yes, business is an essential part of life to pay bills and provide options and choices. However, living on purpose and understanding you can make a positive impact proveds growth and fulfillment.

REALITY

Creative by nature, I have designed unique tools, formats and learning experiences to encourage curiosity, expand perspectives, challenge thinking and work with people to have deeper, more purposeful conversations and make building valuable relationships fun, not a chore to be endured.

Even if you think you know someone well, there are always more stories which deepen our understanding and connection.

My book & podcast, amplify stories of people and organisations who individually or collectively, contribute to community in their own way. I know conversations can energise, inspire and motivate us to move forward.

CATALYST

And, as I connect the dots and look back, my superpower is founded on a resourceful approach, ability to find a solution to almost anything , desire to continually learn and apply new knowledge and forever supporting others to achieve their goals in life so through a ripple effect we can all contribute in someway to communities.

I aim to be a catalyst, transforming conversations from “awkward” to “awesome” and silo breaker so people create true connection and build communities.

Together, let’s encourage connection and unearth the true value of relationships; ones that deliver mutual support, knowledge, opportunities, learning and growth and make your conversations the conduit to building the business, or change you want to see in community reality.

I know that by stepping out of your comfort zone, there is nothing to lose and so much to gain!

Whether online or in-person:

• hosting, or facilitating a business event

• leading an in-depth online workshop

• mentoring one-on-one

• or delivering a keynote speech …

… I work with people’s energy, enthusiasm and expertise to create a growth environment where people develop clarity, confidence and purpose.

As The Network Catalyst I want to help you transform. I want you to experience conversations and relationships that draw on the power of your network to create and sustain personal and professional fulfilment.

We have one life to live, one chance to make a difference.
Don’t wait for a better time; start now