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Testimonials
A few nice words from clients.
Sasha Abram
(GreenStreet & Co)
@greenstreet&co
"Working with Holly has been a joyful journey of deep reflection and inspired action. Holly's natural elegance is infused into all aspects of her coaching. Her gentle accountability, her brand expertise and her authentic partnership, has made launching my own 'tiny, baby business', shift from idea to reality. Holly sets realistic, ambitious and achievable goals and she combines practical tips with intuitive guidance. I would wholeheartedly recommend Holly to anyone who is looking to elevate their career and follow their dreams!"
Tori Bowman
(The First Word)
thefirstword.com.au
"Holly is a multifaceted, knowledgeable, composed and graceful woman of business. The time she takes to deep dive into your business and your vision, is mirrored by the time she takes to deep dive into what motivates the heart & passion of each of her clients. Holly is precise and patient. She is wise and efficient. Holly allows her curiosity to underline what she has learned from her own previous experience - which leads to guidance that is hard to ignore & exciting to execute. I trusted Holly from start to finish and I always looked forward to our sessions. Holly saw me both smile & cry. I never felt judged. I always felt celebrated and encouraged. I am truly grateful to have worked alongside such an individual."
Catherine Martin
(Show Business)
showbusiness.sydney
"Holly is a difference maker. She helped me take an idea, give it form, and start. Her advice and support gave me a framework to work through each step and the confidence to move on to the next one. There's a shorthand with Holly. Speaking to her is easy. She's open, honest, helpful, and gets to the heart of things in a way that removes the noise and makes things clearer. Working together was (and still is) one of the most enjoyable aspects of my work-life, which, thanks to Holly's input and encouragement, is now more in sync with how I want it to be."
Sophie McComas & Nikki To
(Buffet Digital)
buffet.digital
"We came to Holly for assistance with clarifying the values and purpose of our brand, and instantly found we'd connected with a kindred spirit who knew exactly what we needed and how to lead us there. Holly's deep experience, energy and direct yet kind approach steered us to a point where we feel clear, empowered and motivated to drive our business through its next phase. If we could keep her in our pocket to advise us on everything, all the time, we would!"
Claire Alstin
(CryBaby, Co Founder)
crybabyproductions.com
"We have been in a business partnership for over 7 years (Catherine & I) and it can be really hard sometimes to see our way forward and articulate what we each are thinking and feeling. We engaged Holly to help us come to a clear understanding about what we each wanted for the business moving forward. She was an excellent and proactive mediator and coach; listening to each of us and mirroring back with clear insight what we were saying and offering clever suggestions that could really work for us. Together, with Holly, we realised we were on the same page and wanted the same things which was rewarding and reassuring and most of all productive!"
2023
Billie Routledge
(Human Design)
billieroutledge.com
"I am someone who has all the creative ideas but no strategic or financial know-how. I started my business as a side hustle. Being a relatively new concept in Australia, I wasn't sure how it would be received. Three years on, I have seen steady growth and a lot of potential to turn it into a full-time business, but I was unsure how to make that happen. I contacted Holly because I was looking for someone to guide me through this transition. I needed someone who was business savvy to look at my business through a different lens, a more strategic one. Holly, with her many talents, was able to analyse all aspects of my business and highlight the areas that perhaps needed more nurturing or a fresh perspective. Each week she gave me various tasks to help me clarify my core business values, purpose, positioning and goals. All of which led to Holly creating a thorough strategic plan, giving me the confidence to push forward and my side hustle into a thriving, full-time business. Over the sessions I had with her, I truly felt she was a part of my business because of how much she invested her beautiful energy into it. It was honestly the most profound mentoring experience I have had and I look forward to growing my business using all the sound advice Holly has given me. She is such a trustworthy confidante, and I cannot recommend her highly enough."
Julia
(Communications)
"Working with Holly has been an invaluable exercise and experience. It is such a great long-term investment whether you are self-employed or part of a team. Having consulted for almost a decade, it was so helpful to finally have someone behind the scenes to discuss challenges and explore ideas with . I wish I had been able to work with Holly sooner as having her expertise, impartial opinion and insight on things has been amazing. Additionally, having professional support no doubt helps in other areas of life too. As with all practices, I will continue to work with Holly in the future on one-off sessions when I need her advice or would like to talk through an idea.”"
Marisa Remond
marisaremond.com
"Working with Holly was a real turning point for me and my new business. Our sessions highlighted what I really wanted from a career and how to play to my strengths while still navigating and prioritising young family life. She gave me the confidence to believe in what I'm doing as well as the right tools to move forward and forge my own path in a tricky media landscape. I loved her input, I really valued her ideas and opinions and I took great comfort in her view of what business means. There was no fluff, no acronyms I had to google, no girl-boss narrative (which I wholeheartedly reject) — her sessions were simply very real and very comforting."
U-Fhern Chang
(Founder)
elan.house
"I was introduced to Holly through a mutual friend as she thought Holly would instantly understand the vision I was trying to create. Through collaborating with Holly, we have been able to define our vision and mission, clarify our messaging whilst also working with my personal style to share with the world what Elan has to offer. She has been a delight to work with, easy to talk to and great to explore new ideas with. She has also served as a mentor to younger members of my team. Her experience in PR and in business gives her the ability to critically and practically look at how things are operating and set realistic goals. Holly has helped us fine tune what we are trying to communicate across various different mediums and how thankful I am that our paths crossed."
Lilith Hardie Lupica
(Writer, Content, Social)
@lilithruby
"Working with Holly was a therapeutic experience for me; she gave me the space and permission to interrogate what was holding me back. And the process gave me the tools to work through the confusion and deep-seated doubt I was holding onto.
It was an invaluable investment
in myself and my future."
Emily Robertson
(Psychologist)
"I contacted Holly after a period of burnout. I was feeling uninspired in my career and knew I needed change, but had no idea what that meant or where to start. Without a clear goal, I was worried I would be wasting Holly’s time. Thankfully, I had nothing to worry about. Holly meets you where you are and tailors her sessions accordingly. She helped me sort through my ideas and put a framework in place to achieve meaningful change. Holly is just so good at cutting through all of the head noise and gently nudging you back on track. She is real, funny and empathetic, allowing you to really open up during sessions. I would leave each session with Holly feeling empowered and hopeful for the future. I know I will be coming back to Holly throughout my career—if she'll have me!."
Anna Myers
(Strategic Consultant)
annabmyers.com
"Holly's guidance was invaluable in clarifying and advancing my career toward the dreams I've held onto for several years. She skillfully combined accountability with wisdom, fostering a supportive environment where I could articulate my aspirations and overcome obstacles. Through clear communication, focused sessions, and thoughtful reflection, Holly helped me feel understood and empowered me to achieve tangible results confidently and purposefully. I'm immensely grateful for our early sessions and eagerly anticipate continuing our work. As a New Zealander navigating the dynamic career landscape of New York City, I was excited to work specifically with Holly. Her extensive experience spanning diverse markets was a key factor, but what truly resonated with me was her understanding of the unique cultural nuances I carried as a professional in the NYC market."
Louise
(Communications)
"When I started with Holly I was unsure of where to next for my career. I was looking for someone to give me frank and fearless advice, which Holly delivered but in an incredibly intelligent and considered way. She provided pathways and options that I hadn't considered and importantly for me, removed any shame I felt about being unsure of my career path.
Our sessions felt like part coaching, part work therapy - Holly's ability to listen and decipher what you're actually trying to say ensures you leave a session feeling heard and empowered. Holly's guidance, wisdom and support have been invaluable."
Paul Tooth
(Designer)
@paultooth
"I’m sitting here writing this testimonial, deleting each line as sounds like a testimonial for a corporate motivational speaker...BUT in reality, Holly just totally fucking gets it. She’s an incredible listener and is able to keep track of and decode all the oppressed garble you throw at her about your life and business, then responds in such a considered and valuable way. Her intuition for all things related to my work as a creative business owner was super on point. After working for yourself for so long, it was such a pleasure to have Holly 100% in on all of your day to day and in your corner. The real draw card for me was her approach to a healthy business is a healthy life. The two co-exist and to work on them together as a whole. The top level stuff like ‘don’t forget your tax’ and finance projections is weaved through all the advice, it’s so much more than just general 'business coaching’. The sessions are always such a pleasure. 10/10. 5 stars."
Jessica
(Fashion Designer)
"I came to Holly with the clear intention of securing a new role that ticked multiple boxes after an extended period of maternity leave. After spending time exploring my priorities and values, Holly worked with me to navigate a tangible pathway forward, designed to specifically improve my job search outcomes. Holly’s approach is personalised and specifically tailored to the individual. She highlighted the areas where I could improve my assets and leverage my network in a meaningful, focussed way. She also generously provided online support between appointments as various new opportunities popped up, providing her valued perspective and guidance when it was needed. I found this aspect of Holly’s support particularly valuable, as the timely feedback allowed me to respond to real time events to analyse, regroup and prep for the next opportunity. After a series of 3 sessions over the course of 3 months I secured a role and enriched my network significantly. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her services and plan to work with her again!."
Anna Mansfield
(Leisure Practice)
leisurepractice.com
"I initially engaged Holly to work with our team to help them define their personal career purposes and values. Even in a group scenario, Holly took the time to offer each team member targeted advice and made it practical and realistic for them. She made a huge effort to connect with everyone individually, and a resounding comment from the team was that she made them all feel very heard. It was incredible to see the team open up the way they did, and I know they all walked away from the session with renewed career clarity and enthusiasm. Following this session, I knew I wanted to work with Holly in a one-on-one capacity. I have a somewhat clear view of where I want to be with my career in the future, but sometimes feel I lack a solid map to get me there. Holly is helping to give me the tools and confidence to shape that map. This kind of work does not come easily to me, but Holly is guiding me through the challenges with her personable and extremely considered approach. I know it’s a really safe space when I speak with Holly, where I can let go and be vulnerable to the process. In the short time of working with her I am already feeling a sense of focus and motivation to push my career to the next level."
Name Witheld
"Holly has become an invaluable resource and support to me as I navigate my way through building a career as a woman in her thirties. What I love most about her approach is that she is pragmatic and measured, yet remains personable, non-judgemental and empathetic always. She will set you homework and hold you accountable for your own progress but she is completely open and friendly in the process, making you feel safe to be vulnerable and honest with yourself - which I feel is what you need in order to make true progress. I would absolutely recommend Holly’s sessions to anyone who feels like they have lost equilibrium in their career pursuits or life goals, are struggling with a toxic work environment or simply feel disconnected from what they want out of their career or work/life balance."
Victoria Pearson
(Writer)
victoria-pearson.com
"I believe that a lot of people have a deep-seated, almost subconscious, understanding of what they want to do professionally, but lack the space, tools or language required to fully realise it. Holly’s guidance is rooted in practicality, but each of her sessions (and interim reflective work) served as an invitation to think deeply about what I wanted, giving me the permission, framework and time to stop, reflect and narrow in on what would make me most fulfilled. Holly’s industry experience and deftly delivered advice were invaluable; however, I am most grateful for her ability to pivot the course of our sessions once I’d discovered I was pregnant and reframe our focus towards navigating work and motherhood in both the lead-up to, and aftermath of, birth. I am so glad to have been referred to Holly when I was – she was the perfect person to help me assess the stage I was at in my career, what I wanted from my future, and the actionable steps to take to bring the next chapter to life. Holly has a guaranteed return client in me!."
Anna Hall
(Strategy / Financial Markets / Wealth Management/ Digital Transformation)
"I came to Holly with my career (and life) at cross-roads. My range of options and interests had made it difficult to choose a path and execute it. Holly has a unique ability to cut through the noise and lead you to solutions that make so much sense you ask yourself “how couldn't I see that?.” That is the Holly magic. Intelligent, insightful, and supportive (and frank, when required), Holly goes beyond the pure strategic decision of “what” your next step is and gets down into the tactical advice on “how” you are going to take your next steps. Importantly for me, she also held me accountable to taking those steps."
Natalie
(Brand Strategist)
nataliesmith.consulting
"If anyone is looking to make a change in their trajectory, gain clarity, start a business - I cannot recommend Holly's support and guidance enough - I love that she looks at work in the context of a bigger life, and her direct but empathetic manner is somehow simultaneously pragmatic yet philosophical."
Vickie Lee
(Artist)
vickileegallery.com
"I've never made a decision based on anything but my gut instincts. When you operate your own business, you are the business itself, and sometimes it’s difficult to separate the instinct from all the other elements required to run the “work” smoothly. Running smooth has never been an aspiration for me. My goal is to thrive internally and externally with texture, with joy and with extra crunch. Holly worked as a perfect sound board. More than the bouncing of ideas, she managed to subtlety, but definitively deconstruct my business vision and accentuate the options I hold to get there. A sense of clarity was attained and with that a recharge to move forward with a little extra spark. I've always believed in the magic held in life but sometimes we need to be reminded that it’s right in front of us to taste, express and share."
Melinda Evans
(Operations Manager)
Buffet Digital
"Our time with Holly was incredibly practical and relevant - we applied her extensive management and leadership insight to real life scenarios we were facing. She helped us unpack and arrive at actionable tasks and resolutions for ourselves, ensuring the approach taken was authentic to each of us individually."
Sophie McFadyen
(Senior Account Manager)
Buffet Digital
"Holly's coaching sessions were so incredibly helpful and instilled a confidence in my own management style I didn't know I had! We left each session with practical actions to implement which I will use for many years to come. It's a wonderful feeling to feel so supported by a workplace that invests in such a great opportunity for their senior team."
Lyndsey Gordon
(General Manager)
PEPR Agency
PEPR Agency sought Holly’s coaching to assist the team with shaping and aligning on its values and processes. During several workshops with the entire team, we were able to identify our individual leadership and management style and ways we can work collectively to achieve our collective goals. Holly facilitated a well-thought out and planned workshop which was facilitated to ensure everyone had a voice. Her style is encompassing, warm and thought-provoking. It was a clear win with the whole team.
Sarah Leaf
(Founder & Director)
leafcomms.com
"I started my career working for Holly at Golightly for almost six years. Throughout that time Holly served as both a boss and mentor who profoundly shaped my career. Her investment in my professional development and exceptional leadership have been instrumental in my growth.
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Now as an agency founder, I want to provide my team with the same level of care and investment in their professional development. Naturally, Holly was the person I turned to for guidance and team training. Her unique blend of professional and personal development resonated deeply with my team and was the highlight of our recent vision day. The session is still a topic of positive discussion and ongoing learning - Holly's impact was undeniable and I would recommend her sessions to anyone leading a dynamic team or leaders wishing to hone their skills."
Anna Mansfield
(PEPR Agency)
PEPR Agency
I initially engaged Holly to work with our team to help them define their personal career purposes and values. Even in a group scenario, Holly took the time to offer each team member targeted advice and made it practical and realistic for them. She made a huge effort to connect with everyone individually, and a resounding comment from the team was that she made them all feel very heard. It was incredible to see the team open up the way they did, and I know they all walked away from the session with renewed career clarity and enthusiasm.
Rose Howard
(Head of Content)
Buffet Digital
"I could not speak more highly of Holly! Each session felt more like a (deeply enjoyable) conversation, moving between actionable advice, workshopping issues in real time, while also guiding me to find many of the answers on my own. By the end of our time, she’d helped me really distill how I wanted to move forward as a creative manager and continues to be an invaluable sounding board for our business.."