[00:00:00] Rebecca: Hello, and welcome to episode 63 of the Rebecca Saunders Show. I'm joined today by the incredible Tori Archibald. Welcome to the show, 

[00:00:46] Tory: Oh thank you so much. And I love a good podcast swap because we interviewed you on powerful stories a couple of months ago when you're in New York, so it's good to be in the same country.

[00:00:56] Rebecca: We're back in the same country and since then you've also been to New York and done some fun travel. So I'm sure there's lot coming next year off the back of that . 

[00:01:04] Tory: Well, I believe in the power of networking and you've gotta shift your energy forward and human connection is the best connection. So if anyone out there has the opportunity to travel and meet people in person, I highly re.

[00:01:17] Rebecca: Oh, it has really refilled my cup. That is for sure. Now Tori, for people that don't know you, and I'm surprised there are still people out there that might not, , your background is very vast. You are very connected, and as you said, you are very into people communication and connection. In a little bit of a nutshell, what was the background of your career before Powerful Stories.

[00:01:40] Tory: So powerful stories, it's confusing. Powerful Stories is it's on podcast. Yes, and Powerful Steps is my business, but whatever I do is always powerful. So, we'll kick off with that. I believe that, self-belief is, all of our superpower, you know, for every woman out there who had [00:02:00] a dream, who wanted to translate it into reality, and for all the people that said no to them, there's always a little voice inside of you that says, yes, I can do this. And I said, Yes to myself at 24. Because my career started, over a coffee date and rejection. I went to a friend of mine and actually an ex-boyfriend of mine. I had bills in Crown Street, Sur Hills, over 20 years ago now.

And I just come back from the working holiday visa in London where I'd worked with a who's who of media entertainment, And I'd fallen in love with the art of storytelling. And I came back to Australia and I couldn't quite find a job that I really loved that would set my heart on fire, in which I could, you know, make a difference.

And so I said to myself, I'm gonna create the perfect dream job. Mm-hmm. . And so I went around and had coffee dates with people and one of these is this ex-boyfriend. I said, I'm gonna start a brand communications agency, it's gonna attract the best of the best. I'm gonna create and build brands. It's gonna be a global super attractor.

And he was like, why would you do that? Why don't you get married, become an interior designer, have three kids, join a few clubs and life will be perfect. And I was like, that is not what I wanna do. Because that was what I had grown up in a household. I was the eldest of, um, four girls and that was pretty much what my parents wanted for me.

But, I knew that I could do more than create a beautiful home for other people. I thought that I could become a person who could create and deliver impact for other people. So I started my first business when I was 24. It was called Torstar, tori is a little star after my nickname from advertising.

And, yeah, build it into, um, the number one branding communications agency in Australia. And we attracted the best of the best, just like I said, I would. So I'm a good manifestor. I'm good at seeing the runway of life, but most importantly, I'm not afraid to do the hard work to make my dreams [00:04:00] become reality.

[00:04:01] Rebecca: Mm. I love that so much. And I was 22 when I started my business and I remember going, I'm gonna have a global production company. And I was telling people it was national and then it was global before I'd even got there. And you're right. When you come back yourself, it really does become a reality. But I'm curious though, if we're looking back over that last decade stuff has changed so much. You know, technology's changed, socials change. The way we connect and communicate is vastly different, and I won't even touch with the covid scenario now. It's all vastly different. For anyone that's wanting to start that space now and back themselves, it's a bit more of a daunting task to do now, would you agree?

[00:04:44] Tory: No, I think it's easier. So, yeah. so I started my second business in my forties, Powerful Steps. And again, I backed myself when people said, why should you, wanna shut down a multimillion dollar business and start again? And it was like I said, because I can, because I had that feeling inside of me that I was capable of more, that I could give more, that I could deliver more value and create more impact for others. So I believe now there's more opportunity out there than ever for women and for men because businesses are backed by technology. So in my first business I had 22 staff, I had two assistants, I had 10 freelancers. You know, we global, But I'm backed by technology, I'm backed by automation, but most importantly, I'm backed by human connections. 

So if you wanna start a business now, it is easier than ever to do that. But 95% of female founded businesses fail because they don't listen. They don't lean in, and most importantly, they don't deliver. So I think the trick now to creating and building a successful brand, whether it's product, service or personal, brand based, is who you choose to surround yourself with.

So when I had my first business Torstar, obviously I had a big team, I had a big office, it was like, go, go, go, go, go. All this amazing, you know, passion and. Energy that went into it. Now I engage people all around the world to fill my cup in business. I'm able to hire the best of the best. Like we've got a team out of New York, out of San Diego.

We're about to have, a team in LA that's gonna work with us. We also have, you know, people in Perth work for us, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney. I'm obviously Sydney based, but you know, the world is our oyster. We can do whatever we. As a female-led founder, we can hire the best of the best. And I think there's more opportunity now for female-led businesses than there was a decade ago. I'm living proof that there is, you know?

[00:06:44] Rebecca: Yeah, yeah. I, no, I don't disagree with the opportunities there, like a hundred percent, but I'm also curious as to that imposter syndrome piece, whether it's got bigger, right? Whether that we've got so much more ability now to sit in that comparanitis space. we are right. We can see global. We can go global, but sometimes that can almost be a stunt block in terms of watching and seeing what others are doing and going, oh wow, well, no, I can't go that far, or I can't get to that point yet. What are the conversations you've seen within the, the women coming through your programs now that are getting through that block of comparitis scenario because whilst the tech's there and we can do it, we are still scrolling Instagram and watching others . 

[00:07:26] Tory: So do you know what I say to all of them? Fuck. Imposter syndrome, stain lane. Yeah. Yeah. So when I had to star, quite often we'd pitch for big pieces of global business and I'd always be asked this question, who's your competition?

And I'd say, no. And they'd say, really? And I'd say, yeah, why would I wanna replicate myself and why would others wanna replicate me? If you are coming to me, it's because I've got a unique ability to deliver for you. You can't replicate who you are. [00:08:00] So if you are suffering from co compar, What are you calling it? Comparanitis?

[00:08:03] Rebecca: Comparanitis.

[00:08:04] Tory: That just means you're spending too much time scrolling through Instagram and LinkedIn when that time is actually better invested in you and your business. So I call bullshit on that, and I say, if you've got a great idea and you wanna implement it, it's like invest the time, invest the energy, invest the passion into it, and stay in your lane.

And you cannot fail. If you are there to add value to other people, you will always take people on a journey with you and they will always come back for more. That's how you build a powerful community, a powerful business, a powerful product and service. Yes, you can always go, oh, someone's got a nicer handbag than me.

Or someone's wearing a nicer dress, or someone got a bigger salary than me. Really doesn't matter. Come back to what makes you happy in life, because it's what sets your heart on fire in the morning that makes you get out of bed, that gives you that passionate energy that get up and go to make a difference in life.

That's what makes a great leader. A great leader does not sit there and go, I wish I was Tori Archibald, and look at her. They go, how can I do better? How can I be more unique? How can I deliver something that's gonna make an impact as well? But what is my runway? And most importantly, how am I gonna stay in my lane so that my business is a success?

[00:09:23] Rebecca: You're so right when I talk about imposter syndrome, for me it's about being a Sean, not being a sheep, and, you know, doing it your way, staying in the lane. So it's very much a very similar ilk. Something I've been exploring, recently because I fell into the trap of constantly hustling, doing stuff, feeling busy, always filling my time with just making more stuff happen, right?

That's been something that's been. Particularly huge for me in the last couple of years. What with Covid and video and live streaming and, and all of the likes being in popular demand, one of the things I'm exploring now is the art of space, and giving myself space [00:10:00] to be creative to get all that inspiration back.

The magic of space. When you are looking at the business building and that space piece and ensuring you're the best that you can be, what are the things that you are doing to ensure that you can always show up being your best self, to have that maximum impact.

[00:10:19] Tory: You need to carve out me time. And I write about this in my book, so I've got this book coming out next.

[00:10:24] Rebecca: I don't wait to see that one come out.

[00:10:26] Tory: It's called Self-Belief is Your Superpower. Right? And you know, if you think big, you create big. But if you are running on an empty tank, you can't deliver. So every Friday for me is my non-negotiable, that is my me day. Whether it's catching up on admin, whether it's going having a facial, a massage, going for an extra long walk, whatever it is, it's me time.

Now. I always find that nature is life's greatest gift. And when you. Take the headphones off. You're not listening to a podcast, you're not listening to music, but you're listening to the sound of a bird, or you're seeing like, a little caterpillar go across your yoga mat or whatever. What you're doing is you're slowing your body down and you're allowing it to be calm.

Now, when your body's calm, it's able to receive the messages that you need that actually show you how you can level up in business and life. So for me, for instance, my me time, because I used to be one of those women, that was on the go, go, go, go, go all the time. Right. And it almost killed me. And I remember sitting down with this Buddhist monk in Thailand and he said to me, Tori, you need to learn how to meditate.

And I was like, there's no freaking way that I have an hour to sit down there and meditate every day. It's just, I can't carve that time out. And he said to me, well, you've gotta have this time, which is non-negotiable and it's you. So he asked me who I had a shower with, and at that point in time, my daughter, you know, wasn't washing her hair and all the rest of it in the shower with me and you know, trying to make it all happen at once.

And he said, well, You're gonna learn how to meditate in the shower. So over the last decade, I've really manifested, created the most incredible goal setting runways of life that I have made happen, simply because I get three drops of lavender oil and I put it in my decollage every morning.

I inhale, exhale three times, and I just allow myself just to listen Now, I could do that for 30 seconds. I could do it for 20 minutes. I could do it for 30 minutes. It's whatever my body needs, whatever I need to feed it, for it to come alive so that it's working as a machine, but most importantly, that my mind understands that I'm gonna slow down. I'm gonna learn to receive so that I can create and deliver impact. 

Because in a business, if you are not producing value for other people, you don't grow, but you've also gotta produce value for yourself. So yeah, it's non-negotiable. Bec. 

[00:12:58] Rebecca: I love that so much. And for me, I struggle with meditation sometimes. It was one of those things that I got into going. My head is just like a washing machine of thoughts. Like, is that what's supposed to happen during that time? And apparently yes. So if you are listening and you're struggling also with the meditation piece, stick with it. The washing machine stops eventually. But for sure the balance piece, you know, you've talked about having Fridays to yourself.

 What are you doing differently in 2023 than you have done 2022? We are recording this pre-Christmas, we're going live beginning of January, and I know a lot of those things percolate for people going, I want this year to be different. Not necessarily bigger or better, but I want it to be different What are the things that you are putting in place or you're seeing your clients put in place to give themselves more space, more magic to give more impact? 

[00:13:45] Tory: So now when we're talking about 2022, I'm actually creating for 2023 now. Nice. Yeah. So I always have eight weeks off Christmas and the new year and and what I do to create space is, we work with a system called Acuity. I think you work with Calendy? Mm-hmm. . I map out my whole year. So I've already sat down with my husband because I'm launching my business into the US and I need to be between the two countries. And he's also got another business in New Zealand, but we're Australian based.

We've mapped out the first six months. So number one is I'm available to my clients and to my community, when I can give a hundred percent. Yeah. Now, when you travel, when you're doing launches, you know when you're doing speaking gigs, whatever it is, when listening to these podcasts, don't jam your diary up so that you feel stressed the day before you have a big event.

I know what my schedule of events are next year, and I've already mapped out that the two to three days before then I'm unavailable because I can't go and step into something unless I'm completely in my power, and I'm at my creative best. So my whole thing is get your calendar and work it out.

Now, I've also been given the gift of my daughter leaving school. So for the last three years, I've really only been working part-time when I'm building this business. But 2023 for us is gonna be a massive year because I'm back into Torestar mode. I'm like creator, let's go out there and conquer the world again, but I don't wanna burn out. Yeah, so that's why it's really important that the me time that you carve out your calendar.

And thirdly as well, surround yourself by the right support system. Hire the right agencies. The right freelancers. Don't be afraid to cut them if they're not delivering, because a lot of people go, oh, it'll get better next week or that week, you are paying for that service. 

[00:15:38] Rebecca: Well, you're not just paying money though, you're paying an energy as well. 

[00:15:41] Tory: Yes. Yeah. So if you are getting those feelings now, Cut it before 2023. Go hire another agency. Find people that are on the same vibration as you that will allow you to fly. So if you're surrounded by the right people, you've created space for yourself, but you also map and plan out what you're doing.

You should just cruise through the year, but you're prepared for growth because you've got a good mindset. And you're working in harmony with what the universe really wants for you. 

[00:16:12] Rebecca: Mm. And you've given it space to deliver. That's the key. That's the kicker. In terms of those breaks, Tori, are you taking stuff during the during the year as well?

Do you do the long breaks, long weekends, every so often. Or you know, girly trips that you've scheduled in. You obviously can't run. Eight weeks off and then sprint the rest of the year. How are you dividing it out?

[00:16:30] Tory: I'm a big holiday girl, so I, believe in the power of, a wellness retreat called Camaya, which is in Koh Samui, Thailand.

So I go twice a year there. Last year I went for two and a half weeks. Beautiful. Next year we're gonna be hosting retreats over there, so I'm going to be doing like retreats and then have time to myself as well. and then you know what, my husband and I, we are really lucky. We make a lot of time for ourselves and we are still in the love bubble

Cause if anything, three years married. So we're always making sure that we do special things, and I think that's really important, whether you have. Date night or friendship night once a week or you know, my daughter's going to university, like I wanna be able to take her out to dinner once a week. You gotta carve out all those times that light you up.

And the other thing as well is drink less alcohol. Have a really clear. Mind because when your body is working at an optimum as a business woman, as a leader, as a wife, a mother, a friend or a partner, you're able to give more. 

[00:17:33] Rebecca: Yeah. So much so, yeah. For me it's that. It's the, the less alcohol, the more exercise in, out, in nature. And putting in those non-negotiables with friends and family. You know, like those bits, those bits are important. Otherwise, what's the point of doing what we're doing? Correct. Heaps of golden nuggets in here, like you filled my cup even more this morning and I cannot wait to see this episode go live and tell me more where people can find you and when your book is gonna be released. Cos I've been watching that baby come to life and you've teased the cover. Where can we find you into next year and when does that baby come alive? 

[00:18:07] Tory: Oh, you're so sweet. So the book's out in April, it's called Self-Belief is Your Superpower, but you can find us on powerful-steps.com.

And I just wanna say we have curated a whole series of events, tapping into my little black book actually. And we've got a lot of, power players actually coming out from the US to co-host events with me early 2023, so if you wanna become involved in those, , just go to the Events page on our website. And also, if you wanna build your own business, don't be afraid to network like a pro, right?

Yeah. So for me, building a business has always been a commitment to three coffee dates a week. And I recently just launched a masterclass, which gives away all my secret formulas, with some really great downloadable workbooks that people can really just map out and plan their year. So if you are looking at converting coffee dates into clients or building a global network, wanting to appear on more podcasts or media interviews, or, you know, just secure the right deals, that masterclass is pretty cool Bec because it sets you up for success.

So if there was one thing that I was gonna do to plan for next year as well, It's to lock in all of those coffee dates and make sure that, the first 12 weeks of my year I'm meeting with the right people, I'm connecting with the right people and I'm visible because it's the power of community that propels you forward.

[00:19:24] Rebecca: Oh, I love that. And you've landed on a powerful ending there, Tori. We will be putting all of those things in the show notes and I'll be checking out that masterclass. Personally. Thank you so much for joining me on the show.