Valerie Khoo: Empowering women is the key to sustainable change - Women's Agenda

Valerie Khoo: Empowering women is the key to sustainable change

Valerie Khoo is the founder and managing director of Sydney Writers’ Centre and the co-founder of Social Callout and is the author of five books, including the recently published Power Stories. 

Who is your role model?

I admire so many different women that I can’t pick one role model. I’m lucky to come across some amazing people. One is Kylie Taylor, who I’ve known since kindergarten. Kylie now runs a PR firm in Melbourne called Baldwin Boyle. Not only are we close friends, we’ve also previously run a business together. I’ve learnt so much from Kylie about friendship, loyalty and just the art of getting things done.

Who would you regard as your mentor?

I didn’t really find mentors until later in life. I wish I had been more pro-active about looking for mentors when I was younger. These days, when I come up against the big issues in my business, I always give William de Ora from Quantum Dynamics a call. In recent years, he’s helped me think bigger and steer my business in the right direction.

If you could change another woman’s life, who would it be and why?

It would be helping women in poverty gain access to opportunities and training so they can support their families and change their lives. I believe that empowering women is the key to sustainable change in many developing countries.

What is the best path to success in your field of endeavor?

The key factors to success in the world of writing, publishing or blogging are no different to most fields. This means becoming highly skilled in your craft, building your personal brand and networking to create opportunities for yourself.

How would you characterise your success?

Being in a position where I’m able to pursue my passions and inspire other people to do the same.

What makes you happy?

My two beautiful cats and three gorgeous dogs: Rex, Rocky, Rambo, Dougal and Grouch. They bring me so much joy and laughter. Oh, and the occasional glass of French champagne works wonders too!

What brings you sadness?

The abuse of helpless animals or humans.

How have you overcome adversity in your life?

Sheer determination and hard work. I’ve been in some tough situations in the past and the only way to get out of them is to put one foot in front of the other – and just keep going.

What are your life goals?

I might sound like a broken record, but it’s to help people truly believe that their dreams can become reality. Also I want to create a happy and beautiful home where I can spend lots of time with partner and family.

What are your career goals?

I love building businesses that help people. Both my businesses do that. So my next goal is to see them both scale and help people on a global level.

You are a role model for women, how can you assist in their success?

I’m really passionate about helping other women and I think that one great place to start is my blog www.ValerieKhoo.com . This is where I share stories about my business, life and the lessons I’ve learnt along the way. And I’ll admit, there are more than a few pictures of my menagerie on there as well. Sometimes, I’m an over-sharer! I love continuing the conversation in the comments section. While this might be hard to believe, I’ve actually met people who have now become very close friends because we first started conversing through the comments section of my blog.

What’s your motto?

Without a doubt, do what you love and the money will follow.

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