I was first introduced to Betty Amsden in 2013 through my Ambassadorship position at a charity that Betty was supporting. I was 19 at the time, freshly graduated from the University of Melbourne, Victorian College of the Arts and I was keen to pursue my passion for events and production management as a business. Whilst everyone around me encouraged me to start my own business, I required someone to provide me with a realistic view of what lies ahead – Betty did this. In our meeting, Betty drew a bell curve graph, explaining what I need to expect as an entrepreneur in the next 10 years. Betty was real in her approach and encouraged me to find a part-time job in a large corporation to ensure I am well rounded in my experiences. I listened and was able to pick up a parttime events role at a university.

Within three months, I was promoted twice and was exposed to the nuisances of how to manage a diverse range of stakeholders.

With this position, I grew as an individual, whilst being able to continue to pursue my freelance work. Within a year, I built enough clients to leave my position and dived into the business full time.

Betty would always challenge me to think broadly, try new approaches and ensured that I was grounded in my business decisions. Her mentorship allowed me to realise at an early stage in my career that being a business owner is not simple and that there will be plenty of knockbacks and challenges along the way.

With this realisation, I felt more prepared as I continued to grow JT. Production Management. Now, seven years on from our first meeting, my ‘freelance’ business has become a company, with a team of employees, a portfolio of our 45 brands, delivering an average of 50 events a year. Betty’s feedback wasn’t always pretty, though her honesty has helped shape my career.