Business Daily Media

The Times Real Estate

.

Success Isn’t About Labels—It’s About Mindset

  • Written by Fran Chalmers, Managing Director at MediaCast

In the lead up to International Women’s Day, I’ve been reflecting on my own success as a business owner and whether or not being a woman has played a role in my success. Truthfully, I don’t know that it has… and I’d love to tell you why.

I fundamentally believe that success isn’t about circumstances, labels, or external validation—it’s about persistence, adaptability, and making the tough decisions at the right time. Reflecting on my career so far, I realise that some of the most important lessons I’ve learned had nothing to do with being a woman in business, but everything to do with the mindset needed to build something that lasts.

When I first started my agency, I wasn’t thinking about breaking barriers or defying expectations. I was thinking about how to create a unique offering, deliver value, and build something that mattered. My business hasn’t achieved success because of who I am — it succeeds because I have a strong vision, a willingness to take risks, and an unwavering commitment to hard work.

There’s a tendency in today’s world to define success through external factors—gender, background, or industry norms. But in reality, success is built from the inside out. It’s about resilience in the face of setbacks, the ability to pivot when challenges arise, and a relentless focus on growth. It’s about making smart decisions, surrounding yourself with the right people, and never settling for mediocrity.

Looking back, I see that the key moments in my career haven’t been shaped by being a woman in business, but by how I approach each challenge. Early on, I worked in the automotive industry, an environment where men vastly outnumbered women. But instead of seeing that as an obstacle, I saw it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and prove myself through the quality of my work. When I co-founded my agency, my focus wasn’t on how my gender might impact my success—it was on how I could build something innovative and enduring.

As MediaCast marks its 10-year anniversary, I’ve been reflecting on what it takes to sustain and grow a business in an ever-changing industry. The most valuable lessons I’ve learned apply to anyone looking to achieve success, regardless of background:

Adaptability is everything. The landscape is always shifting, and the most successful people are those who can evolve with it. Staying rigid in your thinking or approach will only hold you back.

Surround yourself with the right people. Success isn’t a solo journey. Finding business partners, mentors, and collaborators who challenge and complement you is critical.

Take risks, but make them calculated. Every opportunity carries some level of risk, but success comes from making informed, strategic decisions.

At the end of the day, success isn’t about labels—it’s about mindset. It’s about the choices you make, the habits you cultivate, and the determination you bring to every challenge. And that’s a message that applies to everyone.

Little known law offers savvy Kiwis the opportunity to supercharge their retirement savings

A little-known legal amendment is being leveraged by savvy New Zealanders and expat Brits to supercharge their retirement savings. Not many peop...

Cutting edge AI technology designed for doctors to reduce patient wait times launched in NZ

New Zealand specialist doctors now have access to Artificial Intelligence technology to help reduce patient wait times and experts say it could be...

Launchd Takes Off: Former AFL Stars Lead Tech-Powered Platform Set to Disrupt Talent and Influencer Marketing

Backed by Institutional Capital, Launchd Combines Five Leading Agencies and Smart Technology to Deliver Measurable Results Influencer marketing i...

Meet the Australian fintech unlocking rewards for small businesses

Small businesses make up 98 per cent of all businesses in Australia, yet they continue to bear the brunt of economic uncertainty. According to Credi...

Teleperformance (TP) Business Insights Report Reveals Key Shifts in Consumer Behaviour

TP’s Business Insights report  into consumer behaviors and preferences, taking in more than 57,000 respondents across 19 sectors, is shedding new li...

HubSpot launches platform-wide AI tools to help businesses close the adoption gap

HubSpot today unveiled more than 200 updates across its customer platform to help businesses grow better. The release introduces smarter tools, new AI...

Sell by LayBy