Tag: Jack Cowin

If you look at Wikipedia, you can read his profile, and although it has some inaccuracies, it gives you a good understanding of the background of the person who I am about to write on, Jack Cowin.

I am in a privileged position to be mentored by Jack Cowin, and I don't say that lightly, as I know what an honour it is to have someone with his pedigree giving me important lessons and advice on business and life. However, the honour is not about who he is to the outside world that don't know him, as quite frankly, I couldn't give a 'rats ass' as to how wealthy he is or how much money he has made - and that is what most people tend to attach to his name. Those things lack importance in my life, and to his. I am certain that he would not care about how much money he makes, instead he is more interested in the journey and never having to work a day in his life. He genuinely loves what he does, and as a man in his seventies, to still love what you do is quite special.

I was speaking to a journalist yesterday and was informing them of the speakers at the upcoming North Queensland Entrepreneurs Conference. While it may be branded that, people from all over the world are embarking on travelling to Townsville for this conference - that is how high the calibre of speakers are.

The main speaker is incredibly dear to me, as he has known me for a very long time. He has seen me transform from a young enthusiastic business woman (girl), to a woman that has more confidence and knowledge in so many different areas of business and industry sectors. At long last I can say that to most companies - I can add value. I think that transition is obvious in so many ways, and when you see someone on that journey, it is quite interesting to say the least.

I am not stupid. At least I don't think I am.

I try to listen to what others have to say and when someone gives me advice, I usually take it.

I have these two men in my life that are mentors. They are the two men throughout the world that I hold in the highest business esteem. Yes, the world. Not just Australia, but the world.

Their names are Jack Cowin and Peter Ivany. If you don't know who they are, Google them. It will be well worth your while. They are not your average 'smart cookies', they are briliant businessmen - beyond the brilliance of anyone else I have ever met (and I have met people worth hundreds of billions of dollars and spent quality time with them). I think these two guys are better. 

As an ex-journalist, interviewing people of all backgrounds and walks of life is second nature to me. I've interviewed police officers, politicians and met the Prime Minister, but have never been asked to have a sit-down interview with my former news organisation's owner (who would be Rupert Murdoch himself - eep!).

Today, I'm on day two in the marketing industry and have been given the chance to pick the brain of Marketing Eye founder, Mellissah Smith – it’s a slightly daunting ask, especially when you consider that she was little older than I was when she first branched out and went solo in her first agency.

“I’ve been in marketing for 20-odd years and was 25 when I started my first agency – what inspired me to start was an account opportunity falling in my lap,” Mellissah said.