LVLY Co-Founder and CEO Hannah is an expert in brand building and digital marketing and has developed award winning work for global brands including Adidas, Uniqlo and Kmart.
Having spent over 10+ years in the advertising industry, Hannah is highly creative and renowned for bringing immense energy and exceptional problem solving skills to everything she does. Originally from the UK, Hannah arrived in Australia in 2009 to lead the digital offering for global agency network, McCann Erickson. Since co-founding LVLY in 2014 she has been recognised as ‘Entrepreneur of the Year – by B&T Women In Media Awards 2019’, ‘Melbourne Young Entrepreneur 2019 Finalist’ and most recently a ‘2020 Telstra Business Women’s Awards’ winner. Hannah is a passionate advocate of women in business and is dedicated to building businesses with a strong social and environmental conscience. We caught up with Hannah to ask her how she cultivates kindness in her life and the work that she does and how it has helped her along her journey.
How would you describe yourself in one sentence?
Always optimistic, a little bit rebellious and a really great hugger.
What does kindness mean to you and how do you apply it to your life and the work that you do?
Kindness to me is about spreading love, encouragement and support. It’s about being warm, thoughtful and trying to create a little sunshine and joy in people’s lives. LVLY’s purpose as a business is to make people’s day, we exist to help people connect in moments of love, support and celebration.
How has being kind helped you along your journey?
I think being warm and enthusiastic has helped me in all areas of my life, kindness tends to break down all sorts of barriers. It costs nothing to put a smile on your face and to meet people with warmth and affection. I’m a massive believer in the importance of putting good energy out into the world, it’s helped me create amazing relationships personally and professionally.
What inspires you?
So many things! I’m inspired by people that show courage and resilience, by travelling to new countries, by watching my kids learn new things. Professionally I get most inspired and excited by the chance to solve big problems and to have a positive impact on the world, however small that impact might be.
Do you have any daily rituals?
Coffee. Cuddles with my husband and kids. I don’t tend to let my day revolve around rituals but I’m totally OCD about washing my hair in the shower every single morning… my hairdresser despairs of me.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
Do what scares you. It sounds counterintuitive but it helps build courage and resilience and ultimately shows you that happiness really does lie outside your comfort zone.
Do you know what your purpose or ‘why’ is?
To make the most of this amazing opportunity called life. To have adventures, to laugh, to cry, to create unforgettable memories with my family and friends. To be a good person and hopefully a great role model for my kids.
What is your #1 book recommendation and why?
I had my second baby 4 weeks ago and was gifted an incredible book called ‘The Motherhood’ by Jamila Rizvi. It’s a collection of stories about life with a newborn – the exhaustion, isolation, exhilaration, elation, anxiety… all the things! It made me laugh and cry and was exactly what I needed. Every mum (and dad for that matter) should read it.
Who is your #1 kindness role model and why?
My mum! As a kid I always thought of her as a modern day Florence Nightingale. She cared for the elderly and oftentimes my sisters and I would sit in the car for hours on end after school whilst she carried out her daily nursing rounds calling in at people’s homes and tending to them. She taught me the importance of being a ‘good egg’ – it’s a phrase we have always used a lot in my family and one that has become a core value for team LVLY.