Such Different Vixens: Chief Betty, Kate Byrne

Kate is one of the bravest people I know. You’ll find out why shortly, but seriously, the word that comes to mind when I think about Kate, or look at her ridiculously rad website (Betty Means Business, a hub for women entrepreneurs), or pour over the emails we sent each other months back, when she turned to me for some soul-loving, is this: Tenacity.

Another thing that lights me up about this Vixen, is that she’s a contradiction – which as you know by now, I freaking love about people. On her blog, she’s badass and frank, but I can also tell that she’s trying her very best to open her heart, slow down the pace, and be gentle. I happen to know that ‘gentle’ isn’t a word that was in Kate’s vocabulary before, so to watch from the sidelines as she shifts gears in order to prioritise her health, makes me feel proud and inspired.

This chick is a serious warrior. I’m talking Xena style.

Sum up your mission in one sentence.

To heal and do everything I can to help women with creative entrepreneurial yearnings be successful.

Can you share with us one of your most vulnerable moments (and in hindsight, what made it so beautiful?)

Last year, a dramatic medical situation changed my life big time. A split second rendered me physically unable to do pretty much anything. I went from being a fiercely independent/only ever cry in private type of person to someone who had to depend on others for almost everything.

It was frightening and painful and horrible. Yet at the same time that enforced vulnerability was a gift. That experience made me see how much love there is in my life.

I was showered in love, support, food, crying with people, massage, caring, dry needling, crystal healing and more from friends and family. I felt intimacy and connection in a way I’d never experienced before. One friend dropped everything to be by my side every day. Others took me to medical appointments that were somehow always at inconvenient times. My honey was beyond amazing. The roller derby team I’m involved with even had a team dinner in my lounge room…

It’s been incredible.

What turns you on?

My honey, having a great nights sleep, Japanese food and falling snow.

What makes your blood boil?

That women just aren’t valued in many countries. The World Bank reports that women earn only 10% of the world’s income, own only 1% of the world’s land and that about 100 million girls are missing in the world right now. Can you fucking believe that shit?! Something’s gotta change.

How do you define confidence?

For me, it’s a knowing that you and your opinions and your dreams are valuable. That you feel plenty in any situation.

When was the last time you experienced pure, unadulterated joy? Can you give us the juicy details?

In May 2012 I fulfilled a long-held and very personal goal of raising enough funds to establish a library in a rural Tibetan community. People were so generous, in fact, that we ended up smashing my goal, and on top of setting up the library we were also able to fund everything for 6 girls to go to school for a year (even including food and bicycles!).

The day a donation came in pushing us over my goal was the most joy-filled and proudest moment of my life. I think it’s the most important thing I’ve ever done.

What makes you feel most ENLIVENED?

Moving my body, travelling, eating whole foods, spending time outside and cheering on my roller derby team… something about that game just sets me on fire!

Combining my passions with a business I love makes me feel…

Purpose.

I am MOST grateful for…

Love, literacy and freedom.

I secretly wish I could…

Speak Japanese.

To me, the words ‘Such Different Skies’ mean…

They’re a reminder of the different perspective a new point of view can bring. There’s always a different way of looking at things. Shifting only your point of view can change everything.

Kate is a roller derby-loving green-juice-drinking yoga-junkie, who can swear with the sailors and out-fancy the Queen. Thanks to a debilitating spinal injury, she was forced to take time out from her grown-up life as co-founder of a successful management consultancy and think about what she really wants to do when she grows up. One part entrepreneurial maven, one part irresistible super nerd, Kate has an insatiable appetite for life, art, nature, creative endeavours, women in business for themselves, making a difference and laughing out loud. Kate is a Betty on a mission to quench your thirst for bullshit-free creative inspiration & business advice. Connect with Kate here.