“Amazing things have evolved from making a decision to do one thing,” expresses Katrina Hutchinson-O'Neill, the visionary CEO and founder of Join Talent. This dynamic company, launched in 2018, skyrocketed to fame by being named the UK’s fastest-growing enterprise in 2023. A testament to its meteoric rise, Join Talent was honored with the prestigious Royal Award for Enterprise, bestowed by His Majesty King Charles. This accolade is merely one in a series of commendations, a testament to Katrina's willingness to take leaps of faith, especially as she self-identifies as a natural introvert. After nearly a decade navigating the corporate landscape—Katrina had an epiphany: she possessed all the makings of a CEO. As the primary provider for a family of five, she allocated a year and set a budget to transform her business dream into a tangible success.
In this enlightening episode, Katrina extends valuable experience shares for executive women yearning to ascend the career ladder.
Quotes
“I guess my career path was pretty non-traditional. I never knew what I wanted to do when I grew up. So I really struggled with that.” (3:38 | Katrina)
“I did that, sat across from quite a few CEOs years ago and thought, ‘Man, I could really do your job. I know how to run your company. I've run way bigger teams, way bigger budgets, but I also know your product, your market, your customers, really well.’ And I realized that nobody was going to give me that job because my CV didn't lead to it. I'd probably have to spend 10 years working my way up to it.” (5:41 | Katrina)
“I don't think you're ever ready. It’s a bit like having a kid, there's probably never a good time or a bad time to do it.” (6:52 | Katrina)
“I'm kind of an all-in gal. It's how I worked. I've met a lot of entrepreneurs on my journey who have done the, ‘I'm going to work my day job while starting to build my business on the side’ and that's awesome. That would have been a much easier way to do it, I guess, if I'd had that opportunity. But I was very much working my day job, and I think a lot of women are like this as well, particularly those that have been successful in climbing the ladder in the corporate world, you're never a nine to five person.” (11:48 | Katrina)
“You make a decision to do one thing, you set up a business…showing up and being a positive part of that. It really does lead to great things.” (16:57 | Katrina)
“Recruiters aren't always magic and won't necessarily see a straight line between some of your experience and what a hiring manager is asking for.” (23:38 | Katrina)
Links
Connect with Katrina Hutchinson-O'Neill:
Website: https://jointalent.net/