Kristal Kinsela-Christie

Director, Indigenous Professional Services
Ceremony: 1 May 2019, 10:30am - UTS Business School

Speech

I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land we’re meeting upon, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and pay my respects to both elders past and present. I’d also like acknowledge and thank Chancellor Michelene Collopy, Vice Chancellor Andrew Parfitt, Faculty Dean Professor Chris Earley for the invitation to speak, and extend a further welcome to staff, distinguished guests, graduates, families and their friends.

My name is Kristal Kinsela-Christie and I’m an entrepreneur. I stood on this stage 14 years ago, graduating with my bachelor’s degree. I was one of seven to graduate of a cohort of 35. I was the fourth member of my family to attain this level of education. Now, that might not sound like much, but if you consider my mum is one of 10, I’m one of 40 first cousins, and as an Aboriginal woman, the reality is I’m more likely to go to prison than to receive a degree. It is a big deal.

When I walked out of here, I thought it was the end. I had my degree, I’d get a better job after working three part-time jobs – a barmaid, a waitress and a teacher’s aide – and life would go on. Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever imagined that it was just the beginning. The doors flew open, the opportunities arose and the sudden realisation I could be a changemaker hit me.

I applied for 10 roles and won seven of them. The power was in my hands; I could decide my journey, the experiences I wanted to gain. For some people, that isn’t always the case, but as an aspiring Aboriginal leader, having a degree I was in demand.

Now, you all know what the real world’s like. You’re living in it. Over the past 14 years, I’ve pretty much experienced it all. Promotions, demotions, sidesteps, restructures, marriages – I’ve been through two of those – a messy divorce, giving birth three times, child raising – I’ve currently got four teenage girls; three are my stepdaughters, and that’s hard work; I’ve been up from 2am this morning with a teething seven-month old. Custody battles, earning six figures then being so broke I was walking into Centrelink. Domestic violence – not once, but three different partners. Living out of a suitcase, living between towns, being in debt, travelling overseas and starting at square one, time and time again.

The key to my success has ultimately been resilience and reinvention, and my ability to continually set goals. No matter what, I’ve always managed to get through the tough times, pick myself up off the floor and keep moving. I accept that not every day is perfect and some days you move closer to your goals than others. This, coupled with having a mindset that embraces change and reinvention, has been important.

From a child born to a single mother living in housing commission in Western Sydney to a university student, an employee, a mother, a wife, a single mother to self-employment, I’ve embraced each change and reinvented myself, my identity, my skillsets, grown my capabilities and stocked up my tool bag of experiences to draw from.

As an entrepreneur, I’m a risk-taker. I say yes and get shit done. If I don’t know how to do it, I’ll find a way. I outsource, I delegate. I keep smart people around me, try new things and find better way to do it. Business is hustle; it’s about relationships, long hours, juggling cashflow and having a clear focus and setting goals and keeping the right people around you.

I’m driven by purpose and passion. I’ve committed my life to creating opportunities for Aboriginal people and helping them realise their potential. Through my business, I’m very fortunate. I get to do the things I love and make a difference at the same time. I’ve travelled to every corner of this country – cities, regions and remote communities. I’ve worked with more than 200 Indigenous businesses and inspired hundreds of Aboriginal girls to shine.

So, what words of advice or inspiration does an entrepreneur like me have to offer you? Be the CEO of your life. Treat your life like a company. Be in charge of your destiny; don’t let things happen to you. Make shit happen. As a multiple business owner, I know all about running companies. A company will measure itself by its vision, its mission, short and long-term goals, its culture, strategy and people.

So, let’s break it down as if you’re applying it to yourself: start with a clear vision and a mission. Think about where you’re heading. What’s your purpose? What do you want to be known for? What will be your legacy? Every company has a vision and mission statement. What’s going to be yours? What do you want to achieve? What are your long-term and short-term goals? Start by setting the immediate and some for the longer term. Plan them; break them down. Get cracking.

What company culture speaks to who you are and what you’re on about? Do you know your values? How will you lead through them? Is your company’s culture going to be enticing to keep good people around you? Do you have an overall strategy? A roadmap of where you’re going? Think about how you’re going to get there. Are there particular milestones that will let you know you’re on the right track? What gets measured, gets done.

American entrepreneur and motivational speaker Jim Rohn once said, ‘You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.’ So, what people do you keep around you? Do you have people to inspire you to be a better person, provide you with inspiration to help you achieve your goals? Do you have people that will empower you to make the changes you need to succeed and cheer on your success?

And finally, every company provides professional development. So, how are you going to invest in yourself? Learning is lifelong and can be formal or informal. Invest your time and your money in opportunities that challenge you and help you grow.

So, in closing, I’d like to borrow the UTS values but with my own spin. Discover – discover yourself, who you truly are and what you’re capable of, and travel the world. You’ll learn so much more about yourself if you travel. Engage with as many people as you can. Build meaningful relationships – relationships that’ll last a lifetime. Empower – empower others around you and give a voice to those who don’t have one. Deliver – deliver on everything you say you will and when you say you will. And sustain – sustain yourself. Your health and wellbeing is so important.

Congratulations on your achievements. You should be proud and excited to have come this far. Remember, this isn’t the end; this is only the beginning. Be the CEO of your life. Grab the wheel, steer it, show yourself the way. You can be the change you want to see.

About the Speaker

Kristal is a proud descendant of both Jawoyn and Wiradjuri. She is partner and Director of Indigenous Professional Services, a majority Indigenous-owned management consulting company.  Kristal has more than 14 years of experience in education and training, organisational and workforce development, and supplier diversity, working across government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors.

Kristal serves on the board of Holiday Coast Credit Union, National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy, and Worthwhile Ventures.  She also volunteers as an Inspiring Rare Birds mentor and as the Sydney Ambassador for the Indigenous Women in Business network.

Kristal is passionate about creating lasting pathways and growing the capabilities of Indigenous businesses and individuals.  She contributes at the interface of Aboriginal business development and government and business procurement.

In 2017 Kristal was named New South Wales Aboriginal Woman of the Year and the Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year.

Kristal graduated from UTS with a Bachelor of Education in Adult Education, and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of New South Wales.