Introducing Kahlia Ericson.
A note from Kerrie Phipps – I first met this lovely young champion online after Michael & Jane Pelusey featured Kahlia and me in their Live Your Passion book series (People and Performance). Kahlia lived in WA at the time and has since moved to Sydney, where I was delighted to meet her last year. I love her big thinking, generous heart and adventurous spirit.
Jane nominated Kahlia with this comment “When we interviewed Kahlia she was going thru the process of working out what she wanted to do. She discovered it and created her business around that. Such dedication and so driven for a young person. She now is an amazing event manager.”
Kahlia Ericson
Kahlia Ericson started her first business at the young age of 23. Armed with passion, determination and the need to do something scary and exciting with her life! Kahlia took one step at a time towards her dream and now four years later she is Managing Director of Spencer Conferences & Events, sister company of Spencer Travel (Australia’s best Corporate Travel Agency).
Kahlia is on the road half of the year doing what she loves, leading teams while managing conferences & events. She has had the pleasure of working with some of the world’s greatest speakers and entrepreneurs. Kahlia has long term goals to expand internationally, working with some of Australia’s largest companies and of course the great leaders of the world.
Kahlia loves having beautiful Sydney as her home base and is constantly having fun, adventurous experiences within Australia and overseas. In 2011 Kahlia Ericson organized and lead a group to trek Everest Base Camp. It was one of the most challenging experiences she has ever had, but being able to help fundraise over $5000 for a school in Nepal made it all worth while. It has also sparked an interest for this type of adventure – Kahlia has plans to take groups to do The Kokoda Trail, Mt Kilimanjaro and Machu Picchu raising money for a local charity each time.
1. What makes your business/story unique?
Most people in business would understand that you go through many highs and lows but the lows always bring learning and positive change (if you allow it). I started a business as a young girl (only 23) which was one of the most challenging things I have ever done because it affected every area of my life. However I feel it has directly given me the opportunity to grow into an independent confident woman who now knows what I want and where I am headed in life. I have met so many amazing people along the way and am so grateful that I took that plunge!
2. How did you move from dreamer to achiever?
Through a series of circumstances I decided to quit my job and start my own business. During that time someone who played a big part in my life told me I would never be successful in business; this became a massive driving force for me to be great!
I also surrounded myself with amazing coaches and mentors who I will be forever grateful to for helping me. I think its easy to be a dreamer, everyone has a dream… but to be an achiever you have to work and work hard! You need to decide on what you want, sometimes being the hardest part, then take one step at a time towards that dream to make it come true. I think being a Gen Y has helped me a lot as I normally decide on something I want and want it “now” so I’ll do what it takes to make it happen.
3. What are the most important things you’ve done to grow your business?
- Surrounding myself with great mentors and coaches who guide me to make decisions and kept me on track to achieve all that I set out to achieve.
- Constantly work on the business, not just in it.
- Continually build relationships with people, most of my success in business has come from people referring me.
4. What is your approach to marketing and how did you (or are you) becoming known?
When I started my business I had no idea about marketing. I was extremely lucky because through word of mouth I created a great following. Now knowing a lot more I still believe word of mouth is one of the best forms of marketing because the people who are referred to you already have a level of interest and trust in you and your product or service.
5. What do you love about doing business from your location?
I love that I get to live in Sydney (the greatest city on earth), while still traveling the world (one of my highest values) visiting great places and meeting great people.
CONTACT DETAILS
Name: Kahlia Ericson
Role: General Manager
Business Name: Spencer Conferences & Events Pty Ltd
Phone: (02) 8264 7883
Mobile: 0427 447 711
Website: www.spencerce.com.au
Facebook: kahliaericson
