Lucy Richards small business mentor

About

I am Lucy (she/they) and I live on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. I am a life-long learner, social entrepreneur, sometimes-CEO and published poet. With 15 years experience exploring the intersection of tech, health and social impact – I offer strategic support for the journey that comes with running a heart-led business in a profit-driven world.

Having worked with Harvard Business School leaders, students in Kenya, team managers across Australia and the advocacy circles of the United Nations – I have a broad understanding of the complexity, creativity and varying needs of humanity.

Some experiences I am proud of include: launching and building health-app Smiling Mind as the inaugural CEO, being a finalist in the Young Australian of the Year Awards (Victoria), traveling the world teaching health advocacy to young people as the Executive Director of NCDFREE, publishing a book of poetry called Divine Postal Service and helping shape the mental health narrative of Australia as Head of Brand and Strategy at The Resilience Project. I am also on the Board of Directors at CERES.

My business coaching and business for good consulting exists to support socially minded, heart-led leaders who believe business can be harnessed as a force for good.

A trauma-informed bio (sharing my learned and lived-experience) is provided at the bottom of this page.

Let’s shape our world for future generations.

Please reach out if you’d like to discuss ideas, work together or creatively collaborate. I’d love to hear from you.

You can also fill out the new client inquiry form here.

Outcomes

I have spent many years refining my style of guidance, collaboration and work. Consistent outcomes across all work I do include:

  • Strengthened self-reflection skills and emotional intelligence;

  • Connection to individual purpose and collective contribution;

  • Strategic insights specific to the change, challenge and/or opportunity presenting itself;

  • A personalised definition of success according to values, capacity and desired outcomes;

  • Practical tools and tangible next steps for the journey ahead.

Personal and business specific outcomes are always discussed and co-designed at the start of an engagement and integrated into the process.

Values

The values that guide and ground my work are:

  • All is welcome. With the understanding that life is complex and interconnected; you are welcome to bring emotions, home-life, and memories or thoughts into our work together (sharing based on what feels safe and right for you).

  • Inner-wisdom. An individual will know much more about themselves and their business than any external facilitator or mentor. I see my role as: a guide, a reflector, a curious question-asker and a deep listener. I work to create the safety and space for the wisdom of the my clients to emerge.

  • Nature’s pace. In the same way that a tree will grow and rest according to the sunlight, temperature and nutrients in the soil – people, businesses and communities will change and grow when they are ready. Following Nature’s pace allows me to meet people (and businesses) where they are at, by listening to the internal and external factors that influence or indicate (a readiness for) change.

Here are the learned and lived experiences I draw upon to teach, mentor, develop programs and stay accountable to myself, my clients and the social and environmental change needed in the communities I am a part of.

Education and training:

  • Undergraduate degree: Bachelor of Arts majoring in Anthropology, minor in Indigenous Studies;

  • Facilitator training for three years at the Reach Foundation from 18-21 years old, running self-awareness workshops for students in schools;

  • Completed the year-long Mastery of Business and Empathy at Small Giants Academy;

  • I have been mentored, trained and coached by several teachers including but not limited to: Jo-Anne Hook (of Jo Hook Solutions), dajé alõh (of Brave School/The Story Doula), Jasna Harris, Tahlia Reynolds, Dan Hoffman (of Circles), Emeli Paulo, and James Tutton and Jane Martino (of Smiling Mind).

Work and life experience:

  • 15 years as a social entrepreneur working across non-profit, social enterprise and corporate sectors;

  • I have spent 8 years working in mental health organisations in strategy, operations and program development;

  • I’ve run hundreds of workshops with schools (kids and teachers), facilitated peer-learning circles for Harvard Business School, MC’d 500 person events, and for the past three years I have held space for 1:1 coaching clients in business and personal settings;

  • In every job I’ve had (from start ups through to NYSE listed companies), I have worked directly with the CEO or Founder of the business. I am somewhat of a CEO whisperer, with the capacity to hold the intelligence, dreams and challenges of leaders;

  • I value the grassroots immensely and invest my time in: coordinating community events; mentoring young people; listening to First Nations people; and understanding my internal systems of supremacy, colonialism and capitalism.

  • Previous leadership positions as Non-Executive Director at YWCA Victoria, Junior Advisory Board Member at Melbourne Festival;

  • Fun fact: I have choreographed video clips for Kimbra, Delta Goodrem, Guy Sebastian as well as choreographing Delta Goodrem’s performance at the Australian LOGIES awards (aired on prime time national TV).