Rebecca (00:00.624)
Hello and welcome to episode 36 of the Champagne Lounge podcast. If you're new to the show, this show is where we get to deep dive with some of our incredible members from across Australia, doing big things in with a small regional business is what I'm here to talk to Donna Han about today. Welcome to the show, Donna.
Donna Hann (00:20.514)
Thanks for having me on your fabulous podcast, Bec. Always a joy to chat with you.
Rebecca (00:25.068)
It's always a joy. And you and I have pretty much just done an entire podcast without recording it prior to hitting the record button because we got carried away. But Donnie, you and I have known each other now for a number of years. I think we met on the Gold Coast somewhere at an event with her Empire Builder, if I've got that right. I think we were on the Noosa. There we go. And at the time, you and I were doing very different things. You were doing a lot of dancing, if I recall.
Donna Hann (00:30.477)
Yes, we.
Donna Hann (00:42.75)
I think we're in Noosa. In Noosa, yep.
Rebecca (00:54.704)
Focusing on regional business women now in the work that you do. Tell us a bit about your background because I remember you on that dance floor and you haven't got those skills just by being on the dance floor at a regular party.
Donna Hann (01:07.995)
Now I am the regional bogan that kicks her heels off and will dance at any opportunity. You are absolutely right there Bec. Yeah so my business journey I guess spans a really long time. So I've always been a regional girl. I grew up in a regional area south of Perth in Western Australia and have danced all my life as well. So always been a dancer. Always you know just...
Rebecca (01:12.856)
I love it. Ha ha ha.
Donna Hann (01:33.926)
enjoyed that space where you can kind of lose yourself and find yourself all at once in the music and in the movements. And so yeah, I grew up in regional Perth and then started my first business there. I went to university there. I studied performing arts and when traveling around the world did that whole thing that we do, you know, is we're learning about ourselves and growing into adulthood. And then when I came back to Australia,
I managed to land this really great job in a learning and development team where we were posted fly in fly out into the Pilbara region, which for people who don't realize where that is, it's about 1600 Ks north of Perth and it's really isolated, lots of red dirt. And, you know, where I was situated, it was in the construction field. So building iron ore expansion projects or there was another project I was on that was all about building a gas plant. So
That took me down the path of like learning more about leadership development and coaching and really a cut my teeth there. It was an incredible opportunity. It's where I met my husband and then we traveled across to Queensland and we've been living in Tannam Sands ever since then. So about 12 years or so. And when we got here, I was going to go back into that space of working with construction workers and it is like it is such a masculine.
energy space, you know, and it's really, really different. And I remember saying to my husband, I don't think I wanna put a hard hat and steel cat boots on anymore. I actually feel like I need to do something different. I feel like I need to kind of go back to my roots and get more of a feminine energy happening, like, you know, and he kind of rolled his eyes at me because it was obviously turning down a shit ton of money, right?
Rebecca (03:00.625)
Mm-hmm.
Rebecca (03:22.235)
I was like, this is weird lingo that I don't understand.
Donna Hann (03:25.626)
Yeah, like it was a really high paying job that we'd moved to Queensland for and there's me going, actually, I don't want to do that anymore. And so, you know, through that, I then went back into learning and development.
Rebecca (03:35.844)
So hold on, you moved to Queensland, you moved to Queensland for that job and then changed your mind. I love that. I think that's great. I think that's awesome because, you know, that's the big decisions, right? Like I got my video business to Seven Figures and then went, I kinda wanna do something different now. Like, I wanna just try something different. And my husband goes, but where's the money gonna come from? Yeah.
Donna Hann (03:42.598)
Yeah, yep. Yes, I did. Yeah, yeah, and we moved.
Donna Hann (04:03.574)
Yeah, yeah, exactly. And I think we do transition through our lives into different kind of careers and opportunities. And I think it's great if you can do that and you can be adaptable, why not, right? We get one life, let's live it. And so from there, we, yeah, went back into learning and development for our local council and was developing programs there for leadership and whatnot. And then we had our first baby. And with that, I realized that I wanted to...
Rebecca (04:05.682)
I feel you on that.
Rebecca (04:15.418)
Yeah.
Donna Hann (04:32.434)
start another business and that business was around sourcing different products for families who like to travel because we love to get in the caravan, we love exploring different parts of Australia, you know, and kind of going off-road and all of that kind of stuff. So I did that for a while. I then sold that business, had my second baby and then went, you know what, I think I want to go back into dancing. Like that is just me, right? At my core it's...
Like I said, I'm the first person to kick off their heels and start dancing. And I only need, well, sometimes I don't even need one drink. Like I'm just there for it. And so, yeah, so with a three-year-old and a six-month-old, I started a dance studio. And within a really short space of time, we had two locations, 300 students and a growing team. I think, you know, we got up to about 10 at one stage. And for all the...
incredible success that we had in that time. You know, there was local business awards that we were winning and national awards. And, you know, we were, had opportunities to take dance groups down to Brisbane and perform in front of thousands at the end of, you know, the Christmas carols that was all televised. Like it was great. But also under all of that as well was a lot of stress and overwhelm and just pure exhaustion that a lot of people didn't see. And there was so many times where I found myself sort of staring at the ceiling and
wide awake at 2 a.m. with my heart spinning or my head spinning and my heart thumping and you know just that icky feeling of gosh I didn't get enough done today and you know there's so much more I want to do and what about this and what about this and you know and also the just heaviness of the guilt of yet again breaking a promise to my kids and to myself really that I'd spent another day at my desk another weekend at my desk doing all the
back-end work that happens with business because we wear all the hats, you know, and
Rebecca (06:25.532)
Uh huh. Yeah, as you're saying this, I can feel the goosebumps and I'm like, mm hmm, we've all been there at some point. Yeah.
Donna Hann (06:29.179)
Yeah.
And also, you know, the kids, they also were just parked in front of the screen and fending for themselves, which, you know, by the way, they were probably having the best time of their lives. You know, they had mum there, they were safe. They knew where I was and all of that. But also they were watching whatever they wanted and they had free range of the fridge. You know, they were having a great time. But it wasn't the way I wanted to parent. And, you know, I certainly didn't want any more nights of staring at the ceiling at 2am with my head spinning and, you know, that horrible stress feeling.
Rebecca (06:51.876)
Hehehe
Rebecca (07:02.189)
Mm-hmm.
Donna Hann (07:02.45)
So I remember getting up and going, right, something's gotta change. Like I just cannot keep doing this anymore. This is not what I started this business for. It is not how I wanna parent my kids. Like my marriage with my husband was becoming really challenged. Like he's a shift worker. So, you know, when you're in a regional area, quite often, and particularly for us, we've moved around depending upon where the industry action is, you know, for both of our jobs in the past, but certainly his now.
And he's a shift worker. So he works days and he works nights and he, you know, he's away when he leaves, he's gone for 14 hours. And he works on an island, which sounds really glamorous, but it means once he's there, he's there. Like I then am managing everything else. Yeah, so, you know, his family is in Victoria, mine's in Western Australia. We don't have the support around us, which is such a common story for a lot of regional business women. You know, we feel quite isolated, not just by.
Rebecca (07:42.412)
It's dumb. Yeah.
Donna Hann (08:00.682)
location, but also in the sense that we may not have the support around us that would actually be really helpful when we're growing a business and also a family. And so, you know, that realization, that moment of going, I don't want to do it this way anymore. How could I shift this? What could be different? And so then over, you know, a period of about 12 months, I completely reshaped my business. So I got really, really determined about
Rebecca (08:08.943)
Yeah.
Donna Hann (08:26.066)
what are the systems we need? What are the processes we need to put in place? How can I make this business so it's not dependent upon me to run? That actually my team can run it for me and I can still be there as a leader and support them, but it doesn't need to be me doing all of the things. So over time, I did that. So we've completely transformed the business and I was able to serve more people, to make more money, to lead my team intentionally and to really feel good about the business as it was rolling, you know, as a multi six figure business.
And it was incredible. It was amazing. It was like, you know, I'm there in the kitchen dancing with my Beyonce tunes, you know, celebrating because it was a massive milestone to do a whole flip on that. But then as things happen and you know, maybe.
Rebecca (09:08.068)
And so when you say that, when you say the big flip, how much time would you say you took to step back and get those systems in place? Because I'm sure a lot of people listening here are going, yeah, it's all well and good, I just don't have the time to put those systems in place. Or I put a system in place and my team follow it, but I don't. How strict with yourself were you about making sure you put those things in place?
Donna Hann (09:30.99)
Mm.
Donna Hann (09:37.27)
think that it takes time, right? So for us, it probably took a good 12 months to get it really transformed, if we can use that word. And it just came down to kind of drawing a line in the sand and understanding that if I didn't make a change, and if I didn't hold myself accountable to those new boundaries that I was setting, and actually follow the systems and get my team to follow the systems, then I was just going to stay on the hamster wheel. And so
For me, it was like, stay on the hamster wheel and close the business, because that is where I'm heading. I was totally burnt out. Like I was beyond exhausted. I was tired of being tired. So for me, it was a very clear choice. It was either close the business, step away, or reshape the business and try things differently, and then see where things go from there. For me, that was kind of how I did it. But yeah, look, it takes time. It takes dedication. It doesn't always go to plan. You know, there's ups and downs always, but there's opportunities to improve. And so...
Um, the other thing that I did in that space of time as well was really work on my mindset. So really take care of myself because I wasn't serving anyone well if I was burning out in the process. So I did a lot of work around mindset and, um, and that's kind of now what I'm really passionate about, which we'll get to is as a certified high performance coach. Now that is what I do in, in fusing together, teaching people about business skills.
Rebecca (10:56.437)
Yeah.
Donna Hann (11:03.254)
but also having the mindset to back it up. But to your original question of like, how did it kind of pivot from there, from having this really great business that was running really well without me, it kind of, what happened was March 2020, which I know can be a bit triggering for everybody, but COVID hit. And because the dance studio was under the umbrella of the fitness industry, we were one of the first industries to like, kind of,
Rebecca (11:05.623)
Mm-hmm.
Rebecca (11:22.963)
Oh, yeah. Yeah.
Donna Hann (11:32.718)
pretty well be shut down, you know? And being in a regional area, we were very lucky. You know, we're in a bit of a bubble up here that we didn't have that many cases. There was still like a lot of chaos and confusion and the kids couldn't go to school and it was just mental. But there wasn't that many cases, but it didn't matter. Like under the fitness industry, we had to pivot. So that happened. And then within a really short space of time, my husband and I, we looked at each other. We had this...
Rebecca (11:34.16)
Yeah.
Donna Hann (12:00.854)
big conversation and we decided that we had really become like ships in the night and we'd lost our connection and it had just gone on that way for too long and so we actually decided that we would have one more Easter together as a family and then we would separate. And then, yeah it was massive. And then because things tend to happen in threes as they do in life, I don't know why that happens but...
my dad became really ill and that turned out to be a terminal diagnosis. And so those kinds of things happening made me really appreciate, like I could have like really gone into a hole with that. And there was moments of like absolute snot crying and you know, like big moments, right? It was, it was huge. But I also, cause I'd done so much work on my mindset went, well, actually this is perfect timing. This is an absolute gift.
because I've done all the hard work on the business. I've reshaped it. You know, yeah, it's a bit of a kick in the guts to be like, I've got this business that doesn't need me anymore as much as it did, but here's my marriage in tatters and my dad's really unwell and now COVID's come along and pretty well fucked my business, like overnight. But I went, no, hold on a minute. I know better than this. I've done enough work on myself and my mindset that no, I can see opportunities here. So we took our dance classes.
and we took them all online. So we cleared out an area in my office and we turned it into a little mini dance studio. And we had like, you know, Beck, we were talking before about cameras and sound and stuff like that. Like we just kind of fumbled our way through it. And back then there wasn't like, we know now that you can access a lot of stuff online through video content and online courses and all of that. But back then it wasn't so much of a thing. And also,
Rebecca (13:38.531)
Oh, technology. Yeah.
Donna Hann (13:55.33)
to kids, you know, like majority, 95% of our clients were children. So you're now putting them in front of their tellies to learn how to dance instead of in front of a teacher in person, which is very different. But we were able to pivot, we were able to do that in a really short space of time. You know, we recorded 10 weeks worth of lessons for four or five different genres all across the different age groups. And we did it and it was awesome. We wouldn't have been able to do that if the business wasn't healthy.
Rebecca (14:07.257)
Yeah.
Donna Hann (14:21.482)
And then the other part around, you know, being able to step back for long periods whenever I needed to is that I was able to fly back and forth to Western Australia and help my dad in his final stages and get his affairs in orders. And you know, the memories that I have of that time are just so treasured to me. And also we were able to work on our marriage. So, you know, we came back from a five month separation and you know, we're still together today and it's been amazing. But through that process as well, I think I kind of realized that
Rebecca (14:47.42)
That's fabulous.
Donna Hann (14:50.454)
the dance studio wasn't really filling me up in anymore in the way that it had. And it kind of just didn't work with, I've got two little boys who love to ride motorbikes and go fishing and golfing and play footy and all of the afterschool activities that happen don't necessarily go so well when you're also running classes after school as well and trying to be in two places at once. So, sold that business. And where I met you, sorry, that's a really long winded way to get to your question, but where I met you was,
at that kind of pivotal moment where I was transitioning.
Rebecca (15:20.712)
But it's good because actually, yeah.
Rebecca (15:27.449)
It's important because everyone needs to know that back story, right?
Donna Hann (15:28.286)
Yeah, I was transitioning out of the dance studio. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And it's a massive backstory, but everyone has one, right? And that backstory is now what drives me to do what I do. So being that I've always been regional, being that one of the things that we know about regional business ownership is that one of the common problems that regional rural and remote women feel.
is that isolation. It's the lack of opportunity around learning and development, like, you know, professional development. It's the lack of mentorship. It's the clickiness that can sometimes be in our regional chamber of commerce that's supposed to be there to support us and connect us with people. But you get there and you're like, these are just not my people. And so for me, that really drove me towards going, okay, well, how do I support regional
do big things with their small business from the comfort of their own home. Because the other challenging part of being a regional business owner is getting to those things, right? Yes, there's amazing opportunities all over Australia to develop your business skills and your knowledge and your mindset and meet people in person. But how do you get there when you live 600 Ks away and you're not well connected with regional flights and it's a massive drive and then you're overnighting to attend, you know,
an event that goes for a couple of hours. So there's so much logistic and cost and you know, who else, who manages the property and the kids when you're away? Like, yeah, it's massive. And so I really believe that.
Rebecca (17:00.864)
It's a massive thing that I think people don't realize. It's huge. It's a huge thing that, yeah, you add on and add on and add on and all of a sudden, something that was costing you 100 or 250 or whatever cost it was on the ticket has somehow tripled, quadrupled in all the extra costs you've had to incur to get somewhere, yeah.
Donna Hann (17:05.246)
Yeah, unless you've lived it.
Donna Hann (17:24.31)
Yeah, exactly. And over the years, I can't tell you how much I've spent. Like I am a big learner, so I love to learn and I'm always investing in my own professional development. But it's not just, as you said, it's not just the cost of the program that you're in or the training that you're attending, it's everything else. And I've spent like tens of thousands on that over the years. So I really believe that your location shouldn't limit your access to quality professional development and support. And that's why I'm really passionate about removing that barrier. So whether it be...
through the online membership that I run, which is for regional business women, or whether it's when I'm speaking, I love to speak, and at events really provide that immersive workshop experience where you're getting not just the theory, but you're getting the practical that you can actually implement and get results in your business. You know, really transform what it is that you do and really, you know, grow your...
your personal development as well as your business development so that you can become that high performer in whatever it is that you do. You know, for me, that's so important. And that's essentially what's driven me to do what I do now. And, you know, in being part of the champagne lounge and, you know, continuing to kind of, you know, walk alongside you back in and together with the same purpose in supporting regional business women, you know, it's really important that we do that together, that we.
as a community of regional business, rural, remote business women all across Australia, that we do what we can to support and uplift each other, because who you surround yourself with is ultimately who you become and who you're influenced by. So I just think that it's such an amazing time. And yeah, for me, that is what I am truly passionate about. You know, my mission is to really help.
women across Australia to step into their potential and grow their small business to do big things.
Rebecca (19:22.092)
Yeah, I think that's, I think it's amazing that you and I are on the same mission, but doing it in very different ways that are so complimentary to each other in the sense that for us, the Champagne Lounge is around conversation. It's conversation, celebration and connection. It's not a teaching place. It's not a learning place. Although I think a lot of people do learn from the act of conversing with others. But, you know, for you, it's about giving them the skills and the tools.
and the know-how and the knowledge to excel and grow their business. So together, you know, there's definite, I can see it in the future as we grow this together, you know, going forward and supporting and building what is going to be phenomenal connections and networks for regional business women across the country. Um, for anyone listening to this now though, Donna, and I know a lot of people tune into the podcast from all over the country who may not have an access to a network space, whether it's a learning place to go and learn something like what you offer.
Donna Hann (20:05.954)
Yeah.
Rebecca (20:18.316)
or just a conversation like what we do here in the Champagne Lounge, but they know it exists. We've just been talking about it, but it's that scared factor of, I don't really wanna show up solo. Is it gonna be clicky when I join it? So what is joining the Champagne Lounge been like for you? If you were to explain how to have a conversation with someone that you've never met, how does it make you feel when you show up to a room full of business women in a virtual setting?
Donna Hann (20:43.794)
Yeah, well, I think the hardest thing is always when you get asked, Oh, who are you and what do you do? Yeah. And I think, I mean, I'm sort of, I'm fairly extroverted, not all the time. I definitely need to retreat back and I do enjoy my alone time too, but you know, if you're an introverted person, you know, you, you're like, you hear that question. You're like, Oh, where can I hide? Uh, but so I think, you know, going into that because it is about connection and people.
Rebecca (20:50.285)
That's the last question.
Donna Hann (21:12.874)
curious about you. So rather than seeing that as like oh my god I'm a deer in the headlights and I've got to say the right thing and what is it that I do how do I put that into words like we need to work on that which is one of the things that I help people to do is to really get your messaging but sometimes just bringing a sort of a lighter a lighter perspective of that and go people are just curious about me like we are like you know we want to hear people's stories we want to
Rebecca (21:26.199)
Yeah.
Donna Hann (21:42.114)
the backstory and why it is that you do what you do. And, you know, add a lightness to that and just kind of maybe before you go into the room, put a few, whether it be a virtual room or if you are in an event, just jot down a few things, practice it a couple of times, you know, but you know your story, you've lived your story, have confidence in that. I think sometimes that can be the most nerve wracking part, right, when you go into a room. But what I will say about the Champagne Lounge is that it's such a warm and welcoming
place where I think even if you went in there and you completely fumbled, if you couldn't even say your name properly, you know, you're not going to be judged. You're not going, no one's going to be like, Oh, well, I'm not going to take her off my list. I'm not going to contact her and ask her about anything, you know. And the other thing is I think the frequency as well, you know, you can dip in and dip out whenever you like. And
Rebecca (22:17.904)
Hehehehe
Donna Hann (22:36.958)
every time I've jumped in on one of the conversations, I'm a bit of a morning person, I actually haven't jumped on any of the evening ones because I'm busy doing mom stuff at that time. But definitely during the day, you know, there's a couple of people there that I've met before, there's a few new people in the room. So it's always just great, I think, to, as you say, have a conversation. Just go, hey, this is what I've got going on. You know, anyone can help me with this. Or, you know, you might just be listening to what other people are saying and go, oh wow, that's a really cool idea.
maybe I could adapt that to my business, you know, not necessarily steal the idea. Like, but that's the other beauty of it. There's so many different people from different areas doing different things that you can take some ideas and use it as inspiration, translated into your business. And there's just the power of having a really beautiful network around you can take your business so far. And.
You don't have to feel lonely in what you do. It can be so isolating and lonely in a regional area. So yeah, just, I guess for me, that would be my feelings so far in my involvement of being in the Champagne Lounge.
Rebecca (23:45.636)
Mm. You're amazing, I love that. And it is that factor of, it doesn't have to be lonely. It really doesn't, just a conversation. For us, it's all about showing up when you can, how you can, and for as long as you can. So, you know, whether you've got the kids, we've got people that tune in and don't even talk at all, they just listen, because they just want some kind of adult voice that's getting talking business or talking life.
Donna Hann (23:59.912)
Yep.
Donna Hann (24:04.503)
Mm.
Rebecca (24:09.58)
in the area while they've got toddlers hanging on to them. You know, it's all about all walks of life, all different stages. So I think if you've listened to today's podcast with the fabulous Donna, you know, you've got amazing resources between her membership and our membership collectively. There is, there's networks and people out there to support you in whatever stage of business you're at, whether you're wanting to learn or just have a chat, like it's right there. So Donna, thank you so much for coming on and sharing your story and sharing your why and sharing your passion.
Donna Hann (24:12.558)
Mm-hmm.
Donna Hann (24:33.782)
Yep.
Rebecca (24:38.86)
I'm gonna link all your links into the show notes at the bottom of the show, wherever you're listening to this episode. Thank you so much for joining me on the show. I've absolutely loved hearing your story.
Donna Hann (24:49.838)
Thanks, Beck. And as always, I could have, we could have kept talking and talking and talking for ages. But yeah, it's, I think it is important. Yeah, that'd be great. Yeah. Because I think it is really important that people understand what it is that we do and how we help. And also to know that, you know, if you're feeling nervous about stepping into a new networking space, you know, that there are things that you can do.
Rebecca (24:55.632)
We could, we'll have to get you on a fireside chat. Yeah.
Donna Hann (25:15.382)
that will help you to show up in that space, you know, and definitely reach out if there's anything that I can do to support you, if you're like, oh my goodness, how would I even show up there? Like that is what I do in helping people with their confidence, as well as building their business skills. And I know that you do the same, Bec, like you're just so forthcoming with help and information and it's wonderful.
Rebecca (25:36.976)
The door's always open. You can just have to ask. Yeah, there you go. It's been wonderful, Donna. Next time we'll have the fireside chat. And if you're curious as to what the fireside chat is, now I've said that it's where we jump in inside the Champagne Lounge membership and we spend an hour, if not a bit longer, just chatting and having a spotlight on some of our annual members. So it's an hour of other members being able to ask them questions, find out what they do, dig a bit deeper than we do on the podcast.
Donna Hann (25:38.846)
Yeah.
Rebecca (26:03.808)
and it's a lot of fun. So you only get access to that beauty, that bit of magic when you're part of the Champagne Lounge. So again, thank you so much, Donna. This has been a fab episode and we might have to revisit this on your show, I reckon. I think it's gonna be, reach as many women as possible.
Donna Hann (26:10.722)
Amazing
Donna Hann (26:17.85)
Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. So yeah, so the She's in Business podcast is where you can catch me. And um, I think we you've been a guest on my podcast before, but it was a cup, maybe a year or two ago. So yeah, we'll have to refresh that and get you back in. Yeah. Thanks, Beck.
Rebecca (26:29.64)
Yeah. Refresh it, keep it going. Between the two of us, we've got you sorted people. Thank you so much for listening. That was epic.
