This week on the Strivin and Thrivin podcast, we chat with Chloe Spillane, Founder of Chloe Spillane Consulting, about how she went from doing an acting degree to owning her own business and the importance of people in your journey.
The non linear career path
From actress, to travel sales, to recruiting. We love someone who has followed an unconventional path to their passion and Chloe’s story is a true reminder that you just never know where life might take you.
After completing a degree in acting and spending a year in stage management, while waitressing on the side, Chloe decided to get a job with Flight Centre. After three and a half years there, Chloe dived into travel wholesale for another year, before finding her way into agency travel recruitment. A year and a half in agency, Chloe felt she was more a ‘brand champion’ and moved to internal. From there she worked in talent acquisition for Morgan McKinley before being ‘approached to head up the internal recruitment team at Talent’.
A push in the right direction
Sometimes in life, things happen outside of our control. Unfortunately, Chloe ended up being made redundant from her role at Talent but she didn’t let that get her down. In fact, she took it as a sign.
“I threw myself back into the job market. I put up a post on LinkedIn about being made redundant that went viral. I got approached by, I think, 72 different job opportunities, which was insane.”
After a few interviews and receiving a number of offers, Chloe ended up saying no to them all. She decided it was time to do her own thing.
“Everything happens for a reason and [the redundancy] was the next pivot of where I was meant to be going … I had three different job offers and they were all with brilliant companies … but there was just something missing for me. It sounds so cliche, but there wasn’t that real spark.”
Relationships are everything
No matter what job Chloe has found herself in, she’ll tell you that it’s the relationships she’s built that have helped her succeed.
“Having conversations with people, hearing what they’re doing, what they’re having to change, how they’re having to pivot, I think that’s always going to be super helpful.
“Just getting those real life stories and examples and learning from those peers and colleagues in the industry … The best way that I can get information on what’s changing is to talk to people that are in it.”
Find your community
From recruitment, to redundancy, to starting her own business, Chloe has learnt how strong the power of community can be.
“I didn’t realise how big and connected and how wonderful our whole community is until I got made redundant.
“I’ve had people just say, let’s get a coffee, would love to hear what you’re up to. I’m like, oh my God, I didn’t even know you were tracking what I was doing, and they have no agenda. They’re just a cheerleader. They respect what you’re doing and they just wanna see how they can help, if they can help, or if they’re just someone you can talk to.”
Want to hear our full conversation with Chloe or keen to catch up on more episodes? Click here to listen now.
