Introducing our new series : RIP Corp Life featuring Loz Williams
Thinking of leaving your corporate gig and starting your own business? Let our crew of entrepreneurs inspire you with their stories of how they made the leap from #corplife to running their own show. RIP Corp Life is bite sized interviews with BIG impact and short enough to consume on your morning tea break. We’re highlighting epic humans from our community that have moved away from the free morning teas, lunchtime yoga sessions and stepped into their life purpose.
Loz Williams is the founder of Will & Bear, creating hats for the open road. Will & Bear began whilst travelling Australia in a vintage Kombi, trawling through op shops & living life on the open road. Inspired by nature & the incredible humans they met along the way, Will & Bear was born.
Their mission: From the earth, for the earth. Their goal is to reduce our impact through thoughtful design, give back to our planet and create a culture that cares about nature, to inspire all to preserve it.
Read on to hear how Loz went from #corplife to paving her own way & giving back to the planet!
RIP Corp Life with Loz Williams
What was the aha moment you had that made you want to leave #corplife?
I had just attended a Collective Hub workshop and was inspired by another woman’s story who had taken the leap. I realised that even if I failed, I could learn from it and keep moving forward.
What was the first step in taking the leap?
I gave my four weeks notice the day after that workshop. My partner (in life, and business!) gave me a great piece of advice. He said that even if we put everything into this and fail, we can think of it as a degree in what not to do in business. Worst case scenario, we could always jump into our kombi and live a simple life (which we ended up doing while growing our business anyway!).
What has surprised and delighted you about running your own show?
I’ve been surprised by how much I’ve learned, and continue to learn through this journey. I was a mortgage broker with no marketing or management skills. I essentially Googled my way through running a business, and I always had a strong marketing focus.
I would never have believed I could be doing what I’m doing now, but I think it’s just about taking that first step. Sometimes you can start the ball rolling by only taking a baby step, and then another. Other times you just have to take a flying leap, but once you make the decision and put yourself on the path, you’re creating your own future. If you put it out there, it will come to fruition – you just have to keep taking small steps to get there.
I’ve been delighted by the unwavering love for our brand. Obviously my partner and I loved the idea and concept behind Will & Bear, but the loyal community we’ve fostered, coupled with what we’ve been able to give back to our Earth, has gone beyond our wildest expectations.
The one thing you will actually miss about #corplife?
I honestly miss the 9-5 hours – ha! I remember when I first quit my job and thought I’d have all the time in the world for long lunches, but that wasn’t the case at all. When you care about something as much as a business baby (i.e. our growing Will & Bear baby!), you become addicted to the work.
That being said, it’s taken five years for me to structure my work/ life balance and it’s a constant battle.
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