Safe & Respectful Workplace Cultures

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Karen Maher, Founder of SmartCulture®, located in Sydney, NSW, Australia.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My business is SmartCulture®. It is a workplace health & safety and culture training and consultancy organisation committed to transforming workplace cultures across the globe. We enhance workplace cultures by focusing on great leadership and prevention with cutting-edge research, premium awareness programs (workplace bystander intervention training, bullying and harassment/sexual harassment prevention, and psychological safety), and strategy/consulting services.

We partner with a diverse range of industries and clients across Australia and the globe. From the National Rugby League to emergency services, retail, tech companies, health, manufacturing, legal and accounting firms, government agencies, emergency services, private schools, construction, and mining.

Tell us about yourself

I am the Founder of SmartCulture® and work, health and safety + culture consultant/keynote speaker. I have been working in the workplace safety and culture space for almost 20 years, starting as an employment and safety lawyer in Australia and the UK.

In 2010 I left the law to start SmartCulture® as I felt as a lawyer, my role was too reactive; I wanted to work with clients to be more proactive and make the workplace safer and prevent unsafe behaviours from occurring in the first place. Over my career as a lawyer/investigator, consultant or advisor, I have worked on over 300 workplace cases. This includes working with many organisations during times of crisis and following workplace fatalities. Drawing on my practical and real-world experience gives me the platform to change mindsets and work with clients to bring about change.

I am passionate about building great workplace cultures and the prevention of psychosocial hazards such as bullying and sexual harassment, focusing on prevention and the fundamentals of great culture and leadership to make this happen. I love working with organisations in the workplace bystander intervention space as the culture change starts to happen quickly, and people love being part of the shift.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Working with incredible people and organisations and knowing you are making workplaces safer and happier and shifting mindsets.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Definitely getting the work/life balance right!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Focus on being the best at what you do; this will limit being distracted by competitors. Someone has to be the best; make it you. As you do this, treat your customers/clients well.
Pull in the best support you can afford at each stage of your business journey, don't waste your time and energy trying to do it all yourself. Be great at what you do and let others propel you forward faster, supporting you with their expertise.
Keep working with a great business coach or mentor. Honestly, it is a game-changer; they keep you focused and minimise risk and mistakes.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://smartculture.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartculture_aus/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenmaher00/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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