Time to introduce the amazing Liv from Vizual - I was lucky enough to work on a project last year with her and we quickly realised how many things we have in common (One being that Hamilton the musical is both our faves).
I went through a few difficulties in my business last year and Liv was the person I reached out to for help and advice it's no wonder she gave me her time and the most amazing advice. Just look at her knowledge, passion and background in business.
Read all about her journey below!
1. What is your brand story? Tell us a little bit about what makes you, you! And why you got into business?
when you shift your attention from "What can I get out of this?” to “What can I do to help you?”, the world is brighter.
Hi! I’m Liv Wilson & I am the founder of Vizual. My company specialises in end-to-end digital marketing which covers all things from content creation to digital strategy &branding, to paid advertising (and every little thing in between!!). I have always been creative, coming from a background in performing arts and a LOVE for all things bright and unique, I found myself really looking for a career that would stimulate me creatively.
After trailing multiple casual jobs (hello, ice-cream scooper…) and not feeling satisfied, I was offered a position as a Sports Broadcaster in a professional baseball team in Queensland! This was super eye-opening and really introduced me to the work of digital marketing & communications. I loved how it was the perfect blend of creativity, performing and got me closer to the ‘new media’ industry.
I was hooked. I worked with that organisation for close to 2 years & ventured out on my own to pursue freelance content creation. I ultimately went on to build Vizual from the ground up after wanting to turn my attention towards building a business that nurtured brand's entire creative journey.
I’ve created a one-stop-shop for my clients and have gone on to manage multiple 6 figure campaigns across an amazing variety of industries. It’s safe to say I’ve found my calling and a perfect balance of creativity and passion.
2. What has been the biggest challenges you have faced during your career/business? And how did you overcome it?
Some of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in business have revolved entirely around being a woman- surprise, surprise!
From not getting a chance to speak my mind in previous jobs because the “guys had to speak first”, to being told I can be “too opinionated”, to getting opportunities entirely based on how I look/or not getting them at all, to getting less pay than men in an office for no genuine reason, to feeling exhausted at the end of the day after hearing tireless sexist comments from co-workers…I’ve seen it all as many of us have.
However, I’m glad I’ve experienced these things (and plenty more) because it’s actually resulted in me leaning into my opinions more, paying myself a wage that I’m proud of, choosing to work with people who respect my ambition and embracing my feminine side even more because all of these things are who I am! I removed every single negative person from my life that made me feel ‘less than’ for just being a woman & I have never been happier!
3. What is something you are super proud you have achieved?
I think I’m most proud of backing myself in the decision to quit my previous full-time job. I had started Vizual 6 months before I quit & I really toyed with the decision of balancing both for as long as I could. That seemed like the ‘safe’ and ‘smart’ options.
I had a long hard think about my happiness, what really turned me on creatively & how much longer I would have been happy continuing on how things were…the answer was clear: safe & smart wouldn’t satisfy me any longer.
I submitted my resignation & went as hard as I could to grow Vizual on my own. I’m so proud of myself for following my gut & putting my dreams first.
4. Who are the women you most admire in business?
I really admire the women in business who are selfless & community-focused. There are so many that come to mind: Jasmine O’Reilly (LVL Up Consulting), Cherie Clonan (The Digital Picnic), Phoebe Burnham (Will & Wind), Theresa Schlink (Caravan of Conservation),Lyn Kidd (The Actors Workshop) & my mum (the boss lady of the entire household and CEO of raising some amazing kids. I’m convinced that mums deserve a pay rise every damn day!).
The thing that all of these people have in common is that their #1 concern is helping others; even when running a highly successful business, structuring a busy household or doing the school run for their kids, they care most about how they can help everyone else.
This is something that’s always stuck with me because when you shift your attention from "What can I get out of this?” to “What can I do to help you?”, the world is brighter.
No one is too busy, too successful or too important to be selfless & these ladies are some of the best examples of that.
5. If you could go back and give advice to your younger self, what would it be?
The advice I’d give my younger self is, “Own your differences".
It's taken me years to realise that some of my biggest insecurities are actually some of the best parts of my personality. It’s beautiful to embrace exactly who you are without any kind of apology! One of my favourite quotes is from Dr. Seuss, “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” Ain’t that the truth!
