“I see things in a way that others can’t. I create order out of chaos”
Joey Ballantyne of Grit n Grace Collective is a former executive and diplomat in international business and now Autistic Leader and Professional Coach. MBA qualified, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Executive Leadership Certificate with eCornell, Joey’s experience spans the Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas.
After 20 years in high-profile corporate roles, Joey discovered that she was burned out. Joey realised, after diagnosis, that being Autistic had placed many more challenges and complexities along the way.
When asked to describe herself, Joey says “I see things in a way that others can’t. I create order out of chaos, whether it is information, plans or pantries. I think logically and incredibly literally. And I Get Things Done.
I’m big-picture and detail-oriented at the same time. For the right topic, I can hyperfocus and fixate until the sun goes down. I make up my own words and can be quite entertaining. And I can have childlike enthusiasm that doesn’t always sit well in a business setting.”
Joey decided to serve people who face similar challenges by sharing all the work skills, hacks and strategies to create a sustainable career on their terms.
Joey now delivers world leading professional development for neurodivergent women so they can reframe their differences as superpowers, work smarter not harder and belong without having to “fit in”.
Grit n Grace Collective is a coaching community for atypical women to achieve sustainable professional success in the typical workplace by embracing and empowering their unique and authentic selves.
Joey has recently joined the HerBusiness Network and is loving the access to knowledge, expertise and experience she has gained so far from the community.
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
To be honest, I was burned out of corporate roles. I realised, after diagnosis, that being Autistic had placed many more challenges and complexities along the way.
I decided to serve people who face similar challenges by sharing all the work skills, hacks and strategies to create a sustainable career on their terms.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
The variety and the opportunity to develop more and more skills (talent stacking).
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- It’s will be ok to take breaks, you’re the one with the stopwatch
- By giving yourself time and space to innovate, you will be exceptional
- You can have boundaries
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
- Slow is smooth and smooth is fast
- Get the balance between finding, minding and grinding your business
- Focus focus focus
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
- Dream client persona
- Niching down
- Technology
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
A consistent and predictable flow of demand that feeds perfectly into the quality and timing of services I want to deliver.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
Access to knowledge, expertise and experience.
Learn more about Joey and Grit n Grace Collective.
