“Creating my own business allowed me to weave all of my passions together — to craft meaningful work on my own terms, and to truly dance to my own drum.”
Anne Maree Wilshire of Vibrant Voices has had a lifelong fascination with how we express ourselves. It’s this curiosity that has led Anne Maree’s 40+ year career on a multi-disciplinary journey across a hugely diverse range of areas across media, business and the arts.
Before Anne Maree started Vibrant Voices, she spent more than 10 years working in TV and Media production for the ABC, Channel 7 and Channel 10, and then 3 years in Corporate PR. Anne Maree has had a professional music career as a singer-songwriter and studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Anne Maree has always had an entrepreneurial focus— even in her twenties, while building a career in corporate PR and media, Anne Maree also had a side hustle running presentation and voice training sessions, performing as a vocalist, and teaching singing.
Over time, those experiences naturally evolved into what has become Vibrant Voices today. Anne Maree’s passion has always been to share what she knows, help others find their authentic voice, and empower them to shine with confidence.
Creating her own business allowed Anne Maree to weave all those passions together — to craft meaningful work on her own terms, and to truly dance to her own drum.
At Vibrant Voices, Anne Maree helps women leaders, business owners and content creators who want to speak in their authentic voice with a compelling presence. She does this by boosting their speaking voice, mindset, message and stagecraft to create a memorable connection through The Presence Lab Intensive Programme™ and Vibrant Voices Studio Membership. Plus individual and group coaching online and face to face.
“HerBusiness helps me keep momentum in my business by reminding me to stay focused on what really matters — my vision and goals and the work that truly makes a difference.”
Anne Maree has been in the HerBusiness Network for almost a decade, and says that HerBusiness helps her keep momentum in her business by reminding her to stay focused on what really matters — the vision and goals and the work that truly makes a difference. The structure, accountability, and encouragement from the network keep Anne Maree moving forward, even when things get busy or challenging.
“The HerBusiness community is such a warm, supportive space. I’ve made so many dear friends and “business besties” through HerBusiness and we’ve grown together over the years. Being able to support, encourage, and inspire each other — and to watch everyone reach new heights in their businesses — is a special and treasured part of my life. A special mention goes to my Growth Group — being surrounded by these amazing women truly feels like the jewel in the crown of my HerBusiness experience.”
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
Dr. Brené Brown is my favourite entrepreneur because of her integrity and the way she uses her voice to influence and shape the global conversation. I deeply admire how she brings us back to our humanity and reminds us of the best in ourselves, especially in a world where so many are swayed by media manipulation. What stands out to me most is that she leads with compassion and authenticity, focusing on meaningful connection rather than self-promotion or selling products. Her work feels genuine — it’s about service, courage, and helping people live and lead with more heart.
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial focus— I’ve been working for myself in some form for as long as I can remember. Even in my twenties, while building a career in corporate PR and media, I also had a side hustle running presentation and voice training sessions, performing as a vocalist, and teaching singing.
Over time, those experiences naturally evolved into what has become Vibrant Voices today. My passion has always been to share what I know, help others find their authentic voice, and empower them to shine with confidence. Creating my own business allowed me to weave all those passions together — to craft meaningful work on my own terms, and to truly dance to my own drum.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
As I mentioned earlier, I love the creativity — listening deeply to what people need and then designing and delivering programmes that truly empower them to achieve their results. I also appreciate the freedom to shape my own timetable and live and work following my own values.
That said, my boss (me!) has a bit of a workaholic streak and has often demanded long hours and weekend work to push things through. Over the past couple of years — especially after a few health challenges from overworking — I’ve become much better at negotiating with her and finding a healthier balance.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
I find this question fascinating because as my business evolves, I answer it differently. Now I would advise:
- Find out what people most want and shape what you do into tangible products. It’s much easier for people to commit to something that has clear outcomes and structure.
- Be more audacious. Be braver about taking a risk and investing in increasing your visibility. Be willing to break some things.
- “Be yourself, everyone else is taken” Thank you Oscar Wilde. Trust yourself and know that the people who are meant to work with you will respond to you inviting them into your world.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
Much of my advice echoes what I’ve already shared — follow your passion, stay true to your purpose, and create something that genuinely makes a difference for others.
I’d also add that building a business is a long-term journey — a marathon, not a sprint. It takes tenacity and grit to keep going through the tough times, especially when everything takes much longer to come together than you expected. And it takes real stamina to hold steady when everything seems to happen at once.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
- Get comfortable with networking early on. Building genuine relationships is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. It opens doors, creates opportunities, and connects you with people who can support and inspire your journey.
- Invest in systems that help you move forward efficiently. Strong accounting tools, project planning systems, and — increasingly — the right AI solutions can make a huge difference in freeing up your time and helping you focus on what really matters.
- Stay current with marketing — and embrace the changes. Find a trustworthy source to learn how marketing works in today’s fast-moving business world. It’s so different from even 10 years ago and continues to evolve quickly. The more you can embrace change rather than resist it, the stronger and more adaptable your business will become.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
In my ideal business, I work three days a week doing what I love — coaching and running programs with clients who inspire me. I attract new clients in a way that feels playful, natural, and aligned, creating a steady flow of meaningful work without stress or pressure.
My business runs smoothly with strong systems and great admin help, so I can focus on the parts I love most rather than getting caught up (or grumpy!) with tech or logistics.
Each year, I take two months to travel, study, and explore new influences, plus a month for a meditation retreat to rest and reconnect. I also make it a priority to carve out regular time each week for exercise and catching up with friends — keeping that healthy balance between work, wellbeing, and connection.
Ultimately, my vision is to build a business that feels flowing, fulfilling, and fun.— giving me the freedom to do meaningful work while still living a rich, spacious life.
And the good news is I’m well on my way to creating this vision.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
HerBusiness helps me keep momentum in my business by reminding me to stay focused on what really matters — my vision and goals and the work that truly makes a difference. The structure, accountability, and encouragement from the network keep me moving forward, even when things get busy or challenging.
I love the community we’ve created — it’s such a warm, supportive space. I’ve made so many dear friends and “business besties” through HerBusiness and we’ve grown together over the years. Being able to support, encourage, and inspire each other — and to watch everyone reach new heights in their businesses — is a special and treasured part of my life. A special mention goes to my Growth Group — being surrounded by these amazing women truly feels like the jewel in the crown of my HerBusiness experience.
Learn more about Anne Maree and Vibrant Voices.
