Michelle M Gregory

Background

About Michelle M Gregory

Some people build businesses. I build mosaics. Tile by tile. Story by story. I've learnt to zoom out and see the whole, even while holding the tiniest piece in my hand. I started with very little - the eldest of five, raised on $400 a week, watching my dad battle invisible illness and my mum lead with quiet compassion. I carry their strength and the wisdom of my father, who always said,"There's no point in having your eyes open and your mind closed." I grew a business from the ground up. We have 37 staff now, but it's always been about people - about connection and trust. We create enduring links between companies and their people through thoughtful merchandise. The right product with the right purpose at the right time. I wanted to change the way we think about merch, to make it personal and lasting. I read constantly and think deeply. I ask big questions and invite others to do the same. I ponder a lot on leadership, and after 20+ years in business, I have a lot of stories to share. I've made some unusual decisions and taken risks others wouldn't. Perhaps because I'm fascinated by elite performance, where coaching and mindset change everything. I bring that same lens to business. I spot common threads, like those between business and one of my hobbies, hiking. You get to one peak, only to see the next. The weather shifts. You pause. You move forward. You recover. And that recovery is everything. It's where you reflect and learn. Sometimes, you need to slow down to speed up. And you must dream forward. You must have a vision but always be scanning the horizon. And like a boat on a vast ocean, when rough waves take you by surprise you must be flexible but not directionless, you must act quickly and become the mast that others can tether themselves to. As a calm leader, I listen intently and I see the whole person - what they bring and what they need. I know my strengths and notice those of others. I think carefully about how to bring them together to create something better than what any of us could do alone. Again, it's about connection. Recently, I've been ruminating on the word "ancestor". In work, in friendship, in family, and in leadership - how will I turn up? What ripple will I leave? I suppose it's up to me in the present to piece together my own legacy, one tile at a time. If you are a deep thinker like me, and you enjoy leading or running a business, let's connect. michelle@promotionproducts.com.au