Kimberly Palmer

'Spotlight' is designed to give us all inspiration and confirm that anyone can make his or her business dream or that promotion a reality...

PROFILE

Kimberly's first professional role was as a contractor with Myer Direct in 1994. Her experience there, together with her academic results and personal characteristics, led to her winning the 1994 Quantum International Scholarship through Monash University. This involved a four month internship - which stretched to 18 months - with a large international direct marketing company, Quantum International, based in London, UK.

On her return to Australia, Kimberly joined Primus Telecommunications to launch and build to half a million customers their residential long distance product in the early days of telecommunications deregulation. Due to her success in this venture, Kimberly then worked as the Marketing Manager until leaving the company for IT start-up Tentas Telemedicine in 1998.

It was at this time that Kimberly started NETWORX (then Gen eXpress), finding a lack of professional development and networking opportunities in the Melbourne marketplace. The launch event was in October 1999 and was a great success.

Kimberly moved on to be the Marketing Manager of then start-up wishlist.com.au, growing the customer base from 8,000 to well over 50,000 in less than 12 months.

During this time she was also involved for one year in a new program at the Victorian Arts Centre - called Vibe - as an advisory panelist on getting more young people into the arts and indeed, the Arts Centre.

She then moved to take up a series of marketing contracting roles for two online businesses - Brands Online and shopnews.com.au. She has worked full-time for herself since completing the government's NEIS program in December 2001.
Kimberly was recently selected to participate in the annual Young Leader's Forum run by The Foundation for Young Australians (formerly the Queen's Trust). Kimberly is also a committee member of the Australian Institute of Management's Sales & Marketing Special Interest Group.

Occupation/Title
Founder - NETWORX and Brazen Productions

Company/Organization
NETWORX - Running fun and informative events with industry leading speakers for young business people in marketing, advertising, PR and events.
Brazen Productions - Exciting Professional Events that stand out
www.brazen.com.au

State
Victoria & NSW

Age
29

Where did you grow up?
A few places - Ballarat, Surfers Paradise, Melbourne and a year in Kentucky, USA

What was your first job?
Working at Video Ezy for 5 years - still the longest I've ever been in one job!

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Journalist / Writer

How did you get to where you are now?
Worked hard, took risks - and prepared to take a serious pay cut to work for myself!

What qualifications/experiences are required to perform your job?
I hold two degrees - a Bachelor of Business in Marketing and a Bachelor of Business Management. To perform my current work, the marketing experience I've had has been the most important aspect.

How many hours a week do you work?
About 50 hours a week - plus thinking time all the time!

Where would you like to be in ten years?
Relaxing on a beach somewhere! No, seriously, I would ideally like to be in a situation where I only have to work three / four days a week but still be working constantly on new projects - I like seeing ideas come to fruition.

What advice would you give to somebody embarking on their first business or aspiring to achieve extraordinary career goals?
Stick with it, have lots of money saved, talk to LOTS of people and constantly network.

What do you class as your biggest career achievement?
Starting my own business - alas, it's yet to be my biggest "financial" achievement.

What is the best piece of advice anybody has given you?
Keep trying and don't give up too easily.

Fast Facts

Who living or dead would you most like to invite to dinner?
Nelson Mandela

Name a movie that actually inspired you?
Pay it Forward

Your favourite toy as a child:
My Humphrey B Bear

What are you reading at the moment?
No Logo - Naomi Klein & Timeline, Michael Crighton (I can't read one book at once)

Is there a talent/attribute you wish you had/ had more of?
Discipline - I can be a terrible procrastinator. And I wish I could sing.

Which song transports you to another place when you hear it and why?
Halleluiah - Jeff Buckley. It's such a passionate song.

Your favourite place in the world, and why?
The island of Zanzibar, Tanzania. It's stunning and I loved Africa as I've never felt so "laid back" in my life while there.

What is your idea of the perfect Day?
A tropical cruise with lots of swimming and diving - and lots of champagne - and a large group of friends with me.

Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life (important to you)
Friends and family who love you
Work you enjoy
A great home
A love of your life (still searching!)
To feel you've made a difference

Are there other related careers to your chosen career:
Marketing
Advertising
Media
Creative pursuits - design, copywriting