From Survival to Relaunch: My Personal Story

People often ask me, “How did you do it?”

In my life, like most of you I’ve had my fair share of setbacks and tragedies. Born into domestic violence my world fell apart at age 5 when most week nights were spent either hiding in cupboards, running out into the cold dark night hiding behind trees or buildings as we made a 45 minute journey on foot to my grandmother’s house arriving near midnight where I would get up early and go to school next day. That continued for the next 4 years, each year with increasing violence.

I look back at those formative years now and wonder whether my ability to adapt without too much struggle, change course, my resilience to meet any challenging circumstance was born from those years where I had to become self-reliant and just get on with it to survive.

Back then I didn’t know I was born with a rare gift which International Best-Selling Author Malcolm Gladwell described in his book “The Tipping Point” identified three personality types that create and influence social epidemics: The Mavens, the Salespeople and the Connectors.

As a Connector I make change happen through galvanising people.

The first time it occurred to me that I could make big things happen was when I was 11, in Form 1 at Horsham High school where I organised my personal friend circle to join the school talent quest, sourced the costumes from the Horsham Theatre, rallied the mothers to help us rehearse, get ready on the big night, attend the concert and ensured I got as many in the audience attending to vote for us. We came second!

Fast forward to falling into my first business with my husband in 1995. Having worked in the public system as a teacher I found myself in sales in the private sector. I had no real experience with the private sector other than some casual hostessing I had done for Hawthorn Football Club.

I shocked when without any sales experience I managed to sell out all the outside venues to the first Australian Formula One Grand Prix including 3 marquees within the track and then had to execute the delivery of high standard hospitality experience to 1200 corporates.

My husband noted at the time “I don’t know what you’re doing but keep doing it. You’re on fire.”

Having divorced and not being able to find a job for some years I found myself once again in survival mode.

$130,000 in debt, no superannuation as that formulated part of financial settlement, I had to find a way to relaunch.

That opportunity came in 2014 when I purchased a Fifo Capital franchise.

Not knowing anyone in the finance industry the franchise instructed me to network to build my business. I had never networked before this point.

During my networking I met some influential people, but nothing could prepare me for the day in 2017 that the EA from the Victorian Small Business Commission rang me and asked if the Victorian Small Business Commissioner could speak at one of my Real Tradies Wives Lunches!!

Yes #Real Tradies Wives was another business I launched in 2016.

It was the business that I felt most aligned to, my purpose, my passion my why.

I had great enjoyment launching The Real Tradies Wives of Melbourne after running a competition and finding the 5 Ambassadors who represent what we deemed authentic women, wives of tradies complete with their challenges and their successes.

Along the way I met a Westpac Banker who some years later in 2018 met me for a coffee and said “Marg you know what you should do. You should help business launch as you are so good at it.”

I smiled and thought “Nah who would need me to do that?”

Fast forward 2019 I launched Technology Integrators Australia and Be Oild

Then after much cajoling I decided it was time to take my gifts of helping business, launch, relaunch, rebrand, pivot using my gift as a Connector.

Marg Lange Change Agency was born surrounded with the best team who I call affectionately my CATS (Change Agency Team) we are ready and waiting to take you from Survival to Relaunch as many of us in the team just quietly have lived the journey as well.

If you are ready to pivot and relaunch please contact me at marg@marglange.com.au