20/20's Twenty Questions with Sarah Powell, Advance Cairns Sarah is the Economic Development Officer for Advance Cairns. Her role involves the identification of projects and facilitation of opportunities that promote the growth and prosperity of Tropical North Queensland.

1. What was your first ever job?

I was twelve years old and I ran the local recycling depot out of our car shed.

People would bring in their recycling, I’d count the cans and stubbies (or echo’s, as they’re ironically known in South Australia) and then pay them then pack everything into bales/crates. When I had enough, I’d ring up and order a truck from the state depot to come and pick it up, then hey presto - few weeks later they’d send me a cheque by snail mail.

I did this for about two years, after school and on weekends. It taught me how to save.... and eventually how to spend, too!

2. What did you want to do when you were 20?

Around that time I wanted to become a criminologist and was studying behavioural sciences at Flinders Uni in Adelaide. I had always been curious about what made people tick – the complex combinations of innate and learned behaviours and the physiology behind it all really fascinated me.

3. What are your 3 tips for success?

• Ask a lot of questions and be sure to listen to the answers.
  Talk to those who have been there before you and learn what you can from them. It doesn’t cost you anything to listen, but could cost you dearly if you don’t.
• Learn how to prioritise and plan, and realise that it’s ok to say ‘no’ sometimes!
  At every stage in life, things compete for your attention/time/resources – if you try to please everyone you will either burn out, or fail miserably. Seriously, you don’t want to learn this lesson the hard way!
• Work when you’re feeling productive – and when you’re not, do something about it.
  If you try to force yourself to work when you’re not functioning properly, you usually achieve very little. So, when you’re not feeling productive, completely forget about work – go and do something that recharges your batteries and  inspires you. It might sound like bludging, but it’s actually the opposite: you’ll be amazed at how quickly you feel ready to get back into things. With new vigour you’ll achieve much more, in less time. The positive spin-off is that you’ll feel great about having accomplished so much and will be motivated to tackle the next job.

4. What motivates you most to go to work each day?

The coffee at Dolce on the way to the office!

5. What is the best thing about doing business in Cairns?

The coffee at Dolce (ha ha)

Seriously though, what I like about doing business in Cairns is there is such an incredible and unique opportunity around every corner. A person who has vision and guts can achieve almost anything here. It really is an exciting time to be doing business in Cairns – it might be a Global Financial Crisis but as they say, on the other side of every challenge is an opportunity. I think the current economic conditions will be the catalyst for some amazing new success stories.

6. What do you dislike most about the industry?

Politics.

7. What achievement within the Young Chamber are you most proud of?

I’m very proud to be a part of Young Chamber at all, and am thankful for the motivation it gives me to be better at what I do, and share what I’ve learned along the way.

I’m particularly proud of the team effort that has seen YC evolve from a small sub-committee that hosted networking events, to a dynamic group that is dedicated to the professional development, mentoring and promotion of employees and business owners through a range of innovative events, communications and interactive online media.

8. If you had an opportunity to change careers for a month – what would you do?

A master shoe repairer. It’d save me a bomb if I learned how to fix stiletto’s myself!

9. What advice would you give to a person just starting their career?

When your palms are sweaty, your knees are week and you feel as though you have a herd of wilderbeasts stampeding in your stomach, recognise that it is most probably a moment of growth. No matter how scary it seems at the time, embrace it and learn from it, the uncomfortable part will soon be over.

10. Have you ever had a great idea or innovation that you wish had the time to pursue?

Yes. But a little bit out of my league to develop. I used to love it when I woke up and could remember what I dreamed about the night before, so I thought it would be great to have a machine that can record dreams (as we see them) and converts them into a format that can be watched on a tv. There are probably also practical applications for this, not just entertainment!

11. Who do you aspire to in business or in life?

I really don’t think there is any one person that I can say I’ve aspired to be like.... but I guess if I had to pick one it might be Albert Facey. He was a man that suffered hardships most of us couldn’t imagine. What I admire most about him is that he recognised the opportunity to learn from both good and bad experiences. He had integrity and he realised what was truly important in life. Despite all he endured, he was thankful for his life, and considered himself fortunate. I think anyone who has ever read A Fortunate Life has been inspired by Albert Facey.

12. Where is your favourite tourist destination?

Any of the sand cays on the reef.....

13. If you could re-live one moment in your life – what would it be?

The surprise weekend away at Thala Beach Lodge when Kirk popped the question.

14. Who would be on your ultimate dinner-party table of 8?

Australian author Tim Winton, for conversation
Ozzy Osbourne, for music industry anecdotes that shock and astound me
Fashion magnate Muicca Prada, to bring style, grace and tips on longevity in a tough industry
Walt Disney, to bring vision, inspiration and limitless positivity
Elle Macpherson to remind me how to remain grounded and dignified at all times
Dylan Moran, for the utter lack of sense, but pure entertainment value
Ricky Gervais, for the banter
And Kirk, of course!

15. Describe the best holiday you ever went on?

An eight day bareboat charter around the Whitsundays. I’ll never forget that feeling of being under sail – complete silence, sun on my face, soft breeze in my hair, cold beer in my hand. Ah.... bliss!

16. Which is your favourite restaurant for that Friday afternoon lunch?

I’m a steak lover, so I’d have to go with the Waterbar.

17. What was the latest gadget/ toy you bought?

An iPhone. I love it. The only thing it can’t do is your housework. This I know, because the first one I owned smashed during the vacuuming. Obviously the lesson in this, is don’t vacuum.

18. Tell us something we don’t know about you?

As a teenager I used to sing in a rock band. I guess that would explain my dinner party invitation to Ozzy.

19. What’s the best advice you have ever been given?

"Never sacrifice your happiness, without it you have nothing". I’ve always tried to make decisions based on this advice, it’s amazing how much falls into place around it – health and well being especially, but also things like career or business prospects. That, and: "If you’re going to be late, bring coffee".

20. What do you want to be doing when you are 80?

I see myself in a country house, on a big old farm, with a bright sunny room where I sit in a comfy chair near the window and write.