Shelley is trained in some of Australia’s best and most sophisticated analytical tools and strategies that track the ‘inner drivers’ of human behaviour.With a background in education, management and HR, Shelley directs Unique People and specialises in people performance, employee engagement and the influence leadership and board behaviour has on corporate, business and team outcomes. She has a team of four in Cairns and she works with a national Alliance team in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth, Shelley is currently on a national speaking circuit travelling and presenting across Australia. Her client base spans across four states of Australia, Asia and the South Pacific and she has key note speaking engagements in the USA and Canada. Shelley recently won the Australian Institute of Management’s Management of Excellence Award for her region. She is also President of the Cairns Business Women’s Club where she is an ambassador for over 420 business owners and managers.

1. In three words – what does Cairns mean to you?
Home, lifestyle, opportunity.

2. What was your first ever job?
I juggled a few jobs to earn the money I needed to go to University; Saturday mornings at Kenny Industries (Plumbing supplies); cashier at the Cairns Water Works; after school a supervisor at an Outside School Hours Care Program and baby sitting on weekends.

3. For people just starting their own business – what are your 3 success
tips?

Align your business with who you are as a person; when what you do aligns with who you are then it feels like you are building a life (& business) of significance rather than a life of survival. 

Form a guiding alliance to support where you want to go in business. This alliance can be trusted friends and/or colleagues already in business… shout them some champagne and invite them to share their advice.  I have eight in my alliance.  I call them the eight knights of my business round table. Each of them bring their own unique capabilities to my businesses development discussions.  We meet quarterly and business development has never been so much fun!

K.N.O.W – Know your product, Nut out your market, chase Opportunities but Watch your cash flow.

5. What do you dislike most about your industry?
Not much at all.  I enjoy being at the cutting edge of new leadership and management trends. I like nutting out ‘people issues’ for organisations that don’t have the understanding that we do about human behaviour.  It is such a privilege to help business owners with this as it is a big stressor for business today.

I’d probably like to see the ‘coaching’ industry establish a national and international federated association so coaching is more regulated.  So many ‘coaches’ are setting up shop with only minimal training behind them and very little theory about human behaviour understood. It makes it hard for the market in general with many businesses confused about the difference between a ‘business’ coach and/or ‘life’ coach.

6. What motivates you most to go to work each day?
I get the chance everyday to do what I love; to share what I believe passionately about and to help business owners be happier in their role as ‘people managers’. I absolutely love sharing my knowledge about ‘human behaviour’. And I have a great team of highly charged individuals who give their all to help our clients.



7. If you had an opportunity to change careers for a month – what would you do?
Dame Edna’s Professional Assistant – wouldn’t that be a hoot!

8. Have you ever had a great idea or innovation that wish you had the time to pursue?
I’ve been writing a book for about two years….and the chance to finish would be brilliant.

9. If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be?
Absolutely nothing, all of my experiences have shaped who I am today.   (The good, the bad and the ugly) Although….wearing blue eye shadow to my school formal with a red water wave taffeta dress….ouch!

10. Tell us something we don't know about you?
I cross country skied for two weeks in Canada and learnt Ice Fishing.

11. Who do you aspire to?
It will sound cliché but if I could have the balance and good grace of my parents I would be thrilled.   I have so much to thank them for.

12. If you could re-live one moment in your life – what would it be?
Take more time to listen to the wisdom of my grandparents.

13. If you could invite someone famous for dinner (dead or alive) – who would it be?
Willy Wonker from the Chocolate Factory (he brings the chocolate); Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous (she brings the champagne) and a host of our friends!

14. When was your last overseas holiday and where?
Vanuatu last December for my Birthday.   I know…I am spoilt!

15. What’s your favourite journey?
The journey of life.  One hell of a roller coaster ride if you give it a chance.

16. Your favourite time of day?
Dusk…especially looking out at our view with a glass of bubbly.

17. Your favourite restaurant for that Friday afternoon lunch?
Who can go past Doninni’s?  Hmmmm local favourite and the new view is sensational!  Often in Sydney on a Friday afternoon and we swan song to The Establishment…..fab!

18. What music or radio station do you listen to in your car?
102.7 4CA FM on the way to work and ABC Classics on a long drive.

19. Your favourite author or book?
Ohhhh I have sooooo many!  Have you seen the Library at my office?  

20. What will you be doing when you’re 80?
Probably still finishing my book and organising a rally to improve the standards of ‘porridge’ at the home for the Wise but Wilted.