#19 // Colleen Callander // From the shop floor at 16 to CEO of Sportsgirl and Sussan + kindness as a superpower

What happens when you throw the traditional corporate playbook out the window and back yourself completely?

In this episode of Bold Ideas, host Marianne Marchesi sits down with one of Australia’s most celebrated retail executives, Colleen Callander. From leaving school at 16 for a casual summer gig to spending 13 brilliant years as the CEO of iconic fashion giants Sportsgirl and Sussan, Colleen has completely redefined what powerful leadership looks like.

Forget the old-school, aggressive corporate tactics of the 90s and 2000s. Colleen shares how she turned values like kindness, authenticity, and empathy into her ultimate business superpowers to create high-performing, safe team cultures where magic actually happens.

Marianne and Colleen dive deep into her decision to step away at the top of her game in 2020, how she turned the disruption of a global pandemic into a launchpad for her purpose, and why building your confidence muscle is the ultimate key to bringing your own bold ideas to life.

[00:01:06] – Choosing the road less travelled: Leaving school at 16 for the retail shop floor.

[00:02:05] – The sliding door moment: How a manager spotting her potential changed everything.

[00:04:34] – Stepping into the helm: 13 years leading Sportsgirl and Sussan.

[00:05:17] – The evolution of leadership: Ditching the aggressive "treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen" era.

[00:08:24] – Kindness as a superpower: The distinct difference between being nice vs. being kind in the boardroom.

[00:11:09] – The 2020 reset: Resigning right as a global pandemic hit and finding a deeper purpose.

[00:13:06] – Mentor Me Women: Creating an accessible, affordable community for women to thrive.

[00:16:30] – The flipped corporate equation: Why people, purpose, and passion must always come before profit.

[00:18:04] – The Power of Confidence: Inside Colleen's latest book and overcoming self-doubt.

[00:21:59] – Doing the "confidence reps": How to build your confidence muscle every day.

[00:24:37] – Colleen's top piece of advice for anyone sitting on a bold idea.

Follow Colleen on Instagram at @colleen_callander or buy her latest book, The Power of Confidence, on Amazon and select book stores.

To get in touch, contact us via Instagram @boldideas_au

This episode is brought to you by Legalite, where bold ideas thrive. Visit https://www.legalite.com.au to find out how we can help you.