In this episode of Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, Karis speaks with Bernadette Payne, founder of That’s My Style, about her career in fashion, motherhood, and the decision to leave corporate life to build a business that worked better for her family. Bernadette shares her 25-year career across the fashion industry, covering pattern making, design, buying, producing and travel. She reflects on the pressure of senior roles, the constant expectation to keep juggling, and the reality of working in an environment where she did not feel seen as a whole person. When Bernadette became a mum, she realised the industry did not support the kind of balance she wanted. She talks about being expected to return after six weeks, fighting to take 12 months leave, and later negotiating part-time work that still came with full-time expectations. Bernadette also shares how founding That’s My Style allowed her to keep fashion in her life while working in a way that better aligned with her family, values and wellbeing. She explains how her work is not just about clothes, but about understanding women, their stories, their insecurities and what helps them feel like themselves. Karis and Bernadette also explore the ongoing challenges women face in 2026, including rigid work structures, the invisible mental load, and the importance of leaders having more open conversations about what support really looks like. Bernadette’s 25-year career in the fashion industry The pressure of senior corporate roles in fashion Why motherhood changed what work needed to look like Fighting for 12 months leave and part-time flexibility The challenge of part-time roles with full-time expectations Why Bernadette started That’s My Style Building work around family life Style, identity and understanding the woman behind the clothing Health, boundaries and putting yourself first What leaders can do to better support women and parents at work 00:00 Introduction to Bernadette's Journey 03:03 Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship 06:00 Challenges of Balancing Career and Motherhood 10:41 Creating a Business that Aligns with Family Life 14:29 The Importance of Self-Care and Personal Growth 19:04 Navigating the Gender Pay Gap and Workplace Challenges 25:53 Advice for Women in Business and Leadership 31:37 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations Follow Bernadette, That's My Style Website: https://thatsmystyle.com.au/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsmystyle_bybernadette/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatsmystyleAU/ Connect with Karis Website: https://www.ambitionandlife.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/Karis Dorrigan is a Head of Product in InsurTech, coach, podcast host and solo parent. She has helped scale companies to their first million dollars in revenue and led product across billion-dollar enterprises, shaping organisations to be more customer-first, product-led and outcome-driven. Today, she is Head of Product and coaches mid-career women in product and tech to step into senior leadership roles on their terms. Her mission is simple: to help more women rise into leadership. Because when more women lead, systems shift, customers win, and the economy grows stronger. If this episode speaks to your experience as a solo parent, caregiver or leader, follow Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, share this episode with a colleague, and join the movement to build systems where ambition and care can thrive side by side. Track: Brother BrotherArtist: BENSONLicensed by: Soundstripe, Inc.License Type: Master Recording & Synchronization LicenseLicense ID: #22026995Usage Rights: Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast, and social platforms© BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. All rights reserved.Used with permission under a perpetual license.ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T
