EastCoast HR Group has approached prominent Sunny Coasters about their careers. Follow our Friday Feature to find out what inspires those around us to go to work every day!
Today, we talk with Kendall Morton, the Director of Home Care Assistance Sunshine Coast.
What was your first job?
I have had so many jobs! My first proper job was working in a jewellery store over the Christmas holidays and I loved every minute of it. After that, I was a checkout chick for Woolies and loved that too. After leaving school I completed a Bachelor of Education and worked as a primary school teacher. I think the reality of life these days is that we won’t necessarily stick to one job or career and flexibility and resilience will be very important traits for success.
Who are the people that have made the biggest difference in your career and why?
There have been so many people that have helped along the way. My grandparents all instilled a love of people, of learning and a strong work ethic in me. I have a wonderful management team in my office that support my vision and values unconditionally and I feel very lucky to have them as it can be a high-paced and sometimes stressful job. Also, a beautiful lady called Mary from Tamarind Copywriting has been a wonderful and professional supporter of HCA and has taught me a lot.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
John McGrath once said at a business breakfast – “Don’t worry about the money. Worry about the clients and the money will take care of itself”. I think this is so true. We focus on providing a very good service, we love the people we work for, we advocate for changes for the greater good of our industry, and we have been lucky enough to be successful in this market. I also like the quote that we are not trees, and if there is something we don’t like we aren’t stuck in the ground and we have the power to change it.
Think back to five years ago. Did you envision your career as it is today?
Absolutely not! 5 years ago I was working as an undergraduate accountant as I had returned to study after wanting a change from being a primary school teacher. It wasn’t really working with 2 little ones at home, and another on the way. I felt very dissatisfied with how my career options were working out. I had found it difficult to find work in Queensland and I felt like I had much more to offer. Essentially, at that point, this was not on the horizon, and it is all the more reason why I feel truly lucky to have found my place in the world. My advice is, if you don’t love it, don’t waste any more time, try something else. Start humble and be prepared to learn as much as you can from the bottom up. You can’t yet replace hard work!
How do you approach work – life balance?
I’m not sure there is such a thing as work/life balance. What I do believe in though, is the idea that work should bring you enjoyment and fulfillment. If you love your work, then the idea of balance is much easier. If going to work is a chore, then everything in life feels harder. I also believe that a great attitude goes a long way to shaping your day and experience. What I try and do is give 100% at work when I am at work, and then give 100% to my four beautiful children when I am at home, and avoid trying to do both at once! I also never iron, never feel “mummy guilt”, and just make sure I am doing my best for my business, my clients and my kids every day. I think it is important to focus on what we have, rather than what we don’t have in order to be happy in the present.
What is your proudest moment in your career?
Winning the Sunshine Coast Businesswoman of the Year award is right up there. Talk about a complete transformation in my life and the opportunities that have arisen. I am forever grateful to my business, staff, and clients for making this a possibility. I am proud when clients phone to tell how my team has made a difference in their lives as this is the whole point for all of us. Lastly, my 10-year-old daughter sat me down recently and told me that I am her role model in this world, and sometimes hearing such grown-up words from your own children make it all worth it.
