Sue Pember - Business Mentor Coach Advisor

16/06/2026

Strategic partnerships don't happen by accident.

What started as a simple conversation between Sue from AussieOS and Vishmi from SIMPLIFIED by V has grown into an award-winning partnership built on trust, innovation, and a shared commitment to solving real-world challenges.

Together, we set out to tackle one of the biggest challenges in workforce mobility and staff housing: creating a seamless experience for both clients and employees. By combining AussieOS's expertise in relocation and workforce accommodation with Vishmi's passion for technology and process improvement, we created a solution that transformed the way staff housing is managed and delivered.

What makes this partnership special isn't just the technology or the outcomes. It's the willingness to listen, challenge ideas, collaborate openly, and stay focused on the people at the centre of every decision.

That commitment was recognised when AussieOS and SIMPLIFIED by V were awarded the 2025 Quest TEMi Strategic Partnership of the Year Award—one of the mobility industry's highest honours. The award recognised not only the innovation delivered, but the genuine collaboration that made it possible.

Thank you, Vishmi, for bringing your energy, expertise, and belief in what's possible. Partnerships like this remind us that when businesses share the same values and vision, extraordinary things can happen.

Here's to continuing to innovate, collaborate, and create better experiences for our clients and their people.

Watch the interview here! https://vimeo.com/1190005647?fl=pl&fe=sh

03/06/2026

For me, I define success by how well I’m doing in the areas of life that matter most.

Family.

Health.

Happiness.

Purpose.

Mental wellbeing.

Learning.

Friendships.

Fun.

The ability to switch off.

And yes, financial security too.

A few years ago, I faced one of the biggest decisions of my career.

After we sold the rent roll from my property business, I had a choice: stay on as an owner and help rebuild the business, or use the opportunity to sell out completely and focus on growing my relocation business, AussieOS.

At the time, I was actively involved in both businesses. My property business had been a significant part of my professional journey and I was incredibly proud of what we had built. But I could also see enormous opportunity ahead for AussieOS and felt increasingly drawn to the work we were doing helping people relocate, settle into new communities, and navigate major life transitions.

I was also tired.

Running two businesses had been rewarding, but it was demanding. I wanted more space to think strategically, spend time with my family, and focus on building one business exceptionally well rather than splitting my attention across two.

To help make the decision, I completed a Wheel of Life exercise.

The Wheel of Life is a coaching tool that helps you assess your satisfaction across different areas of life. I rated family, health, happiness, purpose, mental wellbeing, learning, friendships, fun, career fulfilment, my ability to switch off and financial security.

The wider and more balanced the wheel, the more fulfilled life tends to feel.

🟢 Green shows where I was at the time.

⚫ Black shows what I anticipated life might look like six months after selling out.

🩷 Pink shows the reality when I revisited the exercise 12 months later.

🔵 Blue shows a later snapshot, taken during a period when I was feeling a little exhausted and stretched again.

What surprised me most was that the reality 12 months later was actually better than I had expected.

Almost every area of my life had improved.

I had greater clarity, stronger alignment with my work, more flexibility for my family, more capacity to learn and grow, more energy for my clients, team and community, and a much better ability to switch off and recharge.

Looking back, focusing entirely on AussieOS was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

The answer was less.

Less complexity.

Less competing priorities.

Less decision fatigue.

That created space for greater focus, greater impact, greater enjoyment and ultimately greater growth.

Interestingly, looking at the blue line now is a reminder that life isn’t linear. We go through seasons. Sometimes things feel balanced and flowing, and sometimes we become tired, stretched or distracted from what matters most.

Which is exactly why I think it’s time to do this exercise again.

Because success isn’t a destination. It’s something worth checking in on regularly.

Have you ever discovered that less was actually the answer?

01/04/2026

There’s a level of uncertainty in the air right now that’s hard to ignore.

For many small business owners, it’s not just about what’s happening today — it’s what it brings up.

For me, it brings back memories of COVID and the resources slowdown at the end of 2012… times that were incredibly tough and completely blindsided us.

If you’re currently mapping out your next 3 weeks to 3 months, adjusting plans and trying to stay steady — I see you.

It’s easy in these moments to get caught in our concerns, resentment and constant thoughts, and to feel alone in it all.
But we’re not — there is support available.

One of the most important things I’ve learned is not to try and weather the storm alone.

I had an appointment with my clinical psychologist today, and it gave me clarity and perspective when I needed it.

I also make a conscious effort to talk openly about what’s on my mind, and to map out and explore strategies with my team and network — it really does make a difference.

And a simple reminder I often need myself — don’t forget the basics.

Exercise, eating well, practicing gratitude, time in nature and taking breaks with family and friends all play a big role in how we manage stress, especially in times like these.

Sixteen years in business, and more challenges than I can count, have prepared me for moments like these.

Not because I have all the answers or a crystal ball, but because I’ve built resilience and experience along the way — and I know these challenging times can also create opportunities and as a small business we are agile and responsive to adapt quickly.

Even so, being a business owner can feel incredibly overwhelming and lonely at times — like no one quite understands the weight you’re carrying.

If things feel heavy right now, talk to someone you trust or access the support available.

You don’t have to carry this on your own.

Support resources (Australia):
• Business support: https://business.gov.au/risk-management/mental-health/mental-health-and-wellbeing-support-for-business
• WA small business wellbeing: https://www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/people/managing-stress-anxiety
• Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au
• Lifeline (24/7): https://www.lifeline.org.au | 13 11 14
• Ahead for Business (small business specific): https://aheadforbusiness.org.au

By the way I’m good!

I’m focusing on the things I have ability to change and influence and the rest will work itself out!

17/03/2026

Are we already at the point where a degree alone isn’t enough?

I heard from a colleague this week that law graduates are being knocked back from grad roles — not because they lack degrees or excellent marks, but because they lack relevant business and/or legal experience.

At first, I was a little shocked, but then I started connecting the dots…………

A couple of years ago, on a business delegation tour in Ireland, I saw the Big 4 engaging high-performing students straight out of school — combining part-time work with study and building capability early.

At the time, I wondered if it was a bit premature for Australia.

Now I’m not so sure.

Reflecting on my experience as a mentor and recruiter in apprenticeships and traineeships, it makes complete sense.

The strongest candidates for sought-after, well-paid process operator traineeships in the resources sector were those who already had onsite experience — often through other trades, trade assistant roles, or defence backgrounds.

Because they understood how work actually works — and the expectations of the environment.

And many of the best performers I’ve worked with didn’t follow a traditional path at all.

They:
• changed careers and brought experience from fields like teaching, nursing, hospitality
• started in admin roles and learned the business from the ground up
• then went on to complete their degrees, often supported by their employer

They brought maturity, perspective, and practical capability that set them apart.

That’s been true for me too.

I studied stage management at WAAPA — and nothing prepared me for business more than working across theatre, festivals, events and TV.

Budgets.
Deadlines.
Managing expectations without alienating people.

Skills I use every day.

And now, with roles evolving so quickly — particularly with AI — this shift feels even more accelerated.

The entry-level work that once built experience is changing.

So have we already shifted?

From:
👉 Degree → job → experience

To:
👉 Study + experience → opportunity

As a parent of a daughter starting a six-year Juris Doctor pathway, I’ve encouraged her to gain experience alongside her studies.

She’s already doing exactly that — working in a professional services firm, alongside her casual cashier role at IGA.

Because a degree alone may no longer be the differentiator.

Or is something else also at play?

With the rising cost of living, do students even have the luxury of lower-paid roles while studying — or are they being pushed to prioritise relevant experience earlier?

Curious…

Are you seeing this shift in your organisations?

⸻

11/03/2026

Watching how my teenagers are learning at school has made me rethink something about AI.

It might actually be improving the depth of learning.

I found this podcast on ABC Radio National’s All in the Mind with Sana Qadar super interesting, asking the question:

Is AI making our brains lazier?

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/allinthemind/ai-making-brains-lazier-psychology/106353300

In the podcast, neuroscientist Joel Pearson The University of New South Wales (UNSW) raises an important concern.

Relying too heavily on AI, he explains, can be a bit like going to the gym but getting the machine to lift the weights for you.

You’re still there — but your muscles aren’t doing the work.

The same risk exists with thinking.

If we outsource too much reasoning, analysing and remembering to AI, we risk weakening the mental muscles that come from doing that work ourselves.

AI is an extraordinary tool — but using it to replace thinking rather than support it could become a real problem.

And if we’re honest… we already know this.

⸻

But listening to the episode also made me reflect on something interesting I’m seeing as a parent.

Over the last year, because AI can now write a very good essay, schools seem to be testing knowledge far more frequently in class — with weekly tests and nowhere to hide.

In many cases, take-home assignments are becoming a thing of the past.

And the result?

I actually think the core learning my teenagers are achieving is deeper than it was before AI.

You can no longer hide behind a beautifully written essay about
“the vibe of the thing.”

Students now need to know the material — the fundamentals, the concepts and the connections.

⸻

Pearson also makes another point that resonated with me:

Writing has never really been a level playing field.

For a long time, those who could write the best often rose through academic and professional systems because writing became the gateway to communicating ideas, publishing work and building influence.

But writing ability is shaped by many things — acumen, cognitive agility, learning differences, language, cultural background, education, time and opportunity.

In other words, having the chance to become an exceptional writer is a privilege in itself.

If AI helps more people structure ideas and communicate clearly, perhaps the advantage shifts back toward what really matters:

• understanding
• critical thinking
• original ideas
• curiosity

⸻

This also made me reflect on something in my own career.

One of my challenges has probably been being too curious.

I’ve never been very good at doing something simply because
“that’s the way we’ve always done it.”

That tendency has sometimes made traditional employment environments challenging.

But in the podcast, Pearson also talks about the importance of a beginner’s mindset — approaching problems with curiosity, openness to learning and a willingness to change direction when needed.

Interestingly, many of those traits are also common in entrepreneurs and people with ADHD — like me.

⸻

In a world changing this quickly, those qualities — curiosity, adaptability and a willingness to question things — may become a real advantage.

I’m already seeing this play out in my own work.

As a small business, we can increasingly compete with much larger organisations because we are able to move quickly — adapting, responding and making decisions faster to meet our clients’ needs.

Without layers of management or complex hierarchies, we can often make decisions on the spot and adopt new technology or change operational systems when it makes sense.

Being small, curious, quick and nimble is becoming a real strength.

Perhaps these are exactly the qualities our students and graduates need to foster as they prepare for the future of work.

⸻

Perhaps the real skill in the AI era isn’t writing the perfect answer.

It’s asking better questions.

Curious what others are seeing —

is AI weakening thinking, or actually pushing us toward deeper learning?

Fascinating to see how quickly education, thinking and work are evolving in the AI era.

ABC listen

11/02/2026

As I’ve been reflecting on 16 years of business ownership, I keep coming back to the same thing:

Relationships.

Many of the clients I work with today are people I built connections with long before I even went into business — conversations that started years ago, introductions from former clients, friends of friends, and those moments where someone says, “You should meet.”

With my small business coaching clients, I often use the analogy that not all seeds have the same gestation time.

Some sprout in days.
Others take weeks, months… even years.

The last couple of weeks really brought that home for me.

I’ve been deep in a major relocation proposal for my company Aussie OS Global Mobility Services for a client I’ve been in conversation with and delivered small amounts of work for over an eight year period — eight years of staying in touch, watching their organisation evolve, sharing ideas, making introductions, offering insight without pressure, and playing the long game.

And in reflection this client I was first introduced to more than 20 years ago, back when I was employed.

It didn’t land on my desk overnight.

It grew because of trust.

I was also reminded recently — thanks to Michael Veletta — to slow things down and remember the value of relationships in a world full of a thousand touchpoints and constant digital noise.

This year, I’m being even more intentional about connecting people in my network — creating space for conversations that don’t need an immediate outcome, but leave both people better than they found them.

Because some seeds turn into work.
Some turn into learning.
Some simply refill your cup.

All of them matter.

If there’s someone in your world you think I’d genuinely gel with — I’d love to meet them.

05/02/2026

Self-care isn’t a luxury when you run a business — it’s infrastructure.

When you’re a small business owner, the pace is relentless. Decisions stack up. Responsibility is constant. Your brain never really switches off. And somewhere in the middle of serving clients, leading teams, chasing growth and keeping everything afloat… you can quietly slide to the bottom of the list.

I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that burnout doesn’t arrive dramatically.
It creeps in through tired thinking, shorter patience, foggy strategy and a loss of spark.

That’s why I intentionally carve out time for days that refill the tank — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.

I’ve been to a number of one-day retreats run by Erin Hunter-Thomas and I genuinely find them incredibly valuable. They create space to pause, reset, reconnect with what matters, and come back to work with clarity and focus — the kind you simply can’t manufacture between meetings.

If you’re feeling stretched, flat or stuck in reactive mode, consider this your reminder:
👉 stepping away is doing the work
👉 restoring your energy is a growth strategy
👉 looking after yourself makes you a better leader

I’ll be attending the next one — join me if this resonates:

🌿 Nurture & Nourish Retreat
Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nurture-nourish-retreat-tickets-1968567000892?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

Your business needs you at your best — and that starts with protecting your wellbeing.

How are you building self-care into your week right now?

A restorative retreat experience specially designed for mothers who give so much.

23/09/2025

As a small business owner it’s important to celebrate the wins!

Very proud of my team at Aussie OS Global Mobility Services

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16KxgrfDwJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🌟 Proud to be finalists in two categories! 🌟

We’re excited to share that AussieOS Global Mobility Services has been announced as a finalist in two categories at the 2025 Quest TEMi Awards Australasian Workforce Management Awards:

🏆 Service Provider of the Year — AussieOS for our amazing relocation services aussieos.com.au

🏆 Strategic Partnership of the Year — AussieOS & SIMPLIFIED. by V : For the amazing Staff Housing Tech Collaboration Vishmi De Silva and my team Christine Shipard Deb Albrecht Josie Price have all been integral on.

This recognition is a true reflection of our team’s dedication and the power of collaboration.

Love you all Sue Pember x

See the full list of finalists here 👉 https://www.temitalent.com.au/australasian-workforce-management-awards-honour-excellence-in-talent-mobility/