1. What leap did you take that changed your life forever?

After more than 30 years working in the not-for-profit sector, including 22 years at World Vision, I took the leap of faith that would change my life forever: I left secure employment and launched my own fundraising consultancy business called Safe Hands Fundraising. It was a decision that came from both a place of conviction and a moment of crisis. Over those three decades, I gained an enormous depth of experience supporting large, established charities to grow their income and impact. But as time passed, I found myself drawn to the many small, passionate charities that were doing incredible work and often with minimal resources. These organisations didn’t have the funding or capacity to hire full-time fundraising professionals, and I saw a gap I knew I could fill. I started the business during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most uncertain times in modern history. But the real catalyst came shortly after when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Facing my own mortality gave me a new perspective on life. I realised I didn’t want to spend whatever time I had left in survival mode—I wanted to thrive. I wanted to be present for my two daughters, to prioritise my health, and to do work that lit a fire in me. The decision to leave employment entirely and focus solely on my business was terrifying. But it was also liberating. It meant backing myself for the first time. It meant choosing to believe that my knowledge and experience could help small charities make a greater impact. And that belief proved true. Since taking that leap, I’ve supported clients in growing their fundraising income significantly with one by over 90% in five years. I work not only on strategy but also implementation, stepping in where they lack resources. I’ve helped charities become financially sustainable, expand their teams, and serve more vulnerable communities. I now run a successful six-figure business with a full client roster and the flexibility to choose the work I take on. But more than the financial success, the leap transformed how I see myself. I moved from being someone who supported a vision, to someone who could lead her own. I found a renewed sense of purpose—not just in business, but in life. This leap was about more than just work. It was about reclaiming my time, my health, and my belief in what was possible. It was about showing my daughters and myself, that sometimes the scariest leap leads to the most rewarding chapter.

2. What emotions did you battle before taking the leap?

Fear was the loudest voice at first. After three decades of employment and in stable roles, and the latter part in leadership position, I was used to structure, certainty, and a regular income. As a single mum of two teenage daughters, walking away from that security to start something of my own felt, at times, like madness. I had no safety net. No partner to lean on financially. Just me. And two daughters who depended on me. But alongside that fear was something even deeper: a knowing. A quiet, persistent voice that said, “You were made for more than this.” I was exhausted, mentally, physically, emotionally. I knew I couldn't keep prioritising a job over my health and my family. I was constantly pouring out, leaving nothing left for myself or my girls. Then came the cancer diagnosis. And with it, clarity. When you hear the words “You have cancer,” something fundamental shifts. The things that once terrified you such as quitting your job, risking your income—suddenly feel insignificant compared to the possibility of not being around at all. That diagnosis didn’t just shake me. It woke me up. I realised life was too short to keep living in fear. I didn’t want to survive anymore. I wanted to live. To breathe. To create. To contribute meaningfully. I wanted to be there, fully present, for my daughters during these critical years. And I wanted to use everything I had learned in my career to uplift others—especially those in smaller charities making a big difference with tiny teams. I reminded myself: what my girls needed most wasn’t a mum with a high-paying job. They needed a mum who was well. A mum who showed them what it meant to chase purpose and prioritise health. A mum who believed in herself, so they could believe in themselves too. My faith was my anchor. As a Christian, I believed that my business could be a vessel— something God could use to multiply the impact of small charities and change lives. And so I surrendered it. I gave the fear and the business over, and just took one small step at a time. Yes, I was scared. But after cancer, what was left to fear? That leap wasn’t easy. It was emotional. Uncertain. But it was also beautiful. It taught me that bravery doesn’t mean the absence of fear—it means moving forward with it, heart wide open.

3. What was the first sign you were on the right path?

I’ll never forget the first time a client called me after a strategy session and said, “Michelle, your help has changed everything.” It was early on when I was still second-guessing my decision, still waiting for the panic to subside, still wondering if I’d made a huge mistake walking away from the comfort and safety of regular employment. But then the results started to come in. Charities I had begun working with were seeing real, measurable change. One mentoring organisation told me they were finally able to hire an extra staff member, someone to support the vulnerable young people they cared so deeply about. Another First Nations organisation told me they no longer had to dip into their financial reserves to stay afloat. They were becoming sustainable. Their future looked stronger, more secure. And I had played a role in that. That was the moment the internal doubts started to quieten. The fear that had once been deafening slowly gave way to a rising confidence. Not arrogance, but a quiet certainty that I was exactly where I was meant to be. These weren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. These were real people, real communities, and real programs being expanded because of the strategies I helped put in place. My work was enabling others to do their life-changing work better. That ripple effect filled me with a sense of purpose I had never experienced so directly before. I had stepped into each charities corner and not just as a consultant, but as someone who genuinely cared. That human connection, that partnership, became the heartbeat of my business. I realised that this was no longer just about “starting a business” or proving something to myself. It was about showing up with heart. It was about bringing empathy, strategy, and encouragement to people who often feel unseen and under-resourced in the charity sector. For the first time, I wasn’t just delivering on someone else’s vision but I was living my own. My workdays felt purposeful. My clients were grateful. And I was doing it all with flexibility, in a way that honoured both my health and my daughters’ needs. That first wave of positive feedback didn’t just affirm my path but it healed something in me. It reminded me that the scariest leaps often land you exactly where you were meant to be all along.