I’m Joanne Brooks, and I know firsthand the challenges women face on their entrepreneurial journeys. From the pressure to juggle it all to moments of self-doubt and uncertainty, I’ve been there. After leading corporate teams for over 20 years in commercial banking, I stepped into the entrepreneurial world and found myself navigating a whole new set of challenges.
Over the past two decades, I’ve launched 17 companies, experienced the highs of scaling a business to $30 million in turnover in just 24 months, and learned invaluable lessons through both successes and setbacks. These experiences shaped me, fuelling my passion to empower other women to grow businesses that are not only profitable but also aligned with their values and dreams.
At Navig8Biz, my mission is to guide women entrepreneurs through the complexities of business ownership with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Here’s what drives me:
Empowerment Through Education: I believe knowledge is power. Every woman deserves access to quality business education that cuts through the noise and delivers real results.
Authenticity and Alignment: Business should feel like an extension of who you are—not a compromise. I help women build businesses that reflect their values, passions, and goals.
Connection and Community: Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be lonely. I’ve created a supportive community where women can connect, learn, and grow together.
I definitely didn't get here overnight though.
I have navigated through over two decades of entrepreneurship and my mission is to guide entrepreneurs in creating their ideal futures. I lead them towards solid foundations, setting them up for successful exits that meet their future goals.
I specifically work with female leaders to believe in themselves, & to be confident inside & out knowing that by doing so they will create a positive impact. To reawaken their belief in self so they can lower their exhausting façade and know it is time to step into their future success.
My own journey to self-discovery started with the gut-wrenching decision to liquidate. This led me on an emotional rollercoaster that showcased how disconnected from my purpose I had become, which meant I had been making poor decisions, creating the perfect storm to liquidation.
I have spent the last 40 years smashing through barriers in my career, some due to my gender, my own imposter syndrome kicking in, or because others perceived that I wasn't good enough.
Great mentors who supported my journey to success were key in my self-re-discovery journey. They helped me awaken the passion within myself and made sure that I never lost sight of what was important.
My own journey to self-discovery began with the gut-wrenching decision to liquidate my business. This experience took me on an emotional rollercoaster, highlighting how disconnected I had become from my purpose. It became evident that I had been making poor decisions, inadvertently paving the way for liquidation.
Throughout my career, I have faced various barriers, be it due to my gender, imposter syndrome, or others' perceptions of my abilities.
However, with the support of great mentors, I embarked on a journey to success, rediscovering my passion and never losing sight of what truly mattered.
In 2017, Navig8 Biz was born with a singular goal - to share my learnings so that others can avoid the same pitfalls I encountered and achieve success with fewer obstacles.
Since then, I have helped thousands of leaders navigate the maze of success, demonstrating that they can lead boldly and be recognised for the impact they create.
It doesn't matter if no one else believes in you.
Reconnect Your Mindset, Heart, and Gut
Joanne offers a range of programs and resources to support your journey towards becoming an inspiring leader.
From mindset transformation programs to personalised one-on-one mentoring, online programs, as well as access to global MBAs, I provide the tools and guidance you need to reconnect your mindset, heart, and gut.
Care to get even more personal?
Here are a few fun facts…
I’m a Wollongong gal turned Gold Coaster since 1974.
I'm Joanne, born in Wollongong, and my family is the center of my world. Every decision I make and every action I take is driven by my love and dedication to their happiness and well-being.
One of my favourite daily rituals is taking morning walks along the breathtaking bay, where I find peace and clarity to start my day. I have a deep affection for Belgium Shepherds, and my furry companions bring me immense joy and companionship.
Whether it's pursuing my career or pursuing new adventures, everything I do is with the intention of providing the best life for my family and maintaining our cherished lifestyle.
Traveling with my loving husband, Paul, is a special passion of mine as we explore new places and create lasting memories together.
My constant sources of inspiration are my amazing daughter, Nicole, and my incredible mum, Bev, who motivate me to be the best version of myself every single day.
I'm a seasoned professional with an extensive background in commercial banking and a successful business owner in the education space. For the first 20 years of my career, I thrived in the commercial banking sector, gaining valuable expertise and honing my skills. However, my entrepreneurial spirit led me to transition into the education industry, where I have thrived as a business owner.
Over the past two decades, I have launched 16 businesses across a diverse range of industries, including education, finance, construction, accountancy, law firm, marketing, IT, HR, and business consultancy.
Throughout this journey, I have experienced both remarkable success and valuable lessons from failures, all of which have contributed to my personal and professional growth.
My most memorable was building a business from the ground up to $30mil turnover in just 24 months.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I've had and the knowledge I've acquired along the way..
In the spirit of reconciliation, Navig8 Biz acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.