Meet SA Woman Member, Karina McDonald.
Business/Organisation: Connect Comms
Job Role: Marketing Communication
Tell us a bit about you:
Hey there, I’m Karina, the creator behind Connect Comms!
I began this journey when I found my knack for helping business owners discover their voice and vibe with their dream audience. Connection is my highest value – I get so inspired when a message hits the heart with the right person.
Proud mum of two, it on my son and a little thing called divorce that kick started my business. When life threw me a curveball with my son’s quadriplegic cerebral palsy diagnosis and a 22 year marriage plot twist, I realised that time is too rich to be spent poorly. I ended my 14-year stint in corporate telecommunications, loaded up on learning through courses, and decided to do what lit a fire in my belly while creating a bright future for my kids.
Beforehand I was a team leader, ops manager, case manager, and training deliverer at Optus. Loved it, learned tons, but I craved a life where I could dance to my own tune, be flexible to my son’s needs, and find creativity in my work.
I’m also a fierce advocate for disability and have spoken on TV, radio, in newspapers and on podcasts in an effort to create change for the disability community and their carers.
Tell us a bit about your business or organisation/role: I’m all about smart storytelling, with heart. I find joy when witnessing clients light up with excitement and realisation as they embrace their ‘identity’ or brand ‘voice.’
Helping them learn how to ‘speak’ to their audience in a way that feels authentic and resonates not only with them but also with their ideal audience is incredibly rewarding.
Just thinking about it gets me all heart bursty! Haha!
*Copywriting with clever formulas to drive interest and action.
*Strategies that have proven results to grow reach, audience and leads far and wide.
*Smart and engaging SEO website content for optimum Google love.
*Social media creation, planning and strategy that has scrolly little fingers stopping.
*Emails nurturing your customers on a journey that’s savvy, not spammy.
*Catalog and website product descriptions to interest, inform and inspire clicks to carts.
*Content Creation, social media, blogs, podcast scripts and collateral with heart and smarts.
*Award winning grant submissions, business capability documents and company profiles that ban the yawn.
What region of South Australia are you in?:
Adelaide East
How can you best contact you:
Phone Number: 0408 805 709
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/95742997/admin/feed/posts/
Website: https://www.connectcomms.com.au/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/connectcomms.marketing
Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/connect.comms/
Let’s get to know you a little more:
What has been a lesson you learnt in your career or business that has stayed with you?
One of my most significant lessons in business centers around a powerful quote I came across: “whypower instead of willpower.” On those overwhelming days when anxiety creeps in, overthinking takes over, and the comparison game gets tempting, it’s easy to retreat and avoid putting yourself out there. However, the real strength to persevere through it all doesn’t hinge on mere willpower; it’s about ‘whypower.’
While willpower can ebb and flow, scientifically proven to dwindle as the day progresses, ‘whypower’ remains a constant force. For me, my kids are my unwavering ‘why.’ They serve as a perpetual motivator, a consistent kick in the pants, pulling me out of comparison traps or whatever else might be clouding my path. They fuel the fire that keeps me pushing forward.
What is your favourite place in South Australia to visit?
Melrose, Flinders Ranges. There’s magic in those mountains.
Why is being part of SA Woman important to you?
Connection is my highest value and the energy, encouragement and inspiration within SAW is so authentic, vulnerable and empowering.
Everyone genuinely invested in the wellbeing and success of each other. It’s such a positive, uplifting network for supporting women in SA!
What is a quote or mantra you live by?
“The obstacle is the way” because every so-called obstacle has turned me into a stronger, better version of myself.
Oh, and “get amongst it” because FOMO is my constant companion, and I love diving headfirst into the action!