From setbacks to success: Kate Lamason on reapplying for the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award

A Friend of Mine by OAK Magazine

This is a special episode on the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award with a focus on resilience and perseverance in the face of initial setbacks. Despite not succeeding in her first application, Kate Lamason emphasises the importance of never giving up and the growth that comes from reapplying.

Kate is a co-owner of Little Tuna, a company leading the charge in sustainability within Australia's seafood industry. She is also this year’s AgriFutures Rural Women's Award Queensland Winner.

In this episode, we dive into Kate's journey, from navigating the complexities of running a business that champions Australian-caught tuna to her inspiring persistence in applying for the AgriFutures award - not once, but three times.

Kate's project for the award focuses on advocating for locally sourced, sustainable seafood and bringing Australian tuna back to our supermarket shelves. With a background fortified by her participation in the Seafood Industry Leadership Program, Kate shares how her experiences have shaped her confidence and leadership within the industry.

In our conversation, Kate reflects on the significance of reapplying for the award, emphasising the personal growth, lessons and networks she gained along the way. We discuss how each attempt contributes to professional development and how the AgriFutures alumni fosters collaboration over competition. Kate’s story is a testament to resilience, highlighting how perseverance and a supportive network can propel women in business to new heights, regardless of the outcome.

REFLECTIONS ON THE EPISODE

Listening back to this episode, one of the standout lessons from Kate's journey is that resilience - the ability to try again, even after setbacks - is such a vital trait in business. Whether it’s reapplying for an award or navigating the challenges of running a company, it’s clear that every 'no' or roadblock presents an opportunity to reassess, learn and come back stronger.

Kate also mentioned the strength of the Rural Women’s Award alumni - a community of women who support, uplift, and encourage each other. In business, this is incredibly important. Having a network of people who understand your journey, who can offer advice or simply cheer you on, makes all the difference.

Finally, Kate’s story reminds us that success isn’t just about the final destination—whether that’s winning an award or getting a product on supermarket shelves. It’s about everything you learn along the way. Each step, each attempt, and each connection contributes to your growth, both personally and professionally.

Takeaways:

• Resilience is crucial in business, as setbacks can provide opportunities for growth.
• Networking with supportive communities, such as the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award alumni, fosters collaboration and development.
• Reapplying for awards can lead to personal and professional growth, despite previous setbacks.
• Men and women face challenges differently in business, with women often experiencing more self-doubt.
• Every 'no' can be a chance to reflect, learn, and come back stronger than before.
• Success is not just about winning; it's about the journey and connections made along the way.

ABOUT OAK MAGAZINE

This episode was hosted by Kimberley Furness, founder + editor of OAK Magazine. We are a proudly independent media publisher dedicated to sharing stories and amplifying voices of female change makers and women in business in regional and rural Australia. OAK is an award winning community ecosystem of print, digital, audio and events. We have demonstrated outstanding quality, innovation and impact through our print magazine, podcasts and audio version of OAK Magazine. OAK is where you will find in-depth chats and courageous conversations with women in business from regional and rural Australia.

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For more inspiring stories, visit OAK Magazine website. Hosted by Kimberley Furness, Founder + Editor, OAK Magazine.