Carly Woods is the founder of Get My Refund, a consumer advocacy service that works on behalf of the consumer to get back money owed as a result of mis-sold insurance and finance products.

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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?

I spent many years working in finance and insurance, with my last role as General Sales 

Manager within a large automotive brand.  Although grateful to the industry for giving me so much opportunity and experience, I left as I recognised there was so much that is wrong with the way that finance and insurance products are sold.

It is also a difficult industry for a woman to make meaningful changes. But most importantly I had an unfulfilled desire to make a difference to consumers and do something with purpose.   

I decided to use my years of knowledge to benefit consumers by establishing Get My Refund, a consumer advocacy service that works on behalf of the consumer to get back money owed as a result of mis-sold insurance and finance products.

I am in the early stages of building a specialist team who can help me to create a trusted brand. We are focussed on delivering the best service we can to our clients and achieving results, one refund at a time. 

2) What does a day in your life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?

The Get My Refund team starts the day with a meeting to reflect on client successes, solve any problems and review team workloads and priorities.

Currently technology is taking up a lot of my time as I am driving new software implementation to make our process more streamlined for clients. 

As we are an early stage business I quickly move from conversations with our lawyers to negotiating with banks, to marketing meetings where we discuss blogs and upcoming campaigns.

We are growing quickly so I am interviewing a lot to secure the best possible people to deliver the best experience for our clients.

3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine? 

I built this business before COVID, knowing that often the best people for the job don’t want to work full time, or in an office.

Personally I struggled with the commute and lack of flexibility in my previous roles and know there are thousands of capable mothers, for example, who have so much experience to offer.  Everyone in our business has the ability to work remotely if required or desired. 

I value the opportunity to work alone and late at night without the need for travel. Fitness is really important to me and you’ll often find me at the gym in the mornings.  I can work from anywhere on my phone.

4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?

I think having the early morning to strengthen my mind with fitness allows me to set myself up for the day.  I also love taking my dogs out for a walk at lunchtime. Work life balance is something I struggle with as I have unlimited passion for what I am doing and work often feels like a hobby. 

I’m never worried about the lack of balance as I’m driven by this incredible opportunity I have created to make a difference to consumers and help them claw back what is rightfully theirs.

5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life? 

Get My Refund is an early stage business and like any new baby it takes up a lot of time.

One thing I have done is swapped Netflix series’ for podcasts that give me valuable insights into running a startup. There is so much advice out there and people are so willing to share their expertise.

6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?

There are so many I love. In my spare time I am always listening to business podcasts. Development is key to growth. Mamamia’s Lady Start-up is awesome and the Wondery App is also a firm favourite currently.

My favourite book has long been 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. I’m fascinated by quantum physics and Joe Dispenza has some great insights. 

7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?

Aside from our own CRM  app  I could not live without Microsoft apps as they are a game changer for business.

8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?  

Mia Freedman and Elon Musk as they are two very different but productive people.  I’d love  to know how they squeeze so much in their days.

9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

Life is balanced when you spend your energy on projects that fill your soul. Balance to me is about constant growth – it is striving to complete the goals you set and learning and growing when they don’t go to plan. Keep your mind free from negative non-purposeful thoughts and make work your happy place.

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