Deciding to leave a job that you once considered your "dream" role, while still being, in textbook terms "fulfilled", is not an easy decision. Just ask Michelle Battersby, who decided to leave her coveted role at Bumble after 3 years (and 3 million registrations), to try a new challenge at Steph Miller and Laura Henshaw's Keep It Cleaner.
Watch Below: Steph Miller's Fitness Advice
Battersby was hired in 2016 to launch app Bumble in Australia, which she did to dizzying success. That's why it came as such a shock to many when she announced she was leaving her role as Director APAC Marketing for a new role as Chief Marketing Officer at KIC. During her almost three years at Bumble, Battersby launched Bumble Date, BFF and Bizz, and had been a driving force behind the brand’s partnerships with Falls Festival, Splendour in the Grass, the Melbourne Cup and marie claire’s own Glass Ceiling Awards.
Now, we're asking Battersby to reflect on the last few months, asking her how that decision has impacted her, what challenges she's faced and what advice she'd give to others thinking of doing the same.
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"It's challenging obviously, but I think so much power and inner strength can be found from walking away from something whilst you still love it," she says. "I've always been told, leave the party whilst you're still having fun.
"For me, that's really what it was about. I had the most amazing, positive experience at Bumble. I knew it was going to forever impact me and it changed my life for the best."
"I just felt like life's all about timing. For me, it just seemed like the right time to say, 'I've done so many incredible things. I've done all I feel like I really can at these brands. Now I need to go and challenge myself somewhere else'."
Battersby now has her sights set on building and developing the already strong community of Keep It Cleaner. The fitness app was founded by Miller and Henshaw, with the goal of creating a positive and healthy mindset for young women. It includes workout plans, healthy recipes and a wellness hub, with guided meditations and other self-love tips.
"It's like the right opportunity came up at the right time with Keep It Cleaner," Battersby says. "That's definitely why I made the choice. It was all about growth, opportunity, and continuing to challenge myself. I just feel like as a company, Keep It Cleaner has so much opportunity and potential. That fast, quick growth excites me the most. That's what fueled me at Bumble. That's what's fueling me at KIC."
"I just want to see it like blow up."
As for what Battersby would tell other women thinking of doing to same, it's as simple as: don't let fear stop you.
"I just think when you are making that decision, you just can't turn down something because of fear. Because when I did come close to the start date and I did start to freak out a little bit. I thought to myself, the only reason why I'd go back on this or I've changed my mind is due to fear. And that's not a good enough reason to not do it, for me.
"If you're just going to not do something because you're scared, that's not a good enough reason. You're going to be scared about most big changes in your life. I just think my initial response was, 'Right move, do it.' You just got to stick to that."
To learn more about Keep It Cleaner, head here.
