Georgia Rickard became Australia’s youngest magazine editor at just 23 – a milestone that offered both opportunity and unexpected insight. In the years since, she’s evolved into a powerful storyteller, speaker and founder of BRAND CAMP – a new one-day summit helping professionals show up with clarity and confidence in this new professional era. In our conversation, Georgia reflects on ambition, identity, and the quiet strength that comes from being fully, unapologetically yourself.
What did a young Georgia Rickard want to be when she grew up?
A gymnast. A novelist. A lawyer. A war correspondent. A Spice Girl! It changed weekly. But I think the common thread was: I wanted to be seen. Not necessarily for the sake of ego… but to matter. To have something worth saying.
You became Australia’s youngest magazine editor at just 23 – an incredible achievement in anyone’s books – but you’ve also shared that you were battling personal struggles behind the scenes. How did that chapter shape your belief system around ambition and identity, and above all, protecting your wellbeing?
That’s so nice of you to say. Look, I think I was lucky to be able to tick a big dream off the list early – but it wasn’t what I thought it would be. And that was a gift, it was only through that process I realised that doing “the thing” doesn’t necessarily mean you feel like you. I was burnt out, constantly performing, and trying to live up to what I thought success looked like.
That experience taught me the importance of building a career around your values, not the industry’s expectations. In this era – where visibility is power – we’ve got to learn how to show up in a way that aligns with who we are. Not just who we think we’re supposed to be.
What does success mean to you now, compared to what it meant to that 23-year-old young woman?
At 23, I thought success meant being the best. Now, I think success is about being yourself – in public – and having that resonate.
The people who are truly thriving right now aren’t the ones with the glossiest resumes. They’re the ones who know how to tell their own story with clarity, confidence, and cut-through. I truly believe those are the new metrics of visibility, credibility and trust in 2025.
You’re known for helping brands and creatives tell powerful stories, but you’re also incredibly open when sharing your own personal stories. Have you always felt comfortable being that honest publicly, or is that something you’ve had to learn over time?
Oh god – learned! One awkward story at a time.
But here’s what I’ve come to believe: People don’t buy ideas. They buy the energy of those ideas – and the clarity and conviction with which they’re shared. Ergoi, having the ability to tell a story – with heart and honesty and total congruence – isn’t just a skill. It’s a superpower (especially in an AI world). When I realised that, and started being brave enough to let people into my ‘real’ story, things started to click – in business, in connection, in opportunity.
I truly believe that the more honestly and authentically you can be yourself, the more of the right people you’ll attract into your sphere. People want to be around those who are undeniably themselves, because in a world of pretence, those of us who’ve given ourselves permission to just be who we are, give others permission to do the same. And that’s what we’re all craving. The space to just be ourselves.
You’ve just launched BRAND CAMP – an event for people looking to future-proof their work through the art of storytelling. At its core, what is BRAND CAMP, and what do you hope people take away from being in the room?
BRAND CAMP is a one-day storytelling summit for professionals who know they’re good at what they do – but want to be known for it.
It’s part inspiration, part education, part kick-up-the-bum – and 100% designed to help you show up as the kind of expert people talk about, recommend, and remember.
Whether you work in media, marketing, content or brand – or you’re building something of your own – you’ll walk away with real tools for building a personal brand that’s credible, compelling and commercial. And if that sounds a little buzzy… well, that’s the thing. Most people don’t realise they already have a personal brand. The question is just: is it working for you?
For anyone feeling a little lost in their career right now – unsure of their next move, or how to share their voice in a meaningful way – what would you want them to know?
You’re not behind. You’re just at a turning point in your evolution – and we all go through them.
The people who are thriving in this new era aren’t necessarily the loudest – they’re the clearest. They’ve taken the time to define what they stand for, what they want to be known for, and how they want to be seen. So TAKE THE TIME.
And, of course, consider coming to BRAND CAMP. It’s the space I wish I’d had five years ago – a room full of smart, values-led professionals who are all asking: How do I tell my story in a way that opens doors? And how do I do it without selling my soul or shouting on TikTok?
BRAND CAMP will be held in Sydney on May 21, 2025. Secure your tickets here.
Feature image credit – Baluca Media
