As a Perth-based media strategist & commentatoR, speaker and mum of two, Lanna Hill shares inspirational stories from the corporate and small business arenas.
Lanna describes herself as an all-or-nothing type. “As an example, I moved to Sydney in my early 20’s ready to climb the corporate ladders, and found myself loving life – a little too much! Without realising it, I had managed to put on 12 kilograms in as many months. I knew I had to take action.” So despite not having run for more than ten years, Lanna invested in a good pair of running shoes and registered for a half marathon six months away. She wound up fit, confident and with a newly discovered love of running – albeit with a few blisters.
Today she bring the same mentality to business: if you want to achieve success, set a plan and then hit the ground running. She firmly believes that anyone can achieve their goals with a little inspiration and the right tools. “So as a speaker, strategist and media commentator, that’s what I aim to do – inform and empower others so that they can take the critical steps themselves,” she says.
But Lanna also walks the walk. All the advice she shares has been gleaned over a long, diverse career.
Lanna was 19 when she started out in corporate sales. Ten years and many awards later, she was handling the accounts of multinational brands such as McDonalds and Accor Hotels, and had branched into marketing, branding and strategic planning. But it was time for new challenge.
“Lanna's passion was infectious and her laidback, approachable style ensured she was a massive hit with our guests. Her vast knowledge enabled her to handle the varying skill-sets and questions from our guests”
Anika Meza, New Beginnings Fair
So she took a left turn, and in 2015 decided to combine her corporate knowledge and passion for helping other people realise their career goals by launching One Small Step Business Coaching. “I believe that with a little preparation, self-confidence and a strong set of values, anyone can enjoy success. And it’s my great love in life to help others discover that.”
Applying this philosophy to her own career has also led to some wonderful milestones. During her time as a business coach, Lanna personally impacted more than 500 businesses in just four years and was nominated for several awards, including the 40 Under 40 and the Telstra Business Awards. You can read more about Lanna’s awards and achievements here.
During this time, Lanna discovered a new passion - media. Lanna’s energy and knowledge resulted in her very quickly becoming a mainstay in Perth’s media, appearing regularly on 9 News Perth, 6PR and ABC Radio, as well as 6iX Perth where Lanna had her own segment for 12 months.
Lanna’s fascination with the media industry led to her joining the team of local PR agency Media Stable full time in December 2019, and co-founding Expert Registry in 2020. “My core purpose for almost 15 years now has been helping people achieve their full potential, and the platforms of traditional and online media remain incredibly powerful, despite constant change and evolution.” Lanna then went onto found her own agency, Leverage, in December 2021, and is now working with individuals, organisations and brands across Australia.
Despite being an ambitious and driven person when it comes to work, in her downtime Lanna likes to take it easy. “I enjoy spending time with my kids, getting outdoors, burying my head in an autobiography, or dreaming of Italy – the one country I could revisit over and over again,” she says. “Perhaps that’s because the Italians share my outlook – life is to be grabbed with two hands and enjoyed. I do believe that when people apply that same approach to business, magic happens.”
“An ability to provide clarity and guidance while enabling her clients with a sense of self belief and trust is what sets Lanna apart. She’s real, honest, kind and funny.”
Isabella Mitchell, TMC Collective
