Jane & Andrea in the local

As a first date, new boy invited me to see the Banff Mountain Film Festival. We were to be picked up from my place by two of his friends – a couple called Rog and Andrea. The friends picked us up in their four wheel drive out the front of my place. Over their shoulders in the font, I was briefly introduced to the friends. From the distance of the backseat, I was sure I knew one of them. It was the friend whose presence intensely filled up the space, with her spray of Canadian accent and instant sense of charisma.

Yes, I had recognised her from the local paper. It was given to my by my mother who collects clippings on anything she feels may be of interest to me. Things that may add to my well roundness, things like a story in my local paper on the recent NSW Telstra Young Business Woman of the year (2009) award winner, Andrea Culligan.

“I just read about you in the paper” I blurted from the back seat. “Another fan” Rog , Culligan’s fiancé, sighed cheakily. Then the three friends joked how since taking the reins of Unimail, a graduate and publishing marketing agency, Culligan has appeared in media such as  AFR, SMH often, but it appeared was familiar to most from the article in the Manly Daily.

On top of her game Andrea has done it more ways that one.

As we drove to our destination, chit chat was around Culligan’s upcoming wedding in Bali. Our chance meeting had taken place at an exciting time. Not only had Culligan recently been recognized for the award, she was also just about to open a new office in Canada as well. At this moment in time Culligan, 34, is a bouquet of success; accomplished, interesting, gorgeous, funny, articulate and athletic. Check, check, check and check. Not to mention a natural likeability, ‘XX’ factor, and a commanding presence. Geez, some people have it all… but did they always?

It has been an interesting ride to the top, as can be seen by the interview below. Culligan opens up about her ‘bumpy’ start and the power of uniqueness.

You regularly receive apologies via Facebook from people you went to school with. What’s that about?

At school the humiliations were relentless. At my high school in Alberta, Canada, I was outspoken and I was overweight which made me an easy target for constant bullying. Now those same people are apologising. I’m not angry with those people anymore. I’m actually grateful – I’m stronger because of what I’ve lived through.

“Being unique is the best thing you having going for you.”

You had small attempts at suicide, and at the time seeked solace through writing poetry. Why?

Reading my own words makes me want to cry for the young girl and help her. It’s dark and devastatingly depressing. Around the age of 14, I attempted suicide several times. It was really a cry for help. I couldn’t see the bigger picture. I thought my life was going to be like that forever. Now, I feel so much for young people who feel the same way I did. I believe it’s important to help young people understand that there is a future outside of their current reality, and that every decision creates a different journey.

How did you get through that time?

I don’t have one defining moment other than starting to play rugby. I made new friends who didn’t appear to care about my ‘size’. It was a good outlet for me. Then, at 19, I emigrated to Australia. The change in environment worked well for me and things improved.

So what learnings can you share with others about your story?

Following what everyone else is doing is not going to get you anywhere. Being unique is the best thing you having going for you.

When did you realise this?

Always being steadfast in my beliefs, has mean’t that I haven’t always been aligned with others. Realising the power in both having the courage to trust yourself, and to do what you think is right, has been a recent thing. Winning the Telstra Young Business Woman award confirm this for me. The attributes that made me stand out and get picked on are now what makes me good at my job. It confirmed for me that I am very different. I now embrace this and want to share the positivity of individual uniqueness.

What importance to you place on being a role model?

I have purchased the domain name www.youngbusinesswomen.com.au and plan to mentor through embracing young people’s individual strengths, even if they are outside of the typical maths and science academia. I’ll also share the message that the game just doesn’t begin and end in one’s school years.